Recommended Free Tools
Xbox Free Play Days runs Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can play five featured games, while The Alters has a separate three-hour trial open to everyone. NBA 2K27 Standard Edition joins the promotion on Friday, October 16 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
Which Xbox games are free October 15–18?
The promotion combines membership-based access with one trial that does not require Game Pass. Availability, prices and discounts can vary by title and region.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vrrAVO+zL._SL160_.jpg)
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$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
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$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $10.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y+LDLtBFL._SL160_.jpg)
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$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y0U46RO7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25 | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Game | Access | What you can play | Store price and event discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K27 Standard Edition | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential; October 16–18 | Create a MyPLAYER, play MyCAREER and use Play Now | Qualifying digital purchases from October 16–29 include an Xbox Gift Card and a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack; the announcement does not state a discounted price |
| Crusader Kings III | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential; October 15–18 | Grand strategy focused on guiding a dynasty and noble house | $49.99 listed price; event discount not stated |
| Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential; October 15–18 | Licensed buses, two open-world cities, solo play or online co-op bus-company management | $29.99 listed price; event discount not stated |
| Soccer Story | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential; October 15–18 | Restore stadiums, teams and tournaments in a ruined football world using a magical soccer ball | $19.99 listed price, reduced to $2.99 (85% off) |
| Ravenswatch | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential; October 15–18 | Roguelike action for solo play or up to four-player co-op, including the Kintaro hero and a talent rework | $29.99 listed price, reduced to $10.49 (65% off) |
| The Alters | All players; October 15–18 | Three-hour timed trial involving alternate versions of a stranded survivor, base building and resource management | $34.99 listed price, reduced to $15.74 |
Do you need Game Pass?
You need a qualifying Game Pass membership—Ultimate, Premium or Essential—to launch NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story or Ravenswatch during Free Play Days. The Alters is the exception: its three-hour timed trial is available to every Xbox player without Game Pass.
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How to start a Free Play Days game
- Sign in to the Microsoft account you use on Xbox.
- Open the game’s detail page on Xbox.com and choose the Microsoft Store installation option, or open the Xbox Store on your console.
- On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, select the Subscriptions tab, then open the Free Play Days collection.
- Choose a participating title and install it. For the five membership games, confirm that your account has Ultimate, Premium or Essential before launching.
- For The Alters, start the trial from its store page and track your play time; access is limited to three hours during the October 15–18 window.
What each game is best for
NBA 2K27: sports and career modes
The Standard Edition is the weekend’s basketball option. The announcement specifically calls out MyPLAYER creation, MyCAREER and Play Now. It becomes available at noon PDT on Friday, so it is not playable during the first part of Thursday’s event.
#1 Best Overall
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Crusader Kings III: long-form dynasty strategy
This is the choice for players who want a campaign about inheritance, diplomacy and managing a noble house rather than a short arcade session. The Xbox listing shown with the announcement gives a $49.99 price.
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop: driving and co-op management
Officially licensed buses and two open-world cities provide the setting. You can run the bus company alone or invite others for online co-op, making it the most directly collaborative simulation in the line-up.
Rank #2
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Soccer Story: an adventure built around football
Soccer Story mixes exploration and sports-themed objectives. Its premise is a damaged football world in which you use a magical soccer ball while rebuilding local stadiums, teams and tournaments. The listed $2.99 price is an 85% reduction from $19.99.
Ravenswatch: repeatable action with a group
Ravenswatch is a roguelike action game that supports solo play and co-op for up to four players. The event listing highlights the Kintaro hero and a talent rework. Its stated price falls from $29.99 to $10.49, a 65% discount.
Rank #3
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
The Alters: sample the survival-story premise
The all-player trial lasts three hours, not the entire weekend. It introduces a stranded survivor who creates alternate versions of himself, then balances base construction, resources and the conflicting life paths of those versions. The listed purchase price is reduced from $34.99 to $15.74.
What happens when Free Play Days ends?
After the event window closes, you can buy a participating game or another edition at a limited-time offer where one is available. Your Gamerscore and achievements carry over when you purchase the game. The announcement warns that discount percentages and title availability differ by game and region, so check the individual Microsoft Store page before paying. NBA 2K27’s separate purchase promotion runs October 16–29 for qualifying digital purchases and includes an Xbox Gift Card plus a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack.
Rank #4
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Choosing what to try first
- Pick NBA 2K27 if you want basketball and can wait until Friday afternoon.
- Choose Crusader Kings III for a deep dynasty campaign.
- Install Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop for open-world driving and online co-op.
- Try Soccer Story if the 85% purchase discount and football adventure appeal to you.
- Start Ravenswatch with up to three friends for four-player roguelike action.
- Use The Alters as the no-membership option, but reserve enough time to experience its three-hour limit.
Xbox marketing manager Kyle Ocean described the line-up as offering new adventures “Whether you’re chasing Championships or forging a legacy.”
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Best Value
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
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.
