Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions are more than 40 percent off right now

You can even stack multiple codes if you want to get ready for the forthcoming onslaught of day-one releases.

Unless you’re flush with cash and time is only conceptual in your world, it may be tough to finance and find the time to enjoy all of the games announced during Microsoft’s recent Xbox Showcase. An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription can help, though, as it’ll provide day-one access to many of the titles currently in development.

Thankfully, CDKeys is now selling one-month subscription codes for $10.19 (about $7 off) and three-month codes for $27.99 (about $23 off), the latter of which is a better deal. CDKeys is a trusted merchant here at The Verge, so don’t feel deterred if you’re unfamiliar with the name. The online retailer specializes in selling heavily discounted key codes for gaming products, whether you’re looking to save on subscriptions, full games, in-game currency, or post-launch DLC.

You can redeem the codes no matter which region you’re in, and you should be able to purchase and stack as many as you’d like so long as you’re under Microsoft’s 36-month pre-pay limit. (Not all of the codes at CDKeys are region-free and stackable, so double-check that you’re buying the correct one using the links above.) Plus, in this instance, both new and existing subscribers can redeem the digital codes.

You’ll certainly want to consider extending your subscription or finally making the jump from Game Pass Core, as Xbox has put together arguably one of its strongest gaming lineups ever going into 2025. Perhaps the most significant launch is an all-new Gears of War prequel subtitled E-Day, which follows the friction that Marcus Fenix, Dom, and the rest of their COG cohorts experienced when the locusts first emerged. If that’s not enough, Black Ops 6 marks the first time a Call of Duty game will be available on Game Pass day one. Other titles that will hit the service immediately upon launch include upcoming reboots and follow-ups to fan-favorite series such as Fable, Perfect Dark, and Doom.

In the meantime, you can enjoy other perks that come with Game Pass Ultimate, such as exclusive deals and online multiplayer, plus a large rotating library of Xbox and PC games. Its permanent catalog features nearly all of the first-party titles under Microsoft’s banner, including Halo Infinite and surprise hits like Hi-Fi Rush. There’s also a large catalog of third-party games — including Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cocoon, Starfield, and several titles from the beloved Persona series — all of which are worth sinking your time into if you haven’t already.

Other ways to save today

• When watchOS 11 arrives in the fall, it will only be available for the Apple Watch Series 6 or later (sorry Series 5 stans). Fortunately, if you have yet to upgrade to one of Apple’s newer smartwatches, the premium Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale at Amazon for $719 ($80 off). The 49mm wearable is the most rugged and feature-packed model in Apple’s current lineup, and although we’ve seen it dip below $700 once or twice before, we rarely see a discount this steep extend to all three strap configurations. Read our review.
• The Philips Hue Go portable table lamp is available from Dell right now for $127.99 ($32 off), which is easily one of the best prices we’ve seen on the versatile lighting option. The battery-powered smart lamp isn’t quite as sophisticated as the company’s new sunrise lamp, though it does offer 370 lumens of brightness, plenty of preset lighting effects, and a svelte design that allows you to easily ferry it between rooms or outside. It also supports the same platforms as most Hue lighting, meaning there’s no need to worry if you use Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home.
• If the recent announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has you itching for a return to Hyrule — or, in this case, the island of Koholint — you can still pick up a physical copy of Link’s Awakening for the Nintendo Switch at Walmart for $39.99 ($20 off). The 2019 remaster features the same charming, diorama-like aesthetic as Nintendo’s forthcoming Zelda title, only it rehashes a timeless Game Boy classic as opposed to a totally new adventure starring the Nintendo’s titular heroine. Read our review.