Guide to game subscription services

Gaming is evolving, and it’s starting to look a lot like Netflix. Gone are the days of buying game discs at the store — now, subscription services from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nvidia, and even Netflix offer a buffet of games for a monthly fee. With options like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online, you can stream games instantly or download them without the hassle of lengthy installs. But with so many choices, how do you know what’s worth your money? Smart retention tool, a platform offering coupons for businesses, can be a great way to keep track of deals and maximize the value of your subscriptions. Let’s break it all down.

PlayStation Plus: Essential, extra, and premium tiers

If you own a PS4 or PS5, PlayStation Plus offers three tiers to match your gaming needs.

PlayStation Plus Essential

Cost: $10/month or $80/year

What You Get:

1. Online multiplayer
2. Two free games each month (one PS5, plus one or two PS4 titles)
3. PS Plus Collection for PS5: 20 top PS4 games
4. Discounts on the PlayStation Store
5. Cloud storage for saves

Best For: Basic online play and free games.

PlayStation Plus Extra

Cost: $15/month or $135/year

What You Get:

1. Everything in Essential
2. 400+ popular PS4 and PS5 games, including Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

• Best For: Most gamers — great content at a reasonable price.

PlayStation Plus Premium

Cost: $18/month or $160/year

What You Get:

1. Everything in Essential and Extra
2. 340 additional games, including PS1, PS2, PSP, and PS3 classics (via streaming)
3. Game streaming on PS4, PS5, or PC
4. Time-limited game trials

Best For: Retro fans or those wanting the biggest library.

Note: In regions without streaming, Sony offers PS Plus Deluxe, which excludes this feature but includes most Premium perks. For businesses looking to enhance their offerings, consider integrating a platform with coupons and the smart retention tool to drive customer engagement and loyalty.

Xbox Subscriptions: Game pass tiers

Microsoft offers multiple subscription options for different gamers.

Xbox Network (Free)

1. Create profiles, build a friends list, and message for free.
2. Includes online play for 50+ free-to-play games. Most multiplayer requires a paid subscription.

Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold)

Cost: $10/month or $60/year

What You Get:

1. Online multiplayer
2. A library of 30+ games
3. Member discounts on the Microsoft Store

Best For: Casual online players.

Game Pass Standard

Cost: $15/month

What You Get:

1. Hundreds of games with a rotating library
2. Online multiplayer

Best For: Gamers wanting variety without extras.

Game Pass for PC

Cost: $12/month

What You Get:

1. Same library as Standard, but for PC
2. Includes EA Play access for even more games

Best For: PC gamers seeking value.

Game Pass Ultimate

Cost: $20/month

What You Get:

1. Everything in Core, Standard, and PC
2. EA Play and Xbox Cloud Gaming (streaming to PC, console, or mobile)

Best For: Hardcore gamers or Xbox/PC households.

Game Pass Friends & Family (discontinued): Allowed up to five users to share benefits for €22/month. May return globally.

Nintendo Switch Online: Two options

Nintendo keeps it simple with two value-packed plans.

Nintendo Switch Online

Cost: $4/month, $8/quarter, or $20/year for individuals; $35/year for families (up to 8 users)

What You Get:

1. Online multiplayer
2. Cloud saves
3. Voice chat via the Nintendo app
4. 100+ NES and SNES classics

Best For: Budget-conscious gamers.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Cost: $50/year for individuals; $80/year for families

What You Get:

1. Everything in the basic plan
2. Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis libraries
3. DLC like Animal Crossing: Happy Home Paradise

Best For: Retro fans and Animal Crossing players.

Mobile gaming subscriptions

Mobile subscriptions now offer premium games free from ads and microtransactions.

Apple Arcade:

1. Cost: $5/month or $50/year
2. What You Get: 200+ high-quality games with no ads or in-app purchases.
3. Perks: Family sharing for up to 5 members; included with Apple One.
4. Best For: iOS users who want premium mobile games.

Google Play Pass:

1. Cost: $5/month or $30/year
2. What You Get: 1,000+ games and apps, ad-free with no in-app purchases.
3. Best For: Android users, though it lacks exclusives.

Netflix Games:

1. Cost: Free with a Netflix subscription
2. What You Get: 80+ mobile games, including exclusives.
3. Best For: Netflix subscribers wanting casual gaming.

Game streaming services

Stream high-quality games without expensive hardware.

Nvidia GeForce Now Cost:

1. Free: 1-hour basic sessions
2. $10/month: Priority access, 1080p at 60 fps
3. $20/month: RTX 4080 rig, 4K at 120 fps

What You Get: Stream games from your Steam or Epic library.

Best For: Gamers without high-end PCs.

Amazon Luna Cost:

1. Luna+: $10/month for a variety of games
2. Ubisoft+: $18/month for Ubisoft titles
3. Jackbox Party Pack: $5/month

Perks: Free rotating games for Prime members.

Best For: Casual gamers exploring streaming.

Prime Gaming:

1. Cost: Included with Amazon Prime ($15/month or $139/year)
2. What You Get: Free games, in-game loot, DLC, and a Twitch subscription.
3. Best For: Prime members looking for extra perks.