Google Stadia is a streaming service that lets you play console and PC games on a variety of different devices without needing to own the actual hardware. Other than that, it acts like any other console, giving you the option to buy games that you can play; albeit immediately, without having to download the game or any updates.
There's a Basic tier, which is free, and Pro, which comes at a monthly cost and gives you games to play at no extra cost, the ability to play in 4K and 5.1 surround sound, and regular deals on purchases of games. Either way, you can play Stadia on any laptop and TV, although the latter will require you to buy a Chromecast Ultra. It is also compatible with some phones and tablets. You'll also need a compatible controller, although Google has released an official controller if you don't have one lying around.
In this guide, we'll detail everything you need to know about Stadia, including a full list of Stadia games, which controllers, phones, and tablets are supported, and more.
Google Stadia Pro is currently free for two months and is slowly rolling out to 14 different countries over the next 48 hours (at press time). We'll let you know how you can participate in this guide so you can get the most out of it. Simply click or tap the relevant link below to jump into that section of the guide.
How to get Google Stadia Pro for free?
Google announced on April 8 that it would provide two months of free Stadia Pro for the 14 countries in which the service is currently available, in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The service will be rolled out in the next 48 hours and you can grab it right now from the official website.
Here's how to get your two months of Stadia Pro for free in stages:
- Visit the official website
- Tap “Register with your invite code”
- Log into your Gmail account
- Confirm your email (leave the field empty)
- Tap “Yes, I agree to the Stadua Terms of Service” and tap “Next”
- Select an avatar (and tell yourself you can't use a custom avatar) and click "Next"
- Choose your stadium name and click “Next”
- Select your privacy settings (you must fill in all fields) and click “Next”
- Choose whether or not to receive updates by email and click "Next"
- Tap “Start Trial” and start playing
Here are some important points to note:
- You need to enter your credit card details to get your two free months and you'll start paying automatically when it's over. To avoid this, be sure to unsubscribe before the two months are up, which you can do from Stadia's settings screen.
- You can still play in 4K, despite reports to the contrary. You will need to download the official Stadia mobile app and change your quality settings there.
- If you buy a game during your free two months of Stadia Pro, you can still play it at no additional cost when your subscription ends. You will, however, lose the ability to play in 4K with 5.1 surround sound.
What is Google Stadia?
Google Stadia is a video game streaming service that lets you play games while connected to Wi-Fi without the need to purchase hardware. It offers 1080p games with stereo sound for free (though you have to buy the actual games to play them) and you can pay a free monthly subscription to get Stadia Pro, which supports 4K resolution and 5.1 surround sound. Both levels feature 60fps gameplay.
How much does Google Stadia cost?
If you have a compatible device, you can get Google Stadia for free; but you will have to buy all the games you want to play. Otherwise, you'll need a Chromecast Ultra to play on a compatible TV and controller. Google has put together a package that brings together everything you need to get started in its Stadia Premiere Edition, which includes a Chromecast Ultra, an official controller, and three months of Stadia Pro. It costs $129,99 (£119).
What is Google Stadia Pro and how much does it cost?
Google Stadia Pro is the premium subscription, which gets you 4K gaming, 5.1 surround sound support, games at no extra cost, and exclusive offers. It costs $9,99 (£8,99) per month.
What devices can I play Google Stadia on?
You can play Google Stadia on any TV with a Chromecast Ultra and on any laptop (Windows or Mac). It is also available on the following compatible phones and tablets:
- Pixel 2, 2XL, 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4XL
- Samsung S8, S8 +, S8 Active, Note 8
- Samsung S9, S9 +, Note 9
- Samsung S10, S10 +, Note 10, Note 10+
- Samsung S20, S20 +, S20 Ultra
- Asus ROG Phone, ROG Phone II
- Razer Phone, Razer Phone II
Which controllers are compatible?
It depends on how you play Google Stadia. If you're using a Chromecast Ultra connected to a TV, you need the official Stadia controller. No other controller is compatible in this case.
However, if you're playing on a compatible laptop or mobile device, you can use the following controllers:
- stadium controller
- Keyboard and mouse (PC only)
- DualShock 4
- Xbox One Controller
- Manette Xbox One Elite (USB uniquement)
- Xbox Adaptive Controller
- Xbox 360 controller (USB only)
- Switch Pro Controller (PC only)
In which countries is Google Stadia currently available?
Google Stadia is currently only available in the following 14 countries:
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- UK
- USA
List of Google Stadia games
Confirmed
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Cris Tales
- cyberpunk 2077
- Destroy all humans
- Doom 64
- Get excited
- Gods and monsters
- gunsport
- Just Shapes & Beats
- Lost Words: Beyond the Page
- Marvel's Avengers
- Monopoly
- Monster Jam Steel Titans
- MotoGP20
- The orcs must die! 3
- Panzer Dragoon
- Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
- relicta
- Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break
- Very hot
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- The Turing Test
- Watch Dogs Legion
- 2 Windjammers
Stadia Pro
- Destiny 2: the collection
- Grid
- Gylt
- Serious Sam Collection
- spitlings
- Batteries on batteries (on batteries)
- SteamWorld Dig 2
- Steam World Quest
- Thumper
Available now
- Assassin's Creed Odyssey
- Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle
- Borderlands 3
- Darksiders Genesis
- Condemn
- Doom Eternal
- Dragonball Xenoverse 2
- Farming Simulator 19
- Final Fantasy XV
- F
- Ghost Recon Breakpoint
- Just Dance 2020
- Livestock
- Metro Exodus
- Monster Energy Supercross 3
- Mortal Kombat 11
- NBA 2K20
- 2 Rage
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Samurai Shodown
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- SteamWorld Dig
- Steamworld heist
- The Crew 2
- Tom Clancy's The 2 Division
- Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
- Rising trials
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood
