Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Game Pass: Tiers, DLC, and Console Differences Explained

You have seen the announcement, but hitting download is not as straightforward as it seems. With the game officially hitting the service in March 2026, a massive divide exists between what Series X and S players experience and what Xbox One players receive. We break down exactly which subscription tiers you need, whether the Phantom Liberty DLC is included, and how to get the best performance out of your current hardware.

Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 is on Xbox Game Pass as of 10 March 2026. However, it is exclusively available to Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate subscribers. The acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion is not included and requires a separate purchase. PC Game Pass subscribers also do not have access.

Key Takeaways

Available only on Game Pass Premium and Ultimate tiers.
Xbox Series X and S consoles receive the fully patched version.
Xbox One is permanently capped at Patch 1.6 with no new content.
Phantom Liberty DLC is excluded and costs extra.
PC Game Pass is not supported; access is console and cloud only.
The game carries a strict PEGI 18 rating in the UK.

Quick Start: Is Your Setup Ready?

Before you clear storage space on your hard drive, run through this quick checklist to ensure your setup is eligible:

Verify you have an active Xbox Game Pass Premium or Ultimate subscription.
Confirm you are playing on an Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or via Cloud Gaming.
Note that PC Game Pass is entirely excluded from this offer.
Understand that the Phantom Liberty expansion is not free and requires a separate purchase.

Which Xbox Game Pass Tiers Include Cyberpunk 2077?

Microsoft splits Xbox Game Pass into several tiers, which often causes confusion for new subscribers. Cyberpunk 2077 is not available on the basic levels. CD Projekt Red confirms, “Cyberpunk 2077 joins Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate for both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles on March 10.”

Common Mistake: Many players assume the standard “Core” subscription includes high-profile day-one drops or major catalog additions. This will leave you staring at a purchase screen instead of a download button.

Pro Tip: Verify your subscription tier before trying to install the game. Ensure you have either Xbox Game Pass Premium or Ultimate, as the base Essential tier will not grant access.

[Xbox Game Pass Tier Comparison]

Xbox Series X|S vs Xbox One: The Great Hardware Divide

Your experience in Night City depends heavily on the plastic box sitting under your television. The hardware generation you own dictates which version of the software you actually play.

Typical Scenario Example: A UK-based Xbox Series X owner with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription installs the game natively. They benefit from all current updates and have the option to play in 60 FPS Performance Mode, though they must purchase the Phantom Liberty DLC separately to access the expansion.

[Image Placeholder: Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Series X vs Xbox One performance comparison]

Playing on Current-Gen (Series X|S)

Players on current-generation consoles get the definitive console experience. Xbox Series X and S owners receive the fully updated base game, which includes all recent system overhauls and gameplay patches.

CD Projekt Red notes, “Players on Xbox Series X can also play Cyberpunk 2077 at 60 frames per second in Performance Mode…” If you prefer sharper visuals over smooth framerates, you can switch to the 4K Ultra HD Quality Mode.

The Legacy Experience (Xbox One)

Older hardware simply cannot handle the dense crowds and complex lighting of the game’s later updates. Because of this, the developer stopped supporting the older consoles years ago.

An Xbox One user playing Cyberpunk 2077 via Game Pass is permanently limited to Update 1.6 and will not receive further patches. This specific update is known as the Edgerunners Update.

Pro Tip: Prepare for outdated software on Xbox One. Acknowledge that the Xbox One version is entirely legacy software and has not received a patch since November 2022.

Is the Phantom Liberty Expansion Included?

Many players want to know if the subscription covers the massive story expansion. The short answer is no. The acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion is not included in Xbox Game Pass and must be purchased separately.

A player looking to access the Phantom Liberty expansion via Game Pass will find it is entirely excluded from the service. You only receive the base game.

Pro Tip: Since the acclaimed DLC is excluded from the Game Pass bundle, budget extra if you want to complete the full storyline.

Hardware compatibility is another major factor here. The Phantom Liberty expansion and the Ultimate Edition of the game are incompatible with Xbox One consoles and strictly require an Xbox Series X or S.

Pro Tip: Avoid buying the Ultimate Edition on older consoles. The expansion will not run on Xbox One under any circumstances.

Console Experience Decision Tree

Use this quick guide to understand exactly what you can play:

Step 1: Which console are you using to play?

Xbox Series X or S: Proceed to Step 2a.
Xbox One: Proceed to Step 2b.

Step 2a (Xbox Series X or S): You have access to the fully updated base game. Do you want to play the expansion?

Yes: You must purchase the Phantom Liberty DLC separately from the Xbox Store.
No: Enjoy the fully patched base game via your Game Pass subscription.

Step 2b (Xbox One): You receive the base game permanently capped at Patch 1.6. The game is considered legacy software and is no longer supported with new updates.

[Xbox Store UK Phantom Liberty Page]

Mid-Article Summary

Quick Check: * Playing on Xbox One? You get the base game up to Patch 1.6 only.
- Playing on Series X or S? You get the full base game, but must buy Phantom Liberty separately.
- PC players? You are completely excluded from this Game Pass drop.

How to Stream via Xbox Cloud Gaming

You do not have to install the game directly to your hard drive. UK players can stream the game via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This is a helpful alternative if your console storage is full.

Pro Tip: If you have an older Xbox One console, streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming might offer a smoother experience than native installation.

How to start streaming:

Verify your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which is required for Cloud Gaming access.
Navigate to the Game Pass app on your Xbox console or a compatible smart device.
Select Cyberpunk 2077 and choose the Cloud Gaming option instead of the install button.

An Xbox One owner might subscribe to Game Pass Premium to play Cyberpunk 2077. They can play the base game natively up to Patch 1.6. However, to access the new features of Update 2.0 or the Phantom Liberty expansion, they realise they must upgrade to a current-generation Xbox Series X or S console.

Why PC Game Pass is Excluded

Microsoft separates its console offerings from its desktop offerings. The PC Game Pass tier does not include Cyberpunk 2077. Access is strictly limited to console and cloud platforms.

PC Game Pass subscribers cannot access Cyberpunk 2077 through their current subscription. If you try to search for it on the Xbox PC app, it will only prompt you to buy it at full price.

Pro Tip: If you are primarily a PC gamer, note that the PC Game Pass tier does not include this title.

[IGN Game Pass Lineup Report]

Night City is not designed for younger audiences. Cyberpunk 2077 carries a PEGI 18 rating in the UK due to bad language, sex, and violence. Microsoft allows families to share Game Pass subscriptions across a single home console, meaning anyone who logs in might see the game ready to download.

Pro Tip: Parents should strictly note the PEGI 18 rating before allowing younger household members to download the game via a family subscription.

Summary

Cyberpunk 2077 arriving on Game Pass is a massive win for Premium and Ultimate console subscribers, but your hardware generation heavily dictates your experience. Xbox Series X and S owners get the definitive, fully updated game, while Xbox One owners receive an older, unsupported version. No matter your console, everyone must pay extra to play the Phantom Liberty expansion.

Next Steps:

Upgrade to Game Pass Premium or Ultimate if you are currently on the Essential tier.
Check your console generation to see if you can run the latest patches or if you need to rely on Cloud Gaming.
Visit the Xbox Store to purchase the Phantom Liberty expansion if you are on a Series X or S and want the complete story.

FAQs

Is Cyberpunk 2077 free on Xbox Game Pass?

No, it requires an active paid subscription to either the Xbox Game Pass Premium or Ultimate tier. The game is not available on the base Essential tier.

Do I need Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play Cyberpunk 2077?

You need either the Premium tier or the Ultimate tier. Ultimate is required if you want to stream the game via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Can I play Phantom Liberty on Xbox One with Game Pass?

No. Phantom Liberty is not included in Game Pass, and the expansion is completely incompatible with Xbox One consoles.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 on PC Game Pass?

No. The game is strictly limited to the console and cloud gaming versions. PC Game Pass subscribers do not have access.

What is the difference between Patch 1.6 and 2.0 on Xbox?

Patch 1.6 is the final update for the Xbox One version. Update 2.0 and beyond are exclusive to the Xbox Series X and S, featuring complete gameplay overhauls that older hardware cannot support.

Can I stream Cyberpunk 2077 to my phone using Game Pass?

Yes, if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can stream the game via Xbox Cloud Gaming to compatible devices.

Why is Cyberpunk 2077 rated PEGI 18 in the UK?

The game carries a PEGI 18 rating because it contains frequent bad language, explicit sexual content, and intense violence.

UKblogspot.co.uk

Mohammed Saad

Administrator

Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

Visit Website View All Posts