Why Xbox Game Pass is a Parent’s Best Friend
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If you’re the parent of a gamer, you know how quickly the cost of new games – not to mention consoles and controllers – adds up. If three popular games end up on your child’s birthday wish list, you could easily end up spending close to $200, and there’s no telling how long your kid will actually play each game.
Microsoft is well aware of how costly gaming can be as a hobby, and created Xbox Game Pass to help fight those rising costs. For a limited time, new subscribers can get three months of Game Pass Ultimate for $1. If you’re unsure about the service, this gives you a whole season to try it out and see how much you actually like it.
While Xbox Game Pass is generally regarded as the best deal in gaming, it’s also a perfect solution for parents raising the next generation of gamers. No longer will you need to shell out cash for the latest release, dropping upward of $60 every purchase. Instead, Xbox Game Pass gives you and your kids instant access to hundreds of the most popular titles — all for one low monthly fee.
Here’s how Xbox Game Pass can save you hundreds of dollars every year. To get started, all you need is an Xbox or PC in your home.
Hundreds of Titles, One Low Monthly Fee
Xbox Game Pass is a bit like Netflix. For a monthly fee — starting at $9.99 — you’ll gain access to an ever-growing catalog of games. All told, Xbox Game Pass provides young gamers with over 100 titles for less than $120 per year. And with a single new release costing $59.99, it’s easy to see why the service is a great alternative to buying individual games.
Instead of streaming the games to your screen, you download them to your Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S or PC. You can then play them as much as you want, so long as you remain a subscriber. You’re also free to uninstall and reinstall as many games as you’d like, meaning trips to the store to return a “bad” video game are a thing of the past.
Best of all, Microsoft offers Xbox Game Pass in a variety of packages. Depending on the current hardware in your home, you can set up Xbox Game Pass on Xbox consoles, Android smartphones or PC.
The best deal of the bunch is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as it lets your kids access games on all three platforms. It also comes bundled with Xbox Live Gold, which gives your family the ability to play online with friends and relatives around the globe.
Microsoft even lets players transfer Xbox Live Gold memberships to Xbox Game Pass — making the subscription service an even better deal. This means you can purchase a bunch of cheap Xbox Live Gold membership vouchers, subscribe to Xbox Game Pass and save a bundle of money. Be sure to check out our full guide if you’re interested in taking advantage of the incredible savings.
Xbox Game Pass Includes Dozens of Kid-Friendly Games
While the Xbox Game Pass pricing structure is impressive, so too is its selection of kid-friendly titles. Regardless of age, Xbox Game Pass is guaranteed to have dozens of titles that cater to your young gamer. There’s also a wide selection of cooperative games if you want to join in on the fun or plan a family game night.
Here are a few of the titles currently available on Xbox Game Pass — although keep in mind Microsoft adds and removes from the library every month:
Minecraft
Minecraft Dungeons
Madden NFL 21
FIFA 21
NBA 2K21
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Battlefront II
Sea of Thieves
Forza Horizon 4
Kingdom Hearts 3
Microsoft’s Parental Controls Encourage Healthy Habits
As if Xbox Game Pass wasn’t already a perfect fit for parents, Microsoft sweetens the deal with an impressive selection of parental controls on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. In just a few minutes of navigating its menus, you can set up the following parameters for your kids:
Screen-time limits: Set limits for how many hours a day they can play
Age restrictions: Restrict them from playing games of a certain rating
Online options: Limit or restrict purchases from the Xbox Store, select who they can chat with online
Most of this information is made available directly on your smartphone — thanks to the Xbox Family Settings app — letting you check in on various metrics throughout the day. Microsoft even thought to include a fun co-pilot mode on Xbox One and Xbox Series X, linking two controllers and making them act as one. This lets you help younger kids through difficult sections of their favorite game — and vice-versa.
More to consider:
Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.
