For a long while, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was colloquially known as the best deal in gaming—and for a good reason. Unlimited access to tons of awesome games, big and small, for a pretty reasonable price. But then in late 2025, Microsoft announced a staggering 50% price hike, bringing the service from $20 per month to $30 per month. By the end of the year, that’s an extra $120 out of pocket you would not have had to spend had the price stayed the same.
The service is still great, it’s just a little more expensive than most folks would like it to be. Though right now, it’s come back down a bit when you buy from StackSocial. It’s not back down to its original price, but it’s partway there. The StackSocial deal brings the one month price down from $30 to just $25, and it brings the three-month price down from $90 to just $74.
What’s really good is that the membership is stackable as well as not being region locked. This means you can load up on a bunch and set yourself up with Game Pass Ultimate for the foreseeable future at the reduced rate.
If you own a Samsung TV from 2023 or later, you don’t even need to own an Xbox. Thanks to Samsung Gaming Hub, these newer TVs can stream games directly from the cloud, no console required. Pair an Xbox controller, sign into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and you’re instantly playing major releases like Starfield or Halo Infinite straight on your TV.
A Library That’s Easy to Get Lost In
Game Pass Ultimate opens the door to more than 500 games, covering everything from experimental indies to blockbuster releases.
Tunic is a standout. At first glance, it looks like a charming throwback to the early Zelda era, with an isometric view and a cute fox hero. Dig a little deeper and the game reveals its clever hook: the entire world speaks in a fictional language. Menus, dialogue, and instructions are all unreadable at first. As you explore, you discover pages from an in-game instruction manual, styled after the booklets that used to come tucked inside game boxes. Those pages slowly teach you how the game works, while also hinting at its secrets and lore. The result is a constant stream of satisfying revelations.
Indie gems like Tunic share space with major AAA titles. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate regularly delivers high-profile games on day one, including recent additions like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The subscription also includes EA Play at no extra cost, adding popular series such as The Sims and Madden to the mix.
On top of that, Game Pass Ultimate bundles in Xbox Live features, unlocking online multiplayer for any supported game in the catalog.
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