The big picture: Microsoft launched its Xbox TV app on select Amazon Fire TV devices last month, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream hundreds of Xbox titles on their TVs. While the app was initially only available on a few Fire TV sticks, it is now compatible with more devices.
When Amazon and Microsoft announced the availability of the Xbox app on Fire TV devices last month, many users complained that this applied only to two new models – the Fire TV 4K Max (2023) and Fire TV Stick 4K (2023). After hearing customer feedback, the companies have expanded the app’s availability to include older Fire TV devices, including the first-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the third-generation Fire TV Cube.
Amazon said that integrating Xbox Cloud Gaming with Fire TV brings the vast Xbox Game Pass Ultimate game library to any TV as long as the user has a compatible Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube and a Bluetooth-enabled game controller. Examples of available titles include Starfield, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Forza Horizon 5. Amazon highlighted Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II as one of the newest games on the service. Compatible gamepads include the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Sony DualSense, and DualShock 4.
More Fire TVs are getting in on the fun
Grab your controller, Game Pass Ultimate, and download the Xbox app on your Fire TV to get started: https://t.co/tIFIEfKdIw pic.twitter.com/ZYF65AjNTq
– Xbox (@Xbox) August 26, 2024
Users can get started on any of the four compatible Fire TV devices by downloading the Xbox app and signing into their Microsoft account. It does require Game Pass Ultimate, though. Current members get instant access to hundreds of cloud-enabled titles in the Game Pass Ultimate library. Others will have to upgrade or sign up to the tier, which they can do through the app. The Game Pass Ultimate subscription used to cost $16.99, but Microsoft recently hiked it $3 to $19.99.
Fire TV devices offer an affordable option to stream content, and Xbox Cloud Gaming integration means users now have a low-cost entry point to explore the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library. With consoles typically costing upwards of $400, the availability of Game Pass Ultimate titles on the more affordable Fire TV devices is a no-brainer for users looking for a cheaper entry point for gaming. Likewise, Xbox owners who would like an alternative option for another room of the house could get by with a Fire Stick rather than shelling out for a second Xbox.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max usually costs $60, while the Fire TV Stick 4K runs about $50. However, as of this writing, Amazon is letting them go for $20 off. The Fire TV Cube will set users back a little more, costing $140, but it is also on sale for $110.
