Neither Game Pass nor buying games is always cheaper. Game Pass can cost less when you play several included games over a defined period; buying can cost less when you stick with a few titles or want access after a subscription ends. Compare the current plan price for the months you expect to play with the current purchase prices of the specific games you want.
How to compare Game Pass with buying games
- List the games you plan to play. Check that each is currently in the catalog for your plan and platform. Availability can change over time and vary by region, plan, and platform. See the Xbox Game Pass plan and catalog information.
- Calculate the subscription cost for your expected play period. Multiply the current monthly price in your region by the number of months you expect to subscribe. Include applicable taxes, and account for any introductory offer ending. Xbox says promotional offers may be limited and service continues at the then-current regular price unless canceled.
- Price those same games for the same platform and edition. Use current prices, and account for discounts. As a historical example—not a typical or current price—Xbox listed MLB The Show 26 Standard Edition at $69.99, with a promotional price of $17.49, on July 9, 2026. See the Xbox listing.
- Count benefits only if you would use them. Online console multiplayer, cloud access, and included extras may add value, but plan benefits differ. Do not treat an unused benefit as money saved.
- Account for what happens when you stop subscribing. Game Pass access ends when the subscription expires or is canceled, or when a game leaves the catalog. A purchase is a separate game license, subject to platform, account, disc, and participating-title rules.
Subscription cost = current monthly plan price × expected subscription months. Buying cost = current prices of the specific games. Compare equivalent games and platforms; factor in discounts, taxes, and benefits only when they apply.
The Xbox US plan page accessed for this article displayed price fields as “$XX.XX” placeholders, so it does not establish exact regular US monthly prices. Check the current price in your region before deciding.
What each Game Pass plan includes
At the time the official US page was accessed on October 7, 2026, it displayed these plan counts and features. They can change; check the current Xbox plan page for the offer available to you.
#1 Best Overall
- PHYSICAL DISC - Standard Edition for XBOX Series X (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS FC 27 game. Not compatible with XBOX Series S.
- Experience The World's Game in EA SPORTS FC 27. Play in The Grounds, team up with friends in Clubs, learn from football mentors and express your style on and off the pitch
- Enjoy more authentic gameplay with dynamic corners, enhanced attacking intelligence, player-focused defending and community-inspired innovations that give you greater control in every match.
- Build your legacy in Manager Career with a rebuilt Transfer Market and Dynamic OVRs, then create your dream squad in Football Ultimate Team and showcase your achievements in the new FUT Gallery.
| Plan | Games and notable benefits shown | Cloud gaming |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | 50+ games; online console multiplayer | 5 hours per month displayed |
| Premium | 200+ games; Xbox-published games join within one year of launch | 10 hours per month displayed |
| Ultimate | 500+ games; new games on day one; EA Play, Fortnite Crew, and Ubisoft+ Classics | 15 hours per month displayed |
| PC Game Pass | 300+ games on PC; day-one games and EA Play | Cloud gaming not included, according to Xbox |
Xbox announced on September 3, 2026, that the 5-, 10-, and 15-hour monthly cloud limits for Essential, Premium, and Ultimate were scheduled to begin in November 2026. At announcement time, eligible subscribers could stream without those limits, and Xbox said it would provide further details before the change. Because that start date has passed, check Xbox’s announcement and current plan terms to confirm whether the limits took effect and whether pricing or additional-hour options changed.
When Game Pass may cost less
A subscription may be the lower-cost option if you want to try several catalog games during a limited stretch and your total subscription cost for that stretch is below the cost of buying those same games. It may also make sense if you value included benefits—such as online console multiplayer or cloud access—enough to use them. Compare the plan that actually supplies those benefits, rather than assuming every plan includes the same access.
Rank #2
- Full version of EA SPORTS NHL 27 on physical Blu-ray disc for Xbox Series X. Xbox Series X only – not compatible with Xbox Series S and Xbox One consoles.
- Experience authentic NHL atmosphere across all 32 arenas with real goal songs, new pre-game presentations and a fully revamped crowd that captures every team's unique identity.
- Take control in Connected Franchise with up to 32 user-controlled teams, roster management, league customization, commissioner tools and full online seasons.
- Powered by NHL EDGE data, 32 unique Team Playbooks bring authentic strategies, team identities and realistic gameplay to every matchup on the ice.
Do not count a game toward the comparison unless it is currently included in your plan and available on your platform. A catalog listing is time-sensitive, so a title you want to finish later may leave before you do.
When buying games may cost less
Buying may be less expensive if you focus on only a few games, play them for a long time, or would otherwise keep paying month after month to retain access. A purchased game can remain accessible under its license after you cancel Game Pass, while subscription-library access cannot. Discounts and sales can change the comparison substantially; use the price available for the specific title and edition when you decide.
Rank #3
- Created by award-winning adventure game powerhouse Telltale Games, in partnership with Minecraft creators, Mojang
- Featuring the voices of Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Brian Posehn (The Sarah Silverman Program, Mission Hill), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us, Tales from the Borderlands), Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights, X-Men)
- Dave Fennoy (The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series, Batman: Arkham Knight), Martha Plimpton (The Goonies, Raising Hope), Corey Feldman (The Goonies, Stand by Me), Billy West (Futurama, Adventure Time), Paul Reubens (Tron: Uprising, Pee-Wee's Playhouse)
- You will drive the story through the decisions you make: what you say to people (and how you say it), and what you choose to do in moments of thrilling action will make this YOUR story
If you prefer a physical copy, compare a suitable Xbox Series X game disc for the same title and edition against digital purchase and subscription costs. Disc support and any digital entitlement are subject to eligibility rules; possessing a disc is not a universal substitute for a digital license.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does buying once let you play on Xbox and PC?
Some purchases do. Eligible games marked Xbox Play Anywhere provide access to the Xbox console and Windows PC versions from one purchase. The program does not cover every game, so look for the Play Anywhere mark and check the PC requirements before counting cross-device access as part of a purchase. Microsoft’s developer page reported more than 1,000 enabled titles when accessed on October 7, 2026; that catalog count can change and does not mean every purchased game qualifies. See Microsoft’s Xbox Play Anywhere page.
Rank #4
- This innovative game series was born from the idea of avoiding combat and infiltrating enemy territory undetected
- Title line up: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear (NES/FC version), and Snake’s Revenge
- Digital books: Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear, and Metal Gear; Screenplay and Master Books included
- Video: Metal Gear Solid; Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid 2; Digital Graphic Novel
- Includes Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
Physical discs have separate conditions. Microsoft’s rules describe disc licenses and limited disc-to-digital entitlements for supported Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs; not every disc qualifies, and continued possession of the qualifying disc may be required. In August 2026, Xbox Wire reported an Xbox Insider test that let supported discs claim a digital entitlement while the disc continued to work as before. Check the current game, console, disc, and feature eligibility rather than treating this as a benefit of all discs. See Microsoft’s disc-to-digital support information and Xbox Wire’s report on the Insider test.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan on the largest Horizon map yet full of vertical terrain, varied biomes and spectacular driving experiences.
- Cruise through the suburbs and legendary streets of downtown Tokyo and deliver races in the port and industrial areas.
- Drive over 550 realistic vehicles and upgrade your favourite with new body kits and Forza Aero, the ability to paint designs on windows, and revised steering wheel animations.
- Build your property and buy dreamy, brand new homes with fully personalised garages.
- Meet your friends on time trial routes and drag meetings, show off your tuned vehicles at car meetings across Japan, or compete in Horizon multiplayer modes with new spec racing championships. *
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
