One of the best things about Xbox Game Pass is that, from time to time, major games are simply announced and released on the platform. It has become a destination for exciting projects and surprises. Once again, the Xbox team has delivered just such a surprise. Celebrating 2021's annual QuakeCon convention hosted by Bethesda, an enhanced re-release of the original Quake was revealed. Not only was it revealed, however, but Quake is now available, including on Xbox Game Pass on both PC and console.
According to the early description of the Quake re-release, it's entirely authentic with only basic new features added to the 1996 classic. Those features include support for resolutions up to 4K, widescreen monitor support, "enhanced" models, and other basic tech features like anti-aliasing, depth of field, and more. In other words, it's just what's necessary to look like a polished experience on modern PC and console hardware.
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For the time being, Quake is only being officially released on console for the Xbox One. Quake will still run on Xbox Series X/S via forward compatibility, naturally, but a next-gen optimization update will have to wait until later. There are plans to introduce native 4K resolution as well as 120hz refresh rates on Xbox Series X/S, but the update wasn't ready for launch. 4K and 120fps Quake on console does sound worth waiting for, however.
The re-release includes the full base Quake game, including a lengthy and iconic campaign, local and online co-op for four players with cross-play, all three original Quake expansions, plus an all-new expansion named Dimension of the Machine from Wolfenstein reboot developer MachineGames. If that wasn't enough, Quake will also support the post-launch release of new missions and mods made by the Quake community.
As if that wasn't enough, Bethesda has also cooked up something special for both Quake 2 and Quake 3: Arena, too. They haven't been updated or received the kind of love and attention that Quake has, but Bethesda has released them both on Xbox Game Pass for PC. They're the original games with no extra polish, so they may be a bit rough, but it's better than not having access to them.
Quake for Xbox Game Pass on both console and PC is available for subscribers to download and play right now. Those who don't want to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass can purchase the standalone version of the game digitally for $9.99 instead.
Quake is available now on PC and Xbox One.