Xbox Game PassStandard finally fills a hole in the lineup of Game Pass subscription options that’s been left unaddressed for far too long, but it still comes with some compromises compared to Game Pass Ultimate. As an online multiplayer service that also grants access to free games,Xbox Game Pass has proven popularon both console and PC. The expensive Ultimate subscription makes the game library available across platforms, while cheaper options grant benefits on one or the other.

The basic PC plan grants access to the free game library while trading the online multiplayer subscription in for an EA Play membership. On console, however, the cheaper Core plan doesn’t provide the vast majority of the free game library, traditionally forcing Xbox owners to jump to the pricey Ultimate subscription to enjoy the most exciting benefits.The introduction of Xbox Game Pass standard splits the differencewithout sacrificing too much of what people love about Game Pass Ultimate, but some of the games available in Ultimate still won’t be accessible through this new option.

Xbox Game Pass - Red cyber background

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Games Missing In Standard

Everything That Doesn’t Make The Cut

DIRT 5

PAYDAY 3

Zeus from Age of Mythology and Joan of Arc from Ara in front of the Xbox logo and a background from Frostpunk 2.

skate. (2007)

UFC 4

Characters from STALKER 2, Avowed, and Indiana Jones & The Great Circle.

Zuma’s Revenge!

EA Play

It’s a fairly significant list of missing titles, but as far as the standard back catalog goes, Xbox Game Pass Standard is just as comprehensive. The difference will be most keenly felt by those who either like to hop on new releases or have a significant fondness for EA titles.

Xbox Game Pass Standard Price & Value

A $14.99 Price Point Is Reasonable

Xbox Game Pass Standard sits exactly in between the prices of Game Pass Core and Ultimate, demanding a $14.99 paymenteach month as opposed to $9.99 and $19.99 respectively. Aside from the difference in game library size, it also cutsUltimate’s access to cloud and PC gamingas well as losing out on in-game perks and special offers. For those who mostly just want online multiplayer, Core is still the best deal, and it does include a small library of curated games (viewable on the officialXboxwebsite) that simply pales in comparison to the other options.

Xbox Game Pass September 2024: Every New Game & What’s Leaving This Month

It’s time for another monthly refresh of Xbox Game Pass. Here are all the new titles coming to and old ones leaving the service in September 2024.

Although the value of Game Pass Standard isn’t as strong as the $11.99 PC subscription, it does feel like a good offering for console players who want free games and don’t care about the day one releases and EA titles.There’s plenty to play through the service without worrying about every new game, and the other differences between the plans are fairly minor for those without a PC or devices that they want to use cloud gaming on.

Joanna Dark pointing a gun in the Perfect Dark reboot in front of a solarpunk backrground.

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Games

The Future Has A Lot In Store

The list of differences between the Xbox Game Pass Standard and Ultimate libraries won’t remain static. New titles that aren’t currently available on Standard may become accessible after enough time has passed, andfuture day one releases will continue to launch on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate first. Xbox provides a list of day one titles that are coming soon on the official website.

Perfect Dark Reboot Could Give Me The One Thing I Thought Xbox Never Would

A genre in dire straits might be coming back from a source that’s particularly surprising, especially considering Microsoft’s recent failings.

Regardless, it’s nice to have more options, and Xbox Game Pass Standard could be the perfect choice for those who don’t quite want to commit to Ultimate. $14.99 a month still isn’t cheap, but it’s only a moderate upgrade in cost for those who are already using Game Pass Core. The world of subscription gaming isn’t for everyone, butXbox Game Passcan be a powerful way to access games without putting money down on building a permanent library.