Gaming Subscriptions: Which One Should You Get?

Instead of purchasing individual games at high costs, it now seems illogical due to the availability of subscription services providing access to numerous games for a monthly fee.

In reality, the ideal subscription largely hinges upon the gaming platform you prefer and the type of games that appeal to you.

Let’s take a closer look at the advantages that come with the most popular gaming subscriptions so we can understand them better!

Which Gaming Subscription Is The Best?

Xbox Game Pass

TierPriceWhat You Get
PC$11.99/Month
  • Hundrets of PC games
  • Day one games
  • Member deals, discounts & in-game benefits in free-to-play games
  • EA Play membership
Console$14.99/Month
  • Hundrets of games on console
  • Online multiplayer
  • Member deals & discounts
Ultimate$19.99/Month
  • All the benefits for both PC and console

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d like to kick things off with my top pick: the Xbox Game Pass. Contrary to its name, this pass doesn’t just cater to Xbox console gamers, but also provides an extensive collection of games for those in the Microsoft universe.

Unlike most other gaming subscription services, Xbox Game Pass frequently offers access to newly released games on their launch date, enabling players to start playing them immediately upon release.

In addition, having the Game Pass grants you various perks and complimentary items for Riot games including Valorant and League of Legends.

PlayStation Plus

TierPriceWhat You Get
Essential$9.99/Month
  • Monthly games
  • Online multiplayer
  • Cloud storage
Extra$14.99/Month
  • Everything from Essential
  • Game Catalog
  • Ubisoft+ Classics
Premium$18.99/Month
  • Everything from Extra and Essential
  • Classics Catalog
  • Game trials
  • PS5 Cloud streaming
  • Sony Pictures Catalog

If you’re a PlayStation console owner, you might find this intriguing. I’ve been using the PlayStation Plus service for quite some time and I must say, I’m quite satisfied with it. If you opt for the “Essential” plan, you’ll receive three free games each month and the ability to play online multiplayer. The PlayStation Plus Extra tier offers all of the essential features plus access to a vast game library and Ubisoft+ classics as well.

Lastly, I’d recommend PS Plus Premium for those who appreciate a touch of elegance and have a passion for retro gaming and classic PlayStation games. Give it a look!

PlayStation Plus Premium expands upon the PlayStation Plus Extra tier by providing users with a collection of retro games from PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP consoles, as well as cloud-based streaming options for these platforms, plus PS4 games.

Nintendo Switch Online

TierPriceWhat You Get
Nintendo Switch Online$7.99/Month
  • Online gaming
  • Library of classic NES, Super NES, and GameBoy Games
  • Save data cloud backup
  • Exclusive offers
Expansion Pack$39.99/Year
  • Access to Nintendo 64, GameBoy Advance, and SEGA Mega Drive libraries
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC
  • Animal Crossing – Happy Home Paradise DLC
  • Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC

Price: $7.99/Month (Nintendo Switch Online), $39.99/Year (Expansion Pack)

By subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online, you will unlock the ability to engage in multiplayer gaming sessions with friends, as well as access to over 170 retro games from systems like the NES, Super NES, and GameBoy. Additionally, you’ll receive benefits such as free game trials and vouchers.

If you love timeless Nintendo titles like The Legend of Zelda or early versions of Super Mario, don’t miss out on the extra content for your Switch Online service!

You can play classic games from systems like the Nintendo 64, GameBoy Advance, and SEGA Mega Drive right away because this expansion comes with emulators for those consoles pre-installed.

Using a Nintendo 64 emulator, you can enjoy timeless Nintendo games like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. I find that quite fascinating!

Apple Arcade

TierPriceWhat You Get
Apple Arcade$6.99/Month
  • Unlimited access to 200+ premium games, with more added all the time.

If you’re an Apple enthusiast, who owns either an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac, you may find the Apple Arcade worth exploring.

Here, you can enjoy an extensive collection of more than 200 top-tier games for a recurring monthly charge. The advantage lies in the fact that these games can be played on any Apple device such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and even Apple Vision Pro, without encountering ads or in-app purchases.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say, subscribing to Apple Arcade is like hitting the jackpot! It’s packed with top-notch games such as Balatro, Sonic Dream Team, Slay the Spire, and Disney Dreamlight Valley – titles that would normally cost a pretty penny. But here, they’re all at your fingertips for a surprisingly affordable price. I mean, it’s Apple, so you know the quality is off the charts!

EA Play

TierPriceWhat You Get
Play$5.99/Month
  • Trials of new releases
  • Access to EA games library
  • Member rewards
PlayPro$16.99/Month
  • Everything from the Play tier
  • Unlimited access to premium editions of select new games on day of launch
  • In-game rewards
  • Access to a library of premium games

With EA Play, you get the privilege to play a variety of EA games and try out new releases. However, upgrading to EA Play Pro provides unlimited access to premium editions and in-game perks. Yet, given that it only offers approximately 150-160 games, some might find the price quite steep.

Absolutely, the choice of games you prefer plays a significant role, but in terms of cost-effectiveness, an Xbox Game Pass appears to be a smart pick at just $11.99 per month with approximately 400 games available.

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2025-06-02 22:10