Xbox Games with Gold for October includes Castlevania, Resident Evil, and more

Xbox Games With Gold October 2021
Xbox Games With Gold October 2021 (Image credit: Xbox)

What you need to know

  • Xbox Games with Gold gifts four free games a month to Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
  • The selection for Oct. 2021 has been revealed, and includes a couple classic gems and some newer futuristic titles.
  • Castlevania: Harmony of Despair and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X likely headline this month's free Games with Gold.
  • Aaero, an intense and beautiful rhythm runner, is also a well-reviewed addition to Xbox Games with Gold.

Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can take advantage of another round of Xbox Games with Gold, as Microsoft has just unveiled the four games heading to the service throughout October. From classic horror to modern rhythm action, Xbox Games with Gold has a little something for everyone this month, and looks to offer a solid selection to partakers.

Xbox Games with Gold for Oct. 2021 clock in at a reported combined value of $74.96, with up to 3,200 potential Gamerscore between the bunch. The month kicks off with Aaero, a critically-acclaimed rhythm-based runner set in a futuristic world, which will be available from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Simultaneously, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair joins the service from Oct. 1 and leaves on Oct. 15. Then, players will be able to pick up another Xbox 360 gem with Resident Evil Code: Veronica X being available from Oct. 16 until Oct. 31. Finally, Xbox Games with Gold ends with open-world adventure Hover being available from Oct. 16 until Nov. 15.

Xbox Games with Gold is still a great program for anyone lacking new games to play, but the quality has arguably continued to dwindle over the last few years, according to community feedback. Fortunately, this is offset by the incredible value offered by Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is currently considered one of the best deals in gaming.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Games with Gold benefits, on top of Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC, Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. If you're looking for a reason to be interested in Xbox Game Pass, the best games on the service is a great place to start.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.