Xbox Game Pass Plans: Halo Premium & Ultimate Explained
Halo games are included in all Xbox Game Pass plans, but the “premium” features like early access and campaign DLC are only included in Game Pass Ultimate. This article explains which plan you need for the full Halo experience, how the tiers work, and what you actually get with each.
Xbox Game Pass Tiers at a Glance
Microsoft currently offers three main Game Pass plans: Core, Standard, and Ultimate. (The old “Game Pass for Console” and “Game Pass for PC” have been replaced by Standard and PC Game Pass.)
- Core: This is the entry-level plan, primarily for online multiplayer on console. It includes a small rotating library of about 25 games, but not the full Game Pass catalog. Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is free-to-play anyway, so you can play it without any subscription, but the campaign is not included.
- Standard: This is the mid-tier plan for console. It includes the full Game Pass library (hundreds of games) but does not include day-one releases, EA Play, or cloud gaming. It also does not include the premium edition perks for Halo.
- Ultimate: This is the top-tier plan. It includes everything in Standard, plus PC Game Pass, EA Play, cloud gaming, and day-one releases. It also grants the Halo Infinite campaign and all premium content (like the campaign DLC and early access).
If you want to play the Halo campaign (Halo Infinite, Halo: The Master Chief Collection) and get all the premium extras, you need Game Pass Ultimate.
Which Halo Games Are Included?
All mainline Halo games are available through Game Pass Ultimate and Standard (on console). Specifically:
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection – includes Halo 1, 2, 3, 3: ODST, Reach, and Halo 4, all remastered.
- Halo Infinite – the latest mainline game, with a full campaign and free-to-play multiplayer.
- Halo 5: Guardians – available on console (not on PC).
- Halo Wars 1 and 2 – real-time strategy spin-offs, included.
Note: Halo 5 is not on PC Game Pass, and the Master Chief Collection is on both console and PC.
What Does “Premium” Mean for Halo?
For Halo Infinite, “premium” content usually refers to the Campaign DLC (like the “Campaign” mode itself, which is separate from the free multiplayer) and any early access periods for expansions. Game Pass Ultimate includes the full campaign and any future campaign content, while Standard does not.
For the Master Chief Collection, there is no separate premium tier – the collection is complete on Game Pass, with all multiplayer maps and modes included.
How to Get the Most Out of Halo on Game Pass
Here are a few tips for Halo players:
- If you only play multiplayer, you don’t need any Game Pass – Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is free.
- If you want the campaign, you can buy it separately, but Game Pass Ultimate is often cheaper than buying the game outright.
- Cloud gaming (via Ultimate) lets you play Halo on a phone or tablet, but note that Halo Infinite’s multiplayer may have latency issues.
- Game Pass Ultimate also gives you access to EA Play, which includes some older Halo titles? No, EA Play does not include Halo – that’s just an extra.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that Game Pass Core includes Halo campaigns – it doesn’t. Another is that Standard gives you day-one releases – it doesn’t. Also, some players think Halo Infinite’s campaign is free – it isn’t; only the multiplayer is free.
If you’re on PC, you need PC Game Pass or Ultimate to play Halo on PC. Standard is console-only.
Costs and Value Comparison
Pricing varies by region, but as a general guide (in USD, as of 2025):
- Game Pass Core: ~$9.99/month
- Game Pass Standard: ~$14.99/month
- Game Pass Ultimate: ~$19.99/month
If you only play Halo, buying the campaign outright (e.g., Halo Infinite campaign for $60) might be cheaper than subscribing for months. But if you play other games, Ultimate is usually the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Halo Infinite campaign included in Game Pass Standard?
No. Game Pass Standard includes the full game library but not the Halo Infinite campaign. The campaign is only included with Game Pass Ultimate (or if you buy it separately).
Can I play Halo on PC with Game Pass Standard?
No. Game Pass Standard is console-only. For PC, you need PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate.
Does Game Pass Core include any Halo games?
Game Pass Core includes a small rotating library of games, but it does not include Halo games (except possibly Halo Infinite multiplayer, which is free anyway).
What is the difference between Game Pass Standard and Ultimate for Halo?
Ultimate adds the Halo Infinite campaign, day-one releases, cloud gaming, and EA Play. Standard only gives you the base library (which includes Master Chief Collection and Halo 5, but not the Infinite campaign).
Is Halo Infinite multiplayer free without Game Pass?
Yes. Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is free-to-play on all platforms. You don’t need any Game Pass subscription to play it online.
Can I play Halo 5 on PC Game Pass?
No. Halo 5: Guardians is not available on PC. It’s only on console (Xbox One and Series X|S).
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.