There are ample gaming subscriptions to choose from nowadays. Usually, a large portion of the head-scratching decision comes down to which console one prefers, be it PlayStation’s thin, sleek controller or the Nintendo Switch’s multiplayer capabilities and portability. When we listed the 10 best-selling consoles ever made, it was PlayStation that emerged most profitable with numerous models making the cut. But even though older consoles have been around since the ’90s and 2000s, the Nintendo Switch has climbed the ranks considerably since it first launched in 2017.
Although we adore our flashy consoles, where would we be without the option to join online games with our friends, chat in parties, and digitally download award-winning titles for one monthly lump sum? Whether you’re an Xbox defender, a PlayStation warrior or even a mobile gaming advocate, it never hurts to be in the know as to which subscriptions are worthwhile without leaving anyone out of pocket.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online launched in November 2018, almost two years after the console itself was introduced in March 2017. Nintendo allows new users to test out Online with a 7-day free trial, which automatically converts to an individual 30-day membership, costing just $3.99 per 30 days. If purchasing without the trial, subscriptions cost $19.99 per year for individuals and $49.99 a year including the Expansion Pack. With Nintendo Switch Online, console owners can play compatible Nintendo Switch games over the internet with friends and family.
Additionally, the vast majority of Nintendo Switch titles support Save Data Cloud backup for players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, allowing users to store more games. Players using a Family Membership can access the Nintendo Switch Online service via the same Nintendo Switch system or multiple systems. A 12-Month Family Membership is $79.99 USD.
Nintendo Switch Online also allows Switch users to join cross-compatible games with PlayStation, Xbox, and PC users. Unfortunately, the Switch is one of Nintendo’s first consoles without built-in backward compatibility, so an Online subscription won’t affect this.
Xbox Game Pass
Initially released in 2017, the Xbox Game Pass started to overshadow Xbox Live, specifically Xbox Live Gold, which has all the same attributes for double the price. Essentially, Xbox Game Pass members enjoy access to high-quality games within the PC or console libraries, until either the membership is canceled/expires, or a game leaves the Xbox Game Pass library. That means that if you download, for example, Red Dead Redemption II, you’ll keep the title permanently without paying retail price.
Whilst connected to Xbox Live, or in this case, Xbox Game Pass, save files and downloaded games are automatically stored in the Cloud. If you’re visiting a friend or purchase a new console and worry that you’ll lose your Xbox Game Pass, don’t fret, the subscription is linked to your account specifically, not a console. For the Game Pass Ultimate, which allows access to hundreds of games, includes an EA Play membership at no additional cost, and includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, it’ll run you $16.99 a month.
Right now, Xbox is running a promotion that allows users to get the Xbox Game Pass for just $1 for a month, then $16.99 thereafter. Even better news, the Xbox Series X and Series S are both fully backward compatible with essentially every Xbox One title, which means they can equally play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games.
PlayStation Plus
The original PSN (PlayStation Network) subscription has been active since November 2006, but it wasn’t until 2010 that Sony added PlayStation Plus, a subscription service that provides access to exclusive content, complimentary games, regular store discounts, and early access to forthcoming games. Subscribers can choose from over 400 games in PlayStation’s catalog, including new releases, PlayStation exclusives, and award-winning titles. It also allows for online play, either exclusively with fellow PlayStation owners or even with Xbox, Switch, and PC gamers.
If you have a Premium PlayStation Plus membership, you can use PlayStation Plus cloud storage to transfer saved data when streaming a PlayStation Plus game. There’s a catch with PS Plus as the subscription can only be active on one account at a time, so if you want to use your PS Plus on another console, you can only sign in to the account that’s linked to the subscription. You can’t use the same account simultaneously on different consoles, either.
For a one-month subscription, PS Plus will cost $9.99. Furthermore, three months is $38.99 and a whole year would be $49.99. In hindsight, when comparing these prices, it certainly seems more affordable to purchase the one-year subscription outright.
Unfortunately, the PS4 is not capable of running older generation games such as those made for the PS2 or PS3. However, the PlayStation 5 is fully backward compatible with games from the PS4.
EA Play
Arguably much lesser-known than PlayStation and Xbox, EA is the company responsible for FIFA (under EA Sports), Battlefield, Madden, and more. When subscribing to EA Play, which launched in August 2014, players get exclusive monthly rewards, a collection of EA’s best titles, and trials of new EA games. Rather than being a stand-alone service, EA Play is a subscription available on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows platforms.
In November 2020, EA Play was added to the Xbox Game Pass subscription, so anyone purchasing Ultimate would automatically gain access to EA Play at no additional cost. This makes EA Play fairly redundant, especially as it’s considered more of an add-on. For just $4.99 a month, EA Play offers select new-release games for up to 10 hours – days before they launch, member-only challenges and in-game rewards, and unlimited access to a collection of our best-loved games.
EA Play does not provide an online membership. If you want to play online or connect to multiplayer, you’ll need a subscription to Xbox Live Gold/Xbox Game Pass. If you’re looking to save games to the Cloud, you’ll need an Xbox subscription for that, too. It is not possible to access the same account on multiple systems at the same time, nor is EA Play backward compatible.
Ubisoft+
Although Ubisoft itself has been around since the ’80s, it wasn’t until 2019 that Ubisoft+ was released. Ubisoft+ allows subscribers to play new titles the day they release, get access to expansions and season passes, get new in-game rewards, items, and boosters, and cancel anytime to come back whenever you like.
It doesn’t appear as if Ubisoft+ allows multiplayer functions, but separate console subscriptions (such as PS Plus and Xbox Gold) encompass Ubisoft titles. Some of the subscription’s capabilities include the option to play Ubisoft titles from any device, including laptop, mobile, and TV, and skip the download and instantly access games — for no additional fee.
Ubisoft+ does allow access to the Cloud, where Ubisoft titles are stored. It should be noted that it is not possible to play Ubisoft+ games on multiple devices at the same time. Many gamers have argued against the ludicrous pricing, but the Ubisoft+ Multi Access plan costs $17.99 a month, on top of the cost of an Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Prime Gaming
Included with Amazon Prime and Prime Video, Prime Gaming offers in-game content for your favorite games, free games to download, and where available, a free monthly channel subscription on Twitch. Prime Gaming includes the following benefits: access to select games and in-game loot at no additional cost; channel-specific Twitch perks that come with a regular subscription such as chat privileges, emoticons, badges, and more; emoticons such as KappaHD, ScaredyCat, and others, reserved only for Prime Gaming and Turbo members; saving your past broadcasts on Twitch for 60 days instead of the standard 14.
While Prime Gaming itself doesn’t offer multiplayer capability, an Amazon-exclusive app called Partie Plus, which provides free matchmaking, as well as voice, video, and chat with like-minded players. Since Amazon provides separate services for Cloud storage, such as Amazon Drive, Prime Gaming doesn’t specifically provide extra Cloud storage.
Prime and Prime Student members can share the benefits of Prime Gaming. Members can link up to four Prime Gaming accounts to enjoy exclusive chat icons. Prime Gaming is free with an Amazon Prime subscription, which costs $14.99 a month itself.
Apple Arcade
Launching in 2019, Apple Arcade allows access to 200+ games (with more added regularly), no ads or in-app purchases, the ability to play online or offline across all Apple devices, and the chance to share a subscription with up to five people. Apple Arcade gives you unlimited, uninterrupted access to brain-teasers, magical quests, endless runners, action-packed sports, beloved classics, and more.
With Apple Arcade, you can start a game on one device and continue it on another — play across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, all without missing a beat. Apple Arcade is free to try for one month and $4.99 per month after that. As mentioned, with Family Sharing, you can share your subscription with up to five family members.
If you see a controller icon next to any in-app games, you can connect a handheld controller to your Apple device to make controls more accessible. For $17 per month, you can subscribe to Apple One and get Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50 gigabytes of iCloud storage for one person.
Verdict: Xbox Game Pass
In conclusion, after reviewing all the available options, the Xbox Game Pass is by far the best value for money. And since Xbox is currently running a promotion for $1, there’s no downside to trying it out for yourself. Overall, the Game Pass generally provides the most content for a reasonable monthly cost. It covers all bases, such as multiplayer capability, Cloud storage, backward compatibility, and the option to share an account across different devices. If there were ever a time to hop off the PlayStation train and onto the Xbox caboose, it’s now.
