Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds Balatro-Like Day-One Game

Key Takeaways

  • Wildfrost is now available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
  • This addition qualifies as a day-one release on account of Wildfrost’s Xbox console ports being brand-new.
  • Wildfrost is a deck-building roguelike that shares some design similarities with Balatro. The two games have even crossed over back in mid-2024.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the influx of new games into Xbox Game Pass is truly a sight to behold! The variety and quality of titles being added is nothing short of astounding.

The video game “Wildfrost” has been added to the growing library of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Since its release on Xbox consoles is brand-new, it’s considered a day-one title on this service. This marks the fifth new game that’s joined Microsoft’s subscription offering since December 2024, and it brings the total number of new Xbox Game Pass additions for the year to 138.

In a frosty world shrouded in endless winter, the game Wildfrost, created by Deadpan Games and Gaziter, places you as a player on a mission to break the icy spell. Although thematically distinct from the indie sensation Balatro, both share similarities at a high design level, such as an enhanced deck-building mechanic that offers endless possibilities for strategic planning. Interestingly, in June 2024, Wildfrost incorporated elements of Balatro by including Jimbo the Joker as an unlockable character.

20 months after its initial release on Nintendo Switch and PC, the game “Wildfrost” is now playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S as of 10am EST on December 10. This marks its arrival on the latest generations of Microsoft’s consoles. Additionally, “Wildfrost” is available from day one on the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library. Besides consoles, the PC version of this game is also accessible through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Furthermore, “Wildfrost” supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, enabling XGP Ultimate members to stream it on compatible devices.

Back in April 2024, when Wildfrost hit mobile devices, it was a smash hit! OpenCritic gave it a “Strong” rating, based on an impressive 79% recommendation rate and an average score of 78. Steam users couldn’t get enough, giving it “Very Positive” reviews. It also earned respectable ratings of 3.8 stars on the Google Play Store and 4.0 stars on the iOS App Store. Now, it stands proudly among the captivating roguelike deck-builders available on Xbox Game Pass, like Slay the Spire and Inscryption. As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive into Wildfrost!

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games

Game Date Added Game Pass Tier(s) Platform(s) Notes
Wildfrost Dec 10 Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one (console) release.
For the King 2 Dec 12 Ultimate, PC Cloud(?), Console, PC Day-one (console) release.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 Dec 12 Standard, Ultimate, PC Cloud(?), Console, PC
Carrion Jan 2 Standard, Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Returning title that was last available in Jul 2022.
Road 96 Jan 7 Standard, Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Returning title that was last available in Jun 2023.
Sniper Elite: Resistance Jan 30 Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release
Avowed Feb 18 Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release
Football Manager 25 Mar ?? Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release; exact release date TBA.
Atomfall Mar 27 Ultimate, PC Cloud, Console, PC Day-one release

When Will Wildfrost Arrive on Xbox Game Pass Standard?

Ever since Microsoft revamped the Xbox Game Pass tiers during the summer, they’ve been hinting that newly released games might take anywhere between half a year to a full year to appear in the Xbox Game Pass Standard library. The specific timeline can fluctuate depending on each game, making it seem unlikely for Wildfrost to join the Xbox Game Pass Standard collection before mid-2025.

Those who have continuously subscribed to the service’s basic tier prior to the introduction of XGP Standard are exempt from these changes. They were grandfathered into the original plan and will continue to enjoy all its perks, including early access to releases like Wildfrost, as long as they maintain their subscription.

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2024-12-10 18:04