The bargain era is over. Microsoft has rolled out new Xbox Game Pass pricing and a light rebrand that nudges subscribers up the ladder, and up in cost.
The headline, Ultimate jumps to $29.99/month (from $19.99). Premium sits at $14.99/month (replacing Standard at the same price), Essential holds at $9.99/month (the old Core price), and PC Game Pass climbs to $16.49/month (from $11.99). For new subscribers the prices apply from October 1, 2025, current subscribers switch over November 4, 2025 as billing cycles roll.
What changed (besides the dollars)
Core has been rebranded to Essential, while Standard graduates to Premium. Beyond the sticker shock, Microsoft is pitching extra value across the stack (particularly at Ultimate), with expanded libraries, cloud upgrades, and more first day titles baked in.
45+ new games sweeten the blow
Microsoft isn’t hiking in a vacuum, the company says more than 45 games are being added alongside the pricing shuffle, with big name third party titles joining the library and Ultimate positioned as the “all in” tier. If you’re sticking around, there’s legitimately more to play, but it’ll cost you.
The takeaway
If you’re on Ultimate, budget an extra ten bucks a month. Premium and Essential hold the line on price (in the US) but fold into the new naming scheme, while PC Game Pass takes the sharpest percentage hit. Value arguments will vary by backlog, but the math is simple: the best deal in gaming isn’t cheap anymore, it’s just bigger.
Bottom line
Basically if you’re subscribed, make sure you audit your tier before November 4. If you barely find yourself using cloud features, Premium or Essential may cover you. PC players should weigh the $16.49 bump against their backlog. Watch for monthly promos and conversion quirks, modest savings exist if you’re patient and flexible with cancellations.
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