We're rapidly approaching the holiday season, where console manufacturers usually introduce new bundle deals to win over potential gift-givers. This time around, Microsoft is adding three months of Game Pass Ultimate to its $299 Xbox Series S console, while keeping the price the same. Meet the Xbox Starter Bundle.

Microsoft has just released an Xbox Starter Bundle, which the company says has everything you need to start playing from the get-go. As part of what you're getting, you're getting a 512GB Xbox Series S (not the new 1TB model) with its respective controller, and you also get three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. This last part is important because it's usually a $16.99/month membership, though $1 trials are usually available and many gaming products come with a free month. Three months still isn't a lot of time, but it's long enough to try a bunch of games at no extra cost and play with friends. Your game progress is saved forever, no matter if you keep paying for Game Pass or not.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes access to hundreds of games right from the start, including recently launched hits such as Starfield. It also allows you to play multiplayer games, and cloud streaming is available on mobile, desktop, and Xbox — that last one is helpful if you want to try a game before downloading it, for example. You also get access to EA Play, a subscription from Electronic Arts that actually gets you access to even more titles than Game Pass Ultimate usually lets you access, including games from series such as Battlefield as well as a free trial for EA's hottest new titles, such as EA Sports FC 24. There's really something for everyone here.

If you want to give it a shot, the Xbox Starter Bundle is just $299.99. This is the usual price for the standalone Xbox Series S, and given it comes with free (albeit limited) Game Pass Ultimate, it's a tempting offer. The bundle is now available for pre-order, and it should ship to buyers starting on October 31st.

Source: Microsoft