Google Stadia Game Price Guide: Are They Worth It?

Which launch titles should you buy for the device?

The Google Stadia officially launched today, and despite all the fanfare that the company put behind it, many have mixed feelings about the cloud streaming service. That said, there are several games available for it, including some of this year’s top titles.

With a price list officially revealed, it’s time to take a close look at the launch line-up and see if they’re worth purchasing. Let’s run down what’s available!

The Launch Line-Up

• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey — $60 standard (or $30 with Stadia Pro), $120 Ultimate ($60 with Stadia Pro) — It’s a huge adventure to be sure, but nowadays you can find it on sale around the $20 and $30 range. If you can get it on Stadia Pro, go for it. Otherwise, skip it.
• Gylt — $30 — As the only exclusive title in the Google Stadia library (the others are ports of existing games), this one’s got innovation to spare. And it’s from Tequila Works, so it’s got something unique to offer.

• Just Dance 2020 — $50 — If you like dancing games, and can somehow configure the Google Stadia to read your moves accurately, this could be a good choice for your next party. Otherwise, skip it.
• Kine — $20 — This neatly designed puzzle game offers up some great innovation, and will keep devoted players busy for hours on end. It’s definitely worth the price if you’re into this sort of game.
• Mortal Kombat 11 — $60 standard (or $42 with Stadia Pro), $90 ($63 with Stadia Pro) — An excellent fighting game, to be sure, and the DLC with the Terminator and Shang Tsung adds to a great degree. But it’s on sale through other outlets. Maybe look around first.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 — $60 standard, $80 Special Edition, $100 Ultimate Edition — This game offers a beautiful open-world that’s worth exploring, as well as excellent storytelling. But early reports indicate that it’s not a peak performer compared to the other versions on the market. Until they improve it, hold off.

• Samurai Shodown — $60 — One of this year’s most captivating beat-em-ups comes to Stadia. It’s a great deal of fun, though more challenging than the usual fare. Get the right group to play with you, and you’re in for a good time.
• Thumper — $20 — A nerve-wracking music/rhythm game that guides you down a fast track, avoiding corners and taking on occasional enemies. There are some questions with performance, but there’s no experience like this out there in this genre.
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition — $60 — While this is the ultimate adventure in the Lara Croft trilogy, the price is a little tough to come by, especially when you consider that other versions are on sale around the $20-$30 range.
• Rise of the Tomb Raider — $30 — Again, a great Croft adventure, brought down by ridiculously high pricing when other versions are much cheaper.
• Tomb Raider — $20 (or $10 with Stadia Pro) — This one’s slightly more reasonable when it comes to price, particularly if you have the Stadia Pro option. But it doesn’t offer that much to show off the innovation of the system.
• Final Fantasy XV — $40 (or $30 with Stadia Pro) — Once again, this is an older title offered at a cheaper price on other platforms. It probably looks pretty good on the Stadia, but it doesn’t even note if it comes with the additional content. Seek out another version.

• Attack On Titan 2: Final Battle — $60 — For anime fans, this is a one-stop-shop for hack-and-slash goodness. With the included Final Battle content, Attack On Titan 2 feels like a complete package. Definitely worth the value if you didn’t pick it up already.
• Destiny 2: The Collection — Free with Stadia Pro — Well, it’s free, so, yeah, worth checking out.
• Farming Simulator 19 — $40 standard, $50 Platinum — If you can’t live without farming, this is the ultimate sim to pass the time with. But with older versions on the market for a lower price, this one’s only for those die-hard grain growers.
• Football Manager 2020 — $50 — Just released, this sim takes you through all the sim elements of running a great soccer team. It’s not for everyone’s tastes, but if you’ve got the patience to manage everything, it’s well worth partaking in.

• GRiD — $60 standard, $85 Ultimate Edition — One of the best racing games you can get your hands on right now, GRiD is worth the investment if you need to get your throttle on. It looks like early performance tests are going well with it, too. Go ahead, rev that engine.
• Metro Exodus — $40 standard (or $20 with Stadia Pro), $65 Gold Edition ($29.25 with Stadia Pro) — One of this year’s most underrated games, Metro Exodus is a truly involving first-person adventure. And if you’ve got Stadia Pro, the price is undoubtedly worth it.
• NBA 2K20 — $60 standard (or $30 with Stadia Pro), $80 Digital Deluxe Edition ($40 with Stadia Pro), $100 Legend Edition (or $50 Stadia Pro) — Sports fanatics should step right up to this title, as it’s one of the best sims yet. But stick with the standard edition unless you need all that extra currency.
• Rage 2 — $60 standard, $80 Deluxe Edition — Again, this game didn’t get all the attention it deserved, because it’s a fun open-world shooter. It might be available for a lower price on other platforms, but the additional DLC and hours’ worth of action and mayhem make it worthwhile.

• Trials Rising — $25 standard, $40 Gold Edition — The Trials series continues superbly with this sequel, loaded with a ton of new challenges. It’s priced reasonably well, and the Gold Edition packs on additional DLC to keep your motor running.
• Wolfenstein Youngblood — $30 standard — Although not as good as Wolfenstein II, Youngblood does have its fair share of thrills. Wait and see how the performance holds up first, though, because you’ll need an online co-op partner to get the most out of this game.