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.
- The fantastic thing is that Plex can be found on virtually every platform imaginable, from Android and iOS to niche operating systems such as Apple's tvOS and Roku OS, and it is available as a Kodi add-on – meta, I understand.
- When Plex was founded, we set out to make the tools the future would be built on. Tools designed to work on industrial scale. At the speed of the 24/7/365, always-on, hyper-connected, just-in-time global economy. The kind that makes awesome, amazing, blow-your-mind things possible.
Like other game streaming platforms, Plex Arcade comes with a library of games, though the platform also manages ROMs and emulators you already own.
On Linux, FreeNAS, and other operating systems with stricter permission systems, you may need to grant access to folder for the user 'plex' by using an appropriate permissions command on the folder, e.g. Chown -R plex:plex OpenMovieDatabase.bundle.
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.
Related: Is Plex Arcade Worth the $2.99/Month Subscription Price?
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.
Related: Retro Gaming on Raspberry Pi: Understanding ROMs, RetroPie, Recallbox, and More
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.
Best Platform For Plex Server
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.
Plex Server Os
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…
Pros | Cons |
● Free features and streaming ● Merge personal and paid content ● Music streaming through Tidal | ● Technically challenging system setup ● Demands high internet bandwidth ● Quality of on-demand video library |
Plex enables people cutting the cable TV cord to bundle on-demand video streaming with live TV, music, podcasts and a personal media storage service.
The service includes the Plex Media Server, which lets users store digital media, such as movies, photos, shows and videos. They can then stream their own content along with that from Plex's free on-demand video service. Paid-for Plex services also include a live TV offering and music streaming through its partnership with Tidal.
Plex Os
While Plex offers a selection of free movies and TV shows, its content range is limited and regularly updated. This isn't the place to look for a competitor to Amazon Prime Video, Hulu or Netflix. Instead, it's a good option for people with large personal content libraries interested in a way to store and organize and share their media.
What To Watch On Plex
Plex's free plan provides access to thousands of movies. That's largely thanks to streaming partnerships with the likes of Legendary, Lionsgate, MGM and Warner Brothers. But don't expect to find big Hollywood hits or endless engaging dramas available on premium streaming services.
Some of the best movies available on Plex include Robert De Niro's depiction of boxer Jake La Motta in Raging Bull, Tom Cruise trying to earn a fortune out of his autistic brother played by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man and a classic road trip adventure with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in Thelma & Louise. Other top options include Deadfall, a thriller about a botched casino heist starring Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde and Filth, which stars James McAvoy and Jamie Bell in a movie adaption of Irvine Welsh's novel about a drug-addicted cop struggling with bipolar disorder.
Best Plex Server Os
Plex's movie library is also home to plenty of classic coming of age comedies. These include teen comedy 100 Girls, which stars Jaime Pressley and Katherine Heigl, classic summer camp action with Bill Murray in Meatballs and Michael J. Fox playing a high school student who turns into a werewolf in Teen Wolf.
Science fiction fans have plenty of movie options on Plex, including Kurt Russell, starring as a one-eyed convict tasked with saving the President following a plane crash in Escape From New York. Viewers can also join the hunt for mysterious beings in Magellan and scientists tracking down an alien seductress hunting human prey in Species.
Horror and gore fans are also well-served with a section dedicated to zombie movies, of which the pick is George A. Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead. It also includes titles like Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, The Zombinator, Zombie Apocalypse and Zombie Night.
Plex offers a nice range of eye-opening documentaries, such as 7 Days In Syria, in which a journalist uncovers the suffering of people in a war-torn country. Other options include Being Evel, which explores the life of legendary stuntman Evel Knievel, I'm Still Here, the story of actor Joaquin Phoenix quitting his film career to become a hip-hop musician and The U.S. vs. John Lennon, which follows The Beatles member's rise from musician to an anti-war activist. Music fans will also enjoy documentaries like Adele: Homecoming, Nas: Time Is Illmatic and The Outrageous World of Katy Perry.
Top TV shows on Plex include British medieval drama Merlin, which stars Colin Morgan as a young sorcerer serving the mythical future King Arthur. It's also home to several science fiction series, such as Andromeda, Earth: Final Conflict and Mutant X.
In addition to this on-demand content, Plex users can also watch web shows for free, including trending content and videos tailored to users' viewing history. These web shows are sorted into categories like Caught On Camera, Latest In Tech, Latest Trailers, Personalities and Pop Culture, Pets & Animals, Science and Sports & Hobbies.
Plex also offers a News service that collates video content from 190 global publishers to keep users on top of the latest events around the world.
Paid Plex members can also access live TV through the service and record and download shows to watch on the go. The channels available are dependent on users' location, but live TV options typically include access to major networks like CBS, CNN, ESPN, FOX, MLB Network and SportsNet.
Signing up for a Plex account also enables users to get a discount on Tidal's library of 60 million music tracks in up to high-fidelity sound quality. Streaming music through Tidal requires an active subscription to the service, and non-paying subscribers can only listen to 30-second snippets of tracks.
Plex is also home to around 900 podcasts, which users can explore by genre, name, popularity and release date. The most popular podcasts on the platform include Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, the award-winning drum & bass and jungle music Hospital Records Podcast and the eclectic comedy show The Blindboy Podcast.
Plex Cost And Plans
The Plex Media Server can be downloaded and used for free. Users can manage the server from the web app to add personal media files, stream online content and set up access to live TV broadcasts.
Plex provides several plans for users to choose from, but its movie and TV streaming service is available for free. They can also access limited versions of Plex's mobile and web apps without paying a cent. However, Plex limits music and video streaming on the free mobile app to just one minute and watermarks photos until the user makes an in-app purchase or buys a Plex Pass subscription.
Upgrading to Plex Pass for $4.99/mo. provides users with access to Plex's mobile apps plus live TV and cloud DVR storage. It also enables users to download content to enjoy offline on Android and iOS devices, hook their media server up to their home entertainment system, access their content playing history and unlock Plex's premium sound quality.
Plex Premium costs $9.99/mo. and includes everything on Plex Pass, with the addition of advanced music features. These include useful tools like library augmentation, loudness leveling and sweet fades, while users can also gain access to Tidal hubs, playlists and recommendations.
The Tidal HiFi + Plex Pass plan provides access to high-fidelity streaming of 60 million tracks, 240,000 videos plus 1000+ movies and shows. All paid-for Plex services are available to try out with a 30-day free trial.
Device Compatibility
Plex is compatible with all operating systems, browsers and mobile devices. This includes Alexa products, such as Amazon Echo. Smart TVs are also compatible, including Android TV and Apple TV, as are mobile devices such as Android and Apple iOS. Plex can also be accessed via streaming devices such as Google Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, Sonos smart speakers, Roku devices and some gaming consoles.
Streaming quality
Plex automatically selects users' video streaming quality based on their internet connection. Its streaming quality ranges between 192 Kbps and 20 Mbps and can be adjusted using the Limit Remote Stream Bitrate setting in the Plex Media Server's Remote Access settings. Users can also tweak settings such as cellular data usage and home streaming levels. The Plex player features 10-second rewind and 30-second fast forward buttons that enable users to skip through content.
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.
- The fantastic thing is that Plex can be found on virtually every platform imaginable, from Android and iOS to niche operating systems such as Apple's tvOS and Roku OS, and it is available as a Kodi add-on – meta, I understand.
- When Plex was founded, we set out to make the tools the future would be built on. Tools designed to work on industrial scale. At the speed of the 24/7/365, always-on, hyper-connected, just-in-time global economy. The kind that makes awesome, amazing, blow-your-mind things possible.
Like other game streaming platforms, Plex Arcade comes with a library of games, though the platform also manages ROMs and emulators you already own.
On Linux, FreeNAS, and other operating systems with stricter permission systems, you may need to grant access to folder for the user 'plex' by using an appropriate permissions command on the folder, e.g. Chown -R plex:plex OpenMovieDatabase.bundle.
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.
Related: Is Plex Arcade Worth the $2.99/Month Subscription Price?
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.
Related: Retro Gaming on Raspberry Pi: Understanding ROMs, RetroPie, Recallbox, and More
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.
Best Platform For Plex Server
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.
Plex Server Os
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…
Pros | Cons |
● Free features and streaming ● Merge personal and paid content ● Music streaming through Tidal | ● Technically challenging system setup ● Demands high internet bandwidth ● Quality of on-demand video library |
Plex enables people cutting the cable TV cord to bundle on-demand video streaming with live TV, music, podcasts and a personal media storage service.
The service includes the Plex Media Server, which lets users store digital media, such as movies, photos, shows and videos. They can then stream their own content along with that from Plex's free on-demand video service. Paid-for Plex services also include a live TV offering and music streaming through its partnership with Tidal.
Plex Os
While Plex offers a selection of free movies and TV shows, its content range is limited and regularly updated. This isn't the place to look for a competitor to Amazon Prime Video, Hulu or Netflix. Instead, it's a good option for people with large personal content libraries interested in a way to store and organize and share their media.
What To Watch On Plex
Plex's free plan provides access to thousands of movies. That's largely thanks to streaming partnerships with the likes of Legendary, Lionsgate, MGM and Warner Brothers. But don't expect to find big Hollywood hits or endless engaging dramas available on premium streaming services.
Some of the best movies available on Plex include Robert De Niro's depiction of boxer Jake La Motta in Raging Bull, Tom Cruise trying to earn a fortune out of his autistic brother played by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man and a classic road trip adventure with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in Thelma & Louise. Other top options include Deadfall, a thriller about a botched casino heist starring Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde and Filth, which stars James McAvoy and Jamie Bell in a movie adaption of Irvine Welsh's novel about a drug-addicted cop struggling with bipolar disorder.
Best Plex Server Os
Plex's movie library is also home to plenty of classic coming of age comedies. These include teen comedy 100 Girls, which stars Jaime Pressley and Katherine Heigl, classic summer camp action with Bill Murray in Meatballs and Michael J. Fox playing a high school student who turns into a werewolf in Teen Wolf.
Science fiction fans have plenty of movie options on Plex, including Kurt Russell, starring as a one-eyed convict tasked with saving the President following a plane crash in Escape From New York. Viewers can also join the hunt for mysterious beings in Magellan and scientists tracking down an alien seductress hunting human prey in Species.
Horror and gore fans are also well-served with a section dedicated to zombie movies, of which the pick is George A. Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead. It also includes titles like Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, The Zombinator, Zombie Apocalypse and Zombie Night.
Plex offers a nice range of eye-opening documentaries, such as 7 Days In Syria, in which a journalist uncovers the suffering of people in a war-torn country. Other options include Being Evel, which explores the life of legendary stuntman Evel Knievel, I'm Still Here, the story of actor Joaquin Phoenix quitting his film career to become a hip-hop musician and The U.S. vs. John Lennon, which follows The Beatles member's rise from musician to an anti-war activist. Music fans will also enjoy documentaries like Adele: Homecoming, Nas: Time Is Illmatic and The Outrageous World of Katy Perry.
Top TV shows on Plex include British medieval drama Merlin, which stars Colin Morgan as a young sorcerer serving the mythical future King Arthur. It's also home to several science fiction series, such as Andromeda, Earth: Final Conflict and Mutant X.
In addition to this on-demand content, Plex users can also watch web shows for free, including trending content and videos tailored to users' viewing history. These web shows are sorted into categories like Caught On Camera, Latest In Tech, Latest Trailers, Personalities and Pop Culture, Pets & Animals, Science and Sports & Hobbies.
Plex also offers a News service that collates video content from 190 global publishers to keep users on top of the latest events around the world.
Paid Plex members can also access live TV through the service and record and download shows to watch on the go. The channels available are dependent on users' location, but live TV options typically include access to major networks like CBS, CNN, ESPN, FOX, MLB Network and SportsNet.
Signing up for a Plex account also enables users to get a discount on Tidal's library of 60 million music tracks in up to high-fidelity sound quality. Streaming music through Tidal requires an active subscription to the service, and non-paying subscribers can only listen to 30-second snippets of tracks.
Plex is also home to around 900 podcasts, which users can explore by genre, name, popularity and release date. The most popular podcasts on the platform include Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, the award-winning drum & bass and jungle music Hospital Records Podcast and the eclectic comedy show The Blindboy Podcast.
Plex Cost And Plans
The Plex Media Server can be downloaded and used for free. Users can manage the server from the web app to add personal media files, stream online content and set up access to live TV broadcasts.
Plex provides several plans for users to choose from, but its movie and TV streaming service is available for free. They can also access limited versions of Plex's mobile and web apps without paying a cent. However, Plex limits music and video streaming on the free mobile app to just one minute and watermarks photos until the user makes an in-app purchase or buys a Plex Pass subscription.
Upgrading to Plex Pass for $4.99/mo. provides users with access to Plex's mobile apps plus live TV and cloud DVR storage. It also enables users to download content to enjoy offline on Android and iOS devices, hook their media server up to their home entertainment system, access their content playing history and unlock Plex's premium sound quality.
Plex Premium costs $9.99/mo. and includes everything on Plex Pass, with the addition of advanced music features. These include useful tools like library augmentation, loudness leveling and sweet fades, while users can also gain access to Tidal hubs, playlists and recommendations.
The Tidal HiFi + Plex Pass plan provides access to high-fidelity streaming of 60 million tracks, 240,000 videos plus 1000+ movies and shows. All paid-for Plex services are available to try out with a 30-day free trial.
Device Compatibility
Plex is compatible with all operating systems, browsers and mobile devices. This includes Alexa products, such as Amazon Echo. Smart TVs are also compatible, including Android TV and Apple TV, as are mobile devices such as Android and Apple iOS. Plex can also be accessed via streaming devices such as Google Chromecast, Nvidia Shield, Sonos smart speakers, Roku devices and some gaming consoles.
Streaming quality
Plex automatically selects users' video streaming quality based on their internet connection. Its streaming quality ranges between 192 Kbps and 20 Mbps and can be adjusted using the Limit Remote Stream Bitrate setting in the Plex Media Server's Remote Access settings. Users can also tweak settings such as cellular data usage and home streaming levels. The Plex player features 10-second rewind and 30-second fast forward buttons that enable users to skip through content.
Plex's partnership with music streaming service Tidal provides high-quality listening, allowing users to select between premium and high-fidelity quality to get the most out of their collection.
Simple Media Management
Plex simplifies the task of storing and organizing personal media content, such as movies and music collections. The service enables users to store their own media alongside the content they stream. Plex's software then enables them to organize, stream and share personal collections of movies, TV shows, music and photos anywhere on multiple devices.
The Plex web player presents users with a simple-to-navigate platform organized into Movies & TV Shows, Web Shows, News, Podcasts and Music tabs. It also includes a Your Media section that requires users to download the Plex Media Server.
Can I Cut the Cable TV Cord With Plex?
Plex offers an interesting option for people looking to cut the cord on cable TV. Not only does it provide free on-demand video, but it also offers paid subscribers live TV and high-quality music and podcasts. Compare it to Hulu + Live TV or Sling. The service will be particularly appealing to people with sizeable personal media libraries who are looking for a convenient way to organize, share and store content. Furthermore, people with a compatible TV antenna and tuner can watch local TV live through the Plex app.
Current as of June 2020*