Xbox Game Pass vs. New PS Plus: how do they stack up?

techradar.com:

Sony unveiled its revamped PlayStation Plus subscription service this week, but how does it stack up against Microsoft's offering?

The all-new PS Plus is PlayStation's answer to Xbox Game Pass – at least that's what we keep hearing. It combines the PS Now games-on-demand service with PS Plus. So you'll get access to a library of games to download and stream, combined with online multiplayer, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts. 

Game Pass has made the Xbox Series X incredibly appealing. And thanks to Xbox Cloud Gaming, the cheaper Xbox Series S is also becoming a viable option for super serious gamers; it's not just for kids, folks! 

But has Sony gone far enough to shore up the widening gap between itself and Microsoft in terms of the services they both offer? Let's break down the new PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass to see which one comes out on top.   

It's worth noting that the single-platform Xbox Game Pass options don't include Xbox Live Gold, which lets you play online, and gives you free monthly games as well as exclusive discounts. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold. 

Similarly, PS Plus (which is becoming PS Plus Essential) doesn't include a library of games; it's on par with Xbox Live. The Extra and Premium tiers incorporate the PS Now catalog of games to stream and download, bringing those two offerings in line with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. 

I'm saving the price for last because we need a bit of context in terms of what exactly it is we're coughing up cash for. 

Xbox Game Pass' main draw is its giant library of games spanning four console generations. That means players can peruse titles from the OG Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.  

Backwards compatibility has been something Xbox has kept