Is PS Now Worth It? The Pros and Cons of PlayStation’s Game Streaming Service

PlayStation’s PS Now is a game streaming service that allows players to access a catalog of over 800 games on their PlayStation consoles, PC or even some smartphones. The service has been accessible since 2014 and has grown significantly over time with the inclusion of more features, including downloading games to your console and the availability of PlayStation exclusives to non-console players.
However, is PS Now worth it? This is a question that many gamers ask themselves before committing to a subscription to the service. To help answer this question, this article will provide you with the pros and cons of using PlayStation’s game streaming service.
Pros:
- Access to a Wide Range of Games: One of the PS Now’s primary benefits is the option to access a vast library of more than 800 games, including the latest releases and some classics from previous PlayStation consoles.
- Competitive Pricing: PS Now is affordable compared to other game streaming services. A monthly subscription costs $9.99 or $59.99 per year. With a yearly subscription, the cost works out to slightly under $5 per month, which is an excellent deal for the number of games available.
- Play Anywhere: PS Now allows you to stream games to your PlayStation console, PC, or compatible smartphones. Therefore, you can have the freedom to play games wherever you are, as long as you have a stable internet connection.
- No Need to Buy Physical Games: With PS Now, you don’t need to buy physical copies of games, which can save you a considerable amount of money. Instead, you can stream or download games to your console.
Cons:
- High-speed Internet Needed: For an optimal gaming experience, PS Now requires a high-speed internet connection with at least 5Mbps of bandwidth. Therefore, if your internet connection is slow or unstable, you might experience latency or game lag, which can hinder the gaming experience.
- Some Games aren’t Available: Although PS Now has an extensive game library, there might be some games that you won’t find on the platform. If you’re a fan of a particular title that isn’t available on PS Now, you might want to look for other alternatives.
- No ownership of games: Unlike physical games, which are tangible, once you stop subscribing to the PS Now service, you lose access to all the games you’ve played. Therefore, if you stop subscribing, you won’t be able to play any of the games in the PS Now library.
- Limited to PlayStation Games: PlayStation games are exclusive to the platform, which means that Xbox, Nintendo, and other console users don’t have access to PS Now’s 800+ games. Therefore, if you’re a gamer who likes variety, this might not be the ideal choice for you.