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| Game Pass is rumoured to be offering an even cheaper subscription tier soon in some markets. |
Microsoft’s cheaper Game Pass tier is reportedly launching by mid-May, and a complete list of day-one games has allegedly been uncovered. Here’s everything you need to know about the rumored Starter Edition.
Earlier today, Microsoft dropped a bombshell by announcing that 15 new games would join its Game Pass subscription from day one. As we covered separately, most of those titles will be available across all of Microsoft’s platforms – with one notable exception: Beastro will only be a day-one addition for the Xbox Series S and Series X (you can check the current price on Amazon here if you’re thinking of upgrading).
But that wasn’t the only Game Pass news breaking today. While the industry was still digesting Microsoft’s announcement, multiple sources unearthed what appears to be a completely new, lower-cost subscription tier: the Xbox Game Pass ‘Starter Edition’.
A Cheaper Way Into the Xbox Ecosystem?
The initial leak teased a budget-friendly Game Pass option that would include ‘50+ games’ at launch – a significantly smaller library than the hundreds available on Game Pass Ultimate or even standard Console Game Pass. But now, thanks to prolific leaker billbil-kun (working with Dealabs), we may have the exact list of games that Starter Edition subscribers can expect.
Writing on Dealabs, the leaker confidently states that 58 Starter Edition games will be available from day one. That’s a pretty specific number, and it’s backed up by what billbil-kun claims is a verified source. Perhaps more interestingly, Starter Edition subscribers will receive some games that are missing from Game Pass Essential – Microsoft’s baseline membership that replaced Xbox Live Gold.
Specifically, billbil-kun asserts that Doom 64 and Psychonauts (Windows 10) will be Starter Edition titles, even though Essential subscribers can’t access them. That’s a curious move by Microsoft – almost as if they’re trying to sweeten the deal for budget-conscious gamers who might otherwise stick with the free monthly games from Essential.
Launch Window: Mid-May (With a Possible Late April Announcement)
Currently, the same leaker estimates that the Starter Edition will officially launch ‘by mid-May’. Given Microsoft’s typical announcement cadence – they love a surprise drop or a short lead time – we wouldn’t rule out a late April announcement at this stage. That would give them a couple of weeks to build hype before the tier goes live.
What’s still unclear is the price. Billbil-kun hasn’t shared a dollar figure yet, but common sense suggests it will sit somewhere between Game Pass Essential (around $10/month) and Game Pass Console (around $11-12/month). A ‘Starter’ label implies a trimmed-down experience – fewer games, no day-one AAA blockbusters (probably), but still plenty of value for casual players or families.
The Full List of Rumored Game Pass Starter Edition Games (Alphabetical Order)
Without further ado, here is the complete list of 58 games that billbil-kun claims will be available when Starter Edition launches. We’ve kept the original formatting and included any noted editions (Remastered, Ultimate, Windows 10 Edition, etc.) exactly as they appeared in the leak:
- Among Us
- Astroneer
- Batman: Arkham Knight
- Celestial
- Chivalry 2
- Cities: Skylines – Remastered (Including Cities: Skylines – Windows 10 Edition & Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition)
- Control (Including Control Ultimate Edition)
- Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
- Dayz
- Dead Cells
- Deep Rock Galactic
- Descenders
- Dishonored 2
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Doom 64
- Doom Eternal
- Fable Anniversary
- Fallout 4
- Fallout 76
- Firewatch
- Gang Beasts
- Gears 5 (Including Goty Edition)
- Golf With Your Friends
- Grounded
- Hades
- Halo 5: Guardians
- Halo Wars 2
- Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
- Human Fall Flat
- Inside
- Limbo
- Medieval Dynasty
- Monster Sanctuary
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Overcooked! 2
- Payday 2: Crimewave Edition
- Powerwash Simulator
- Psychonauts (Windows 10)
- Psychonauts 2
- Retro Classics
- Slay the Spire
- Snowrunner
- Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
- Stardew Valley
- State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
- Stellaris
- Superhot: Mind Control Delete
- Superliminal
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Standard Edition
- Totally Reliable Delivery Service
- Tunic
- Unpacking
- Vampire Survivors
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2
- World War Z (Including World War Z: Aftermath)
- Wreckfest
What This List Tells Us (And What It Doesn’t)
Looking through the list, a few things stand out. First, this is a rock-solid lineup for a budget tier. You’ve got modern classics like Hades, Stardew Valley, Vampire Survivors, and Deep Rock Galactic. You’ve got Bethesda heavy-hitters (Doom Eternal, Fallout 4, Dishonored 2). You’ve got family-friendly co-op (Overcooked! 2, Gang Beasts, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge). And you’ve got some surprising deep cuts (Celestial, Retro Classics – we’re curious about those).
Second, notice what’s missing. There’s no Starfield, no Forza Horizon 5, no Call of Duty (yet), and no Halo Infinite campaign. That’s deliberate – Microsoft will want to keep its biggest tentpoles on the higher-priced tiers to encourage upgrades. But for $8-10 a month? This list is honestly impressive.
Third, the inclusion of Doom 64 and Psychonauts (Windows 10) as Starter-exclusive (not on Essential) is a weird but welcome flex. It suggests Microsoft is positioning Starter Edition not just as a cheaper alternative, but as a different catalog – one that leans into backward compatibility and indie darlings.
Should You Care About Starter Edition?
If you’re a hardcore gamer who plays 20+ games a year and wants every day-one exclusive, probably not. Stick with Ultimate. But if you’re a casual player, a parent looking for a safe, affordable library for the kids, or someone who just wants to play Among Us and Powerwash Simulator without a $17/month commitment, this tier could be a game-changer.
And let’s be honest – with 58 games at launch, including bangers like Crash Team Racing, Firewatch, Limbo, and Spiritfarer, you’re getting more than enough to keep you busy for months. The value proposition is undeniable.
Sources and Next Steps
We’ll be watching for an official announcement from Microsoft – likely in the last week of April if the mid-May launch window holds. In the meantime, you can follow the original leakers for updates:
And if you’re still on the fence about picking up an Xbox Series X to enjoy these games (including the Beastro day-one exclusive we mentioned earlier), you can check the latest price on Amazon here.
We’ll update this article as soon as Microsoft makes things official. Until then – happy gaming, and keep your skepticism healthy. Leaks are fun, but nothing beats a proper announcement from Green Bay.
What do you think of the leaked Starter Edition lineup? Would you pay for a cheaper tier with 58 games? Let us know in the comments – and if you spot any games on the list that you’ve been dying to play, we’d love to hear about it.
