Over the past few years, many changes have been made to how online subscriptions work across the big three titans of gaming: Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo. Microsoft was the first to utilize online gaming with the original Xbox back in 2002. This required that their members who wanted to play online pay a fee for membership.
This later became known as Xbox Live Gold and, more recently, Xbox Game Pass Core. Playstation followed suit with PlayStation Plus and many years later with the PlayStation 4. Nintendo followed up last with Nintendo Online following the release of the Nintendo Switch. Which online subscription is the best one for you?
Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate
Being the original frontier for online gaming and subscriptions, it’s only natural that we begin with the one that started it all. There are currently two plans for Xbox Game Pass, three if you count PC Game Pass as a separate plan, but it’s included in Ultimate.
While both plans allow access to online gaming and offer discounts on digital purchases in the Microsoft Store, they have key differences that can make or break the deal. The Core version, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, only gives you partial access to the Game Pass library, which can be a bit underwhelming.
The Ultimate version of Xbox Game Pass, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, gives you full access to the Game Pass library including Day One releases of games being added to Game Pass. To add a cherry on top, it also includes a membership to EA Play and an online subscription to EA’s catalog of games.
The Ultimate version of Game Pass seems like the better option. However, it’s more expensive than the Core version. Game Pass Core costs 10 dollars a month to 60 dollars a year, while Game Pass Ultimate costs 15 dollars a month, which adds up to 180 dollars per year.
PlayStation Plus
PlayStation Plus began life in the era of the PlayStation 4, requiring a base pay for an online subscription and for online multiplayer and other benefits. Despite being a tough pill to swallow, considering the Playstation 3 didn’t need a subscription to play online, the community eventually came around to it.
Two years after the release of the PlayStation 5, Sony changed the PlayStation Plus to different tiers for added benefits. The essential tier has the share play feature, cloud storage for saved game data, online multiplayer, and exclusive packs for certain games. It also has discounts and monthly free games, similar to Xbox Live Gold (Xbox Game Pass Core).
The extra tier has all the benefits of Essential, along with a subscription to Ubisoft+ and their gaming catalog, Game Pass. The premium tier has the benefits of Extra and Essential, along with access to the Sony Pictures Catalog, cloud streaming, a catalog of classic titles from older generations of PlayStation, and game trials. This allows the player to try the game before buying it.
These benefits are fruitful. However, the pricing might set you back. Essential can range from 10 dollars per month to 80 dollars per year, Extra is 15 dollars per month to 14 dollars per year, and Premium is 18 dollars per month to 160 dollars per year.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online launched with the Nintendo Switch for games with online multiplayer. Aside from obviously granting access to online play, Nintendo Online has other additional benefits. It has a vast catalog of titles from older generations of consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the original GameBoy, the Nintendo 64, and finally, the GameBoy Advance. The subscriber also has access to the cloud storage for saved data like PlayStation Plus and optional expansion packs for games. It’s pretty good value for all the benefits that come with the subscription.
The online subscription goes from four dollars per month to 20 dollars per year for single users. There is also an option for a shared family membership that can support up to eight members for 35 dollars per year.
Should the subscriber choose to add the expansion pack add-on to the subscription, it can rise up to 50 dollars per year for individuals, while the family membership can rise up to 80 dollars per year. It’s a cheaper alternative to Xbox and Playstation, albeit with a smaller catalog of online multiplayer games, given how Nintendo handles their gaming market.
Which One is the Best Overall?
Ultimately, it comes down to the player and their preferences. If you prefer something simple just to play with the squad, Xbox Game Pass Core, PlayStation Plus Essential, and/or Nintendo Switch Online are the best options.
If you don’t mind shelling out some extra cash for some extra goodies, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Plus Extra, and/or Nintendo Online with the expansion pack add-on may be up your alley. PlayStation Plus Premium and Xbox Game PAS Ultimate prices may be a bit on the steep end, but if you’re willing to shell out the extra cash, it may be worth it.
Regardless of what online subscription you choose, take what you need. Sometimes, simplicity is best. It also wouldn’t hurt to try out other avenues to get the most benefits from the big three’s online subscriptions.
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