By: Nick Gambino
Netflix has been synonymous with movies and TV for a couple decades now, but it was only two years ago that they decided they wanted to take over mobile gaming as well. In that time, they’ve released over 80 games you can play right on your phone, all tied directly to your monthly Netflix subscription.
Well, get ready for some more fun. The streaming company has just announced they’re adding new titles, including the wildly popular Sonic Mania Plus. This is the first time this game is getting a mobile release and it’s exclusive to Netflix.
“By year’s end, we’ll have 86 games available – all available with every Netflix membership without ads, in-app purchases or extra fees,” the Vice President of Games for Netflix, Mike Verdu, said in a blog announcement. “And with nearly 90 more games in development, we’re just getting started.”
Sonic Mania Plus is one of four new games hitting the platform in 2024. Sonic Mania dropped in console and PC form back in 2017 and a year later got the “Plus” added to its title when it released new characters, levels and even a new game mode.
The Netflix version of the game will apparently retain all of the features and characters of the console version, so they’re not skimping for mobile.
The three other titles featured in Netflix’s announcement video are Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, FashionVerse and Game Dev Tycoon. A number of other titles with no specifics were also announced, including games based on Rebel Moon and Squid Game, two Netflix originals.
If you’re new to Netflix Games, it’s pretty easy to get started. Launch the Netflix app and either go to the Games category or search for a game. Let’s say you want to play the ultra-retro TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge which is essentially the Ninja Turtles arcade a lot of 80s and 90s kids remember from back in the day. Search for that and then press “Get Game.” You’ll download it for free as if you were downloading from the App Store. Now you’re ready to play.
You’ll be able to find it in your Games row in the Netflix app or directly on your device as if it’s any other game you’ve downloaded in the past. The difference is it’s connected to your Netflix subscription and so doesn’t have any in-app purchases. Everything is just “free.”
