Key Highlights:
- Xbox Game Pass adds NBA 2K24 to its library today, March 11th, for console and cloud gaming only.
- The addition kicks off a busy week with several other games joining the service in the coming days.
- NBA 2K24 has received polarizing reviews but remains one of the few contemporary basketball game options.
- Other major additions this month include Diablo 4, MLB The Show 24, and day-one releases like Lightyear Frontier and Open Roads.
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service is slamming down a major addition today as NBA 2K24 joins the lineup for console and cloud gamers. This move kicks off an action-packed week for the platform, with several hotly anticipated titles scheduled to arrive in the coming days.
The Decision to Add NBA 2K24
While NBA 2K24 has faced criticism for its excessive microtransactions and lack of significant improvements over previous installments, its inclusion on Game Pass offers basketball enthusiasts a convenient way to experience the latest entry in the long-running series.
With a Metacritic score of 68 across all platforms, it stands as one of the more poorly-received games in the 25-year-old NBA 2K franchise.
Nonetheless, the shortage of contemporary alternatives ensures a demand among fans eager to get their hands on the newest basketball simulation.
The recent dynamic backgrounds that were added to the console’s home screen courtesy of EA Sports were full of sports titles but lacking the basketball game. Maybe with today’s news we’ll end up getting one added in the not too distant future after all.
An Eventful Week Ahead
NBA 2K24’s arrival marks the beginning of an eventful stretch for Xbox Game Pass. In the days following, subscribers can look forward to the addition of several highly-anticipated titles, including the remastered SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the critically-acclaimed Control: Ultimate Edition, and the action-packed No More Heroes 3.
Further on the horizon, the subscription service will welcome a trio of day-one releases later this month.
The sci-fi frontier adventure Lightyear Frontier, the latest iteration of the beloved baseball sim MLB The Show 24 (also console/cloud only), and the open-world road trip title Open Roads will all be available to subscribers on their respective launch days.
A Packed Lineup for March
Beyond the aforementioned games, March’s Game Pass lineup boasts an impressive array of titles spanning various genres. Here’s the full list of titles that will be available this month:
| Game Title | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun | March 5 |
| PAW Patrol World | March 7 |
| NBA 2K24 | March 11 |
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated | March 12 |
| Control: Ultimate Edition | March 13 |
| No More Heroes 3 | March 14 |
| Lightyear Frontier | March 19 |
| MLB The Show 24 | March 29 |
| Diablo 4 | March 28 |
| Open Roads | March 28 |
With such a diverse and compelling selection of games on offer, Xbox Game Pass continues to solidify its position as a premier subscription service for gaming enthusiasts.
As the month progresses, Microsoft is expected to unveil additional titles joining the service, ensuring a steady stream of fresh content for its dedicated user base.