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What games should you play on Xbox Game Pass?
With so many options to choose from, narrowing down the best Xbox Game Pass games currently available can be a challenge. The subscription service has grown in size, offering a massive library of big AAA games, new day-one releases, and even overlooked gems–like one of 2025’s best games, Blue Prince. The library is so expansive that you’re almost guaranteed to find at least a few games you’ll love and classics from yesteryear, thanks to the recent addition of Retro Classics.
To help you navigate the ever-shifting landscape, we’ve rounded up the very best Game Pass games available now. There are plenty more excellent games on Xbox Game Pass than the ones we’ve listed below–the service is loaded with worthy games. These are just the games we think every Xbox owner should play, and we regularly review this list to make sure we stand by our choices and rotate in newer releases. We’ll continue to update this list as the Game Pass library adds new selections. Every month brings new games as well, and in case you missed it, here’s what you can download and play in December.
More Xbox best lists
Keep in mind that Xbox Game Pass comes in various tiers at different pricing levels, which were increased in November 2025: Essential, Premium, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate. Game Pass Essential offers a catalogue of 50+ games and online multiplayer, while Premium bumps the number of playable games to 200. Game Pass Ultimate is the top-tier service that provides access to all games on day one, cloud streaming, and several more perks.
- Game Pass Essential — $10 per month
- Game Pass Premium — $15 per month
- PC Game Pass — $16.49 per month
- Game Pass Ultimate — $$30 per month
For the purposes of this list, we looked at the whole Xbox Game Pass library available in the Ultimate tier, so if you’re subscribed to one of the other tiers–especially Essential–not every recommendation may be available. And while this list is a good place to get started, the library of games is even more expansive, and more games will be added throughout the year. Be sure to check back for updated recommendations.