Netflix brings gaming to the big screen
Netflix is taking another major step beyond streaming by introducing its games to smart TVs. After years of limiting its gaming catalog to mobile devices, the platform is finally allowing users to enjoy their favorite titles on television screens. The update, which has been in testing since early 2023, is now available to subscribers across supported smart TV platforms.
With this new feature, Netflix subscribers can find the Games tab right inside the Netflix TV app. Once selected, players can choose from a growing collection of casual and party games designed for easy, social gameplay.
A fresh lineup of fun and familiar titles
The first batch of Netflix TV games includes an exciting mix of puzzle, word, and party experiences. Titles such as Pictionary Game Night, Boggle Party, Tetris Time Warp, Lego Party, and Party Crashers Fool Your Friends are now available to play directly through the Netflix app.
Each game brings a different flavor of fun. Pictionary Game Night brings the beloved drawing-and-guessing format to digital life, perfect for game nights with friends. Boggle Party challenges up to eight players to find words in a fast-paced letter grid. Tetris Time Warp adds a time-travel twist to the iconic block-stacking gameplay. Lego Party offers creative mini-games filled with exploration, while Party Crashers Fool Your Friends turns deception into laughter as players try to spot the imposter among them.
Phones turn into controllers
One of the standout innovations of Netflix’s gaming rollout is its Game Controller App. Available for both iOS and Android, the app transforms your smartphone into a controller, allowing seamless interaction with the games on TV. Players simply open the app, connect to their TV via Wi-Fi, and start playing.
This approach removes the need for traditional gaming hardware or expensive accessories, making Netflix’s TV gaming feature highly accessible. Whether it’s a family night or a casual gathering, anyone with a smartphone can jump in.
Netflix’s growing presence in gaming
Netflix’s entry into gaming began four years ago with a small selection of mobile titles available through its app. Over time, the company has expanded its library to include dozens of casual, adventure, and arcade games. This move to smart TVs marks the platform’s most ambitious step yet, signaling that gaming will play a central role in Netflix’s long-term entertainment strategy.
The company has been steadily building its gaming ecosystem, investing in studios and experimenting with interactive storytelling formats. With this new update, Netflix positions itself as a true entertainment hub — merging streaming, gaming, and social play into one platform.
A new way to play with Netflix
By bringing games like Pictionary Game Night and Boggle Party to living rooms, Netflix is aiming to recreate the fun of classic board game nights in a digital setting. The ability to use smartphones as controllers makes it easy for families and groups to play together without setup hassles.
This move also puts Netflix in closer competition with other interactive entertainment platforms, blending the casual charm of mobile gaming with the social experience of console play. As the company continues to refine its gaming catalog, more titles and features are expected to roll out in the coming months.
Final thoughts
Netflix’s expansion into TV gaming shows how far the streaming giant has come since venturing beyond movies and series. With its intuitive phone-based controls and accessible lineup of group-friendly games, this update transforms Netflix from a passive entertainment platform into an interactive one.
Players can now swap movie nights for game nights without ever leaving the app. Whether you’re sketching clues in Pictionary Game Night or racing for the top score in Tetris Time Warp, Netflix’s new gaming feature promises to make the living room experience more engaging than ever.
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