Microsoft’s landmark acquisition of Activision Blizzard closed in October 2023 after over a year of intense scrutiny worldwide. This deal, valued at $68.7 billion, stands as the largest in videogame history. With a vast array of iconic gaming franchises now under the Xbox and Microsoft Gaming banner, there has been a noticeable lack of urgency in bringing new and back catalog Activision Blizzard titles to the Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscription services.
However, a recent development has brought a glimmer of hope for fans. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is now available on Xbox Game Pass. Diablo 4, released earlier this year in March, marked the first major Activision Blizzard game to join Game Pass, followed by last year’s blockbuster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last month. While the pace of integration may seem slow, the arrival of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy marks a significant milestone, bringing a third major Activision franchise to Game Pass for PC, Console, and Cloud.
Crash Bandicoot, a beloved 3D action platformer from the original PlayStation era, was considered Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s iconic Super Mario. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy presents meticulously crafted, full remakes of the first three Crash games, rendered in stunning 4K. The collection includes Crash Bandicoot (1996), Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (1997), and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (1998). Interestingly, the first three games in the series were developed by Naughty Dog, the renowned first-party Sony studio responsible for the critically acclaimed Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises.
Looking ahead, more Activision Blizzard titles are slated to join Game Pass. This year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to be added to the service, albeit exclusively for those subscribed to the more premium tier. For further information on Xbox’s recent restructuring of its Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass plans, you can consult this article.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a fantastic addition to Game Pass. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of more Activision Blizzard titles on the service in the coming months. Personally, I’d be thrilled to see titles like Blizzard Arcade Collection, Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo III, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 join the lineup as soon as possible. Perhaps we’ll receive news or witness a few more Activision Blizzard Game Pass releases at the upcoming Gamescom in the coming weeks.
