Who has never done any gaming on their smartphone ? Prior to this purchase ... i would say ME !!
I do however enjoy gaming, and I have a full laptop gaming setup and QHD monitor at home. I had previously owned a steam deck for handheld use, but i must admit it wasn't used much. So when I had seen the reviews of the raw processor power of the S25 ultra, I had to give it a try !
I have put a few comments below to help with anyone that might want to consider gaming for the first time, or don't really know about the tools and options available.
1) The first step was to get a game controller for the smartphone. There are many options available for varying budgets...with backbone, Gamesir and Razer being amongst the most popular. I decided to go towards the top end as i am intending on using this for a long time to come. I bought a Razer Kishi Ultra as it seemed fitting to go ultra with my ultra ! 😃 And i mean who doesn't like a bit of RGB right ?
I do however enjoy gaming, and I have a full laptop gaming setup and QHD monitor at home. I had previously owned a steam deck for handheld use, but i must admit it wasn't used much. So when I had seen the reviews of the raw processor power of the S25 ultra, I had to give it a try !
I have put a few comments below to help with anyone that might want to consider gaming for the first time, or don't really know about the tools and options available.
1) The first step was to get a game controller for the smartphone. There are many options available for varying budgets...with backbone, Gamesir and Razer being amongst the most popular. I decided to go towards the top end as i am intending on using this for a long time to come. I bought a Razer Kishi Ultra as it seemed fitting to go ultra with my ultra ! 😃 And i mean who doesn't like a bit of RGB right ?
With the ultra's in my hand, it was now time to consider the gaming platforms to use. I have an extensive steam library for my PC gaming (and previous steam deck) so it seemed sensible to start there.
Razer Nexus Menu structure
The Razer controller has an in-built menu structure which is extremely good and one of the reasons for my choice. This is 'subscription free' and brings together many of the various gaming companies into one easily accessible menu structure. Most other controllers also have a similar interface, some are with subscription (like the backbone) and others are free.
Razer Nexus Menu structure
The Razer controller has an in-built menu structure which is extremely good and one of the reasons for my choice. This is 'subscription free' and brings together many of the various gaming companies into one easily accessible menu structure. Most other controllers also have a similar interface, some are with subscription (like the backbone) and others are free.
Example of startup Nexus menu
Steam link
For anyone that owns a PC game setup, it is very easy to use the steam link application to use the library of games. A simple android play store installation of steam link, and you are able to pair your phone with the gaming PC and play all games from your library.
The gameplay is typically very good with this method, although one limitation is that your gaming PC will need to be running in the background and your phone can pair to the PC and use it's resources when you are sitting in another room, or outside the house. Some portability when in the vicinity of your home. Of course this does pose some limitations, but is an option for locally played games.. It is smooth, playable and taps into all your library.
This screenshot below shows god of war being played on the Kishi and S25u, whilst sitting in front of my PC to show the synchronous gameplay.
Nvidia Geforce Now
Geforce Now is another way to play games from your owned libraries. Whether this is from Epic games, Steam, Ubisoft or other game sites, the Geforce Now application will allow you to play. It DOES NOT allow all of your games library and you need to check their website about which games are supported and which are not.
Play Your Games Anywhere | GeForce NOW | NVIDIA
This is typically a subscription service, and the paid membership can cost on a daily, monthly or 6 monthly pass. They do restrict users though, so sometimes (like today for example) there are no passes available, as clearly they have reached their number of users.
Play Your Games Anywhere | GeForce NOW | NVIDIA
This is typically a subscription service, and the paid membership can cost on a daily, monthly or 6 monthly pass. They do restrict users though, so sometimes (like today for example) there are no passes available, as clearly they have reached their number of users.
Typically the performance will be far better for the paid services but there is a free service, although the way it works is to sit in a waiting queue until it is your turn and then you have 1 hour of gameplay time. The paid service will give 6 or 8 hour sessions on faster servers. Depending on your game regime, might justify paying for a month pass.
I have used the free pass although during a quiet period. A short time ago i attempted to and i was in a queue of 67 players and waited for 20 minutes before deciding to use another platform instead. This is however a good free option when off peak and if you own a library of games across some of the PC platforms.
I have used the free pass although during a quiet period. A short time ago i attempted to and i was in a queue of 67 players and waited for 20 minutes before deciding to use another platform instead. This is however a good free option when off peak and if you own a library of games across some of the PC platforms.
XBOX Ultimate
The XBOX ultimate membership is a fantastic way to 'cloud game' to the next level. This subscription service for Ultimate will cost you £14.99 a month (sometimes cheaper 3 month memberships are available if you shop around).
You do NOT have to own these games, although if you have an XBOX ownership I believe you may be able to play your own library.
The games on here are really good... many new released AAA titles and at your disposal with an ultimate game pass membership. Included in the membership is also the EA games pass which also brings in the franchises that are owned by EA, including fifa, Star wars, battlefield amongst others.
This would be my favourite choice and although it is a paid service, in my opinion is well worth the upfront cost, and particularly if you don't have ownership of a PC library of games.
Recently I have played the latest Indiana Jones Golden Circle, I am currently playing Jedi Survivor. These games have been running fantastically well with my S25 ultra during the past day or two. XBox game pass is recommended. If you are unsure then you can just do a single month trial and give it a try. Often there is a £1 code available to play for 30 days. What better time to try !!
A couple of gameplay screenshots from this evening.
The XBOX ultimate membership is a fantastic way to 'cloud game' to the next level. This subscription service for Ultimate will cost you £14.99 a month (sometimes cheaper 3 month memberships are available if you shop around).
You do NOT have to own these games, although if you have an XBOX ownership I believe you may be able to play your own library.
The games on here are really good... many new released AAA titles and at your disposal with an ultimate game pass membership. Included in the membership is also the EA games pass which also brings in the franchises that are owned by EA, including fifa, Star wars, battlefield amongst others.
This would be my favourite choice and although it is a paid service, in my opinion is well worth the upfront cost, and particularly if you don't have ownership of a PC library of games.
Recently I have played the latest Indiana Jones Golden Circle, I am currently playing Jedi Survivor. These games have been running fantastically well with my S25 ultra during the past day or two. XBox game pass is recommended. If you are unsure then you can just do a single month trial and give it a try. Often there is a £1 code available to play for 30 days. What better time to try !!
A couple of gameplay screenshots from this evening.
Playstation Remote Play
This method i do not have any experience with as I do not own a playstation. However I believe rather like the Steam link this requires your PS4 or PS5 to be switched on at home, but it does allow you to play anywhere with it connected.
Some details here, but I cannot offer any advice in this
PS Remote Play | Download the PS Remote Play app and stream games to your device | PlayStation (UK)
PS Remote Play | Download the PS Remote Play app and stream games to your device | PlayStation (UK)
Wrapping up with this gaming evaluation... i have found the S25 ultra to be a gaming beast when cloud gaming and playing some real 'full featured AAA' games with my Kishi controller and cloud services.
If you have NEVER played any games on your smartphone (candy crush doesn't count 😜!) , then "WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY"
Yours gamingly
If you have NEVER played any games on your smartphone (candy crush doesn't count 😜!) , then "WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY"
Yours gamingly
Smiley
