Game Streaming Services: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Game streaming and subscription platforms have changed how players discover new titles, offering instant access to massive libraries across consoles, PCs, and handhelds. Our expert coverage breaks down the best services—including Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Premium, and Nvidia GeForce Now—so you can find the right mix of performance, game selection, and value for the way you play.
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Our Favorite Game Streaming Services, Tested By PCMag ExpertsDo you want to play video games, but don't own a console or gaming PC? These top game streaming services let you access remote hardware to play on almost any device you already own.
By Will Greenwald
Latest Game Streaming Service Stories
We want to hear your thoughts on the consoles, handhelds, controllers, and more that you use for serious video game time. One lucky survey taker will win $250 to spend at Amazon.
Is Sony's monthly gaming subscription worth the price in September? Here's how to decide if this month's game selection tips the scales in your favor.
The lawsuit claims Amazon breached an implied contract by making its training program opt out.
Xbox just released the second half of August's Game Pass titles. Is a Day One release enough to justify signing up or resubscribing? Here's how to decide.
All users are enrolled in the AI training program by default. 'If it was opt in, nobody would opt in,' says Twitch's chief product officer, Mike Minton.
'Our overall goal is simple: to give players more affordable options to play,' Xbox's chief strategy officer says of the experiment, which is currently limited to Xbox Insiders.
Do you want to play video games, but don't own a console or gaming PC? These top game streaming services let you access remote hardware to play on almost any device you already own.
This is launching first on Fire TV products in the US and UK.
It lets you play over 50 PC and Xbox games, including Day Z, Fallout 4, and Stardew Valley.
It's still more expensive than it was last fall, but you can now save up to $7 per month. On the downside, you'll lose immediate access to Call of Duty.
The change is angering users who bought titles on Luna, which lets you stream games on a laptop or TV. But Amazon says it's 'continuing to invest in a broad range of gaming experiences.'
Netflix Playground includes titles themed around Dr. Seuss, Peppa Pig, and Sesame Street.
Netflix version 9.60.0 on Android includes snippets of code that suggest it may be working on online chat features for games.
For now, gamers are limited to 1080p resolution at up to 60 frames per second and no HDR.
'The beta Linux app is built for PCs and notebooks, offering an experience similar to the existing GeForce Now app on Windows and macOS,' Nvidia says. But there are some limitations.
The game-streaming service expands to more living rooms through select Amazon devices.
The game streaming service will make almost all of its users pay extra for extended access.
The brand has brought Microsoft's cloud gaming platform to an app built for Amazon smart TVs.
Everyone in the room can play the games with their phone as the controller.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the best game subscription service by letting you play hundreds of fun games on Xbox and PC for $30 per month.
$22.99 Per Month