Xbox Game Pass Just Got More Expensive — Is It Still Worth It?

If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, brace yourself — Microsoft just raised the price of Game Pass Ultimate to $30 per month. That’s not a typo.

The price hike affects the Ultimate tier, which is the only subscription level that gives you day-one access to new Xbox Game Studios releases. In return, Microsoft is promising access to 400+ games, including 75+ day-one titles per year, cloud gaming, and online multiplayer.

The cheaper Essentials tier stays at $9.99/month, but it’s a much more limited offering — only 50+ games and no day-one access.

Here’s the thing though: with GTA 6 dropping in November and a strong lineup of Xbox exclusives coming in 2026, Ultimate subscribers will actually get a lot for that $30. The question is whether casual gamers can justify the jump from what used to be $14.99 just a couple years ago.

Microsoft’s argument is simple — more content, more cloud features, more value. Critics argue this is a slow boil, with prices creeping upward year after year. Either way, the gaming subscription wars are heating up, and your wallet is caught in the middle.

If you’re debating whether to stick with Game Pass or switch to buying games outright, now’s the time to do the math.