Level Up Your Entertainment: Exploring the World of Games on Netflix

After years of ignoring the matter, Netflix started cracking down on password-sharing. Since then, they have seen a boom in sign-ups. Within the last quarter of 2023, more than 13.1 million new subscribers joined. The streaming giant also stepped up their game with the inclusion of more than 80 online games currently on their platform. This is a big step for them as they enter the competitive online gaming world. However, compared to top mobile casinos, Netflix Games doesn’t offer mobile gamers and online casino enthusiasts in the UK the chance to win real money, but similar to online casino games, it offers fun entertainment with a variety of games to choose from.

The Evolution of Netflix’s Gaming Service

Netflix launched Netflix Games within their app back in November 2021. On the first day, they released only five games:

• Stranger Things: 1984 (BonusXP)
• Stranger Things 3: The Game (BonusXP)
• Shooting Hoops (Frosty Pop)
• Card Blast (Amuzo & Rogue Games)
• Teeter Up (Frosty Pop)

Today, the selection includes games from some of the biggest game developers, namely Night School Studio and Boss Fight Entertainment, as well as games created by Next Games. The latter is a Netflix Games Studio with a small, in-house team focused on games tied to popular movies and shows on the streaming platform.

Netflix game development and genres

The game developers’ focus falls squarely on games tailored to mobile devices. As such, mobile optimization affords players a seamless mobile gaming experience on both Android and iOS devices.

Netflix also caters to various kinds of players – whether you are a beginner or a lifelong gamer – with a diverse range of games with high-quality graphics. These are the genres you can choose from:

• Action
• Adventure
• Arcade
• Educational
• Idler
• Music
• Party
• Puzzles
• Racing
• Role playing
• Simulation
• Sports
• Strategy
• Tabletop

What are the Most Popular Games on Netflix?

As Netflix likes to keep things fresh and fun, they plan to launch a few more games in 2024. Upcoming game releases include “Squid Game”, “Rebel Moon”, and “Virgin River” – all based on existing Netflix-owned shows.

These join some of the fan favourites, such as the strategy game, “Into the Breach”, the puzzle game, “Krispee Street”, the interactive adventure, “Kentucky Route Zero”, and the famous Grand Theft Auto trilogy. Here are three more show-themed games you can enjoy.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

As the brainchild of comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, released in 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise has seen major success as an animated TV series accompanied by action figures. It didn’t take long before the franchise expanded to include video games.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is an action-packed, ‘80s-inspired fighting game. You simply have to choose a fighter and cowabunga your way to defeat your opponents.

Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales: Next Games

Based on the hugely popular Netflix series Stranger Things, this cartoon-inspired, puzzle-solving game takes you back to Hawkins and the Upside Down. Here, you can collect your favourite characters as you test your skills against the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer’s minions. It also includes never-before-seen enemies!

The Queen’s Gambit Chess

Like Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales: Next Games, this game is also based on an award-winning Netflix show. The game takes you back into Beth Harmon’s world, where you can compete against friends, seeing who the better chess player is. Apart from puzzles and matches, the game also allows you to take lessons and takes you on journeys to locations like the Methuen orphanage and the Las Vegas tournament.

Integration with Online Casino Themes

For now, there aren’t really any casino- or gambling-themed games on Netflix, but it should only be a matter of time before this changes. Mobile casino games are a popular pastime across all age groups in the UK. There are also numerous gambling movies available to stream, so it makes sense that Netflix will keep this door open for future development.

Whether they would include games that offer gamblers the chance to play for cash is open to speculation, though. Online gambling is a different ball game altogether, strictly regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. So, if they take that step, only time will tell.

How to View Netflix Games on Your Device

What if you can’t find a Netflix game?

While Netflix Games is user-friendly, it’s not completely flawless. If you’re struggling to find a particular game to download and play, it could be one of these reasons:

• Your mobile device does not meet the minimum requirements when it comes to compatibility.
• The device is not supported (Note: Netflix Games on TVs and PCs/Macs is still in its beta phase).
• You’re using a Kids profile.
• The maturity level settings on your profile are lower than the game’s maturity rating.
• The game has not launched yet.

What Makes Netflix Games Stand Out

Can you play games on Netflix? Yes, if you’re a subscriber. The biggest selling point of Netflix Games is that it’s free for their subscribers with no additional fees, ads, or in-app purchases. By adding games to their repertoire, they also offer people a comprehensive entertainment experience.

Reports thus far haven’t been as favourable, though. In October 2023, CNBC reported that fewer than 1% of their subscribers are logging in daily to play Netflix Games, stating that Netflix adopted a “crawl, walk, and run” strategy. But if the streaming service’s history is anything to go by, they should not be underestimated.

Yes, Netflix is still a newbie in the online gaming realm, but they have nearly 270 million subscribers worldwide. This gives them a massive advantage in the gaming industry, which has witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years.

Data by Statista found that there are nearly 37.7 million gamers in the United Kingdom, noting that more than 55% of the UK population play video games as a form of entertainment. Add then that approximately 97.5% of video game sales came from online sales, and you can see why this is a good time for Netflix Games to enter the market.

Unlock a Diverse World of Mobile Gaming on Netflix

By giving subscribers an eclectic mix of existing favourites, new games, and games inspired by their popular shows, Netflix is set to change the gaming world. The question now is, have you checked out the Netflix video games yet? If not, you should. They have something for everyone and plan to expand their range even more with a list of exciting new games set to come out this year. Don’t miss out!