Did you receive an Xbox Game Pass for Christmas from a loved one or maybe even from yourself? The subscription service makes a fantastic gift, granting access to over 800 games across Xbox consoles and PC. But with so many games to choose from and a limited time to play them in, which ones do you start with?
With hundreds of games to choose from, there are so many amazing options to start with. Which games you’ll have access to will depend on whether you have the Essential, Premium, Ultimate, Console, or PC-only subscription. Regardless of the level of subscription you received for the holidays, there are a few must-play titles that everyone with a new membership should definitely prioritize.
Starfield (2023)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
Starfield is Bethesda’s massive planet exploration title with an open world that spans to multiple planets. The title was touted as being “the first new universe in over 25 years” on the studio’s website.
The game is available on the Xbox Game Pass catalog now as an Xbox and PC exclusive, but this was almost not the case. The title was originally going to be a PlayStation exclusive, according to rumors. Starfield has received mixed reviews, so if you’ve been unsure about diving in and are looking for a new open world to explore, the game is worth a try.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 and 2024)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
Microsoft Flight Simulator was many gamers’ first exposure to simulation games. (I personally owe my need to invert the Y axis in every game to this title. I pilot all my characters like they’re planes.) The series has continued to innovate and release more and more realistic flight simulation experiences throughout the years.
The XBox Game Pass has two of the most recent editions ready for liftoff for subscribers. Both the 2020 and 2024 versions are available to play for free with a subscription, allowing players to soar through the skies in hyper-realistic plane cockpits. These titles represent both the quintessential Microsoft game experience, and a view into how much video games have evolved over the decades.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
After many long years of near radio silence, Team Cherry finally released Hollow Knight: Silksong on September 4, 2025. The game is available on practically every console, but Microsoft got the honor of revealing the first few seconds of footage in years during Summer Game Fest 2025.
The game was used heavily in the marketing for the Xbox handheld, the ROG Ally. It was also a day-one Game Pass release, hopping straight into the service on launch day. If you somehow haven’t played Silksong yet, now you can try it for free with your Game Pass subscription.
Sunset Overdrive (2014)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
The vibrant colors of Sunset Overdrive aren’t what you typically picture when you think of a post-apocalyptic world. Yet, that’s exactly what the setting is in this underrepresented open-world game.
Sunset Overdrive is a hidden gem by Insomniac Games that turns the post-apocalyptic world into an amusement park. Players can zoom, grind, zip-line, and wallrun through the broken-down remains of civilization.
Though the game didn’t do well on launch, it remains a fun experience for anyone looking for something different. It also shows off another perk of the Xbox Game Pass: The ability to try games that might have been overlooked otherwise.
Stardew Valley (2016)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Essential
Stardew Valley is a pixel farming game that began as a passion project of solo developer ConcernedApe. Through the years and many free updates, this nearly decade-old game has become an indie classic and a beloved icon of the cozy gaming community.
Many games in the Xbox Game Pass catalog are locked behind different tiers of membership, but Stardew Valley is one of the 70+ available with the lowest, Essential tier. This means you can play Stardew Valley and feel the magic for yourself no matter which type of Game Pass membership you have.
Avowed (2025)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Avowed is an Xbox and PC exclusive from Obsidian Entertainment, the creators behind classics like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Fallout, and the more recent Outer Worlds 2.
Avowed is a divisive RPG of magic and mayhem. For some, the game is underwhelming and lacks the depth and lore of Obsidian’s other properties. For others, it’s a game with fun combat that rewards exploration.
The game is available on the Xbox Game Pass, making it possible to try it out if you were on the fence about getting it. You can play it without the upfront costs—the title launched at a hefty $70 price tag—and abandon it if you don’t like it. Of you might find that you’re one of the many people who ends up loving Avowed.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle marked the triumphant return of the fedora-wearing, whip-wielding adventurer to consoles. the game follows Indy on a new adventure in 1937 as he uncovers the secrets behind some mysterious archaeological sites that form the Great Circle.
Not too long ago, this title would have been an Xbox exclusive, but it was part of Microsoft’s push to make more games available wherever players are. Despite its availability on the PS5, you can play the critically acclaimed title for free via the Xbox Game Pass. This is also a great option if you’ve been intrigued by the title but not its $70 price tag.
South of Midnight (2025)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
South of Midnight by Compulsion Games takes players on a magic adventure through the Deep South. The beautiful title pulls from the culture and mythology of the American South to build a story with a setting not usually explored by games.
And it does so with a beautiful style that mixes realism with imitated stop-motion animation. South of Midnight is currently an Xbox and PC exclusive, with a Switch 2 and PS5 version coming in spring 2026.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play the stunning title right now for free, and experience firsthand the game that won the Games for Impact category at the 2025 Game Awards.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (2014)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
The Halo franchise launched in 2001, starting a multi-media empire of featuring an interstellar war and starring iconic characters like Master Chief and Cortana. The series currently spans seven mainline games and many spinoffs and other media, including over 30 books. With Halo: Campaign Evolved planned for 2026, now is a great time to get into the iconic franchise.
Xbox Game Pass makes it easy to jump into any of the games, starting with Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which combines the first four games with all expansions and visual and QOL upgrades. Besides this game, there are 10 other Halo titles you can try, including the 2021 title, Halo: Infinite.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (2015)
Available For Xbox Game Pass Premium
Epic Games’ Gears of War is another classic Xbox exclusive that follows a squad of soldiers up against an alien force that’s bent on destroying humanity. The Ultimate Edition version of the first 2006 game is a great place to jump into the series, which has nearly a dozen games available to play through Xbox Game Pass.
Gears of War is just one of the hundreds of games available to play on the Xbox Game Pass. The catalog added nearly 300 games just in 2025, and will undoubtedly continue to grow with both classics and day-one launches. At the end of the day, simply use your new subscription to play any games you’ve been curious about.
- Number of Devices Concurrently
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Standard subscription plan allows two accounts playing at once, with four accounts playing at once on Friends & Family plan
- Highest Resolution
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1440p streaming
- Number of Accounts
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~35 million subscribers
- Compatibility
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Xbox Series X|S, PC, ROG Xbox Ally, Android, iOS, Samsung & LG TVs, Meta Quest, Web Browser
- Price Per Month
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Essential $9.99 | Premium $14.99 | Ultimate $29.99
- Price per year
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12-month membership codes only available at certain retailers