Apps that gamers will truly appreciate

There’s always room to enhance your gaming experience

So, you identify as a hardcore gamer. The sky’s the limit when it comes to conquering the most revered titles and playing with your favorite comrades—unless you’re a lone wolf. And when it comes to the advancements of gaming technology you may often think, “have we finally peaked?” Nope. Not hardly, because despite the tech you have right at your fingertips, Windows Store has a variety of gaming apps that will enhance your experience even further. Plus, it has the movies and TV shows that players love.

We have curated a list of apps and titles (i.e., movies and TV) that will heighten your standing as a gaming aficionado. In the meantime, if you want to see what other games are worth adding to your roster, check out this collection of our top-selling titles.

Apps for Gamers

DTS Sound Unbound

Amplify your gaming and video content with DTS Sound Unbound. DTS technology delivers immersive 3D audio when using Microsoft spatial sound within Windows, rendering clear, rich, and believable spatial audio for the most engaging listening experience on speakers and headphones. DTS Headphone (including a database of more than 500 custom-tuned headphone profiles) is designed to give you a gaming competitive edge by creating an accurate, believable, and immersive soundscape using any pair of headphones, enabling you to truly lose yourself in your favorite video games and movies.

 

Nitrado

Putting the power in your hands, the Nitrado app will allow you to rent and administer PC game servers. You are provided access to a one-of-a-kind web interface where you can configure settings the way you want to play. Get your own server (both PC and Xbox) and enjoy high-quality hardware with fail-safe systems, competitive pings, and daily backups of server data. You can apply custom configurations, manage online players, change settings on the fly, and create space (private and public) to play with friends. Enjoy low prices through a flexible prepaid system. Keep your server safe through SteelShield (DDoS protection) and play on cutting-edge hardware through the newest Intel processors, latest memory technology, SSDs, and optimized latency via strategically placed data centers around the globe.  

Spotify – Music and Podcasts

Love music and podcasts? Play your favorite songs, podcasts and albums free on Windows with Spotify. Stream the tracks you love instantly, browse the charts or fire up ready-made playlists in every genre and mood. Radio plays you great song after great song, based on your music taste. Discover new music too, with awesome playlists built just for you. Spotify also offers thousands of Podcasts, including originals that you can’t find anywhere else.

Dolby Access

With Dolby Access, hear stunning detail, precision, and realism in your games, movies, and shows with sound that flows all around you—even overhead and behind you. Dolby Access also allows you to personalize your audio with custom profiles and discover exclusive game trailers and content. Once you’ve downloaded Dolby Access, check out and start your free trial of Dolby Atmos for Headphones or set up a Dolby Atmos device to get the ultimate PC Game Pass experience. Whether you’re gaming, watching your favorite movie or show, or listening to that new track on repeat, Dolby Atmos transports you into a spatial sound experience that draws you in deeper, so you hear more and feel more.

Microsoft Movies & TV

With Microsoft Movies & TV, you will always have access to your favorite movies and TV series.

Dolby Atmos-Enhanced Flicks

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once more to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Experience the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, in which new legends will be born—and the final battle for freedom is yet to come

Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore

Just when you thought you’d seen the last of Dr. As the third installment of the Fantastic Beasts series, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore follows a team of wizards, witches, and a Muggle lead by Newt Scamander. The group seeks to thwart the world domination plans of Gellert Grindelwald, a powerful dark wizard. Set several years after “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” the Wizarding World entry stars Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, and Mads Mikkelsen. 

Gamer Flicks

Free Guy

In a video game called Free City, a non-player character (NPC) named Guy, suddenly develops self-awareness and decides to be the hero of his own story by doing good. The real world becomes enamored with him as he battles the game’s publisher to save his city before they render it obsolete. Here’s to rooting for the good, perhaps great, guy. Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, and Taika Waititi star in this interesting take on open-world video games.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Just when you thought you’d seen the last of Dr. Robotnik, he returns to earth with a new partner-in-crime, Knuckles the Echidna. Never fear because Sonic has a new ally, Tails, and they aim to stop the evil pair in their tracks. Seeking to find a powerful emerald that can destroy humans, the villainous duo will stop at nothing to capture the jewel. Can Sonic and his friends get to it before they do? Ben Schwartz returns as the voice of Sonic, along with Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Natasha Rothwell. Idris Elba (voice of Knuckles) and Colleen O’Shaughnessey (voice of Tails) join the cast.

Streaming Apps

Short-form videos, movies, and TV shows remain key modes of entertainment for the gamer community. With the Microsoft Store, you’ll certainly find what whatever your heart desires. Be it videos on TikTok, or comedy, drama, or action on your favorite streamers. You can find it all right here.

TikTok

On TikTok, short-form videos are exciting, spontaneous, and genuine. Whether you’re a sports fanatic, a pet enthusiast, or just looking for a laugh, there’s something for everyone. All you have to do is watch, engage with what you like, skip what you don’t, and you’ll find an endless stream of short videos that feel personalized just for you. From your morning coffee to your afternoon errands, TikTok has the videos that are guaranteed to make your day. Watch all types of videos, from Gaming, Comedy, DIY, Food, Sports, Memes, and Pets, to Oddly Satisfying, ASMR, and everything in between.

Prime Video for Windows

You can download videos to watch whether you’re online or not. Experience recommended movies and TV shows anywhere and at any time as you tap into original content (e.g., “The Boys,” “Reacher,” or “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”). Can’t quite place the actor, song, or trivia of your favorite show? Tap into X-Ray at that precise moment to pull up all the details from IMDB’s information page as you watch. While Prime Video is a standalone service, it’s also included if you already have Amazon’s Prime subscription.

The Boys

Based on the comic book of the same name and developed by Eric Kripke of “Supernatural” fame, The Boys returns for its third season after fans patiently waited nearly two years. After Homelander has proven to be unstable and predictably evil, our team of literal anti-heroes are tasked with terminating him to make the world a better, less bloody place. Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Jack Quaid, Laz Alonso, and Jensen Ackles star in the latest season of the series. 

Netflix

Based on your viewing behavior, saddle up for content you’ve intended to watch or discover something new. With Netflix, you’ll be able to tap into its expansive inventory of movies, TV series, and documentaries. Never feel left out from the “water cooler,” er “video conference,” chatter when your teammates talk about the most recent trending shows and movies. Whether your jam is “Resident Evil,” “Stranger Things,” or “Umbrella Academy,” there’s something for you. From award-winning content to pop culture influencing titles, you will always find quality-based, noteworthy entertainment. Plus, you can appreciate every detail through Netflix’s 4K Ultra HD, then watch on your PC, tablet, or laptop (with or without internet connection). 

Resident Evil

Get prepared for the live-action reboot of Resident Evil, which takes place 14 years after the apocalypse. The world is now filled with blood-sucking zombies affected by a deadly virus set in motion by Albert Wesker, the police captain dead set on destroying humanity under the helm of the Umbrella Corporation. Lance Reddick stars as Wesker, the series’ main antagonist.

Crunchyroll

Stream the best anime Japan has to offer with Crunchyroll. Watch episodes of “The Rising of Shield Hero,” “Black Clover,” “Sword Art Online,” and “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” along with favorites like “Attack on Titan,” “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” “Hunter x Hunter,” and much more.  Watch from your favorite Windows 10 or Windows 11 device, and even watch anime on-the-go on mobile.

By watching licensed content through Crunchyroll, you’re officially supporting the anime industry and the content creators who work hard to bring you the best anime Japan has to offer.

The Rising of Shield Hero

With the fate of a parallel world in their hands, four unlikely heroes from other worlds are drawn to save it. As the endangered world’s Cardinal Heroes, they must wield the power of the sword, spear, bow, and shield to defend the land. However, the recipient of the shield, Naofumi Iwatani finds himself to be the least trusted in his capabilities and the least supported by the Kingdom. The cynical hero goes on to create his own supportive band and slowly gains the trust of others and—quite possibly—becomes the ultimate hero of the story.