When it was first unveiled, CNET called the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership the "best content deal in gaming." It started at $15 per month, and even at $20 was still a solid value considering it gives you access to hundreds of top titles. However, Microsoft recently bumped the price up to $30 per month, which is getting a little too steep for some gamers to justify.
Which is what makes this Amazon deal such an incredible opportunity. Right now, the online retailer has a three-month subscription on sale for just $55. That drops the cost down to around $18 per month, saving you a total of $35. There's no set expiration, but we doubt an offer like this will last for long.
In his article about the price hike, CNET's Zachary McAuliffe said, "Microsoft is likely hoping gamers appreciate having a larger gaming catalog and more choices. But depending on how much (or how little) time you have to game, the extra $10 a month for Ultimate may make you rethink your subscription." I agree that this price hike, while it does offer some extra benefits, is a difficult pill to swallow.
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While it's not confirmed, it's worth noting that these three-month subscriptions are likely not stackable, which means they can't be redeemed while you have an active membership. Several customers have left reviews claiming they've had success stocking up on multiple codes and redeeming them one at a time. However, we have not tested this ourselves, and there's no guarantee that it will work.
Why this deal matters
Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to a massive library of games and the ability to play a lot of those games streamed to your phone or tablet. It was a fantastic price when it came out at $15 a month and a good deal at $20 a month.
At $30 per month, it's certainly not the bargain it once was, but this deal drops it back down to a much more reasonable $18 per month when you pay for three months up front. It's a great way to try out the service for a good while and see if it's worth paying full price.
