Amazon Prime Gaming: Is It Worth It? What Do You Get for Your Money?

Originally launched in 2016 as Twitch Prime, Amazon Prime Gaming has been the underdog of gaming subscription services for years. It incorporates the same features as both the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, but its focus on PC gaming has resulted in it often being ignored in favor of subscriptions that are tailored for next-generation consoles. But is there something we’ve all been missing on Amazon Prime Gaming?

From exclusive in-game content and free access to blockbuster games, Amazon Prime Gaming comes with countless perks that can’t be found anywhere else. Plus, if you have a Prime membership, then you can already access this content in addition to enjoying the next-day shipping and acclaimed TV shows that Amazon is known for. So, is Prime Gaming worth exploring? Read on to discover more about Amazon’s most overlooked subscription service.

How Does Amazon Prime Gaming Work?

Amazon Prime Gaming is included in Amazon’s monthly subscription bundle, alongside delivery benefits, Prime Video, Amazon Music Prime, and Prime Reading, covering all your entertainment needs in one place. The subscription costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you decide to pay annually.

Every month, new titles are added to Prime Gaming in addition to exclusive in-game content. These titles range from the year’s blockbuster games to lesser-known indie titles from smaller studios. The games are free to access and yours to keep. All you have to do is open Prime Gaming and select the ‘weekly games’ tab. From there, you can access countless titles without having to make a single purchase.

Previous titles on Prime Gaming have included Overwatch 2, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Battlefield 5. While the collection of indie games can sometimes feel like fodder to bulk out the subscription’s monthly offering, there are some hidden gems that will capture your attention – and your heart – such as The Almost Gone and Lila’s Sky Ark.

If you are an avid collector, then you’ll definitely be able to make the most out of Prime Gaming’s exclusive in-game content. From The Elder Scrolls Online to League of Legends, you can unlock new character skins, loot, and tier skips to take your gaming experience to the next level. June’s content includes 5 tier skips in Overwatch 2, a Standard Card pack in Heartstone, and two wearable items in Fall Guys.

Is Amazon Prime Gaming Worth the Price?

With Prime Gaming, new titles are added to the service on a monthly basis. Depending on the game, it will be available to redeem for anywhere between a month and a year before it is no longer free to play. Once you have redeemed a game, it’s yours forever. So, even if you are currently in the middle of a play-through for a different game, don’t hesitate to download any titles that catch your eye.

The monthly rotation typically includes one blockbuster game and several smaller titles which, if you price it up, still makes the subscription a great deal. This month’s main title, Prey (2017), currently costs $29.99 to download on Steam. But, for $14.99, you can redeem it alongside the likes of Fortnite, Batman: Arkham Night, and Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition.

It’s important to note that you can access these free games alongside countless films and TV shows on Prime Video, music hits on Amazon Music Prime, and the selection of eBooks hosted on Prime Reading. Instead of paying for four different subscription services, you can get them all in one place for a low monthly rate.

When compared to the Xbox Game Pass which is $14.99 or $9.99 per month, depending on which tier you choose, and PlayStation Plus, which is also $14.99, Amazon offers gamers an incredibly affordable and enticing offer.

Prime Day Offers

Prime Day is an annual event hosted by Amazon on the 11^th and 12^th of July that offers customers access to promotional deals and temporary price cuts. Whether you are interested in upgrading your kitchen with new tech or trying out some new skincare at a reduced price, Prime Day is the perfect time to do some shopping.

Amazon Prime Gaming has also been included in this year’s promotions. In celebration of the company’s annual event, in both June and July, Prime Gaming will host several popular games and more exclusive in-game content than ever before. These games will be added to the service in addition to the month’s standard additions.

The offerings for the summer include Prey (2017), Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, Shovel Knight: Showdown, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Collectively, these games alone retail at approximately $80. While these promotions are split across two months and, thereby, require gamers to pay for two months of Prime, if you are interested in any of these games, the deal is certainly worth considering.

This follows Amazon’s enticing May offers, such as Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D, which was added in celebration of Star Wars Day, and eight other titles which were released as a surprise at the end of the month.

Final Thoughts

So, is Prime Gaming worth it? If you are a PC gamer who’s willing to experiment with some lesser-known and older titles, then it’s absolutely worth the monthly fee. The combination of exclusive content and blockbuster games ensures that you have access to fresh and engaging content every month.

However, console gamers may find this subscription lacking. While the service does include some of the year’s biggest releases, you are constrained to playing them on a PC which few players choose as their go-to platform.

If you currently have a Prime membership, then you can already access Amazon’s game library alongside countless other benefits, allowing you to experiment with this service before you consider canceling your other gaming subscriptions.

On the other hand, new members are regularly offered free trials, so if you watch out for promotions and only redeem your membership when there’s a game you really want to play, you can make the most out of Prime Gaming’s library without committing to another monthly payment.