While gaming heavyweights Microsoft and Google prepare to launch their cloud gaming services, a London-based start-up may have beaten them to the punch to launch a 'Netflix for video games'. Albeit for retro titles from the age of the Spectrum and Commodore 64.

Antstream Arcade is a subscription-based streaming service that gives you access to hundreds of retro games, such as Skool Daze or Sensible World of Soccer, on your PC or mobile device via the internet.

The application underwent a 'soft launch' in the UK on 1 July on PC and Android devices --and will appear on the App Store at a later date-- and the monthly subscription charge is £9.99 or costs £7.99 a month for an annual subscription. The service officially launches on 18 July.

Antstream is the brainchild of CEO and Founder Steve Cottam, backed by a group of games industry veterans,such as Eidos Life President Ian Livingstone and ex-Sega Europe CEO Miyake Kazutoshi, who said they wanted to "provide a legitimate and accessible way for people to play retro games".

Antstream successfully raised £70,000 in crowd-funding on Kickstarter and is backed by British venture firm Hambro Perks.