Microsoft recently announced they’re bumping the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price to $30 per month from the current $20 which is a significant increase that makes locking in the old pricing more appealing than ever. The price hike hasn’t rolled out everywhere yet, and Amazon is capitalizing on this transition during Prime Big Deal Days by offering a three-month membership for $56, down from $59. This deal isn’t limited to Prime members, anyone can grab it, but it expires Wednesday night.
Game Pass Ultimate is still one of the best values in gaming and packs access to hundreds of games on Xbox consoles, Windows desktops, and cloud gaming hardware. It comes with major Microsoft day one release first-party games, such as Starfield, Forza Motorsport, and future launches being played without the need to spend $60-70 per title.
Cloud gaming changes the way you play
The cloud gaming feature allows you to stream games directly onto your phone, tablet, or laptop without the need to download gigabytes of information or have high-powered hardware. It works on decent internet which will require at least 10-20 Mbps on average per smooth action. You can play a game on the Xbox in the living room and then continue on your phone on the way to work or lunch.
Cross-play and cloud saving keep your progress in sync across all your devices: Play a campaign on your Xbox Series X at home, continue on your Windows laptop in a coffee shop, then cap off a session streaming on your tablet in bed. Integration across the ecosystem comes effortlessly after signing into your Microsoft account and reduces the friction in managing saves or retreating to purchase games on multiple platforms.
The membership includes Xbox Live Gold benefits which gives you access to online multiplayer on every one of your Xbox games. This is a necessity on games like Halo Infinite, Sea of Thieves, or any competitive multiplayer experience. You also get access to EA Play, giving you another level of Electronic Arts games like FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, and Dragon Age games.
Additional exclusive benefits and discounts make the package even more appealing.:Members receive a special price on games they desire to own outright, typically a 10-20% reduction, along with the occasional cosmetic or in-game currency giveaway on popular games. In the event that you discover a favorable game via Game Pass and wish to own the game outright before the content possibly drops from the service, the member discount blunts that transaction.
With the new price hike to $30 per month, that three-month pass at the price of $56 actually saves you $34 that three months will soon cost you ($90). Even compared to the existing price scheme, you’re getting a little discount. Beat that offer before Wednesday evening in order to ensure that you get three months’ worth of play at the previous price.
