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No, this is not a misconception. If you have an active Netflix subscription, you can download exclusive games. This is great.
My wife and I have been subscribing to Netflix for years because of the many documentaries available on the service. When I learned that the company would be offering iPhone games as part of the subscription, my initial reaction to the news was disgust. I was hoping for adaptations of the company’s shows and movies, such as Stranger Things and House of Cards.
So imagine my surprise when Netflix announced that it would be releasing three classic Grand Theft Auto games as part of its games division in December 2023. Not only that, but they’re remasters and still not available for purchase separately. Fast forward to 2024, and you can play games like Hades, a roguelike action game, and Sonic Mania Plus, one of the best games in the series since the blue fuzzy character took center stage in Sonic 3 on the Sega Mega Drive in 1994.
Netflix’s impressive efforts over the past year have me rethinking what it would be like to play certain games on my iPhone 15 Pro Max as part of my subscription. Sure, you can sign up for Apple Arcade, the company’s game subscription service, but it doesn’t include those Rockstar or SEGA classics.
Thanks to Netflix, I’ve been playing the three games nonstop, but here’s why it’s worth considering exploring all the games the company has to offer, especially if you’re a new or existing customer.
Why Netflix’s approach to games is unique
Netflix’s game offerings for iPhone and iPad are ingenious. Currently, all games are exclusive to the service and can be downloaded from the App Store. However, once you reach the title screen of these games, you must sign in with an active Netflix account to proceed. This moment must be appealing to potential customers, as they can download these games and see what games they could play if they had a Netflix subscription.
These games also support third-party controllers from 8BitDo, Xbox, etc. These titles are only available for iPhone and iPad, but can also be played on other Apple devices using the AirPlay Mirroring feature. Control Center > AirPlay MirroringClick and select your Mac or Apple TV, then your iPhone or iPad display will appear on the device you’re mirroring.
But remember, these games are part It’s valid on all three Netflix plans (from the standard plan at $6.99/£4.99 per month to the premium plan at $22.99/£17.99 per month) for the remainder of your subscription, at no extra cost. It’s a great value proposition if you can’t currently find anything to watch on your iPhone, and you can download games like Katana Zero or Sonic instead.
Netflix is keen to offer more games to its users. 80 games available for iPhone and iPad. Next matchRPG adventure Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit arrives on June 25th, and given how much has already been offered, we’ll be curious to see what else is coming to the service as 2024 rolls around.
As I mentioned before, I’ve been downloading and playing games offered by Netflix since December. With that in mind, here are three games I’ve been playing nonstop lately, all of which are available to play right now if you have an active Netflix subscription.
Sonic Mania Plus
Sonic Mania Plus surprised many when it launched in 2017 because it was the first 2D pixelated Sonic game made by Sega in over 20 years. It was also surprising that a handful of leading figures in the Sonic community were behind the game, who created some great hacks that weren’t possible back in 1994, like playing as Knuckles in Sonic 1.
Spanning 13 levels, Sonic Mania Plus mixes levels from past Sonic games like Green Hill Zone and Flying Battery Zone with new ones like Studiopolis Zone. I rate Sonic Mania as highly as 1994’s Sonic 3 & Knuckles, with great level design, fantastic bosses, and music that fits the game perfectly.
I was thrilled to see earlier this year that Netflix announced they would be releasing a version for iPhone and iPad through their service, meaning I could play the game all over again, which is exactly what I’m doing on my iPhone. Nothing has been changed in this new port and it’s the same game that was released in 2017, so I couldn’t be happier.
GTA: Vice City
While there’s a good chance you’ve played GTA: Vice City on an Apple device before, this is the first time the remastered Definitive Edition has been available for iPhone and iPad. This release features all-new graphics, new weather effects, new ways to aim at targets, and more.
It’s worth noting, however, that when the Definitive Edition was released in 2021 it was riddled with issues, including awkward character models in cutscenes and weather effects like rain that weren’t transparent or covered the display, but now, three years later, it looks like the major bugs have been ironed out in this mobile version.
Vice City shines on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially when using a third-party controller like the 8BitDo Pro 2. This game perfectly illustrates why using touchscreen controls can be a frustrating experience, especially when trying to aim at enemies or drive a vehicle. The 8BitDo Pro 2 lets you control the game just like you used to in the PlayStation 2 version of Vice City. The lighting and graphics are amazing when driving on the beach. I found myself spending hours on the game, trying to complete missions and collect secret packages scattered around the city.
Hades
I first played Hades on Nintendo Switch shortly after the game’s release in September 2020. With much of the world, including the UK, still in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself playing games on some days. Hades was no exception, and I was hooked within five minutes of starting the game.
Hades is a roguelike action game presented in an isometric perspective. You progress through multiple rooms, fight tons of enemies, and as you win you earn power-ups that increase your attack power, defense power, and more. This is the essence of Hades, and the game is surprisingly addictive.
I’ll be coming back to the game to clear rooms again and again to hone my attacking skills. I did this on my Switch in 2020, and am doing it again on my iPhone thanks to Netflix. The touch controls on the display work surprisingly well, and I was able to use them to easily take down hordes of enemies, for example, while riding the train at the weekend. Hades is a great game, A sequel was released for PC Last month, I was already hoping that Hades 2 would come to iPhone via Netflix sooner rather than later.
Netflix’s gaming journey is off to a great start
It’s not really surprising that I’ve been impressed with the catalog of games Netflix has released so far for the iPhone and iPad: in addition to the three games I’ve mentioned, there are plenty more that will appeal to lovers of soccer, RPGs, and more.
It would be great if some of these games were to become available on other Apple devices like the Apple TV or Apple Vision Pro. Playing GTA: Vice City on one of these systems would be awesome and would perfectly recreate the feeling of playing the game on Sony’s PlayStation 2 console all those years ago.
For now, I’m happy playing Sonic Mania and other games through the service, and I’m excited to see what Netflix has planned for the future.
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