Skip to main content

Injustice 2 and NASCAR Heat 5 are free to play on Xbox this weekend

Microsoft’s “Free Play Days” event, where Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can download and play games for free all weekend, is back.

This weekend, from August 13 through 16, players can download Injustice 2 and NASCAR Heat 5.

On the Microsoft Store, players must be signed in to download with a Xbox Live Gold membership.

After the free weekend, the games will be available for purchase at a discounted rate. The Injustice 2 standard edition will be discounted by 75%, to $10 from $40, and the ultimate pack will be 80% off — down to $8 from $40.

The NASCAR Heat 5 standard edition will be 20% off — down to $40 from $50 — and the gold edition will be 20% off ($56, down from $70).

In Injustice 2, players control superheroes and villains from the DC Universe. Marquee names like Superman, Batman, The Joker, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and others are playable in the game. Injustice 2 was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros in 2017. The original game, Injustice: Gods Among Us, was released in 2013.

In a review, Digital Trends awarded Injustice 2 4.5 out of 5 stars and named it an Editor’s Choice game.

“The most expansive solo experience we’ve seen in a fighting game, Injustice 2 compels you to master its fast-paced, combo-driven combat,” the review said.

NASCAR Heat 5 is the latest NASCAR Cup Series championship video game, and it features all the official teams, drivers, and cars on 39 tracks. It was developed by 704 Games Company and published by Motorsport Games on July 9 of this year.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited is also available to play for free until 7 a.m. PT on August 19. It will be available for purchase at 50% off — $10, down from $20.

“All points earned and purchased downloadable content (DLC) carries over if you purchase the game at the end of the free period,” Microsoft said on its Free Play Days support site.

In addition to Free Play Days, Microsoft also runs a promotion that removes the need for an Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership altogether, called Xbox Free Play Days for All.

The promotion allows players to “compete in matches with friends and players across the world,” Microsoft said.

Previous Free Play Days games include Sims 4, Citadel: Forged with Fire, NASCAR Heat 4, Verdun, and Overwatch.

3 Xbox Game Pass games you should play this weekend (May 17-19)
Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins.

As the weekend approaches, you're probably happy that you'll soon have more time to check out some video games. And if you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber and aren't sure what to play, you have a lot to choose from. That's where I come in. I've looked through the Xbox Game Pass lineup and found three games that I think all kinds of players can have a good time with this weekend.

The first game reimagined what Assassin's Creed could be and is worth a revisit following the announcement of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Next up, we have a standout indie from 2023 that's all about deciphering different languages and exploring how people communicate on an intrinsic level. Finally, there's an underrated magical first-person shooter from EA that just came to the subscription service this week and is worth a look.
Assassin's Creed Origins

Read more
3 free video games you should play this weekend (May 10-12)
A titan wielding a grenade launcher in Destiny 2..

Whenever we recommend games at Digital Trends, we tend to go heavy on titles available on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Rather than telling our readers to buy new games, we always try to find ones that might be on services they're already paying for. Still, that doesn't cover every player. There are plenty of more casual gaming fans who aren't subscribed to any service that offers extra games. We don't want to leave them out, do we?

If you're in that category, or you're simply strapped for cash, we've got some recommendations for some free games you can try this weekend. I don't mean "free with a subscription" either. I'm talking about games that will cost you nothing to start, even if you decide you want to spend money on them later. From a mobile game I can't get enough of to a a popular MMO that just made all of its DLC free, these are three free games you can dive into this weekend.
Destiny 2

Read more
3 Xbox Game Pass games you need to play this weekend (May 3-5)
Senua in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.

Another weekend is upon us, and you're probably looking for some games to kill time with over the course of it. We're in a bit of a lull right now ahead of a flurry of releases starting next week, so it's a great time to dip back into the Xbox Game Pass catalog and check out some games that you may have missed. There are three games in particular that I think you should check out this weekend if you're looking for something to play.

One is an unsettling adventure that's getting an Xbox-exclusive sequel later this month. The next is a finely animated roguelike indie that recently made its way to Microsoft's gaming subscription service. Finally, there's a relaxing adventure that gives players a lot of freedom, yet is short enough to beat in a weekend. If you're having trouble deciding what to play this weekend, give one of these games a shot.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Read more