Google Stadia gaming finally works on every Chromecast Ultra

Stadia logo
Stadia logo (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google had said Stadia bundle buyers could use their existing Chromecast Ultra as well.
  • Stadia Twitter announced all Chromecast Ultra devices will be able to use Stadia now.
  • Gamers still need to buy a bundle that includes another Chromecast Ultra.

When Google's Stadia gaming service launched a month ago, you needed to buy a Founder's or a Premiere bundle that included a Chromecast Ultra, even if you already had one. If you were an owner, Google said Stadia would work with your existing Ultra as well.

Unfortunately, existing Chromecast Ultra devices needed a firmware update, and that update has finally been pushed to all Chromecast Ultra devices. After a long month being left in the cold, Google's Stadia Twitter account has tweeted that all Chromecast Ultra devices are ready to play.

Even though Stadia is a streaming gaming service, you still need a premium Chromecast Ultra to play — it won't work with the original Chromecast). The Ultra has much faster Wi-Fi radios than the original, as well as offering ethernet connectivity and faster internal processing for a smooth experience. Under optimal conditions, Stadia can achieve 4K resolution running at 60fps.

This update was pushed to a few Chromecast Ultra users before today's announcement, but it seems these were users who signed up for beta testing as part of Google's Chromecast Ultra Preview Plan. It will be interesting to see if updated Chromecast Ultra devices will have the overheating problems that we have been following.

Philip Berne