Spoilt for choice in the game of phones

Just as there’s Netflix for TV and movies and Spotify for music, these days you’ve got a number of options for all-you-can-play gaming on your mobile device, no matter what kind of phone you use.

It wasn’t always like this. In the early days of iPhone and Android games, there were hundreds of titles to choose from, with the best ones usually costing money to buy. Eventually, the payment dynamics shifted, with lots of games becoming “free to play”, making money off things like in-app purchases that unlocked game content. Sadly, this change introduced a negative trend, with games featuring large amounts of advertising, timers and other barriers, ultimately for monetisation purposes.

In turn, this led to today’s new mobile gaming subscriptions, which let you play whatever you want from large libraries of titles, and all the games are completely “premium”, with no ads or anything to get in the way of your enjoyment. They’re commercial services, but if you’re happy to pay a small fee each month, you’ll likely never run out of new and fun things to play on your phone.

What is it? Apple

Arcade

How much? $7.99pm Pros: Gaming subscriptions existed before Apple Arcade, but Apple was the first company to bring the concept to mobile, rolling out a lush selection of brand-new, exclusive titles, including lots of fantastic independent games, plus big-name brands like Sonic and LEGO. There are more than 100 games in total and, best of all, you can play them across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

Cons: None – just be aware it’s an ongoing subscription when the free trial ends. apple.com/au

What is it? Google

Play Pass

How much? $7.99pm Pros: Play Pass is essentially the same deal as Apple Arcade, with a few noteworthy differences. The library seems to be substantially bigger, with “hundreds” of titles on offer, and not just games. There are lots of educational titles for children, and lots of non-game content too, such as productivity apps, media apps, reference apps and more. Unlike Apple Arcade’s lineup, Play Pass’s software isn’t exclusive, and is available to buy separately.

Cons: None. play.google.com

What is it? GameClub

How much? $7.99pm Pros: GameClub resembles the other services, but specialises in offering much-loved mobile games from the past decade or so that are no longer playable on modern devices, having long since disappeared from the app stores. A great stroll down memory lane, and if you had already purchased the game years ago, the new versions are free.

Cons: None, but unless you specifically like the vintage games on offer, Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass are arguably better value for most people. gameclub.io