Microsoft’s latest Game Pass Ultimate deal gives new users 3 months for $1

Today’s Dealmaster is headlined by a new deal on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service, as new users can currently purchase a three-month subscription for $1. Microsoft has traditionally offered the first month of its game subscription service for $1, though subsequent months typically cost $15 each. Note that “new subscribers” means completely new in this case, as anyone who has subscribed to Game Pass in the past is not eligible for the discount. Microsoft said in a blog post on Monday that the deal would be available for a “limited time.”

For the unfamiliar, Game Pass Ultimate includes both the console and PC versions of Microsoft’s Game Pass service—which packages a few hundred downloadable games in a Netflix-like bundle for one monthly fee—alongside its Xbox Live Gold service, which is still required to access the online features of most Xbox console games. Recently, the company has also added the ability to stream Xbox games through the cloud on Android phones, as well as a subscription to EA’s Play service.

Generally speaking, the consensus is that Game Pass has become one of the better values in gaming. This is largely because Microsoft has been more aggressive than competitors like Sony’s PlayStation Now about including high-profile games in the service: all of the recent games the company itself has published are included—covering big franchises like Halo, Forza, Minecraft, and Gears, among others—as are a growing number of worthwhile games from outside developers. The latter group ranges from “triple-A” titles like Destiny 2, Control, and The Outer Worlds to buzzy smaller-scale games like Celeste, Outer Wilds, and Spiritfarer. Future titles from the recently purchased Elder Scrolls- and Fallout-makers Bethesda will be there, too, though existing games like Doom Eternal are already onboard.

The service will benefit those who like to sample multiple games simultaneously more than those who sink several months into one game at a time. Users who mainly play on PC are probably better off subscribing to the $10/month Game Pass for PC. Games still rotate in and out of the service every month, and while Microsoft’s “xCloud” streaming service works, the service still has a ways to go before it consistently feels smooth. But if you’re hitching your wagon to the Xbox Series X or Series S going forward, or if you just want to spend the next few months trying out a bunch of good games for a buck, this is an excellent deal.

If you do see yourself subscribing longterm, note that it’s still possible to save a few hundred bucks by stockpiling Xbox Live Gold service (up to 36 months total), then converting it all to Game Pass Ultimate for just $1 extra through this deal. As Microsoft’s FAQ notes, the company still converts existing Xbox Live Gold (or basic Game Pass) subscription time to Game Pass Ultimate when you first purchase the latter—at maximum, this means you could get three years of Game Pass Ultimate for $181, since 12-month Xbox Live Gold codes are still available at retailers like Amazon for $60, instead of paying up to $495 after this three-month subscription is up.

If you have no interest in another subscription service, though, we have plenty of deals in today’s roundup, including discounts on Bluetooth headphones and speakers, monitors, microSD cards, and more. You can check out our full rundown below.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Top 10 deals of the day

• New users only: Microsoft Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month membership for $1 at Microsoft (auto-renews by default—normally $31).
• Microsoft 365 Family 12-month subscription + $50 Amazon gift card for $99.99 at Amazon (auto-renews by default—normally $150).
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller + Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, digital) for $69 at Walmart (normally $110).
• Samsung EVO Select (128GB) microSDXC card—UHS-I, U3 for $15.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $20).
• Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones for $44.99 at Amazon (normally $70).
• Anker SoundCore Motion+ portable Bluetooth speaker for $79.99 at Amazon (normally $100).
• Jabra Elite 75t true wireless earphones for $119.99 at Amazon (normally $160).
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch) for $49.95 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $60).
• RAVPower RP-PC128 USB-C wall charger—90W total, 2x 90W USB-C PD, GaN for $40.99 at Amazon (clip $8 coupon—normally $50).
• SK Hynix Gold P31 (1TB) NVMe internal SSD for $114.74 at Amazon (clip 15% coupon—normally $135).

Laptop and desktop PC deals

• Apple Mac Mini (late 2020) mini desktop—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $639 at B&H (backordered—normally $699).
• Apple MacBook Air (late 2020) laptop—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $899 at Adorama (backordered—normally $999).
• Apple MacBook Pro (late 2020) laptop—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $1,199 at Adorama (backordered—normally $1,299).
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th gen) laptop—Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $999.99 at Lenovo (use code: THINKBF2—normally $1,500).
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th gen) laptop—Intel Core i7-10510U, 14-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,199.99 at Lenovo (use code: THINKSGIVING2—normally $1,800).
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 laptop—Intel Core i5-1035G7, 13.5-inch 2256×1504, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $999.99 at Microsoft and Amazon (normally $1,100).
• Microsoft Surface Book 3 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i5-1035-G7, 13.5-inch 3000×2000, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $1,299.99 at Microsoft (normally $1,550).
• HP Spectre x360 13t 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i7-1165G7, 13.3-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $899.99 at HP (use code: 10STACKBFCM21—normally $1,100).
• HP EliteBook 840 G7 laptop—Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $720 at HP (configure specs at checkout, select backlit keyboard, 720p webcam, and 65W adapter—normally $1,200).
• HP Omen 15 (15-en0013dx) gaming laptop—AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB for $849.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,200).
• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop—AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS, 14-inch 1080p 120Hz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q for $1,199.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,450).
• Dell G5 15 gaming laptop—Intel Core i7-10750H, 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q 8GB for $1,149.99 at Dell (normally $1,400).
• 27-inch HP Z27n G2 monitor—2560×1440, 60Hz, IPS for $279 at HP (normally $355).
• 27-inch Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2719D) monitor—2560×1440, 60Hz, IPS + $150 Dell e-gift card for $359.99 at Dell (GC good for 90 days—normally $540).
• 27-inch Dell S2721DS monitor—2560×1440, 75Hz, IPS, FreeSync for $239.99 at Dell (normally $265).
• 24-inch Dell P2421 monitor—1920×1200, 60Hz, IPS for $149.99 at Dell (normally $260).
• 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 24 (U2417H) monitor—1080p, 60Hz, IPS for $159.95 at Amazon (normally $230).
• 27-inch LG 27GL850-B gaming monitor—2560×1440, 144Hz, IPS, FreeSync for $446.99 at Amazon, Adorama, and B&H (normally $500).
• 23-inch Lenovo L23i-18 monitor—1920×1080, 60Hz, IPS for $99.99 at Lenovo (normally $130).

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Video game deals

• Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch) for $49.95 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $60).
• Super Mario Party (Switch, digital) for $39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $50).
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) for $44.99 at Walmart (normally $50).
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Switch, digital) for $39.88 at Amazon (normally $55).
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch, digital) for $39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $50).
• Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) for $39.99 at Gamestop (normally $60).
• The Last of Us Part II (PS4) for $29.99 at Adorama and Walmart (normally $60).
• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (PS4, Xbox) for $49.88 at Amazon (free PS5 upgrade—normally $60).
• Doom Eternal (PS4, Xbox) for $19.99 at Amazon, Microsoft, and GameStop (normally $50).
• Watch Dogs: Legion (PS4, Xbox) for $29.99 at Amazon and Target (normally $60).
• 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PS4) for $29.99 at GameStop (normally $60).
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS4) for $39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $60).
• Marvel’s Avengers (PS4, Xbox) for $27.99 at Amazon and GameStop (normally $60).
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox, digital) for $14.99 at Microsoft (normally $26).
• Wasteland 3 (PS4) for $34 at Amazon (normally $50).
• Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (PS4, Xbox) for $30 at Walmart (normally $60).
• Nioh 2 (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $30).
• God of War (PS4) for $9.99 at Amazon and Gamestop (normally $18).
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition (PS4) for $19.99 at Amazon (normally $25).
• Days Gone (PS4) for $19.99 at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy (normally $30).
• Death Stranding (PS4) for $19.99 at GameStop and Walmart (normally $30).

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• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Xbox, digital) for $23.99 at Amazon and Microsoft (normally $40).
• Resident Evil 2 (Xbox, digital) for $15.99 at Microsoft (normally $30).
• F1 2020 (Xbox, digital) for $29.99 at Microsoft (normally $55).
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox, digital) for $25.99 at Microsoft (normally $30).
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Xbox, digital) for $5.99 at Microsoft (normally $15).
• Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition (Xbox, digital) for $4.49 at Microsoft and Amazon (normally $15).
• Carrion (Switch, digital) for $14.99 at Amazon (normally $20).
• Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $16).
• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $16).
• The Last of Us Remastered (PS4) for $9.99 at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy (normally $15).
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $20).
• MLB The Show 20 (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $40).
• Gran Turismo Sport (PS4) for $9.99 at Amazon and GameStop (normally $16).
• Borderlands 3 (PS4, Xbox) for $9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $20).
• Persona 5 (PS4) for $9.99 at GameStop (normally $16).
• Until Dawn (PS4) for $9.99 at Best Buy (normally $16).
• Ratchet & Clank (PS4) for $9.99 at Best Buy (normally $16).
• Wolfenstein: Alt History Collection (Xbox, PS4) for $39.99 at Microsoft and GameStop (normally $80).
• Mafia: Definitive Edition (PS4, Xbox) for $29.99 at Amazon and Microsoft (normally $40).
• Bayonetta + Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle (PS4, Xbox) for $19.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (normally $40).
• Dishonored & Prey: The Arkane Collection (PS4, Xbox) for $19.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $60).
• Hades (Switch, digital) for $19.99 at Nintendo eShop (normally $25).
• Golf Story (Switch, digital) for $7.49 at Nintendo eShop (normally $15).
• Horizon Chase Turbo (Switch, digital) for $4.99 at Nintendo eShop (normally $20).

Gaming deals

• New users only: Microsoft Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month membership for $1 at Microsoft (auto-renews by default—normally $31).
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller + Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, digital) for $69 at Walmart (normally $110).
• Fnatic React wired gaming headset for $59.99 at Amazon (normally $75).
• HyperX Cloud Alpha wired gaming headset for $79.99 at Amazon (normally $95).
• SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC wired gaming headset for $199.99 at Amazon (normally $250).
• PowerA Moga Mobile Gaming Clip for Xbox wireless controllers for $10.99 at Amazon (normally $15).
• HyperX ChargePlay Quad charging station for Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons for $14.99 at Amazon (normally $30).
• HyperX ChargePlay Clutch charging case for Nintendo Switch—6,000mAh for $39.99 at Amazon (normally $60).
• Aukey KM-P4 XXXL gaming mouse pad—47.2×23.6×0.12 in. for $22.49 at Amazon (clip 25% coupon—normally $35).
• Logitech G513 wired mechanical gaming keyboard—GX Blue/GX Brown switches for $99.99 at Amazon (normally $135).
• Logitech G815 wired mechanical gaming keyboard—Logitech GL Tactile/GL Clicky/GL Linear switches for $149.99 at Amazon (normally $190).
• Logitech G915 TKL tenkeyless wireless mechanical gaming keyboard—Logitech GL Tactile/GL Clicky/GL Linear switches for $179.99 at Amazon (normally $230).
• Logitech G203 Lightsync wired gaming mouse for $14.99 at GameStop (normally $35).
• Razer BlackWidow Lite tenkeyless wired mechanical gaming keyboard—Razer Orange switches for $64.99 at Amazon (normally $75).

TV and home entertainment deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 1080p HDR media streamer for $17.99 at Amazon (normally $30).
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K HDR media streamer for $29.99 at Amazon (normally $45).
• Amazon Fire TV Cube 4K HDR media streamer with Alexa for $79.99 at Amazon (normally $120).
• Amazon Fire TV Recast (500GB) over-the-air DVR for $129.99 at Amazon (normally $230).
• 65-inch LG BX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,796.99 at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy (normally $2,100).
• 55-inch Samsung Q90T (2020 model) 4K HDR QLED TV for $1,297.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (normally $1,450).
• 65-inch Samsung Q80T (2020 model) 4K HDR QLED TV for $1,497.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (normally $1,700).
• 55-inch Samsung Q70T (2020 model) 4K QLED TV for $797.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (normally $900).
• 65-inch Vizio OLED-H1 (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,499.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,999.99).

Wearables deals

• Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, select colors) smartwatch for $349.99 at Amazon (normally $385).
• Garmin Forerunner 45 (42mm) GPS running watch for $149.99 at Amazon, Kohl’s and Garmin (normally $200).
• Garmin Vivoactive 4s (40mm) fitness smartwatch for $219.99 at Amazon and B&H (normally $300).
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 (45mm) fitness smartwatch for $235.64 at Amazon (normally $315).
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 (40mm) fitness smartwatch for $174.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $230).

Headphones and audio deals

• Apple AirPods Pro true wireless noise-cancelling headphones for $189.99 at Woot (normally $220).
• Anker SoundCore Motion+ portable Bluetooth speaker for $79.99 at Amazon (normally $100).
• Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones for $44.99 at Amazon (normally $70).
• Jabra Elite 75t true wireless earphones for $119.99 at Amazon (normally $160).
• Beats Powerbeats Pro (select colors) true wireless sports earphones for $149.95 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $240).
• Beats Solo 3 Wireless Bluetooth on-ear headphones for $119 at Amazon (normally $175).
• Jaybird Tarah Bluetooth sports earphones for $29.99 at Amazon (normally $90).
• Sony SRS-XB33 portable Bluetooth speaker for $118 at Amazon and B&H (normally $148).
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus true wireless earphones for $99.99 at Amazon (normally $125).

Storage deals

• Samsung EVO Select (128GB) microSDXC card—UHS-I, U3 for $15.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $20).
• Samsung EVO Select (256GB) microSDXC card—UHS-I, U3 for $24.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $32).
• Samsung EVO Select (512GB) microSDXC card—UHS-I, U3 for $64.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $86).
• Lexar Professional 1800x (128GB) microSDXC card—UHS-II, U3, V90 for $56.99 at Amazon (normally $70).
• SK Hynix Gold P31 (1TB) NVMe internal SSD for $114.74 at Amazon (clip 15% coupon—normally $135).
• Samsung T5 (1TB) portable external SSD for $129.99 at Amazon (normally $140).
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus (500GB) NVMe internal SSD for $79.99 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout—normally $90).
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus (1TB) NVMe internal SSD for $149.99 at Amazon (normally $175).
• Samsung 860 EVO (1TB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $99.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $130).
• Samsung 860 EVO (2TB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $199.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and Adorama (normally $270).
• Crucial P5 (1TB) NVMe internal SSD for $119.99 at Amazon and B&H (normally $150).
• Crucial MX500 (500GB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $53.60 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $110).
• Crucial MX500 (2TB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $189.99 at Amazon (normally $225).

Smart home deals

• Roborock S4 Max robot vacuum for $319.99 at Amazon (clip $110 coupon—normally $430).
• Roborock S5 Max robot vacuum for $439 at Amazon (normally $549).
• Roborock S6 Pure robot vacuum for $359.99 at Amazon (clip $240 coupon—normally $600).
• Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) smart speaker for $18.99 at Amazon (normally $40).
• Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) smart speaker for $28.99 at Amazon (normally $50).
• Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th gen) smart speaker for $38.99 at Amazon (normally $60).
• Amazon Echo (4th gen) smart speaker for $69.99 at Amazon (normally $100).
• Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display for $44.99 at Amazon (normally $70).
• Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display + Blink Mini 1080p indoor security camera for $49.99 at Amazon (normally $90).
• Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display for $64.99 at Amazon (normally $100).
• Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display + Blink Mini 1080p indoor security camera for $69.99 at Amazon (normally $115).
• Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) smart speaker for $18.99 at Adorama and The Home Depot (normally $40).
• Google Nest Hub smart display for $49.98 at Adorama and The Home Depot (normally $90).
• Google Nest Hub Max smart display for $179.99 at Adorama and The Home Depot (normally $230).
• Google Nest Home Max smart home speaker for $149 at Adorama (normally $240).
• Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control + smart sensor for $199 at Amazon (normally $249).
• iRobot Roomba 675 robot vacuum for $179 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $250).
• iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum for $399 at Amazon (normally $565).
• Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K video doorbell camera for $109.99 at Amazon (normally $150).
• Eufy RoboVac 11S Max robot vacuum for $169.99 at Amazon (clip $70 coupon—normally $250).
• Eufy RoboVac 30 robot vacuum for $169.99 at Amazon (normally $240).
• Eufy Smart Scale P1 smart scale for $29.99 at Amazon (normally $45).
• Arlo Video Doorbell smart video doorbell—1536×1536 video for $99.99 at Best Buy (normally $135).
• Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera wireless 2K outdoor security camera for $189 at Amazon (normally $240).
• Arlo Pro 3 (2-camera) wireless 2K camera security system for $299.99 at Best Buy (normally $415).
• August Smart Lock Pro (3rd gen) + Connect Hub smart lock for $129.99 at Amazon (normally $205).

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

• Microsoft 365 Family 12-month subscription + $50 Amazon gift card for $99.99 at Amazon (auto-renews by default—normally $150).
• LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett Helmet 75277 building kit for $47.99 at Amazon (normally $55).
• Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (8qt) 9-in-1 electric pressure cooker for $89.99 at Williams-Sonoma (normally $140).
• Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (6qt) 9-in-1 electric pressure cooker for $69.95 at Williams-Sonoma (normally $120).
• Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker for $17.99 at Amazon (normally $25).
• Tile Slim Bluetooth tracker for $23.99 at Amazon (normally $30).
• Tile Sticker (4-pack) Bluetooth tracker for $39.99 at Amazon (normally $55).
• Mophie Powerstation AC portable battery—100W AC, 24,000mAh, 30W USB-C PD, USB-A for $79.95 at Mophie (normally $180).
• RAVPower RP-PC128 USB-C wall charger—90W total, 2x 90W USB-C PD, GaN for $40.99 at Amazon (clip $8 coupon—normally $50).
• Prime only: Aukey PA-B3 USB-C wall charger—65W total, 65W USB-C PD, USB-A, GaN for $24.99 at Amazon (clip $5 coupon—normally $38).
• Aukey PA-B5 USB-C wall charger—100W USB-C PD, GaN for $29.99 at Amazon (clip $10 coupon—normally $40).
• Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB-C hub—85W USB-C PD, USB-C data, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI (4K@30Hz), SD, microSD for $21.66 at Amazon (normally $30).
• Brydge 12.9 Pro Bluetooth keyboard for 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro for $99.99 at Amazon (normally $170).
• New users: Tidal HiFi 4-month membership for $1.99 at Tidal (normally $80).