Microsoft is celebrating XBOX‘s 25th anniversary by giving away 25 games on PC, including Halo, Gears of War, and Skyrim. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? Well, before you start rushing to open the XBOX app and clearing space on your storage, better check the fine print. Apparently, the free XBOX games only apply if you’re buying an entirely new Windows PC first.
Yep, dubbed the 25 Years of XBOX Bundle, the offer is available to US customers who purchase and activate an eligible Windows PC from participating retailers until December 31, 2026. While the promotion includes ‘qualifying’ handhelds and select NVIDIA RTX Spark devices running Windows Pro, refurbished, open-box, and returned devices are excluded. So yeah, better double-check with your retailer before dropping your savings on this.
Although it doesn’t include newer releases like Gears of War: E-Day, the lineup does feature some must-haves for adults and younger gamers alike. There’s Halo: CE Anniversary, Gears Reloaded, Gears Tactics, COD: WWII, Wolfenstein: The New Order, DOOM, DOOM II, Quake, and Quake II for shooter fans.
RPG enthusiasts can grab The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion GOTY Edition, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, The Outer Worlds, and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. Strategy and simulation fans aren’t left out either, with Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Mythology: Retold, Rise of Nations: Extended Edition, and Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection.
Rounding out the bundle are Minecraft Dungeons, As Dusk Falls, Battletoads, and original XBOX classics Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, and Crimson Skies. And yes, Skyrim Special Edition is in there too. You’re not allowed to celebrate XBOX’s anniversary without having people own another copy of Skyrim, presumably.
If you have the money to spend in this economy and bought an eligible PC, here’s how to claim the bundle:
- Open the Microsoft Store app pinned to your taskbar.
- Go to Library.
- Select Included with device.
- Find the 25 Years of XBOX Bundle.
- Confirm you are using the correct Microsoft account, then select Claim.
These aren’t temporary Game Pass rentals, either. Once claimed, the digital licenses stay tied to your Microsoft account, much like regular digital purchases. You don’t need an active Game Pass subscription to play them, and you can download them on other PCs. Some games with XBOX Play Anywhere support will also work on consoles.
Just don’t forget to claim the free XBOX games bundle by February 12, 2027. Microsoft can also revoke the games if you return your qualifying PC. So don’t get any clever ideas about buying one, claiming the freebies, and asking for a refund.
Getting 25 games for the price of a brand-new PC definitely doesn’t sound like everyone’s definition of a giveaway. But hey, if there’s one thing XBOX has learned in 25 years from LIVE and Game Pass, it’s how to make spending money sound like saving money.
