Google Stadia: The console experience without the console

Google Stadia stakes its claim as one of the best in cloud gaming.

- KEVIN CASPER

In recent years, the cloud gaming market has gained a number of new names, and none has been more hyped than Google Stadia. Launched in late 2019, it ran into a few stumbling blocks along the way, but its pivot to focusing on third-party game hosting has seen it flourish. Now a mainstay in the cloud streaming industry, Stadia has a lot to offer. We tested both the free and Pro versions of the service. Let’s see how it all stands up.

THE PLANS

Google Stadia comes in two forms: free and Pro. With the free access, you’re able to play a select few free games, such as Destiny 2, or games that you bought for Stadia at up to 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, including any online multiplayer games. That’s it; you can fully play games that you buy without the need to purchase any expensive hardware—as long as your internet connection is up to handling it, which requires a minimum of 10Mbps.

Stadia Pro supports streaming games at up to 4K resolution, 60fps, with HDR and 5.1 surround support with connections of 35Mbps or greater. Additionally, Stadia Pro will provide a handful of free games that you can claim to your library to play as long as your Pro subscription is active. Most games, however, are neither free nor included in Stadia Pro, but instead have to be bought. Some games do have discounts for Pro members, though.

GAME LIBRARY