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Cloud gaming is the new way of gaming, especially if you’re trying not to make hundreds of dollars on a new console, or if you want to play on the go. With cloud gaming you can stream your favorite games on your mobile, tablet or laptop, without having to worry about lugging your Xbox, Playstation or PC.
Before you start looking for the best cloud gaming service for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.
What is cloud gaming?
Cloud gaming refers to streaming games over the internet without having to download games to your PC, smartphone, tablet or laptop. All you really need to cloud game is a stable internet connection. Since cloud gaming takes place online (or in the “cloud”), you also save storage space by not having to download the game to your device. Certain cloud gaming services also allow you to stream your favorite games directly to your TV, eliminating the need for a console.
Of course, having a console means better specs for all your games and the ability to game without needing a fast internet connection. But if you’re a new gamer and don’t mind that small compromise, cloud gaming can save you hundreds of dollars.
What are the best cloud gaming services?
There are many different cloud gaming services out there, and we’ve rounded up the best below – including highlighting their gaming offerings and streaming resolution options.
1. Xbox Cloud Gaming (via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can not only play hundreds of free games every month on your Xbox console, but you also get access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you play games such as Forza Horizon 5 on your smartphone, tablet, laptop and even your Samsung TV.
Classic games like Batman: Arkham Knight and Minecraft Dungeons can be accessed through Xbox Cloud Gaming and newer games such as the recently released When dusk falls are also available to play – new games are added to the library monthly. You obviously need a stable internet connection to play, at least 10mbps on mobile devices, which can be achieved with a 5ghz wifi or mobile network connection.
The video resolution is also quite strong, especially if you use the Microsoft Edge browser while gaming, which offers a significant improvement in clarity. Xbox Cloud Gaming is best paired with the Xbox Wireless Controller, although you can also use other Xbox verified Bluetooth controllers.
Get your first month now for just $1.
2. NVIDIA GeForce Now
GeForce Now is quite a unique cloud gaming service in that it doesn’t offer its own game titles, but you can stream from other services like Steam, Epic, and Ubisoft Connect. It’s also one of the few cloud gaming services to offer a free tier, meaning you can play for an hour on basic settings if you don’t feel like paying extra.
That said, if you’re looking for better resolution and lower input lag, we recommend upgrading to one of the premium tiers, with the $9.99/month subscription giving you access to 60 frames per month. second at 1080 (FHD) resolution or the $14.99/month subscription with up to 4K resolution if your game title and device support it.
As for the game library, it is always a cloud gaming game that is offered through Steam, Epic, Ubisoft Connect, Origin and even GOG. There’s also a wide range of compatible controllers and gamepads, including our favorite, the Razer Kishi. Check out the full list of compatible controllers from Nvidia here.
3. Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is one of the most comprehensive gaming services we tested. Within Amazon Luna you have multiple “gaming channels” to choose from such as Luna+, Ubisoft+, a Family gaming package, a Retro gaming package and even Jackbox games. Each subscription is priced differently from around $4.99/month and if you’re a Prime member you even get free access to the Prime Gaming channel.
Related: Get a 30-Day Free Trial for Amazon Prime
The game catalog is quite extensive, with options such as Starcraft: Remastered even myst available for free. Plus, depending on the plan you choose, you’ll get additional games to play every month. We definitely recommend using the Luna Controller with your subscription for the best possible gameplay. Amazon’s Luna controller offers the lowest input lag because it connects directly over Wi-Fi to send information to Amazon’s servers. You can certainly use another controller with this game streaming service, although they may not be as responsive as Amazon’s flagship controller.
You can use Amazon Luna on your laptop, smartphone and even your iPad. Plus, Amazon Luna can stream on Fire TV, so you can play on the big screen without any hassle. Streaming resolution is currently limited to 1080p if you have a stable internet connection, but Amazon is working on making 4K streaming available soon.
Don’t have a Prime membership? Get a 30-day free trial to test the service here.
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