It feels like just yesterday that Xbox Game Pass launched, and everyone was skeptical about an all-you-can-eat buffet of games right at their fingertips. Now, a few years later, it seems every company is eager to join the game subscription bandwagon, each offering a massive library of games to explore. With so many options available, which service is truly worth your time and money? We’ve curated a list of the top six video game subscription services to help you decide.
### Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership
1$19.99 at AmazonPlatforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, mobile phones and tablets, select TVs, Meta Quest headsets
Pricing:
Trial Period: First month for $1 (PC Game Pass only)
Xbox Game Pass, which launched in 2017, pioneered the modern subscription-based game service. It quickly earned the nickname "Netflix of video games" due to its ever-expanding catalog and impressive lineup of titles. Xbox has since expanded the service across multiple platforms, as showcased in its "This Is an Xbox" campaign.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the premier gaming subscription, offering access to hundreds of titles, including day one releases from Xbox Game Studios (now including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard). This means instant access to major titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and upcoming blockbusters like Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable. The subscription also includes EA Play, unlocking a vast back catalog of EA and BioWare classics. Beyond the big-name titles, the Game Pass library is rich with quality indie games like Chants of Sennaar, Unpacking, and Planet of Lana.
One of the standout features of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is its cloud streaming capability, which allows nearly any device to "feel like an Xbox" in 2025. With cloud streaming, you can access most of the Game Pass library from anywhere with Wi-Fi, even on devices like a Fire TV Stick. No downloads or patches are needed—just pick up and play, and seamlessly continue on your console or PC where you left off.
12 Month Subscription### Nintendo Switch Online (Individual)
0See it at AmazonPlatforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Pricing:
Trial Period: 7 days free
Nintendo Switch Online is a versatile subscription service available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. It primarily enables online multiplayer for supported games but offers much more.
Subscribers gain access to a growing catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription includes a curated collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack adds titles from Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the Expansion Pack also allows access to select GameCube games at launch.
Beyond retro games, the Expansion Pack includes Sega Genesis titles and select DLC packs for popular games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo Switch 2 subscribers will also receive the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrade Packs as an added Expansion Pack benefit.
In late 2024, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app as a new perk for Nintendo Switch Online members. This app allows users to stream and download iconic tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and many more.
Essential, Extra, & Premium### PlayStation Plus
0See it at PlayStationPlatforms: PS5, PS4, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac, mobile devices and tablets
Pricing:
Trial Period: None
Originally a free service when it launched in 2010, PlayStation Plus has evolved into a multi-tiered subscription required for online play on PS5 and PS4. All three tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—include online multiplayer access, cloud storage for game saves, and exclusive content and discounts on the PlayStation Store.
The standout feature of PlayStation Plus is the monthly free games available to all subscribers, which can be played as long as the subscription remains active.
PlayStation Plus Extra adds a curated catalog of downloadable games, including some of PlayStation's best exclusives like The Last of Us Part I, God of War, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Demon's Souls, and more. It also includes Ubisoft+ Classics from popular franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and The Division.
PlayStation Premium offers an even larger catalog of downloadable games, including PlayStation Classics from the PS1, PS2, and PSP era. Subscribers also gain access to full game trials and a curated selection of movies from the Sony Pictures Catalog. One of the best features of PS Plus Premium is PS5 Cloud Streaming, allowing you to stream many games from the PS Plus Game Catalog.
1 Month Free### Apple Arcade
0See it at ApplePlatforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro
Pricing: $6.99/month
Trial Period: 30 days free
Apple Arcade made a splash in the mobile gaming world in late 2019, revitalizing mobile gaming after years of subpar games and aggressive in-app purchases. Its primary appeal is its ad-free and in-app purchase-free library of over 200 games.
The games themselves are a major draw, featuring enhanced versions of classic mobile titles like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Jetpack Joyride, as well as popular indie hits like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley.
Apple Arcade isn't limited to phones; you can enjoy these titles on Apple TV, iPad, or Mac, all of which support popular third-party controllers like the DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth. Your save data syncs automatically via iCloud, allowing you to seamlessly switch between devices. A single subscription can be shared with your family, making it a great value.
$7.99 Per Month### Netflix Standard (With Ads)
0See it at NetflixPlatforms: Everywhere (for streaming), mobile phones and tablets (for games)
Pricing:
Trial Period: None
Netflix offers more than just streaming movies and TV shows; it also includes access to over 120 games. Although less than 1% of its 300 million subscribers take advantage of this feature, it's a significant value add for those with Apple or Android devices.
Since its gaming launch in 2021 with just five games, Netflix has expanded its catalog to include heavy-hitters like Hades, Dead Cells, Death’s Door, GTA: San Andreas, Civilization VI: Platinum Edition, Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, and Monument Valley I-III, alongside original IP-based games like Stranger Things and Squid Game.
While currently limited to iOS and Android devices, Netflix is testing game streaming for select members on smart TVs and directly through netflix.com. Alongside the games, subscribers also enjoy the entire Netflix streaming library, keeping you up-to-date with the latest shows and movies.
$11.99 Per Month### Humble Choice
0See it at Humble BundlePlatforms: PC (via Steam/Windows), Mac/Linux (via Steam – certain titles)
Pricing: $11.99/month, $129/year
Trial Period: None
Disclosure: Humble Bundle is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN. Humble Bundle and IGN operate independently, and no special consideration was given to Humble Bundle for this list.
Humble Choice is a subscription service for PC gamers from Humble Bundle, the site known for its "pay what you want" model and charitable contributions. Each month, subscribers receive a curated selection of about eight games to keep forever, even if they cancel their subscription. The service is flexible, allowing you to skip months if the lineup doesn't appeal to you.
Games often come with a Steam key for PC (and Mac or Linux, when supported), and many can also be played directly through the Humble app on Windows. Subscribers also gain access to the Vault, a collection of over 50 DRM-free indie games available through the app.
Humble Choice members enjoy up to 20% off purchases in the Humble Store, offering even more titles for PC, Mac, and Linux. Additionally, 5% of your subscription cost goes to charity, adding a feel-good factor to your gaming experience.
As of now, the services offering free trials are Nintendo Switch Online with a 7-day free trial, and Apple Arcade with a generous 1-month trial. Xbox no longer offers a promotion for Game Pass Ultimate (aside from PC Game Pass), as Microsoft discontinued its $1 offer for consoles in late 2024. Similarly, Sony does not provide free trials for PlayStation Plus outside of limited-time regional offers.
Your spending on a gaming subscription depends on your gaming habits. If you spend hundreds of hours on a single game, buying games individually might offer better value. However, if you enjoy variety and exploring different genres, game subscriptions can be a great investment.
Consider your typical monthly game spending. If you're budget-conscious, subscriptions provide excellent value, offering access to hundreds of games for a relatively low price. Conversely, if you regularly purchase new releases at launch, you might not find much additional value in a subscription, except perhaps for older titles you missed. One notable exception is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes day-one access to Xbox first-party titles, making the cost of a single new game cover several months of Game Pass.
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