Xbox Game Pass has over 200 games in its Ultimate tier. Most of them aren't worth your time. These 12 are.
We've curated the best games currently on Game Pass as of June 2026, focusing on titles that are genuinely great — not just "good for a subscription service." Every game here would be worth buying at full price. Getting them included in your subscription is a bonus.
Quick note on tiers: After the late-2025 price increase backlash, Microsoft dropped Game Pass Ultimate to $23/month but removed day-one Call of Duty access. Premium ($15/month) includes 200+ games. Essential ($10/month) offers 50+ games plus online multiplayer. Our picks below note tier availability where relevant.
The Must-Play Tier
Games that justify the subscription cost by themselves.
Forza Horizon 6
BUYThe highest-rated game of 2026 (92 Metacritic), and it's on Game Pass day one. The open-world racing king returns with a new map, hundreds of cars, and the best driving model in the genre. This alone justifies a month of Game Pass.
Balatro
BUYThe 2024 breakout hit that redefined what a card game can be. Poker-meets-roguelike runs that devour your free time. Now with the Friends of Jimbo crossover pack. Perfect for short sessions or 4-hour benders.
Blue Prince
BUYOne of 2025's best games, and one of the most original concepts in years. Draft rooms in a shifting mansion to find Room 46. Every playthrough is different, every mystery interlocks. Trust us and go in blind.
Final Fantasy VI
BUYWidely considered the best Final Fantasy and one of the greatest RPGs ever made. If you've never played it, Game Pass just removed every barrier. The opera scene still hits.
The Elder Scrolls Online
DEPENDSZeniMax's massive MMO just landed on Game Pass. Hundreds of hours of content across every Elder Scrolls region. Great if you want a social RPG experience; overwhelming if you just want a focused story.
Jurassic World Evolution 3
BUYBuild and manage dinosaur theme parks. The best management sim on the market right now, with gorgeous dinosaur models and surprisingly deep systems. Day-one Game Pass addition.
EA Sports FC 26
DEPENDSThe FIFA successor arrives on Game Pass. If you play soccer games, this is the only option in town. If you don't, this won't convert you. Solid incremental update over FC 25.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
BUYThe beloved remake duo arrives on Game Pass Premium in July. The same team behind the excellent 1+2 remake. If that game was any indication, this is going to be incredible.
Doom: The Dark Ages
BUYid Software's medieval Doom prequel. The Doom Slayer with a shield, a mace, and a dragon. Heavy metal meets dark fantasy. One of the best shooters of 2025, now available on Game Pass Premium.
South of Midnight
BUYCompulsion Games' stunning action-adventure set in the American Deep South with stop-motion-inspired visuals. Unique aesthetic, compelling combat, and a story rooted in Southern Gothic folklore.
Avowed
BUYObsidian's first-person RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. Think Skyrim meets Outer Worlds. Now on Game Pass Premium after its 2025 launch on Ultimate. Deep character building and reactive quests.
Halo: Master Chief Collection
BUYSix Halo campaigns remastered in one package. If you've never played Halo, this is one of gaming's greatest value propositions. If you have, co-op through the campaigns again.
Accessories That Make Game Pass Better
If you're diving into Game Pass this summer, a good controller makes the difference. The Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is the sweet spot — adjustable tension thumbsticks, back paddles, and a premium feel without the full Elite price tag.
For long sessions, a quality headset is essential. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X works across Xbox, PC, and Switch 2 with a single dongle.
Is Game Pass Worth It in 2026?
At $23/month for Ultimate, you need to play roughly one $70 game every three months to break even. Looking at this list — Forza Horizon 6, Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Avowed — that math works out easily. If you play 3+ games a year that would otherwise cost $70 each, Game Pass pays for itself.
The strongest case for Game Pass is trying games you'd never buy. Blue Prince, Balatro, and Jurassic World Evolution 3 are all titles that many players would skip at full price but fall in love with through the subscription. That discovery angle is Game Pass's real value.
For more value hunting, check our Steam Summer Sale 2026 Best Deals — the Steam Sale starts June 25 and pairs perfectly with Game Pass for maximum game-per-dollar.