"Retro Classics": Xbox Game Pass gets 50 new retro games
Microsoft includes more than 50 classic games from Activision's portfolio in its Game Pass games subscription. It's possible due to a partnership with Antstream.
(Image: Antstream)
Microsoft is working with the provider Antstream Arcade to integrate a collection of over 50 retro games into its Game Pass. All the new titles in the games subscription come from Microsoft subsidiary Activision.
These include “Commando”, “Grand Prix”, “Kaboom!”, “Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat” and “Pitfall!”, Microsoft announced in a blog post. “This initiative is one step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility,” it says.
Cooperation with Antstream Arcade
The collection called “Retro Classics” is not available separately and can only be played via a Game Pass subscription. Apparently, the titles can also be played locally. This distinguishes the “Retro Classics” collection from the Antstream Arcade subscription, which includes more than 1,300 classic games in total: There, the games are played exclusively via cloud gaming, i.e., as a stream.
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If you prefer to book Antstream Arcade directly, you will have to pay 40 euros per year. The “lifetime” subscription costs 100 euros. Game Pass subscribers currently receive an additional discount on the full subscription and can currently take out the subscription for 10 US dollars a year, writes Anstream in a separate announcement.
Game Pass game subscription
Game Pass is Microsoft's games subscription, which includes many games from independent publishers in addition to its titles. There are basically two variants: The PC Game Pass for the computer and the Xbox Game Pass for the console. The higher level Game Pass Ultimate bundles both variants and offers additional features such as game streaming.
Microsoft revised the Game Pass subscription structure last year. Since then, the PC Game Pass has cost 12 euros. Console gamers have to get to grips with a completely new structure: The Xbox Game Pass Standard, which costs €13, replaces the previous €15 Xbox Game Pass for consoles. The Xbox Game Pass Core only offers access to online multiplayer, but does not include the subscription games. It costs 7 euros per month. The Game Pass Ultimate, which includes both platforms as well as all games and features, costs 18 euros per month.
(dahe)
