Why has Microsoft added Final Fantasy to Xbox Game Pass and which plans can play it in January 2026

Microsoft has added the original Final Fantasy to Xbox Game Pass, bringing one of the most historically important role-playing games in video-game history to UK Xbox and PC players almost four decades after it first appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. The title became available in Britain today, 8 January, via Xbox Series X|S, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming as part of Microsoft’s January 2026 Xbox Game Pass update. It is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass, but not with the entry-level Game Pass Essential tier. Microsoft has not said how long the game will remain available to UK subscribers. This is reported by The WP Times, citing Microsoft and Xbox Game Pass.

A landmark return for a 1980s classic

When Final Fantasy was first released in Japan in 1987, it was not designed to be the beginning of a global entertainment empire. Square, the company that would later become Square Enix, was struggling financially, and the game was developed as a last major project. Instead of becoming a commercial failure, it laid the foundations for what is now one of the most valuable and recognisable franchises in gaming.

The game arrived in North America and Europe in 1990, still on the NES, at a time when role-playing games were largely unknown to Western console players. While it was technically modest even by the standards of the time, its structure — a party of heroes, turn-based battles, a fantasy world and a narrative built around restoring balance — would become the blueprint for decades of RPG design.

Now, in 2026, Microsoft has made that same game available to millions of players through Xbox Game Pass, giving it a new life far beyond its original cartridge format.

Which version of Final Fantasy is on Game Pass

The version available through Game Pass is the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, originally released in 2021. This edition is not a full remake, but a modernised restoration that keeps the original gameplay, story and world design while upgrading the technical presentation.

The Pixel Remaster includes:

• high-resolution 2D graphics designed for modern screens
• remastered orchestral-style music
• cleaner menus and interface
• faster and more stable performance
• improved save systems

The purpose of this version is to allow players to experience the game as it was designed, without the limitations of 1980s hardware.

Platforms and subscriptions

Final Fantasy is available on the following Game Pass platforms and tiers:

Microsoft has also confirmed that players who want to permanently own the game can purchase it with a 20% discountwhile it remains part of the Game Pass library.

Why Microsoft is adding classic games

Microsoft’s Game Pass strategy has gradually expanded beyond simply offering new releases. In 2026, the service now includes thousands of games spanning more than four decades of gaming history. Adding a title like Final Fantasy serves several strategic purposes.

First, it increases subscriber retention. Classic RPGs tend to generate long play sessions and strong engagement, particularly among older gamers who grew up with the series.

Second, it adds prestige and depth to the Game Pass catalogue. A service that contains both modern blockbusters and foundational classics positions itself as a comprehensive gaming library rather than a rotating rental service.

Third, it attracts new players who may have played later Final Fantasy games but never experienced the original.

The role of Square Enix

Final Fantasy is Square Enix’s most important intellectual property. The franchise has sold more than 180 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling series in video-game history. It spans mainline titles, online games, films, music, merchandise and spin-offs. While the original Final Fantasy is not the most technically advanced or critically acclaimed entry in the series, it is the one that created the brand. Without it, there would be no Final Fantasy VII, no MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV, and no billion-dollar franchise. Its presence on Game Pass therefore represents not just a retro curiosity, but the inclusion of a culturally significant title.

What players should expect when they start

Players coming to Final Fantasy for the first time should be aware that it is very different from modern RPGs. The game reflects the design philosophy of the late 1980s.

That means:

• turn-based combat rather than real-time action
• limited dialogue and simple storytelling
• straightforward quest structure
• relatively high difficulty compared with modern games

However, the Pixel Remaster makes the experience far more approachable. The improved visuals, clearer menus and modern save system remove many of the frustrations that came with playing the NES version.

How long will Final Fantasy stay on Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft has not announced a removal date for Final Fantasy from Xbox Game Pass, but based on the company’s standard licensing model, third-party games typically remain on the service for between 12 and 24 months. This window is used for most non-Microsoft titles, including previous Square Enix releases, which are usually added under fixed-term distribution agreements rather than permanently.

In practical terms, this means Final Fantasy is likely to remain available on Xbox Game Pass through at least part of 2027, unless Microsoft or Square Enix decide to extend or shorten the agreement.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers who want guaranteed long-term access can purchase the game directly from the Xbox Storewhile it is part of the Game Pass catalogue. Microsoft applies an automatic 20% Game Pass member discount, allowing players to own the title permanently even if it is later removed from the subscription library. For UK players, this provides a way to lock in access to the game at a reduced price, rather than relying on its continued availability inside the Game Pass rotation.

Why this matters for UK players

The addition of Final Fantasy to Xbox Game Pass is not just a retro novelty for UK gamers — it reflects a broader shift in how Microsoft is positioning Game Pass in Britain as a long-term digital games library rather than a rotating entertainment service.

Key facts

In the UK, PC Game Pass and Xbox Series X|S subscriptions have grown steadily since 2023 as more players move away from buying physical games and toward fixed-price digital libraries. Adding a globally recognised franchise like Final Fantasy strengthens the perceived value of the subscription, particularly for older players who grew up with Nintendo, PlayStation and early Square titles but now play primarily on PC or Xbox.

The UK is also one of Square Enix’s largest European markets, making the inclusion of the company’s flagship franchise commercially significant. While later entries in the series sell strongly at retail, the original game has been difficult to access legally on modern platforms without buying separate remasters. Game Pass removes that barrier.

For British households facing ongoing cost-of-living pressure in 2026, subscription services that replace multiple game purchases with a single monthly fee have become increasingly important. Adding a heritage title like Final Fantasyincreases the number of hours of playable content available without extra spending.

Finally, the inclusion of the game on Xbox Cloud Gaming matters in the UK because it allows players to access the title on laptops, tablets and low-power PCs without needing a high-end console. This fits Microsoft’s strategy of using the UK as a testbed for cloud-first gaming, particularly outside major cities where console ownership is lower but broadband penetration is high.

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