Which online game service is best?

You probably play videogames online. But which online console games service gives you the best bang for your buck? Here’s everything you need to know to make the decision.

XBOX LIVE

• Has a free version that doesn’t allow you to play online games for free, but does offer free avatars, automatic game updates and access to streaming video services.
• For $40 yearly, Xbox Live Gold gives you one or two free games monthly and deep Xbox Store discounts, let you save your games to the Cloud, and offers broadcasting on Twitch only.
• Game Room lets you download Classic Arcade games and compete against others.
• Offers more than 30 apps, including sports TV services like ESPN and MLB.TV.
• Windows phones let you play about 150 smaller Xbox Live games like Fruit Ninja, but there aren’t any multiplayer games — yet.

PLAYSTATION NETWORK

• Lets you play games online for free, and gives you free avatars and automatic game updates.
• For $50 a year, PlayStation Plus offers you some free games, deep PlayStation Store discounts, the ability to broadcast live on Twitch and other game streaming services, and game saves in the Cloud.
• PlayStation Plus also gives you Share Play in which a friend online can play with you even if he or she doesn’t own the game.
• Offers more than 40 apps, including Netflix and YouTube.
• PlayStation Now streams a full library of 200 Sony games (mostly PS3 offerings), but it costs a mammoth $45 for just three months.

NINTENDO NETWORK

• The service is free. It also lets you compete online for free and offers avatars and automatic game updates.
• Inviting friends to play can be difficult.
• Nintendo eShop is filled with classic Nintendo games, but some are expensive. The eShop for 3DS is good but never fulfilled its promise to offer 3-D movies.
• Doesn’t offer free games monthly.
• Offers apps like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Instant Video.