Recently, Sony announced plans to unify PlayStation Plus services with PlayStation Now into a single service, creating a subscription model very similar to Xbox Game Pass which will start from next June. In this way, Sony has confirmed recent rumors about the old Spartacus project.
But how is the new subscription service announced by Sony different from those already available on Xbox and Nintendo Switch? This is what we came to explain to you today, breaking down the different benefits of each of the subscription services available on all three consoles.
Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass This is Microsoft’s subscription model, which gives all its users access to a large catalog that already has more than 400 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles available. All of the games available on Xbox Game Pass can be downloaded directly into our system, and its library of titles changes monthly, adding new games and removing titles previously available on the service.
But without a doubt one of the biggest attractions of Xbox Game Pass is that We will find all the Xbox Game Studios titles available on the service the same day of their launch, allowing users to enjoy the company’s latest games at no additional cost.
We currently find three different subscription models in Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass console ($9.99/month)
Xbox Game Pass Console is the most basic subscription level.
- Access to a library with over 100 constantly updated console games.
- Enjoy those from Xbox Game Studios the same day they are released.
- Access to discounts and exclusive offers
Xbox Game Pass PC ($9.99/month)
Xbox Game Pass PC is the basic subscription level for PC, in which, in addition to Xbox Game Pass games, we will also have access to titles available through EA Play.
- Access to a library with over 100 constantly updated PC games.
- Enjoy those from Xbox Game Studios the same day they are released
- Access to discounts and exclusive offers.
- It includes a subscription to EA Play, giving us access to exclusive rewards and several Electronic Arts titles.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($12.99/month)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest subscription tier available and includes everything included in Xbox Game Pass Console and Xbox Game Pass PC subscriptions, plus the following benefits.
- Access to the entire catalog of Xbox Game Pass titles on consoles and PC.
- Access to cloud gaming from any compatible device.
- Exclusive rewards for subscribers, such as subscriptions to third-party services or content for specific games.
- Xbox Live Gold included, getting at least two free games every month, access to exclusive offers and discounts, and access to online multiplayer.
- EA Play also included.
Playstation Plus
New Playstation Plus what will be available from next June of this same 2022 is the new subscription model launched by Sony that includes existing PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus in a new service through which we can access an extensive catalog of titles from the Japanese company which will include PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation games.
As with Xbox Game Pass, in the new PlayStation Plus we will also find three subscription levels that will give us access to different content:
PlayStation Plus Essential ($8.99/mes)
The most basic level of the new Sony subscription. This subscription level includes the same as the current PlayStation Plus, i.e.:
- Two free games per month
- Access to discounts and exclusive offers
- Cloud storage for game saves
- Access to online multiplayer.
PlayStation Plus Extra ($13.99/mes)
PlayStation Plus Extra is the middle tier of the new PlayStation subscription model that gives us access to the following benefits:
- Includes all Essential tier benefits.
- Adds access to a catalog of up to 400 titles for PS4 and PS5
PlayStation Plus Premium ($16.99/month)
PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest tier of the new PlayStation subscription model, which includes all the benefits included in the Essential and Extra tiers, plus the following benefits:
- Access an additional 340 titles, including PlayStation 3 titles via cloud streaming, and PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PSP games available to stream and download.
- Enjoy streaming on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, as well as PC.
- Includes access to play trials for a limited period of time.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo didn’t make life complicated and simply named its subscription service as Nintendo Switch Online, simple and clear. Nintendo Switch Online offers its subscribers access to various benefits ranging from access to online multiplayer, being able to enjoy a library of classic games made up of NES and Super NES titles.
Instead of three different subscription models like the ones we’ve seen before, the Nintendo Switch offers two subscription tiers:
Nintendo Switch Online ($3.99/month)
The most basic level of Nintendo’s subscription service. At this level, your subscribers have access to the following advantages:
- Access to online multiplayer.
- Discounts and exclusive offers for subscribers.
- Access to a catalog of classic NES and Super NES games.
- Cloud storage for saved games.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack ($39.99/year)
The second, and most advanced, Nintendo subscription tier, and as the name suggests, it includes the same tier as the most basic subscription tier, plus an expansion pack that includes the following:
- Access to a growing catalog of Nintendo 64 games.
- Access a growing catalog of SEGA Mega Drive games.
- Access to Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise paid DLC.
- Access to the Mario Kart Deluxe 8 Extra Tracks Pass.
Main differences between the three subscription models and which one is better
As you may have already seen for yourselves, each company gives us different options that we can choose from, some of them very similar to each other and some very different. One of the differences that stands out most quickly is the price, being Nintendo Switch Online by far the cheapest (we can access 8 accounts for a year for only $69.99). However, when it comes to content and available options, Nintendo Switch Online pales in comparison to Xbox Game Pass and the new PlayStation Plus.
While access to online multiplayer is available at all Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus subscription levelsThis is not the case with Xbox Game Pass unless you have the highest subscription tier, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (which is profitable for us given that otherwise we would have to pay $9.99/month for XGP and another $6.99/month for Xbox Live Gold). Another obvious difference is the catalog of titles available in each subscription. If we talk about the total number of games available, Sony’s top-tier subscription gives us access to 740 titles available, almost 300 more than those currently available on Xbox Game Pass; however, it is more expensive and many Sony titles can only be streamed, while all titles available on Xbox Game Pass can be downloaded.
As to which of these three subscription models is the best, that’s something each of us has to decide. In my case, and as you can imagine, I am not impartial and I think that Currently, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the best subscription service available, as it allows you to enjoy all Xbox Game Studios games the same day they are released. as well as how to enjoy a huge catalog of games practically anywhere, not limited to playing on console or PC by allowing you to use other devices thanks to cloud gaming.
Of course, that’s my opinion, and depending on the type of player we are and our personal preferences, we will opt for one type of subscription or another. We leave you with a small table that includes a small summary of what we can find in all subscriptions.
| Price | Number of games available | Monthly free games | Exclusives available Day 1 | Exclusive offers | Online multiplayer access | cloud gaming | |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $12.99/ month | Over 400 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox OG titles | And | AND | AND | AND | AND |
| PlayStation Plus Premium | $16.99/month
49.99$/ Quarter $119.99/year |
740 titles from PS5, PS4, PS3, PS2, PSP and PS1. (Many of them are only available for streaming) | And | NO | AND | AND | AND |
| Nintendo Switch Online + expansion pack | $39.99/year | Over 100 NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64 and SEGA Mega Drive games | NO | NO | AND | AND | NO |
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