Why subscription services are the best way to get into gaming on a budget

What was traditionally an expensive hobby is now much more affordable, thanks to new subscription services.

Gaming has traditionally been an expensive hobby but it's possible without making a big investment.

Gaming has traditionally been a pretty expensive hobby. These days most people feel it requires $700 consoles, fancy PCs, and $110 games. But what you might not know is that all the big gaming companies have subscription services which can make it much more affordable to experiment with games and find out what you like.

Here’s a look at the current state of gaming subscription services in Australia, what you get, whether they’re worth it and how much money you can save.

Xbox Game Pass

Price levels: Game Pass for Console $10.95 a month, PC Game Pass $10.95 a month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate $15.95 a month.

What you need to play: An Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S or PC to play downloaded games, almost any computer or mobile phone, as well as selected 2021 and 2022 LG and Samsung TVs which are compatible with Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming.

What’s included: more than 100 games for Xbox and/or PC, including new-release exclusives. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes multiplayer, two free games a month, 100+ games, EA Play subscription, other perks.

Highlights: Forza Horizon 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Pentiment, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

Is it good?: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is probably the best deal in games. It’s a subscription service which means you get free games to keep, have a library of games to play and you don’t need to own an Xbox or gaming PC if you’re not ready for that level of commitment.

Xbox Cloud Gaming means you can stream games to your phone, tablet, or TV without having a device powerful enough to run those games natively. It does mean there’s a bit of extra lag and the resolution isn’t ideal, and you need a strong internet connection; but it’s a great place to start if you’re not sure you’re into it yet.

Apple Arcade

Price levels: $7.99 per month.

What you need to play: iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. Some games will require a controller.

What’s included: 100+ games with no ads or microtransactions.

Gaming is possible without making a big investment.

Highlights: Sneaky Sasquatch, Sayonara Wildhearts, NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition.

Is it good?: Yeah, it’s great. The one subscription covers everyone in your iCloud family, so it’s technically six subscriptions in one. And there are no ads or microtransactions. Mobile games have become a microtransaction hell, using dark patterns to get you addicted and putting the thing you need just out of reach to get you to spend $1 here and there.

The Apple Arcade library has a really good mix of simple time-filler games, and deeper stories and experiences, so there’s something for everyone.

 

PlayStation Plus

Price levels: PlayStation Plus Essential: $11.95 a month, PlayStation Plus Extra: $18.95 a month, PlayStation Plus Deluxe: $21.95 a month. Discounted rates apply for longer subscription periods of 3 and 12 months.

What you need to play: A PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

What’s included: On the lowest level you get two free games each month and access to multiplayer. Extras subscribers get all that plus access to Ubisoft+ classics and a game catalogue with 100+ games. Deluxe subscribers get that plus a classics catalogue and trials of new games.

Highlights: Marvel’s Spider-Man, NBA 2K22, Watch Dogs.

Is it good?: PlayStation Plus is a really interesting offering. It doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with cloud gaming and day one inclusions. But it’s no secret that PlayStation makes the best self-contained, single-player stories around, and that kind of game doesn’t work when it’s relying on a subscription model to make money. It’s a smart move for PlayStation to hold those back for a while before putting them on a service. However, that does also dilute the value of the service for players who want to be saving money on the latest and greatest games.

If you’re not ready for the big financial commitment then try one of the subscriptions.

GeForce Now

Price levels: Basic: $3.99 a month. Casual: $10.99 a month. Priority: $21.99 a month. Discounted rates apply for longer subscription periods of six months.

What you need to play: Games, and a fast internet connection, as well as a device including PC, Mac, LG TV, Android TV, Android phone/tablet, Nvidia Shield TV.

What’s included: The ability to play games on a non-gaming computer.

Is it good?: GeForce Now is a really interesting offering for a very specific group of people. It doesn’t include any games – you have to buy those yourself – but it does allow you to play games on less powerful devices. It’s definitely not right for everyone, but will particularly suit PC gamers who are travelling, or are living somewhere they can’t have their big PC set up.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Price levels: $59.95 for a 12 month individual subscription.

What you need to play: A Nintendo Switch

What’s included: Nintendo 64 Games, expansions for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8, and Sega Megadrive games.

Highlights: Mario Kart 64, Paper Mario, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Is it good?: While Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack don’t really add a lot beyond multiplayer, it’s also the cheapest subscription of the lot, and the included games are absolute classics. This is less of a good deal for people who want to play games without outlaying a bunch of cash, because it doesn’t include any full current-generation games. But it’s nice for those who already have a Switch and want to brush up on their gaming history and see what the fuss was all about.