Video games represent entertainment in its purest form. So, gaming subscriptions are the future. The average person doesn’t download music again. Before that became the norm, everybody thought CDs and downloadables would reign forever. We expect gaming subscriptions to take the same route sooner or later. To that end, here are the best gaming subscriptions and tiers you can purchase for free games. For one, there are different tiers of PlayStation Plus, so this article breaks down the best subscriptions.
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Top 6 Gaming Subscription for Modern Games
By modern games, we mean titles that were released in the last three years. Remakes also fit this category, so the likes of Resident Evil 4 are considered modern games. The gaming subscriptions below are worth their weight in gold (Or quality hames, depending on your humour).
#1: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate lets you play hundreds of games for $16.33 a month. However, you can enjoy 14 days of uninterrupted free games for just $1.26. Afterwards, you can decide if the subscription is worth the extra $15.07. Since Microsoft has acquired Bethesda Softworks, you’ll also enjoy day-one titles from the studio. Besides that, EA Play and Riot Games let you play their games on day one.
You’ll also be able to play with your friends online for no extra charge. Access the Xbox community, where you can connect with millions of other players with a tap. Finally, you’ll also be able to play console-quality games on your iPhones and PCs and select Samsung TVs via the cloud.
The Notable Titles: Football Manager 2024 Console, Battlefield 2042, FIFA 23, NHL 23, and Persona 5 Tactica.
#2: PlayStation Plus Extra
PlayStation Plus Extra is the best gaming subscription for PS4 and PS5 owners. There are 400+ games available, including FPS, action-adventure, and horror titles. Also, it’s impossible to play online with your friends without PlayStation Plus. We would have recommended the PlayStation Plus Premium, the most expensive gaming subscription that Sony offers. However, it only offers PS1, PS2, PS3, and limited-time games, which beats the whole point of this article. PlayStation Plus Extra costs $125.68 per year.
The Notable Titles: Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Far Cry 6, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Returnal, and Sniper Elite 5.
#3: NVIDIA GeForce Now
NVIDIA’s GeForce Now is the perfect option For PC gamers who prefer streaming their titles, NVIDIA’s answer is GeForce Now. The gaming subscription lets you access more than 1,500 games on your smartphones, tablets, PCs, laptops, and TVs. Provided your Internet is fast and stable, you’ll enjoy games at smooth frame rates since titles are steamed to your devices from NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4089 rigs.
Additionally, the resolution is crystal clear and the latency is ultra-low, so you can play competitively if you want. You can also expect to enjoy real-time ray tracing and the best graphic settings for textures, shadows, and other visual effects. You can also play for hours without being interrupted and sure, you don’t have to queue before playing. NVIDIA GeForce Now costs $25.13 per month and $125.68 for six months.
The Notable Titles: Starfield, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Baldur’s Gate 3, Battlefield 2042, Resident Evil 3, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt.
#4: Ubisoft+
Ubisoft is a popular name in the gaming industry, having made some of the best games in recent years. This includes Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Child of Light. Ubisoft+ aims to give gamers the chance to play the studio’s games and DLCs as soon as they’re available. You’ll also be able to play new games like Tom Clancy’s The Division Heartland immediately after they launch. Finally, you’ll gain in-game rewards such as season passes, boosters, and additional content. Ubisoft+ costs $18.84 per month.
The Notable Titles: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Just Dance 2023 Edition, Far Cry 6, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and The Crew Motorfest.
#5: Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade is the ideal gaming subscription for mobile devices or, to be more specific, iPhones. It gives you and your family unlimited access to a catalogue of over 200 casual mobile games that are both recent and old. Yes, you can play your Apple Arcade games offline and online across all your devices, including your iPad and MacBooks.
Thankfully, Apple Arcade is diverse, so you’ll find a title regardless of your preference. Racing, action-adventure, horror, and card games are all available. Apple Arcade costs $8.79 per month. Other perks of the service that you’ll enjoy are:
- There are no ads so you can play your games in peace.
- You can share your gaming subscription with up to five people.
- You’ll also discover no in-app purchases besides your one-time subscription to Apple Arcade.
The Notable Titles: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, What the Car?, and Cypher 007.
#6: Prime Gaming
Prime Gaming is an Amazon gaming subscription that handpicks some games every month for gamers to enjoy. The service only gives you PC games but occasionally you’ll unlock additional content in other select titles. Prices start at $11.30 and it also includes Amazon Prime so you can watch some fantastic movies in your leisure time.
The Notable Titles: Deathloop, Valorant, EA Sports FC 24, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and Dead by Daylight.
Our Final Say: Nintendo Switch Online Is Only Viable for Retro Games
Nintendo Switch Online is a great subscription that lets you play online with friends while giving you access to a terrific collection of games. In short, this gaming service gives you access to more than 100 Gameboy, NES, and Super NES titles. It currently costs $43.98 per year or $4.39 if you pick the standard version of the gaming subscription. However, it offers none of the current games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, or Splatoon 3.
However, if you don’t own a Nintendo Switch and you’re not looking forward to playing online with friends, consider the other gaming subscriptions. Heck, each gaming platform between PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PCs, and the Nintendo Switch has a gaming service. It’s a service that usually doubles as a cloud-streaming subscription.