PlayStation consoles are harder than ever to find in stock thanks to everyone looking for more ways to enjoy their time spent at home lately. If you've recently gotten your hands on a PlayStation 4 console, the very next purchase you make for your new console should be on PlayStation Plus or PlayStation Now (or both).
From free games to online multiplayer access, there are countless reasons why PlayStation gamers shouldn't play without these services. While both are normally priced at $59.99 per year, right now Amazon is offering a 30% discount on both services so you can buy a year of PlayStation Now or Playstation Plus for $41.99 each. That's like paying just $3.50 per month, rather than the usual $9.99 price when you subscribe on a month-to-month plan. You'll receive a digital code to use on your account immediately after purchase so you can access all the games and features today.
There are a ton of benefits that come with having a PlayStation Plus membership like free games and discounts on digital downloads and DLC at the PlayStation Store, but the most important is that it scores you access to online multiplayer gaming modes in most PlayStation games. There are even some games you can't play whatsoever without a membership, including some of last year's best-sellers. This makes having a membership worth the cost even if you don't take advantage of the rest of its features.
My personal favorite benefit of PlayStation Plus are the free games you receive every month. You get to keep these games for as long as you're a member — even if your subscription ends and then you sign back up later. The games offered can be hit or miss, but there's usually several titles offered throughout the year that you won't want to miss. Through the end of this month, PlayStation Plus members can download Star Wars Battlefront II and Call of Duty: WWII for free.
Meanwhile, PlayStation Now gives PlayStation gamers the ability to play over 800 PS2, PS3 and PS4 games on a PlayStation 4 console or PC, with the option to either stream or download. New titles appear every month, so you'll always have something new to play. Many PlayStation-exclusive games are included too, such as Bloodborne, The Last of Us, Uncharted, and God of War.
From popular best-sellers to family-friendly games, sports and racing titles, and so much more, the options are endless. It's also a perfect service to have access to while physical game stores like GameStop are closed due to stay-at-home measures. You don't need PlayStation Plus to start using PlayStation Now on your account, though it would unlock online multiplayer and many other features.
Looking for a new console? You can find discounts on PlayStation 4 consoles and bundles in our cheap PS4 deals roundup. For those searching for even more to play, this list of best PlayStation 4 games of 2020 includes a selection of must-play games to check out. A few of them are available on PlayStation Now, so be wary of purchasing any that you might be able to play for free with a subscription.
