Core gives you online multiplayer at a low price. Ultimate gives you 100+ games, PC access, cloud gaming and EA Play. We compare both so you can decide.
Core vs Ultimate — full comparison
| Feature | Core | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Online multiplayer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Game library | ~25 games | 100+ games |
| New releases day one | ❌ | ✅ |
| PC games | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cloud gaming | ❌ | ✅ |
| EA Play | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price | from $1 | higher |
Who should choose Core
- You mainly play online multiplayer with friends
- You already have a game collection and don't need a large library
- You want to minimise subscription costs
Who should choose Ultimate
- You want access to 100+ games without buying each one
- You play on both Xbox console and PC
- You want to try new releases the day they launch
- You are interested in cloud gaming on any device
Regional pricing
Prices vary significantly by region. Buying via gift code lets you access cheaper regions:
| Region | Core price |
|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | from $0.70 🔥 best value |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | from $2 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | from $4 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | from $6 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | from $10 |
Current prices are on the Xbox Game Pass page.
How to buy and activate
- Choose a plan (Core or Ultimate) and region on Marix
- Complete payment — receive an activation code
- Go to redeem.microsoft.com or the Xbox app
- Enter the code — the subscription activates immediately
Make sure the code region matches your Microsoft account region before purchasing.
FAQ
Core or Ultimate — which to choose?
Core — if you only need online multiplayer at minimum cost. Ultimate — if you want the full 100+ game library, PC access and cloud gaming.
Do I need a VPN to activate?
Depends on the region. Some regions (e.g. Turkey) may require a VPN on first activation. After that it is usually not needed.
Is the code compatible with my account?
The code region must match your Microsoft account region. Check your profile settings before purchasing.
How does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate differ from PC Game Pass?
Ultimate includes both console and PC access, plus cloud gaming and EA Play. PC Game Pass covers PC only, without console games or cloud gaming.