Xbox Game Pass has great news games for consoles and PC.
For the first time in 2024, Xbox Game Pass has a great week filled with not one, not two, not three, but four notable games, including one game that instantly becomes one of the best games available through the library of Xbox Game Pass. Even better, three of the four games are available not only through the Xbox versions of the subscription service, but also through the PC version.
How long any of these games will be available through Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft typically doesn’t reveal. None are from Xbox Game Studios or Bethesda or Activision, so none will be permanent additions, but that’s the extent of what we know, except that while each is available, subscribers can purchase each at a 20 percent discount.
You can check out each game below. This includes a trailer for each game, an official game description, and some background information:
Control: Ultimate Edition
General information: Released in 2019 by developer Remedy Entertainment — best known for Alan Wake series — control was a Game of the Year contender the year it was released. This is a standalone game, but takes place in Alan Wake universe. Upon release, it garnered a Metacritic score of 87.
Game description: “A corrupt presence has invaded the FBI…Only you have the power to stop it. Now the world is your weapon in an epic battle to destroy a sinister enemy through deep and unpredictable environments. Containment failed, humanity is at stake. Will you regain control?”
No More Heroes III
General information: Released in 2021 by Grasshopper Manufacture, No More Heroes III is the fourth part of No more characters series, despite what its name suggests, thanks to a separate game in the series. Still, this is the third major installment. Upon its release, the cult hit garnered a Metacritic score of 77.
Game description: “Legendary assassin Travis Touchdown returns to the Garden of Madness! Now he must rise to the top of the galactic superhero ranks to stop the evil Prince Fu and his nine alien minions from taking over Earth.”
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated
General information: 2003 remake SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated was released in 2020 by Purple Lamp Studios and THQ Nordic. The first major release in the series since 2015, it boasts a Metacritic score of 71.
Game description: “Are you ready kids? The cult classic is back, faithfully remastered in sponge-tastic brilliance! Play as SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy and show the evil Plankton that crime pays even less than Mr. Krabs. Want to save Bikini Bottom from lots of rampaging robots with your mighty bubbles? Of course you want to! Want to bungee jump in your underpants? Why don’t you do it! Want to join forces in a brand new multiplayer mode? The battle begins!”
NBA 2K24
General information: Released in 2023 by developer Visual Concepts and 2K, NBA 2K23 was notably the 25th installment in the series. Although it sold very well, it did not receive very good reviews, earning only a 68 on Metacritic.
Game description: “Grab your team and experience the past, present and future of hoops culture in NBA 2K24. Enjoy lots of pure, unadulterated action and unlimited custom MyPLAYER options in MyCAREER. Collect an impressive array of legends and build your perfect MyTEAM squad. Experience more responsive gameplay and polished visuals as you play your favorite NBA and WNBA teams in PLAY NOW.”
