10 Best Free Xbox Games You Don’t Need Game Pass For

Time and time again, Xbox Game Pass has proven to be a wonderful subscription service for both Xbox and PC players. Its catalog is always rich with diverse titles, and it’s exciting to look forward to high-profile, first-party games that will arrive on Game Pass day one.

Of course, Xbox users don’t need a Game Pass subscription to play every game for free.

For those less eager to invest in a monthly subscription service, it’s easy to get plenty of entertainment out of an Xbox without signing up for Game Pass. As it would turn out, some of the best free Xbox games don’t require Game Pass at all, such as Fortnite, Warframe, and Marvel Rivals.

Fortnite

Developed and Published by Epic Games

Fortnite needs no introduction nor hype regarding how immense its popularity is as a battle royale game, let alone an epicenter of popular culture and entertainment. As free-to-play games go, it’s unlikely that any will eclipse Fortnite for the foreseeable future in terms of the licensed IP crossovers it boasts.

On Xbox, games like Fortnite that are free-to-download don’t require a subscription service to play online. While you’ll still have to invest to access online services for paid titles, nothing on this list will encounter that problem.

Zenless Zone Zero

Developed and Published by miHoYo

Continuing developer HoYoverse’s domination in the free-to-play gacha game sphere, Zenless Zone Zero rewrites the book yet again. While Zenless Zone Zero and other HoYoverse gacha games could all appear homogenous on the surface to third-party observers who aren’t familiar with the genre, different gameplay and drastic improvements help to distinguish this action RPG.

Zenless Zone Zero

Systems

Released

July 4, 2024

ESRB

T (Teen) – Suggestive Themes & Violence

Developer(s)

HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)

Engine

Unity

Overwatch

Developed and Published by Blizzard Entertainment

Despite Marvel Rivals reheating its nachos and debatably being the more popular of the two, Overwatch sustains its playerbase as a free-to-play hero shooter. In fact, anyone who has bounced off of Marvel Rivals yet thoroughly enjoyed the original Overwatch may comfortably find the revamped Overwatch (called Overwatch 2 until recently) to be the hero shooter they desired all along, especially with all the changes that have been made to the sequel since it was released.

In recent months, Overwatch has debuted a long list of new heroes and celebrated the tenth anniversary of the franchise with limited-time modes, lootboxes, and more. This might still not scratch the itch for those who preferred the original game, as the second iteration still leans into a faster pace and different game feel, but some of its strengths remain.

Overwatch (Formerly Overwatch 2)

Systems

6/10

Released

August 10, 2023

ESRB

Teen / Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Engine

Proprietary Engine

Apex Legends

Developed by Respawn Entertainment, Published by EA

Apex Legends is a thrilling and confident installment in the hero-shooter battle royale genre. Developed by none other than Titanfall’s Respawn, fans can expect fluid movement systems and excellent gunplay in this free-to-play game. Since Titanfall is more or less confirmed to be on ice, Apex Legends may be the closest that series’ fanbase gets to a new game.

Apex Legends

Systems

9/10

Released

February 4, 2019

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Violence

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Source on console/PC, Unreal Engine 4 on mobile

Warframe

Developed and Published by Digital Extremes

Warframe has it all as a free-to-play, semi-open-world, third-person parkour/looter shooter action-RPG. Still in an open beta after 13 years, Warframe’s latest major update, Jade Shadows: Constellations, adds more character options, missions, and more. While most long-running free-to-play games end up alienating their fan bases after enough time bases, Warframe‘s developers have managed to retain a strong relationship with the community even in 2026.

Warframe

Systems

Released

March 25, 2013

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

Developer(s)

Digital Extremes

Publisher(s)

Digital Extremes

Engine

Evolution Engine

Rocket League

Developed and Published by Psyonix

Rocket League is fairly unique as a football/soccer-esque game played in various vehicles. Its premise is an obvious hook, and its core loop is quick enough that Rocket League’s nature as a free-to-play game can be exceptionally addictive. With such potential for short-burst satisfaction, it doesn’t have to be a free-to-play game that players invest all their time into in order to gain a fruitful or productive experience.

The Finals

Developed and Published by Embark Studios

The Finals doesn’t rewrite the book in most regards, but what helps it stand out as a free-to-play shooter is how dynamic it is. The team-based shooter gameplay recalls plenty of Battlefield‘s strength, and with an even greater emphasis on adaptive environmental destruction, it makes for a refreshing PvP experience.

Following the success of The Finals, developer Embark Studios landed another hit with ARC Raiders, but the latter lacks the same free-to-play selling point. While both games have loyal communities, they’ve also courted some controversy due to the use of AI voice acting.

The Finals

Systems

Released

December 8, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Violence

Developer(s)

Embark Studios

Publisher(s)

Embark Studios

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

PUBG: Battlegrounds

Developed by PUBG Studios, Published by Krafton, Microsoft Studios, Tencent Games, and Kakao Games

PUBG: Battlegrounds‘s vaguely grounded approach may pale in comparison to larger-than-life games such as Fortnite. However, it’d be foolish for fans of the battle royale genre to overlook PUBG: Battlegrounds as a hallmark title in the free-to-play space, since it indeed became free to play in 2022.

If you’re comfortable investing a bit more time in matches, the slower pace of PUBG can be rewarding in its own right. Players might die in quick confrontations, but the sudden end to the journey doesn’t make road-tripping around large maps any less pleasurable.

PUBG: Battlegrounds

Systems

Released

March 23, 2017

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Violence

Developer(s)

PUBG Corporation

Publisher(s)

PUBG Corporation

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Path of Exile 2

Developed and Published by Grinding Gear Games

Path of Exile 2 is a tremendously exciting sequel, but there is an odd ‘catch’ to it actually being “free-to-play.” To be clear, Path of Exile 2 isn’t currently free to play, but it has been and eventually will be, too.

A dungeon-crawling action-RPG contemporary to the likes of Diablo 4, Path of Exile 2 is still in its paid early access period, but earlier this month had a free-to-play weekend between December 12–15 to celebrate The Last of the Druids. When it fully launches, however, it will also be free to play.

Path of Exile II

Systems

Released

December 6, 2024

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Nudity, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Developer(s)

Grinding Gear Games

Publisher(s)

Grinding Gear Games

Engine

Proprietary Engine

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op

Marvel Rivals

Developed and Published by NetEase Games

Marvel Rivals is already packed to the brim with free-to-play content, and there’s always more to look forward to with brand-new playable characters being released every month. Since its launch at the end of 2024, this has proven to be the hero shooter capable of eclipsing Overwatch 2 in popularity, and it’s not just because of the power of the Marvel license.

With a dynamic art style, plenty of interesting abilities, and an approach to balance that’s willing to let players have their fun, there’s a lot to love in Marvel Rivals. Some FOMO may come attached with all the battle passes the game has offered thus far, but it’s perfectly possible to have a complete experience in this Xbox title without spending a dime.

Marvel Rivals

Systems

8/10

Released

December 6, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence

Engine

Unreal Engine 5