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NBA 2K25 and Skull and Bones were part of Xbox Free Play Days from April 17, 2025, but the offer has ended. NBA 2K25 was available through April 20, while Skull and Bones had an extra day, through April 21. The April announcement listed Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, and Core for NBA 2K25; check each event’s terms rather than assuming the same membership rule applied to both games.
When did the Free Play Days offer end?
Xbox Wire published the announcement on April 17, 2025. The event began at 12:01 a.m. Pacific that Thursday. NBA 2K25 ended Sunday, April 20, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific; Skull and Bones ended Monday, April 21, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. These were separate trial windows, not one shared end date. Xbox Wire’s April 17 announcement has the event details.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
NBA 2K25 - Xbox One | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![NBA 2K25: Standard Edition - Xbox [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qwI3GT5fL._SL160_.jpg)
|
NBA 2K25: Standard Edition - Xbox [Digital Code] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 |
|
NBA 2K26 - Xbox Series X | $15.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
NBA 2K27 - Xbox Series X | $68.62 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
2K NBA 25 | $12.86 | Buy on Amazon |
Did you need Game Pass?
For NBA 2K25, Xbox listed Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, and Core membership as eligible. The post did not establish the same membership requirement for Skull and Bones, so do not infer its eligibility from the NBA 2K25 listing.
Free Play Days is a rotating, limited-time program; the general Xbox Free Play Days page describes the program, while the event announcement provides the title-specific terms.
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#1 Best Overall
NBA 2K25 - Xbox One
- POWERED BY ProPLAY - Experience your favorite NBA players’ signature moves and fine-tune your skills to deliver career-defining plays in dramatic fashion. Bring your game to life with ProPLAY on Xbox Series X, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in the most authentic NBA experience to date.
- COMPETE IN MyCAREER - Pay homage to legends of the game in MyCAREER as you eclipse their milestone achievements and usher in the greatest dynasty the sport has ever seen. The City on Xbox Series X is the ultimate proving ground; hit the park for some competitive streetball fun and compete at various new venues. Or dominate in the new Neighborhood on Xbox One as you complete quests, earn rewards and eclipse your Rivals in new and returning game modes.
- YOUR MyTEAM, YOUR WAY - Competition thrives in MyTEAM. Challenge rival lineups with your all-time MyTEAM roster, and clash with other elite players in the weekly King of the Court. Go head-to-head and showcase why you deserve to be crowned the best of the best in this exclusive event. Collect new cards, master the fundamentals, and earn great rewards. The goal is winning, but where will you start?
How players could install the games
- Sign in to an Xbox account with the eligible membership for the game.
- Open the game’s Xbox.com details page, or on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, open the Xbox Store.
- On console, go to the Store’s Subscriptions tab and select the Free Play Days collection, then choose the game and install it. The install option was available to signed-in eligible members during the event.
Which game suited you?
| Game | Event end | Membership details in the April post | What it offered | Xbox compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K25 | April 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific | Game Pass Ultimate, Standard, or Core | Basketball with NBA stars and teams, including modes such as Play Now; the announcement also promoted challenging other players. | Optimized for Xbox Series X|S. |
| Skull and Bones | April 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific | The announcement did not state a membership tier for this title. | An online naval action RPG focused on building a pirate fleet, crafting ships and weapons, and fighting at sea. | Optimized for Xbox Series X|S. |
The game descriptions above reflect Xbox’s event copy, not independent reviews. If you were choosing between them, the practical distinction was sports gameplay in NBA 2K25 versus pirate ship combat and fleet-building in Skull and Bones.
Could progress carry over after the trial?
Xbox said players who purchased a game could continue playing and retain Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event. Discounts, discount percentages, and title availability could vary by title and region; the announcement did not establish a universal price or discount.
Rank #2
NBA 2K25: Standard Edition - Xbox [Digital Code]
- In addition, purchase, download and play by 10/17 to redeem the Trendsetter Reward as the free Season 1 Level 1 reward**: 15,000 VC, MyCAREER Content - Trendsetter Green Animation, 2 HR XP Coin, Exclusive Trendsetter Cosmetic Set & MyTEAM Content - 89 OVR Jayson Tatum Player Card, 3x MyTEAM Promo Packs, and 2 HR XP Coin.
- POWERED BY ProPLAY - Bring your game to life with ProPLAY, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in clutch moments, as ProPLAY powers the most authentic NBA experience to date.
- COMPETE IN THE CITY - The City is the ultimate proving ground; hit the park for some competitive streetball fun and compete at various new venues. Pay homage to legends of the game in MyCAREER as you eclipse their milestone achievements and usher in the greatest dynasty basketball has ever seen. Let your talents shine in a bustling City and etch your name among the greats.
- BUILD YOUR DYNASTY - Build a dynasty that transcends eras and redefine what it means to be the best as a General Manager in MyNBA. Explore the unique challenges that come with overseeing an NBA front office and cherish the ultimate reward of winning a championship, or multiple. Choose from six Eras, including an all-new Era, and become the next mastermind to change the game forever.
Is either game free on Xbox now?
No—the April 2025 trials have ended. The most recent Xbox Wire event in the cited announcements ran October 1–4, 2026. That separate event included Skull and Bones but not NBA 2K25, and Xbox said it was open to all Xbox members without a Game Pass membership; it has also ended. See Xbox Wire’s October 1, 2026 announcement for those separate terms.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
2K NBA 25
- POWERED BY ProPLAY - Show off your game with ProPLAY – immersive technology that turns video footage from the NBA directly into exciting gameplay. Experience your favourite NBA superstars up close and immerse yourself in clutch moments thanks to ProPLAY, which gives you the most authentic NBA experience yet. (Xbox Series X)
- MISS YOURSELF WITH OTHERS IN THE CITY - In the city you can prove yourself. Play a few rounds of streetball against the competition in the park and discover different new locations. Honor NBA legends in My CAREER by reaching and exceeding their milestones and build the greatest basketball dynasty of all time. Demonstrate your talent in the exciting city and add your name to the list of legends. (Xbox Series X)
- Your MyTEAM, YOUR DECISION - Competition invigorates the game in MyTEAM. Challenge your rivals' lineups with your all-time MyTEAM squad and duel with other elite players in the weekly King of the Court. Duel yourself and prove why you deserve to be crowned the best of the best at this exclusive event. Collect new cards, master the basics and earn great rewards. Where do you start your path to true greatness? (Xbox Series X)
- Fast game, My NBA and The W are playable offline. All other game modes and features require an internet connection and possibly an online account registration (varies from 13 years)
- Pre-order NBA 2K25* and get 5,000 VC for use in NBA 2K25. * Internet connection and NBA 2K account required to redeem bonus content. Terms and conditions apply.
Rank #4
NBA 2K27 - Xbox Series X
- THE CITY: Put The City on your back and lead a new era of MyPLAYERs fueled by basketball. Let your passion power your unique style on and off the court, team up with friends to form a Crew, and dominate the courts at The REC, Park, and beyond.
- MyCAREER: Create a MyPLAYER and experience a legacy-defining story in MyCAREER, where you’ll be tested on your path to becoming the greatest player of all time. Shatter expectations, compete against legends of the sport, and leave your mark on NBA history.
- POWERED BY ProPLAY: Master your skills with lifelike gameplay animations directly translated from real NBA action. Use an array of ProPLAY features to cook defenders with ankle-breaking crossovers, show off your range with enhanced shooting mechanics, and become a matchup nightmare every time you step on the court.
- MyTEAM: Collect your favorite NBA and WNBA stars with ease and build a fantasy squad for the ages. Grow your collection and assemble endless lineup combinations; take control of your MyTEAM and put it to the test in single-player and multiplayer modes.
Rank #3
Sale
NBA 2K26 - Xbox Series X
- POWERED BY ProPLAY: Dominate every possession with immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into realistic gameplay. Feel more connected to every dribble and crossover with revamped size-ups and experience fast-paced, dynamic movement with all-new ProPLAY features.
- SQUAD UP IN THE CITY: Build a transcendent MyPLAYER and climb the competitive ranks to reach the pinnacle of NBA stardom in an all-new MyCAREER journey. Team up with friends in a stunning, streamlined City, earn recognition and increase your REP, and battle rival squads for Park supremacy.
- UNITE STARS IN MyTEAM: Collect and compete with past and present legends of the game in MyTEAM. Assemble a star-studded roster, put your dream team to the test in new single-player and multiplayer modes, and acquire new cards to make your MyTEAM fantasy a reality.
- YOUR TEAM, YOUR STORY: Lead an NBA franchise as a General Manager in MyNBA. Choose from all 30 teams, experience 30 unique MyGM storylines with real-world inspiration, and chase the ultimate goal: to win a championship. Influence the future of the sport and leave an indelible mark on the league.
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.
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