The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Xbox Game Pass Standard launched on September 10, 2024, at $14.99 per month in the United States. It offered hundreds of console games, online console multiplayer, and member discounts—but not day-one releases. Xbox’s current U.S. Game Pass page lists Essential, Premium, Ultimate, and PC Game Pass instead, so Standard’s launch details should not be mistaken for a current subscription offer.
What Xbox Game Pass Standard was
Standard was a console-focused membership positioned between Game Pass Core and Ultimate. Xbox described it as combining Core benefits with access to hundreds of console games. Its launch benefits included:
- A changing catalog of console games.
- Online multiplayer for console games that require a paid multiplayer membership.
- Member deals and discounts on select games.
Xbox highlighted Halo, Age of Empires, Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege as examples in its September 10, 2024 launch announcement. Those examples were not a promise that every title would remain in the catalog.
When Standard launched and what it cost
Xbox first made Standard available as an Insider preview on August 20, 2024. It became generally available on September 10, 2024. The public launch price was $14.99 per month in the United States; pricing varied by market. The $1-per-month preview offer applied to eligible Insiders, not to the normal public launch price. Xbox’s Insider announcement described the plan as automatically renewing unless canceled.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The $14.99 figure is historical, not a verified current price. As checked in August 2026, Xbox’s U.S. Game Pass page showed plans starting at $9.99 per month but did not list Standard.
What Standard did not include
No day-one releases
Standard did not include access to new releases on their launch day. Xbox said some games that arrived day one in Ultimate might reach Standard later—potentially 12 months or more after release, depending on the title. That was a possible delay, not a fixed schedule for every game. “Hundreds of games” described a catalog, not every Game Pass release.
No PC Game Pass or verified EA Play inclusion
Standard was for console; it was not a substitute for PC Game Pass. Xbox listed EA Play with PC Game Pass and Ultimate, not Standard. PC Game Pass was the option Xbox described for PC players seeking day-one PC releases and EA Play.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Cloud gaming was not a stated launch benefit
The September 2024 launch announcement associated cloud gaming with Ultimate, not the public Standard offer. Xbox later discussed cloud access for Core and Standard in an Insider experience in August 2025; that later test should not be read as part of Standard’s original public launch benefits. See the August 2025 Insider announcement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIt was access, not ownership
A Game Pass membership did not make catalog games permanent purchases. Availability could change, and access depended on an active subscription and the game remaining available through the service. Some titles, expansions, and downloadable content could require separate purchases.
How Standard compared with other plans at launch
This is a September 2024 comparison of the plans as Xbox described them at Standard’s launch. It is not a comparison of the current 2026 lineup.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
| Plan | Main platform | Library and day-one access | Multiplayer | Other stated benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Xbox console | Smaller curated catalog; no general day-one benefit stated | Online console multiplayer | Member deals and discounts |
| Standard | Xbox console | Hundreds of console games; no day-one releases | Online console multiplayer | Member deals and discounts |
| PC Game Pass | PC | PC catalog with day-one releases | Not applicable as a console multiplayer plan | EA Play and Riot Games benefits |
| Ultimate | Console, PC, and cloud | Broader access, including day-one games | Online console multiplayer | Cloud gaming, EA Play, Perks, discounts, and Riot Games benefits |
These descriptions reflect the launch comparison from Xbox; plan features and catalogs can change.
Was Standard a good fit?
It suited console players who wanted a broad back catalog
Standard made sense for Xbox console owners who wanted more than Core’s smaller selection, played games that required paid online multiplayer, and were willing to wait for some new releases. Its value depended on whether the available catalog included games they actually wanted to play.
Core could be enough for multiplayer and owned games
Core was the simpler fit for players who mainly needed online multiplayer for games they already owned and did not need a large subscription catalog.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
Ultimate fit players who valued day-one games and extras
Ultimate was the stronger launch-era fit for players who wanted day-one releases, played across console and PC, or valued cloud gaming and bundled benefits such as EA Play.
PC-only players needed a PC plan
Standard was console-focused, so PC-only players were better served by PC Game Pass as described at launch.
Free-to-play multiplayer did not require Standard
If your only reason to subscribe was online play in free-to-play games, a paid plan was generally unnecessary. Xbox’s plan comparison page says free-to-play multiplayer is available to all Xbox players.
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Catalog limits to keep in mind
- Games, features, and availability vary by plan, region, platform, and time.
- A game available on console might not be available on PC or cloud.
- Catalog titles can leave the service; subscription access is not permanent ownership.
- Check whether a game’s expansions or downloadable content are separate purchases.
Xbox’s current plan page warns that titles, features, and availability vary. Check the live plan comparison for present-day details before subscribing.
What happened to Game Pass Standard?
Standard was a real public plan launched in September 2024, but it is not listed on Xbox’s U.S. Game Pass page as checked in August 2026. That page shows Essential, Premium, Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. The available official information establishes the changed lineup, but not the precise date or mechanism by which Standard was removed or replaced. Do not assume the 2024 offer or price is still available, or that former subscribers were migrated under any particular terms.
Quick Recap
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.
