Skip to main content
ClienteleCLNTL
Home/Game Subscriptions/Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Best overall

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

SCORE9.0ELITE

$22.99/mo — Xbox + PC + cloud + EA Play

BEST FORConsole and PC gamers who want the most complete subscription. Ultimate includes every Xbox and Bethesda first-party game on release day, EA Play, cloud gaming on Android and iOS, and online multiplayer in one subscription — though new Call of Duty titles no longer launch day one.
Reviewed by the Clientele Research Team · Last checked 9 days ago (2026-07-15)
Visit site ↗
Scores — click any row to see our rationale
Library Size▼9.5/10

400+ games including all Bethesda titles, Activision Blizzard's back catalog, EA Play's 100+ games, and Xbox exclusives — the largest first-party library of any subscription.

Value▼8/10

At $22.99 per month ($275.88 annually), Ultimate replaces Xbox Live Gold, EA Play, and day-one access to $70 first-party games. Buying four major first-party titles per year makes the annual cost break even against retail.

Day-One New Releases▼8.5/10

Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda first-party titles still launch day one — Halo, Forza, and Starfield were all included on release day — but Microsoft's April 2026 pricing update ends day-one Call of Duty access; new Call of Duty titles now arrive roughly a year later, during the following holiday season.

Platform Coverage▼9.5/10

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Android cloud gaming, iOS cloud gaming via browser, Samsung smart TVs, and Meta Quest — the broadest device support of any game subscription.

Extras & Perks▼9.5/10

Includes EA Play, Xbox Live Gold for online multiplayer, cloud gaming via xCloud at up to 1440p/60fps on select titles since a February 2026 update (most titles remain at 1080p), member discounts up to 20% on purchases, and Game Pass Quests for rewards.

PROS
✓Every Xbox and Bethesda first-party game is still included on release day — Starfield and Forza both launched directly into Game Pass.
✓Cloud gaming via xCloud streams to Android, iOS, and Samsung TVs — no console required to play the full library.
CONS
✕Price rose from $14.99 to $19.99 in 2023, then to $29.99 in October 2025, before Microsoft cut it back to $22.99 in April 2026 after subscriber backlash — still a 53% increase over the 2023 price and the most expensive mainstream game subscription.
✕Microsoft's April 2026 policy change ended day-one Call of Duty access — new titles now arrive roughly a year later, during the following holiday season.
✕Cloud gaming quality is variable — most titles are capped at 1080p/60fps, with only select titles supporting up to 1440p/60fps since a February 2026 update. Competitive games like Call of Duty can still be noticeably different via stream compared to native console play.
YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER
PC Game Pass7.7

$13.99/mo — 400+ PC games day one

View PC Game Pass →
Apple Arcade7.5

$6.99/mo — 200+ games, zero ads, zero IAP

View Apple Arcade →
PlayStation Plus Premium7.1

$19.99/mo — PS library + classics + cloud streaming

View PlayStation Plus Premium →
COMPARE HEAD-TO-HEAD
Try Game Pass Ultimate← Back to Game Subscriptions
Visit site ↗