Game Subscriptions Ranked by Actual Value for Normal Players

Game subscriptions are a great deal for some people and a slow leak for others. I've paid for all the main ones at some point. Here's how I decide whether a subscription is worth it.

The simple test

Add up the full price of the games you actually played through the subscription in the last year. Not games you downloaded. Games you played for more than a few hours. If that number is higher than the yearly cost, keep it. If not, cancel.

Xbox Game Pass

Best for people who try lots of games and like new releases on day one. The library is big and rotates. Higher tiers include PC games and cloud streaming.

**Best for:** players who like variety. **Not great for:** players who play one game for months.

PlayStation Plus

Tiers range from online multiplayer plus monthly games to a large catalog of older titles. The base tier is mostly about online play.

**Best for:** online gamers, and those who want to explore older PlayStation games. **Not great for:** players who mostly play single-player games at launch.

Nintendo Switch Online

Cheaper than the others. Includes online play, cloud saves and a library of classic games. The expansion tier adds more retro systems and some extra content.

**Best for:** families and retro fans. **Not great for:** anyone who rarely plays online.

How to save on subscriptions

• **Pay yearly, not monthly.** Usually cheaper.
• **Buy subscription cards on sale.** Retailers sometimes discount them.
• **Cancel between big games.** Subscribe when you have time to play, cancel when you don't.
• **Watch for price increases.** Many services have raised prices over time. Check your renewal.

The hidden cost

Subscriptions make you feel like you should play everything. That leads to bouncing between games and finishing nothing. If that's you, buying one game you love may be better.

Where to buy subscription cards

Amazon, Walmart, Target and GameStop all sell subscription cards, and prices sometimes dip around big sales. Stacking a discounted card with a yearly plan is the cheapest way in.

Verdict

Keep a subscription only if the games you actually played are worth more than the yearly price. And never let one auto-renew without checking first.