Game Pass can be one of the most worthwhile extras you can add to your Xbox Series X/S or even your PC gaming setup. From the get-go, each tier of the online game subscription feels worth its default cost, but the last wave of price increases put extra pressure on finding a worthwhile Game Pass discount.
Microsoft announced on October 1 2025, that Game Pass was going through some changes, with the most notable difference being in price. A month of Game Pass Ultimate, which was $19.99 was then $29.99, a 50% increase that brought the value of Game Pass into question more than ever before. Microsoft must have heard our cries, as this was followed by an announcement on April 21 2026, that the Ultimate tier was dropping down to $22.99 a month instead.
This change came with some caveats, as future Call of Duty titles will no longer join Game Pass at launch, and it's still not as affordable as it used to be. If you're still looking for Game Pass savings, Newegg and Loaded (formerly CDKeys) are still providing discounts on the gaming service, though they aren't always in stock. So you can still keep your Game Pass outgoings as low as possible in the face of these changes, we've rounded up all the latest Xbox Game Pass deals and what games you can expect to play (like this month's Date Everything and PowerWash Simulator 2) down below.
What's new on Xbox Game Pass for August 2026?
Xbox Game Pass adds more games to its collection every month. This digital care package is usually several games strong, and depending on your membership, you can get games for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, or PC.
To give you a head start on everything coming your way this month, you'll find all the new games currently announced for August 2026 in the list below:
- Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta – Early Access Starting August 6
- Heretic + Hexen (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – August 4
- Beast of Reincarnation (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 4
- Monsters are Coming! (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 6
- PowerWash Simulator 2 (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 6
- Bounty Star (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 11
- Date Everything! (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 11
- Grounded 2 (Game Preview) (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 11
- Ball x Pit (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 12
- Cricket 26 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 13
- Mio: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 13
- Sandustry (Game Preview) (PC) – August 13
- Egging On (Cloud XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 18
The best Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deals
If you want to combine your Xbox Game Pass PC and Console subscriptions, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deals are a much better value pick. While a little pricier than the single Game Pass subscriptions, you'll find the lowest price for a three-month subscription that we've discovered this month just below.
Best Xbox Game Pass Deals FAQ
Is there an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 12 month subscription?
There is currently no official Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 12-month subscription, with many retailers only offering one or three-month cards. However, these codes are stackable, so you can load up and not have to think about your library for a full year.
How to drop the Xbox Game Pass price to $1
There is no way to drop the Xbox Game Pass price to $1 without Microsoft's introductory price, which starts and stops throughout the year. In 2022, we did see this price return during Black Friday sales, so that's worth keeping an ear out for this year. The trial allowed anyone to try out Xbox Game Pass for a month at a reduced rate before being enrolled in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which then originally only cost $14.99 a month.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price worth it?
If you're at all interested in keeping up with the latest first-party Xbox releases, or exploring the massive back catalogue of first and third-party titles on the system, Xbox Game Pass is definitely worth it. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price is a little higher now, and it's worth considering whether you're going to be using the additional features it includes.
If you're not going to be playing online (remember, Microsoft doesn't require a Live Gold subscription for free-to-play titles anymore), and you don't expect to be buying too many games from the store outright, the Game Pass Ultimate price might not be for you and you're better off sticking with the skinnier subscription.
Did the prices of Xbox Game Pass go up?
On October 1, 2025, Xbox announced that the prices of various Game Pass tiers would increase to reflect the "expanded catalog", which included Ultimate increasing to $29.99 a month in the US.
Standard subscribers' prices will remain at $14.99, however that tier is now named 'Premium'. Meanwhile, Xbox Game Pass Core subscriber prices will remain at $9.99 but will be known as the new 'Essential' tier.
The price of Game Pass Ultimate was then amended by Microsoft again on April 26, 2026, dropping from its $29.99 monthly cost to $22.99 instead. Meanwhile, PC Game Pass was also announced to drop from $16.49 to $13.99 a month starting from the same date.
You'll also find plenty of the best Xbox Series X controllers to complement your Game Pass subscription in our handy guide. Check out our best Xbox Series X headsets and best Xbox Series X accessories if you want the best Xbox peripherals at your disposal.
