Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now costs $30/month
Microsoft just raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $19.99 to $29.99 per month—a 50% jump that adds up to almost $120 extra each year.
They say it's because you'll now get more games, perks like Ubisoft+ Classics and Fortnite Crew, plus better cloud gaming with higher-quality streaming and priority access.
What's new?
Ultimate now offers over 400 games, including 75+ day-one releases yearly from Xbox, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard.
The standard tier is now called Premium at $14.99/month for 200+ games and faster queues, while Essential stays budget-friendly at $9.99/month with a curated library and multiplayer features.
PC Game Pass also costs more at $16.49/month (with Ubisoft+), but the Essential tier remains at $9.99/month for a smaller, curated game selection across console, PC, and cloud.
Is it worth it?
If you're after the biggest library and extras, Ultimate packs in value despite the price hike—but if you just want the basics or play on console only, cheaper options are still around for casual gamers.