Cloud Gaming Reviews

The dream of playing Cyberpunk 2077 on an iPad is real. Cloud gaming promises to kill the console. Why buy a $500 box when you can stream the game from a server farm? But is the technology actually ready for prime time? We tested the major services.

Nvidia GeForce Now: The King

In terms of technology, nothing comes close. The "Ultimate" tier gives you access to an RTX 4080 in the cloud. The stream quality is up to 4K 120fps. With a good internet connection, the latency is imperceptible. It feels like playing locally. The downside? You have to own the games on Steam/Epic. It is a "Bring Your Own Game" service.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud): The Value

Bundled with Game Pass Ultimate, this is the "Netflix of Games." You don't buy games; you just subscribe and play. The library is massive. However, the stream is limited to 1080p 60fps, and the bitrate is lower than Nvidia's. It is great on a phone screen, but looks muddy on a TV. The latency is decent but noticeable in competitive shooters.

PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming

Sony has quietly built a solid service. It supports 4K streaming for PS5 games, which xCloud does not. The image quality is crisp. However, it is only available on PS5 consoles and PC (limited app). You can't play on your phone yet. It is a value-add for console owners rather than a console replacement.

The Infrastructure Barrier

Cloud gaming works... if you live near a data center and have fiber internet. If you are on unstable WiFi or in a rural area, it is unplayable. Until internet infrastructure improves globally, cloud gaming will remain a luxury for the urban well-connected.