Game Pass or Pass

This week on Game Pass or Pass , we're hitting rewind and pressing play on Mixtape , the coming-of-age road trip adventure from Beethoven & Dinosaur and Annapurna Interactive. More than just a narrative game, Mixtape is a love letter to music, memory, and the awkward, exhilarating moments that define growing up. We dive into how the game's soundtrack drives the entire experience, why its unapologetically linear design feels more like playing through a favorite album than a traditional video game

Xbox Showcase 2026: Somehow...Exclusives Returned... The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 brought a packed lineup of announcements, including the reveal of Persona 6, a new look at Fable, more details on Gears of War: E-Day, and the surprise return of Spyro. Microsoft also continued to showcase its evolving strategy of bringing more of its games beyond the Xbox ecosystem, while also announcing console exclusives... What does it mean to be an Xbox exclusive in 2026? As Xbox expands its reach across multi

After a year packed with Game Pass drops, sequels, surprises, and a few wild swings, it is time to settle it. This is our Game of the Year 2025 episode. In this special episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down every game that made our final nomination list and debate which one truly defined 2025 not just on paper but in how it felt to play. Our Game of the Year 2025 nominees are Balatro Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PowerWash Simulator 2 Monster Train 2 Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4 Lost in Rando

This week we dive into PowerWash Simulator 2 , the long-anticipated sequel that finally launched in October 2025 and arrived day-one on Xbox Game Pass. We explore whether this follow-up keeps the relaxing magic of the first game or if it leans too heavily on the formula. In this episode, we break down: How the core loop evolves across 38 full jobs throughout Caldera County, with multi-stage tasks and larger, more complex environments The expanded toolset: adjustable nozzles, surface cleaners, sc

Sometimes Game Pass drops something serious, sometimes something cinematic… and sometimes it drops a game where you launch balls into a pit and cause absolute mayhem. This week, we’re talking about Ball X Pit , a deceptively simple arcade-style title that’s all about physics-driven chaos, fast scoring, and “one more try” addiction. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass , we break down what makes Ball X Pit work—and what doesn’t: The core gameplay loop and why it’s weirdly satisfying despite being

As we roll into the end of 2025, Xbox feels like it’s in the weirdest place it’s ever been. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass , we sit down and talk through the massive shift Microsoft made at the start of October 2025: the full Xbox Game Pass revamp with new tiers (Essential, Premium, and Ultimate), the 50% price hike on Ultimate to $29.99/month , the jump in PC Game Pass pricing, and the confusing split between day-one releases on Ultimate versus “within a year” access on other tiers. We br