Sometimes it feels like every week there's a new game streaming service to think about. With the addition of the Arcade subscription add-on from Plex, there's one more.
This article explores Plex Arcade including cost, offerings, and platform requirements.
What Is Plex Arcade?
In January 2021, streaming and media management platform Plex announced game support via Plex Arcade, rounding out their digital media offerings, which included television, films, music, and podcasts.
Like other game streaming platforms, Plex Arcade comes with a library of games, though the platform also manages ROMs and emulators you already own.
Plex stores all the games on the Plex Arcade server, allowing you to just pick up and play, once you've subscribed, of course...
How Much Does Plex Arcade Cost?
While Plex itself is free, Plex Arcade costs $4.99/month after a seven-day free trial. However, because Plex offers so many media management tools, the platform offers other bundled subscriptions, some of which affect the price of Plex Arcade.
Plex Pass, the premium version of Plex, costs $4.99/month, but Plex Pass holders get Arcade for an additional $2.99/month.
What Do You Need to Use Plex Arcade?
Because Plex Arcade works through a browser, there aren't any intensive hardware requirements. It also helps that classic video games have low graphics and computing requirements, so they run on just about anything.
However, there are some downloads and connected profiles that new users require before playing on Plex Arcade.
Supported Hardware and Operating Systems
Operating Plex requires the installation of your own Plex Media Server, but you only need to install this 78.2MB application on one of your devices. Other connected devices then access your content over the browser.
The only downside to the system is that the Plex Media Server only works with Mac and Windows operating systems. This is annoying since many people that play classic games and run ROMS and emulators prefer more flexible interfaces like Linux and Raspberry Pi operating systems that Plex doesn't support.
The optional Plex App is available for:
- Amazon Alexa and Amazon Fire TV
- Android, Android Auto, and Android TV
- Apple TV (4th generation and later)
- Google Chromecast
- iOS
- Lenovo Mirage Solo VR, Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, and Oculus Go VR headsets
- Mac (10.13 High Sierra and later)
- NVIDIA SHIELD
- PlayStation
- Roku
- Sonos
- Windows (Windows 10 or later)
- Xbox
Plex Arcade is also compatible with Bluetooth controllers, including PS5 DualSense and Xbox One joypads.
Required Software and Linked Accounts
Besides the Plex Media Player download, users require a linked Parsec account. The free account and brings fun social features that aren't otherwise a part of Plex.
To centralize even more media, users have the option of linking other memberships, including TIDAL for music and podcast streaming.
These linked accounts and bundles can seem overwhelming for users new to Plex. However, they make Plex the great hub that it is for centralizing and managing digital media.
What Games Are Available on Plex Arcade?
As of this writing, there are 27 titles on Plex Arcade, all classics from Atari. In a refreshingly transparent move, Plex made the entire catalog visible to users before they sign up.
The list includes icons of early video gaming like Gravitar and Centipede, as well as less familiar titles like Ninja Golf. Atari originally released some of the games for arcade machines while Atari released others for its 2600 and 2800 home consoles.
While the catalog lists 27 "titles", several are actually collections of multiple games. Be aware that, technically, these collections of games contain variations on the same two or three styles, though. So you might have four games in one collection that look a lot like Pong or Tank.
Run the numbers and Plex arcade actually comes with about 97 classic Atari games. Whether you're paying the standard $4.99/month or the Plex Pass Bundle rate of $2.99/month, that's a lot of games for your money.
Is Plex Arcade for You?
If you already have Plex, particularly Plex Pass, subscribing to Plex Arcade seems like a straightforward decision. All of those games for a few extra dollars per month? Even if you just play them waiting for the bus, it would be worth it.
If you don't have Plex already, the platform has rather a lot of hoops to jump through, particularly if you aren't passionate about classic video games. Even if you are passionate about classic video games, a lot of the games in Plex Arcade are available elsewhere.
But that's what the free trial is for...