Microsoft’s 2022 Xbox Countdown Sale began December 16, 2022, with discounts of up to 60% on hundreds of Xbox digital games. It was scheduled to end January 2, 2023, and has expired; the prices below are historical U.S. offers, not current deals.
What the 2022 Xbox Countdown Sale offered
The holiday promotion covered digitally sold Xbox games, with selected accessories also discounted. The original report described hundreds of games on sale, but did not publish an exact catalog count. “Up to 60% off” was the advertised ceiling, not a uniform discount across every item. Individual offers varied by game, edition, platform version, region, and product type. Thurrott’s December 16, 2022 report highlighted the following examples.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vrrAVO+zL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $10.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y+LDLtBFL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y0U46RO7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Highlighted game prices
These were selected examples, not a complete list of the sale. The reported prices were in U.S. dollars during the December 2022 promotion.
| Game | Reported sale price |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II | $59.49 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | $29.99 |
| Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | $19.99 |
| Elden Ring | $41.99 |
| FIFA 23 | $34.99 |
| F1 22 | $27.99 |
| Grand Theft Auto V | $19.99 |
| Madden NFL 23 | $34.99 |
| NBA 2K23 | $34.99 |
| The Witcher 3: Game of the Year Edition | $29.99 |
The report selected games it identified as unavailable through Xbox Game Pass at the time and included titles described as optimized for Xbox Series X|S. Those descriptions applied to the coverage’s selection in 2022; they do not establish current Game Pass availability or identical features and upgrade terms for every edition.
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#1 Best Overall
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Selected Xbox accessories on sale
The same report listed these historical U.S. prices for selected hardware:
- Standard black, white, and red Xbox controllers: $39.99.
- Xbox Elite Series 2 controller: $154.99.
- Wired Xbox Stereo Headset: $46.99.
- The wireless headset was reported as not discounted.
These were reported sale offers, not guarantees of stock, color availability, or pricing in other Microsoft Store regions.
Rank #2
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
A separate free multiplayer weekend
During the sale period, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II had a limited free-access period for its multiplayer modes. The report said no Xbox Live Gold subscription was required and that access was due to end at 10 a.m. PT on Monday, December 19, 2022. This was temporary multiplayer access, not a free copy of the full game or a permanent free-to-play change.
What shoppers needed to check
A low price alone did not establish that a purchase was the right edition or best value. The offers were digital-store deals, and practical value depended on what the buyer wanted and already owned.
Rank #3
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
- Game Pass overlap: Check whether the game is included in your active plan. Buying may still make sense if you want permanent ownership, but a subscription catalog listing can change.
- Edition and bundle contents: Deluxe, Ultimate, Cross-Gen, and Game of the Year editions can include different content and receive different discounts.
- Console compatibility: Check whether the specific digital edition works on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or both. “Optimized” does not by itself guarantee identical features or a free upgrade for every edition.
- DLC requirements: An expansion or add-on may require the base game; confirm that requirement before buying.
- Region and currency: The table’s dollar amounts are U.S. historical prices and should not be carried over to Canada, the U.K., Europe, or other markets.
The 2022 report does not establish a separate Xbox Live Gold member price or a universal additional member discount for these offers. An Xbox Wire roundup from December 27, 2021, separated Countdown Sale offers from Deals with Gold, but that describes a different year and cannot establish the 2022 membership terms: Xbox Wire’s 2021 deals roundup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When the sale ended—and why the year matters
The 2022 Countdown Sale was advertised through January 2, 2023; the cited report did not give an exact cutoff time. Its prices and free-access event are historical, not live offers. Microsoft reused the Countdown Sale name for a later holiday promotion: Xbox Wire announced a 2023 sale that ran through January 2, 2024. That later event was separate from the 2022 sale, so a current deal or price must be checked on the relevant store listing rather than inferred from either promotion. Xbox Wire’s 2023 Countdown Sale announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
Rank #4
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
