Samsung Gaming Hub expands with Amazon Luna’s addition

By Tomas Franzese Published August 3, 2022

Samsung Gaming Hub’s hold on cloud gaming just got a little bit stronger with the addition of Amazon Luna. Starting today, August 3, those who own Samsung’s 2022 smart TVs can see what Amazon Luna’s cloud gaming subscription service offers.

Samsung previously confirmed that Amazon Luna would come to the service, but it was not part of Samsung Gaming Hub as it originally rolled out on June 30 with cloud gaming services like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Xbox Game Pass. After today, Samsung Gaming Hub users in North America can access Amazon Luna, which brings the total number of streamable games on the hub to over 1,000.

The Amazon Luna app running through Samsung Gaming Hub. — Amazon

Amazon Luna is a channel-based cloud gaming platform that first entered beta in late 2020. Digital Trends reviewed the platform earlier this year, but only gave it two-and-a-half stars. “Amazon Luna is a decent cloud gaming platform let down by a lack of compelling experiences,” the review says. “Content is king, and with stiff competition from now-restructured Stadia and Game Pass-driven Xbox Cloud Gaming, Luna doesn’t do much to stand out. It has some uses for very specific audiences and situations, but that isn’t enough to justify a monthly subscription for most people.”

Recommended Videos

Although we don’t think this is an amazing service, it’s still worth checking out for Samsung Gaming Hub users if they have an Amazon Prime subscription. Amazon Prime members can access a few games on Amazon Luna, free of charge, each month, so they’ll always have something to play. Throughout August, Amazon Prime members can play Control: Ultimate Edition, Steel Assault, a remake of Myst, and Garfield Kart: Furious Racing for free.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Samsung Gaming Hub is available now on 2022 Smart TVs at the BU8000 model and above and Samsung’s Smart Monitors Series.

Topics

Gaming Staff Writer

As a Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…

Gaming

Amazon’s latest game is definitely not what you’re expecting

Characters run down stairs in King of Meat.

After a whirlwind few years, I thought I’d finally gotten a handle on Amazon Games’ style. The publisher has started finding success with games like New World and Lost Ark, both of which cater to the kinds of hardcore PC players who love dense RPGs. I figured that would be the company’s focus going forward as it settled into a big genre niche and made a play for a more international audience.

And then I played King of Meat.

Gaming

Play this 2016 cyberpunk classic for free on Prime Gaming this month

Adam Jensen breaking through glass with a sword.

Amazon announced its August Prime Gaming lineup on Thursday, and it's bringing some Square Enix classics. One such title is the cyberpunk RPG Deux Ex: Mankind Divided, which might scratch that stealth, crawling through vents itch.

Deus Ex is one of the more well-known cyberpunk video game franchises thanks to its innovative immersive sim mechanics. Players can approach obstacles and goals in various ways, from stealth to straight-up combat, from hacking and lock-picking to looting weapons from enemies.

Gaming

New Xbox Game Pass additions are looking quite wholesome

A character flies on a bird in Flock.

Xbox Game Pass looks a bit quiet for the rest of July, but looks can be deceiving. Three indies, a long-awaited action RPG, and a gorgeous genre mash-up are just some of the games that'll soon be available. However, Xbox is only announcing additions up to July 19.

There are some comforting games at the top of the list. First, we have Flock, an indie title that combines the joys of birdwatching and the fun of flying on the back of a giant bird (we assume it's fun). Either way, section editor Giovanni Colantonio called it a "pleasant expedition to a colorful world that might help you better appreciate your own," and it's out now.