Little Nightmares III on Game Pass — availability, price, co‑op
Little Nightmares 3What to expect on Xbox, how the Friend’s Pass works, and where you can buy it.
There has been no announcement that Little Nightmares III is included with Xbox Game Pass at launch. If you want to play on Xbox, plan on purchasing the game outright. If that changes later, it will require an official update from Microsoft or Bandai Namco.
Where you can play, when it launches, and how much it costs
Little Nightmares III is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. The release date is October 10, 2025. Pricing at launch is $39.99 USD.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 10, 2025 |
| Platforms | PC; Nintendo Switch; PS4; PS5; Xbox Series X/S; Xbox One |
| Price (launch) | $39.99 USD |
| Co‑op | Online two‑player co‑op; solo play with an AI partner |
| Local (couch) co‑op | Not supported |
| Friend’s Pass | Yes — a second player can join online without owning the full game |
| Critical snapshot | OpenCritic average 74 with 64% critics recommending (54 reviews) |
Co‑op and Friend’s Pass vs. Game Pass
If you hoped to avoid buying two copies through Game Pass, the built‑in Friend’s Pass covers most of that use case. One player owns the game; the second downloads a free Friend’s Pass client on the same platform and joins the host online. Progress is tied to the host. The campaign supports either two‑player online co‑op or solo play with an AI companion. There is no couch co‑op.
Note: Friend’s Pass is separate from a subscription service. It does not grant solo access or offline play to the guest player.
What the reviews highlight
Early critiques converge on a few themes: online co‑op is a welcome addition that fits the series’ puzzle design, but the absence of local co‑op is a common complaint. Reception calls the threequel faithful in look and feel, with atmosphere and audiovisual design singled out, while also noting a conservative approach that doesn’t dramatically reinvent the formula. The OpenCritic snapshot sits at a 74 average with 64% of critics recommending it across 54 reviews.
Shivam Malani
How to play on Xbox today
To play on Xbox consoles, purchase the game from the Xbox Store. If you plan to co‑op, your partner should install the free Friend’s Pass on the same platform after you own the full game.
- Buy on the Xbox Store: Little Nightmares III listing
Tip: Only the host needs to own the full game for online co‑op. There is no split‑screen.
If you’re waiting on a potential Game Pass listing, keep an eye on official Microsoft and Bandai Namco channels. For everyone else, the Friend’s Pass is the most cost‑effective way to play through the campaign with a friend right now.
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