I saved money on these 3 big games by playing them through Xbox Game Pass

Anyone that owns an Xbox console needs to have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass. It's one of the vital things that needs to be paired with someone diving into the Xbox ecosystem, especially if they like to save money and get the most value out of the games they play. The service not only gives access to a ton of titles for players to download and play, but becomes an even better decision for them over time. Newly released games that are available for the service on day 1 make it an attractive part of being an Xbox fan. And for those who have multiple devices, like a capable PC, where they can access Xbox games, being subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate yields even more benefits.

Being able to play newly released games is the biggest perk of Xbox Game Pass, especially when I don't have to pay full retail price for something that just came out. Unlike the other console platforms with their own subscriptions that try to emulate it, I'll often find myself staying current with games that get added to the library of titles that are downloadable. And I never have to break my bank account to do so. Over time, the savings from many different titles add up, making the service one of the best values for gamers that own an Xbox console. Here are three games I was able to download through Xbox Game Pass that will save anyone a ton of money.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Going on an adventure at a deal

One of the biggest game releases for Xbox consoles in 2024 was Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from Bethesda and Machine Games. It was a new adventure for the iconic titular character, taking place in-between two films in the original Indiana Jones trilogy, and a unique first-person experience. Being able to use Indy's famous whip and take down enemies while searching for hidden treasures in ancient ruins was something players had not experienced before in a big way. But what truly shined was the experience of exploring ancient ruins and caverns and solving puzzles to go further into the depths of the unknown, which was tied together by an original story that fans of Indiana Jones felt respected the legacy of the series.

Many people enjoyed diving into the game and seeing an entirely original take that was given a big budget. The game involved a lot of great video game and Hollywood voice talent for multiple characters, including Troy Baker taking on the role of Indy himself and giving a performance that felt very close to that of Harrison Ford. An additional expansion for the game, titled "The Order of Giants", was also announced before release, but was set to come out at a later date for all platforms.

What made things even better for players was the inclusion of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Xbox Game Pass on day 1. This helped get attention to the game but also bolster the service as well. It showed that Xbox was willing to let Xbox supporters experience their biggest titles from the start, especially if they were subscribed to the service at the highest level. While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was eventually announced to be coming to other consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox owners and PC players with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate were able to experience Indy's newest adventure for a long time.

Madden NFL 25

Saving on yearly entries

Madden NFL Football is legendary among sports fans who love to play video games. For decades, the series has come out with a new release nearly every year, with roster updates and gameplay tweaks that try to emulate the real-life sport of American football. Madden NFL 25 is one of the latest entries in the ongoing series, with the current iterations of official NFL teams and their professional players. And while there's already another game with even more current roster and gameplay updates, Madden NFL 26, there's not a world of a difference between the titles outside of presentation and available modes. Unless one is a die-hard football fan that has been with the series for a long time, playing the previous year's iteration of Madden NFL Football is still viable.

While Madden NFL 25 wasn't on Xbox Game Pass at its launch, it was eventually added to the service several months later, much like other EA Sports games that get paired up with Xbox Game Pass through the EA Play service. As someone who doesn't buy the game every year, it's a good way for me to get into the football action without slimming down my wallet on what some may feel are incremental changes each year.

For some sports fans, moving on from Madden NFL 25 and into Madden NFL 26 is mandatory to stay current, so buying the game at launch is a no-brainer. But even the most savvy football fans wouldn't want to miss out on saving when it comes to buying games. And waiting a little while after launch is now the difference between paying the full retail price for a football game, and not paying anything at all beyond a subscription.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Dropping in without paying much

If there's one thing that enticed a lot of people to finally subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, it was the addition of the Call of Duty series to the service. The arrival of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was a big deal that went beyond the one game itself. The potential of successive games and experiences like Call of Duty: Warzone becoming intertwined with Game Pass made things so much more appealing to players. This included Xbox Series X/S owners and PC players that had a subscription for their computers. But having the full game for one of the biggest releases of the year on launch, and not having to pay full retail price, was a deal too good to pass up for many. It gave everyone a reason to stick with the Xbox ecosystem to play Black Ops 6, as well as Warzone, even though the game was available for other consoles as well.

In addition, people who had an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription were able to join the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 beta that took place before the game's official release, giving even more reason for the Call of Duty fandom to jump onto the service early. Offers like this were what pulled me towards playing the game through Game Pass, as did many other people who were either curious about the game or on the fence about buying it. It made experiences like Warzone even bigger, since a large pool of players would join up knowing that a lot of people were going to do so through Game Pass already.

Despite how popular Call of Duty is, the series is often criticized for its annual releases that are full retail purchases. But with the game being available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and future Call of Duty games following suit, the stress on everyone's wallet each year will get lighter.

Playing without paying too much

Without question, Xbox Game Pass is a great option for players to save money in a variety of ways. Being part of the service can enable someone to explore games that they would otherwise be more hesitant to buy and try for themselves. But the service also lets more people be part of massive releases from the start when they are subscribed, especially for games that are key to the Xbox ecosystem when they release. Like most people, I love to save money on the hobbies I enjoy. Anybody that finds themselves wanting to play many different games, but doesn't want to end up broke at the same time, will discover how subscribing to Xbox Game Pass might be a smart choice they've made in a while.