Plex Arcade brings classic Atari games and your favorite emulators to Android TV

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Plex Arcade Lifestyle
Plex Arcade Lifestyle (Image credit: Plex)

What you need to know

  • Plex partnered with Atari to launch a library of retro video games.
  • The cloud gaming service was created through a partnership with Parsec to achieve low-latency gaming.
  • You can try out the new service free for 7 days, after which you can pay just $3 a month.

Plex is one of the more interesting digital content providers in that it allows users to store media in a server and stream it from nearly anywhere. Sure, some streaming services like Netflix lets you "download" content, but when it's no longer available on the service, it's gone. With Plex, users can host their own server of content, and thanks to the latest partnership with Atari and Parsec, Plex subscribers can now add retro video games to their catalog!

Plex Arcade Devices

Source: Plex (Image credit: Source: Plex)

Plex Labs announced that it's testing out a new game streaming service called Plex Arcade. Unlike some of the best game streaming apps like Stadia or Xbox Game Pass, Plex Arcade focuses on retro video games like Centipede, Lunar Landar, and Motor Psycho thanks to its partnership with Atari. And to ensure a seamless gaming experience, Plex partnered with another popular game streaming app, Parsec, to offer low-latency streaming.

We've actually kicked the idea around for years, and given that over the last year we've been looking for new ways to entertain and distract ourselves, we decided to finally make it happen. And we gotta say, the results are super cool!

Plex Arcade is described as an "internal Kickstarter-type project" and very much a work-in-progress. Depending on how well it's received, the company could continue to expand on the project, otherwise, it could just be phased out. The company notes that due to some limitations, the servers for Plex Arcade will only be compatible with Windows and macOS, while gameplay is restricted to Android TV and smartphones, iOS and tvOS, and Chrome web browser. And since it's cloud gaming, even the best cheap Android phones can get in on the fun.

For those interested in trying Plex Arcade out, there's a free 7-day trial, after which you can pay $5 per month or just $3 for Plex Pass subscribers.

Plex Icon

Plex Pass

Plex Pass takes an already-great service and unlocks a host of exciting features that make it even better. With mobile sync, automatic camera uploads, live TV and DVR, and shared libraries, Plex Pass has a lot to offer, including a discount for the new Plex Arcade cloud gaming service. And for all that, you can start off for just $5 a month.

Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
Managing Editor

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.