Believe it or not, high-end console games can be played on-the-go. But, this flexible approach towards gaming wasn’t possible a few years back, even when the Diablo Immortal saw the light of the day, urging individuals to rely more on mobile gaming.
Mobile gaming was never an alternative to PC games. Although in 2021, we have certain resources that might allow you to be more mobile with the gaming approach, instead of relying solely on smartphones.
Comes the era of Cloud Gaming- a resource that allows you to perceive games like Netflix via a subscription-based system!
All you need is an excellent internet connection and gaming controllers. Considering that some experts have already talked about Cloud Gaming at length, whilst purporting it as the newest and probably the most sustainable wave in gaming, we shall only talk about the leading options.
We shall enlist the hot favorites in the cloud gaming arena and even mention the commercials, best gaming options, and almost anything of relevance.
So let’s scoot along and start enlisting
1. GeForce Now- NVIDIA
Let’s be honest about something. Almost every cloud gaming setup is a work in progress but for now, GeForce Now seems the best option to go with.
The best features associated with this service include 1080p gaming support across a wide range of verticals followed by a subscription-tier where you own the game instead of merely renting it.
Plus, the concept of Cloud Gaming with GeForce works more as a trade-in, best suited for those who actually own the PC version of a specific game and are looking to play the same on the other devices. As it is linked to UPLAY, Steam, and Epic, the credentials are verified sans hassles.
Plus, if the original game ceases to exist someday, you even get logged out of the makeshift version. Not just that, the GeForce Now probably has the most extensive collection of games, provided you are ready for the time-centric tradeoffs.
This means individual gaming sessions pertaining to the free membership are restricted to an hour of unhindered gaming after which the game disconnects. You can always reconnect and wait for your turn if the GeForce server is under immense pressure.
Still, the founder’s subscription plan is a much better option as it keeps you connected for almost 6 hours. Despite the bunch of hits and misses, the GeForce Now from NVIDIA is probably the most reliable cloud gaming option to consider, for games like Death Stranding, Cyberpunk 2077, Ghostrunner, and more.
2. Amazon Luna
Probably one of the more sought-after cloud gaming platforms, the Luna seems to be making a lot of news even before a global roll-out. Once we get to experience the same in its entirety, we might just be able to experience a new world of device-independent 4K gaming.
Plus, the Luna pairs well with Fire TV sticks, TV Cube, and other popular streaming devices from Amazon, making it possible for you to stream the games even on a non-Smart television.
While you can always head over to FireStickTricks.com to know about the gaming options inherent to the TV Stick, having Luna by your side can make it easier to indulge in a wider range of selections. Also, with Luna by your side, you also get the Deep ‘Twitch’ integration, allowing you to connect with gamers and streamers in real-time, regardless of the device at hand.
Therefore, even if you do not have a smart TV or a smartphone good enough for game streaming, a setup with Fire TV Stick, Cube, Stick Lite, or Stick 4K is good enough for Luna and each of its diverse feature sets.
Amazon was dabbling with the game streaming service since 2014 but it seems the company has finally made the ideation take form, with the Luna that is expected to come with 100 pre-existing games on the server when launched globally.
This simply adds to the collection of games that are supported by the concerned streaming devices. Plus, as every game you want to play on the Fire TV Stick comes at a price, regardless of how you sideload the same, a holistic Luna subscription is expected to be easier on the pocket, especially for avid gamers.
3. PlayStation Now
The best solution for the PS3 lovers, PlayStation Now has actually been around the longest. Launched way back in 2014, this $60/year service is worth investing in provided you are game for almost 800 PS titles. Pun intended!
Also, the games can be streaming from any PlayStation or PC, regardless of the version and make. Some of the more appealing gaming choices include the God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Red Dead Redemption.
This Sony-tagged service is best known for responsive play and cross-platform cloud-based support. However, our only complaint is the thinnest possible collection of PS 5 games.
4. Microsoft xCloud
Despite being limited to Android devices, the xCloud is one streaming platform with the most promise. Initially offered as a part of the famed Xbox Ultimate game pass, the xCloud resembles Netflix in more than one way.
Firstly, it comes loaded with 100+ exciting titles, each of which can be enjoyed on remote consoles. Secondly, there are monthly additions, which make a lot of sense to a more enterprising gamer. However, there are quite a few restrictions to account for, including the 720p gaming support and the occasional lag.
5. Google Stadia
If you are interested in a 4K game streaming service, nothing could be better than Google Stadia. This service doesn’t only promise lag-free gaming but also offers a YouTube platform for the first-timers to get a hang of the innovation.
The gaming library, however, is smaller than some of the other cloud gaming platforms with Cyberpunk 2077 being on the highlights. While you do get access to a handful of AAA games, the subscription rate of almost 10 dollars each month might seem like a stretch only for experiencing 4K visuals.
Not just that, you wouldn’t need to shell out anything to experience the purchased games at 1080p. That said, we tried using the same over the Chromecast Ultra but were cast down by the input lag.
Overall, these 5 streaming services are making all the sound when cloud gaming is concerned. However, we are also keeping an eye on the Shadow, AntStream, and a couple of other emerging players in the market, precisely to bring the most updated insights regarding the concerned arena
Not a fan of Stadia (especially since Google operates it), but PlayStation Now seems the most eye-catching. Considering that most games these days cost $60, paying $60 for a yearly subscription with a library of hundreds of games seems like a pretty good deal. And as much as companies like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon might make every move to enter the video gaming market, you really can’t go wrong with an already established video game company like Sony.