The Xbox Games Store (previously called Xbox LIVE Marketplace) was a way for people to buy and download games online. It was used by the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Users could download or buy video games, extra parts for games they already owned, game previews, and other items like pictures and themes for their consoles.
The PlayStation Store (PS Store) is an online service that lets users of Sony’s PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 game consoles buy and download games and other content through the PlayStation Network. The store provides many items that can be purchased or downloaded for free. These include complete games, extra content for games, short versions of games to try (called playable demos), decorative themes, and previews of games and movies (called trailers).
The Nintendo eShop is a service that lets people buy and download games, apps, and videos for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It was also used earlier for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U through the Nintendo Network. The eShop started in June 2011 on the Nintendo 3DS and replaced the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop.
Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is an online subscription service created by Nintendo for its video game consoles, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It is the third version of Nintendo’s online service after Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and the Nintendo Network. The service officially began on September 18, 2018.
The Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service provided by Microsoft Gaming as part of the Xbox platform. It was launched on June 1, 2017, and allows users to download and play video games on various devices, including video game consoles, Microsoft Windows computers, Android and iOS mobile devices, iPadOS tablets, web browsers, smart televisions, and through cloud technology. The service includes a collection of games that changes over time.
The Xbox network, previously called Xbox Live, is an online gaming and media service created by Microsoft Gaming for Xbox consoles. It was first introduced with the original Xbox on November 15, 2002. An improved version with the Xbox Live Marketplace became available when the Xbox 360 launched in November 2005, and another updated version was released with the Xbox One in 2013.
PlayStation Now (PS Now) was a separate video game subscription service created by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It allowed users to play PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4 games online. These games could be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows computers.
PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital entertainment service created by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It began in November 2006 and was first designed for PlayStation video game consoles. Over time, it expanded to include smartphones, tablets, Blu-ray players, and high-definition televisions.
itch.io (written in all lowercase letters) is a website where users can share, sell, and download independent video games, role-playing games, game materials, comics, zines, and music. It was started in March 2013 by Leaf Corcoran. As of November 2024, the site hosts more than 1,000,000 items.
Humble Bundle, Inc. is an online store for video games. It started by offering special collections of games called Humble Bundles.