Game Pass Core Games List 2026

Game Pass Core replaced Xbox Live Gold in September 2023. It is the most affordable Game Pass tier, providing Xbox console online multiplayer access and a rotating selection of around 25 games. Unlike PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate, Core does not include the full Game Pass catalog. It is designed for players who primarily want online multiplayer access and a few bonus games rather than a comprehensive subscription library.

Game Pass Core is priced around $10 per month or $60 per year, making it significantly cheaper than Ultimate. It is the minimum subscription required for online multiplayer in paid Xbox games. Free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends do not require any subscription for online play. If you mainly want multiplayer access and are not interested in a large game catalog, Core offers the best value among Game Pass tiers.

Game Pass Ultimate includes the full catalog of hundreds of games, PC Game Pass, cloud gaming, and EA Play. Core provides a much smaller curated selection of around 25 titles plus online multiplayer. The price difference is significant, so Core suits players who buy most games individually and just need the online multiplayer access. If you want a large library of games included in your subscription, Game Pass Standard or Ultimate is the better choice.

The Core catalog features a curated selection of popular titles that rotates periodically. It typically includes a mix of well-known games across different genres. While smaller than the full Game Pass library, the included games are quality picks. Microsoft updates the selection to keep it fresh. Check this page for the current complete list. For access to hundreds more titles, consider upgrading to Game Pass Ultimate.

Yes. You can upgrade from Core to Standard or Ultimate at any time through the Xbox dashboard or Microsoft website. Your remaining Core subscription time is converted to the new tier at a prorated rate. Microsoft sometimes offers promotional upgrade pricing for existing Core subscribers. The upgrade unlocks the full Game Pass catalog instantly.

No. Free-to-play Xbox games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Rocket League and Warzone do not require any Game Pass subscription for online multiplayer. Microsoft removed this requirement in 2021. Game Pass Core is only needed for online play in paid games and for access to the curated game selection. If you exclusively play free-to-play titles, you do not need any subscription at all.

Both services target budget-conscious console gamers. Game Pass Core costs roughly the same as PS Plus Essential and both provide online multiplayer and a selection of games. PS Plus Essential offers three new monthly games to claim permanently, while Core provides a curated rotating catalog of around 25 titles. Neither includes the full subscription library of their respective platforms. For Xbox players who want the full catalog, upgrading to Standard or Ultimate is necessary. For PlayStation, PS Plus Extra is the equivalent step up.

Xbox Live Gold was retired in September 2023 and replaced by Game Pass Core. All former Xbox Live Gold subscribers were automatically migrated to Core. The transition preserved online multiplayer access and added the curated game catalog as a new benefit. The pricing remained similar. Games with Gold, the monthly free game program that was part of Xbox Live Gold, was discontinued as part of this change. Core's curated game selection is meant to replace that benefit, though the games are not owned permanently like they were under Games with Gold.