The Amazon Luna cloud-streaming service is an awesome choice for anyone who wants to game without the need for expensive consoles or gaming PCs. If you’ve recently joined the service, we’ve put together this guide filled with tips to optimize your experience, as well as game recommendations to check out.
Before diving in, if you’re new to Amazon Luna or need a refresher on how to sign up, be sure to check out our previous guide that explains what Amazon Luna is and how to use it. Now, let’s explore how to enhance your cloud-gaming sessions and highlight our recommendation of must-play titles on Amazon Luna.
Tip 1: Invest in a Luna Controller
Our first and biggest tip is to purchase and use an Amazon Luna controller. While you can use other controllers or your phone, the Luna Controller is designed for cloud gaming with its direct Wi-Fi connection, making it easy to switch between devices. It also supports Bluetooth and USB, includes Amazon Alexa, and even works with Steam. If you’re serious about Luna gaming, the investment is worthwhile. Luckily, you can save big on the Amazon Luna Controller right now. The controller is available by itself for just $45 (was $70), or in discounted bundles that include the controller and an Amazon Fire TV Stick streaming device. Check out all the deals below.
Luna controller deals at Amazon:
Tip 2: Connect your Luna Controller to Wi-Fi
As mentioned above, the Wi-Fi direct connection on the Luna controller offers lower latency compared to Bluetooth. While the controller supports 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi connections, it’s best to connect with 5GHz if possible for the best possible performance.
Tip 3: Optimize Your Amazon Luna Connection
For a smooth 1080p gameplay experience, Amazon recommends an internet speed of at least 10 Mbps, and you can optimize your connection by changing a few settings.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection when possible.
- Disable VPNs
- If you’re playing via Google Chrome, enable hardware acceleration by typing “chrome://settings/?search=hardware” in the address bar and toggling the option on.
- Disable location services while playing on Fire tablets and macOS to avoid performance issues.
- Adjust in-game resolution/graphics settings as needed. Note that some games may not save these settings after exiting, so you may need to tweak them each time to you play.
- If you still experience buffering or lag while playing, reduce the resolution to 720p, which requires only 5 Mbps. You’ll find this setting in the Luna app under Settings > Audio & Video Quality.
Tip 4: Use your phone as a controller
Since Luna is a cloud-streaming service, you can access your games on a wide variety of devices at virtually any time, as long as you’re connected to the internet. One of the most convenient options is with your iOS or Android smartphone. You can pair a Luna controller or other Luna-compatible Bluetooth controller to your phone and play that way, but you can also use the phone itself as a controller thanks to Luna’s virtual on-screen controls, which adds a d-pad, thumbsticks, face buttons, and triggers to your phone’s screen.
While this lets you play and control the action all on one screen, you can also connect your phone to the same network as your main Luna streaming device and use your phone as a controller while playing on a TV, computer, or other external display. If you sign in to both devices with the same Luna account, you can quickly and easily sync them up. Guests can even join your gameplay using their phones via the Luna Controller app, making this a simple solution for local multiplayer, though they’ll need your Amazon credentials.
Tip 5: Play online with friends without a Luna subscription
Speaking of multiplayer on Luna, the Luna Couch feature allows you to play with others online without them needing a Luna subscription. The only requirements are that they have an Amazon account and a supported controller.
To do this, select Couch from the Luna interface, pick a game, and start a Luna Couch session. Share the provided code with others, who then use the Luna Couch website to join your game.
Tip 6: Broadcasting Games to Twitch
Thanks to Amazon owning Twitch, Luna integrates seamlessly with Twitch, making is super easy to stream your gameplay to viewers. Here’s how it works:
- Select the Broadcast button in the Luna app’s navigation bar. For Fire TV and Fire tablet: Scan the QR code using your mobile phone. Use your phone to set up your stream and broadcast audio and video.
- Select Setup broadcast to open a new browser window.
- In the broadcast setup window, configure your Twitch stream to enable or disable audio and webcam input.
- Select “Start live broadcast” to begin sharing your audio and webcam on Twitch.
- Return to the Luna app and start a game. A separate window will pop up, allowing you to manage your stream. This window includes controls to enable or disable your audio and webcam feeds, as well as options to stop or pause the broadcast at any time. Keep this window open while you broadcast.
What to play On Amazon Luna
So now that we’ve covered some helpful tips and cool features, let’s go over the most important part: what to play.
We’ve put together a few lists of suggestions based on various genres and popular series in the following slides. Note that our picks are all available in the core Luna+ and/or Amazon Prime libraries accessible as part of your subscription. We included several standout titles in each genre, but there’s plenty more to play than what we’ve listed. Beyond Luna+, there are also various add-on channels and other storefronts you can sync to Luna if you want to add even more games to your Luna library. Check our Amazon Luna overview for more information. For now, let’s look at some of our recommendations for what to play on Luna+.
Fallout Games (Amazon Prime)
If Amazon’s Fallout Prime Video series has you curious about the games it’s based on, you’re in luck, as two of the best games in the franchise are available to stream on Luna. While they look and play similarly at a glance, Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas offer different takes on the open-world RPG formula. Fallout 3 is perfect for exploring the nuclear wasteland and crafting your own adventure, whereas Fallout: New Vegas is packed with some of the best bespoke storylines the series has ever seen. Either way, both will satisfy cravings for post-apocalyptic adventuring. Note that unlike the other titles covered in the post, the Fallout games require an Amazon Prime subscription to play.
More RPGs (Luna+)
Amazon Luna is stacked with plenty of other excellent RPGs of all styles. Those who want more of a challenge will want to check out Mortal Shell, which is a tough action-RPG set in a dark fantasy world inspired by the beloved Dark Souls series. On the other end of the spectrum are Bug Fables and Monster Harvest, which offer turn-based throwbacks to older eras of console RPGs with welcome modernized touches.
For something more experimental, we highly recommend Citizen Sleeper. This open-ended cyberpunk adventure is based on tabletop RPGs, complete with dice-based decision-making and tons of player choices that affect how the various storylines play out. These games are all included in the core Luna+ library. Check the links below for more recommendations.
More RPGs on Amazon Luna:
Sonic the Hedgehog Games
Sega’s beloved platforming mascot has several games available in the Luna+ library. Sonic Mania Plus offers a great retro throwback to the blue Hedgehog’s earliest titles, while Sonic Frontiers is the latest 3D platforming entry in the series, setting players lose in large open-ended environments filled with challenges to complete, bosses to battle, and items to collect. And Team Sonic Racing is an arcade cart racer that’s perfect to play with your friends.
All Sonic games on Amazon Luna:
Puzzle
There are many Puzzle games on Amazon Luna, but the standout title is easily Tetris Effect Connected. The game is built on the classic Tetris gameplay we all know and layers on stunning audio-visual effects that make for an even more engrossing block-stacking experience–and you can even link up and play cooperative multiplayer.
Some other puzzle game highlights include the physics-based moving simulator Moving Out and the first-person exploration and puzzle-solving adventure Qube 2: Ultimate Edition.
More Puzzle Games on Amazon Luna:
Horror
Luna+’s horror game selection is surprisingly varied. If you want to relive a modernized classic, there’s the excellent Resident Evil 2 remake. Meanwhile, Alien: Isolation is one of the best–and scariest–games set in the long-running sci-fi film franchise, and it features a canonical storyline set in the years after the original Alien movie.
If you’re more into spooky atmosphere and tension than straight-up scares, check out Control: Ultimate Edition and Death Stranding: Director’s Cut. Both titles feature creepy storylines about ghosts and other supernatural anomalies and are among some of the most special action games released in the last decade.
More Horror Games on Amazon Luna:
Action
There’s no shortage of action games available to play on Luna+, including flashy combat games like Devil May Cry 5 and big, open-world romps like Middle-earth: Shadow of War. One of the most notable picks is Batman: Arkham Knight. This open-world adventure sees Batman taking on Scarecrow and a mysterious new villain, Arkham Knight, who have teamed up to take over Gotham City.
More Action Games on Amazon Luna:
Racing
Racing fans have a long list of games to play on Amazon Luna. For those who like their racers on the arcadey side, there are games like Hot Wheels Unleashed and Inertial Drift, while fans of simulation racers can check out WRC Generations Fully Loaded Edition. You can also try your hand at racing other types of vehicles, such as jetskis with Riptide GP: Renegade.
More Racing Games on Amazon Luna:
Shooters
First-person shooters are among the most popular games, so naturally, there are several available with Luna+. Between atmospheric, narrative-driven shooters like Metro Exodus and fast-paced, retro-styled shooters like Amid Evil, there’s plenty to pick from.
More Shooters on Amazon Luna:
Platformers
If you like running around and jumping on stuff, then you’re in luck. The Luna+ library includes notable 2D and 3D platformers of all styles. If you want something to test your reflexes, you’ll want to check out the 2D precision platformer Super Meat Boy, and if you prefer 2D platformers with a healthy dose of exploration and adventure, there are numerous acclaimed metroidvania-style titles like Guacamelee. Luna+ subscribers can also play several entries from the beloved Shantae and Steam World series.
More Platformers on Amazon Luna:
Fighting Games & Beat-‘Em-Ups
Whether you’re looking to engage in competitive fisticuffs or team up with friends for some 2D brawling, Luna+ has you covered. Fighting game fans can duke it out in one-on-one matches with the classics like Clay Fighter, King of Fighters ’97: Global Match, and King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match: Final Edition.
For 2D brawler fans, there’s River City Girls, which takes the old-school grappling gameplay of the classic River City Ransom games and updates it with gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and a deeper combat system.
For something a little different, give Windjammers 2 a try. This competitive arcade title combines elements of tennis, frisbee, and one-on-one fighting games.
More Fighting Games and Beat ‘Em Ups on Amazon Luna:
Disney Games
A selection of Disney games are included with Amazon Luna, including Disney Universe, which lets up to four players team up to explore various levels based on Disney properties like Aladdin, the Lion King, and more. There are also a few titles based on specific Disney and Pixar films, including Planes and Brave. Amazon Prime members can also play games based on Wall-E and Cars.
All Disney Games on Amazon Luna:
Lego Games
If you’re looking for some all-ages fun, you can’t go wrong with these Lego video games. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a great pick, letting you play as Lego versions of dozens of Star Wars characters and explore levels based on the original and prequel trilogies. Lego Star Wars: Episode III is also available if you want to spend even more time in the Lego-ified sci-fi galaxy. You’ll also find Lego games featuring Indiana Jones, DC Comics, and Pirates of the Caribbean. And if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can play Lego Fortnite: Odyssey and Lego Fortnite: Brick Life.
All Lego Games on Amazon Luna:
More Family Games
Luna offers plenty of other great titles for families, younger gamers, and older gamers who are young at heart. Many of these are great for playing with friends and family, including Overcooked and Overcooked 2, which task teams of up to two players with managing fantastical restaurant kitchens. For a solo-focused adventure, check out SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated, which lets you play as SpongeBob, Patrick Star, and Sandy, and use their unique abilities to save Bikini Bottom from an army of invading robots.
More Family Games on Amazon Luna:
…And More
This was just a small overview of the over 100 games available on Luna+. Not only are there dozens of other games to check out as part of your subscription, but you can supplement the Luna+ library with even more titles like Assassin’s Creed thanks to the Ubisoft+ Channel, the Jackbox party games with the Jackbox Channel, and Fortnite via Amazon Prime Gaming. You can also purchase and stream games on the Ubisoft and GOG online stores via Luna.