Xbox Game Pass vs. Buying Games Individually: Which is Better?

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Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service offered by Microsoft that allows players to access a library of over 100 games for a monthly fee. One of the main selling points of Game Pass is that it offers a more affordable way to play a wide variety of games, as opposed to buying each game individually. But is this actually the case?

To answer this question, it’s important to consider several factors.

First, let’s look at the cost of an Xbox Game Pass. As of Dec. 26th, 2022, the standard price for Game Pass for Console is $9.99 per month (a PC Game Pass is available at the same cost, this subscription includes all features in Xbox Game Pass for Console, plus includes an EA Play subscription at no additional cost, EA Play is a library of top Electronic Arts titles on PC, exclusive rewards, and member-only content). This gets you access to the entire library of games, which includes both Xbox One and backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles.

There is also a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which includes Game Pass for both Console and PC, as well as Xbox Live Gold (which is required to play online multiplayer on Xbox) and other perks, only for $1 for the first month then $14.99 per month.

Xbox Game Pass plans comparison chart — Xbox Game Pass pricing comparison chart as of Dec. 26th, 2022. (Image Credit: Xbox/Microsoft)

Now, let’s compare this to the cost of buying games individually. The average price for a new Xbox One game is around $60, although prices can vary significantly depending on the game and any special editions or bundles that are available. If you only buy one or two games per year, then it’s likely that buying them individually will be cheaper than subscribing to Game Pass. However, if you’re someone who plays a lot of games and is interested in trying out a wide variety of titles, then Game Pass can start to look more appealing.

For example, let’s say you want to play 10 new games in a year. If you bought each game individually, it would cost you $600. With a Game Pass subscription, it would cost you $119.88 for the year (assuming you pay for 12 months of the service at once for a Console or PC Game Pass). That’s a savings of around $480, or about 80% off the cost of buying each game individually.

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that not every game in the Game Pass library is a new release. Many of the games are older titles that may be available for a much lower price if you were to buy them individually. However, the Game Pass library does include a selection of newer releases, as well as exclusive titles that are only available through the service.

Verdict

Whether or not Xbox Game Pass is cheaper than buying games individually depends on your gaming habits and budget. If you only play a few games per year and are happy with a smaller selection, then buying games individually may be the better option. However, if you’re someone who loves trying out a wide variety of games and doesn’t mind playing older titles, then Game Pass could offer a more affordable way to play.

Where to purchase Xbox Game Pass Subscription

There are several ways to purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription:

On your Xbox console: You can purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription directly through your Xbox console. Simply go to the Xbox Store, select the Xbox Game Pass tab, and choose the subscription plan that you want. You can pay for the subscription using your credit card or through your Microsoft account balance.
On the Xbox/Microsoft Store: You can also purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription through the Xbox or Microsoft Store online. Simply visit (www.xbox.com/xbox-game-pass), and select the subscription plan that you want. You can pay for the subscription using your credit card or through your Microsoft account balance.
Through a retailer: You can also purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription at a retailer such as Best Buy, Amazon or GameStop (we’ve added them below). You can then redeem the card on your Xbox console or through the Microsoft Store online.

It’s important to note that Xbox Game Pass is not available for purchase in all regions, Visit xbox.com/regions for details on market availability. You should check the availability of the service in your region before attempting to purchase a subscription.

Xbox Store

Game Pass for Console at $9.99/month

Play hundreds of high-quality console games on console, New games are added all the time, Xbox Game Studios titles the same day as release, and Member discounts and deals.

Get Deal

Xbox.com

PC Game Pass at $1, then $9.99/month

All benefits from Game Pass for Console, plus: Play hundreds of high-quality games on PC, and EA Play, a library of top Electronic Arts titles on PC, exclusive rewards, and member-only content.

Get Deal

Xbox.com

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $1, then $14.99/month

All benefits from PC Game Pass, plus: Play hundreds of high-quality games on PC, Free Perks including in-game content and partner offers, and Xbox Live Gold includes Deals with Gold, Games with Gold, and console multiplayer.