How to Choose a Video Game Console

Gaming has become a worldwide phenomenon over the last decades. Previously – and somewhat derisively – thought to be a child’s hobby, it has become an omnipresent subject, especially as 2023 may see as many as 3.23 billion players from all ages, races, and beliefs adhering to this pastime.

Moreover, the massive expansion of the game development industry means video games are more available than ever and all over the place. Several platforms and consoles becoming ubiquitous have added a considerable challenge for users to decide which to pick.

However, depending on your budget and preferences, there is always a suitable option. In today’s article, we hope to deliver a workable set of questions for you to choose the best alternative to your gaming itch.

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The PC master race lives on

If you are worried about performance, updates, and upgrading over time, there is no better solution than a gaming PC. Technical-savvy users still pick these high-end PCs for several reasons:

● They are highly customisable, with some providers offering bespoke solutions to specific needs and games.

● They can deliver outstanding graphic fidelity, with high-quality hardware, a clean, updated operating system, and up-to-date drivers as the only requirements.

● They have several uses beyond gaming, doubling as workstations for graphic designers, illustrators, and 3D artists who want a one-for-all package.

Nevertheless, gaming PCs can easily be the costlier choice on this list. Although you can build a dependable entertainment PC within the $800 to $1200 price range, the most capable gaming rigs will require investing well over $2K or even $3K to keep you at the edge of the competition.

Besides, their utility can be both a blessing and a curse as an operating system with several applications, high hard disk usage, and a negligent maintenance routine can quickly turn the best gaming PC into another office desktop that cannot play the original Doom without freezing or resetting itself.

If you want a more plug-and-play option to play games, the solution might be in your living room.

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The console dynasty

Usually derided by PC fans over their limitations, video game consoles have become the go-to option for hassle-free, relaxed entertainment. For just a fraction of a gaming PC’s price, you can easily play most current games with no reason to envy their larger cousins and an increasing number of options to make your home theatre shine.

Although previous-gen devices such as the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One lagged behind most gaming rigs, the current console generation has levelled the playing field. By subsuming several advantages of PCs into their hardware, such as solid-state drives, high-performance network adapters, downloadable games, and cloud services, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are the closest you can get to a plug-and-play gaming PC right at your fingertips.

Nevertheless, hardware upgrades are the primary reason consoles stay just a little behind gaming PCs. Even while the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X allow expandable memory – Sony allows typical M.2 Gen4 NVMe SSDs, while Microsoft has a proprietary SSD “cartridge” for their console – there are no foreseeable ways to upgrade the graphic or processing capabilities of your device other than, well, buying another one.

This fact has put the dilemma of obsolescence – planned or unavoidable – at hand. Is it a good idea to buy a current-gen console as soon as it is available, or is it best to wait until the inevitable “Pro”, “Slim”, or “X” version comes out?

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Portability is of the essence.

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You may have noticed we didn’t discuss the Nintendo Switch in the earlier section. The reason is simple: Nintendo is not aiming for graphic fidelity or direct competition with Sony, Microsoft, or even gaming PC manufacturers.

The Japanese gaming giant has its own thing going.

Be it the outstanding design and quality of their games, the absolute easiness and frugality of their consoles, or the advantages of having an internationally recognised brand, Nintendo just wants to make great gaming experiences. But they have a card under their belt:

Portability.

Since 1989’s Gameboy, Nintendo has known that portable gaming devices are a significant advantage over other stationary gaming hardware. Although 2012’s Wii U was not as successful, it paved the way for the Switch’s contemporary dominance – while revitalising the gadget market.

If you want to stay constantly on the move and enjoy playing high-quality games, a Nintendo Switch – particularly the Lite and OLED versions – will always be a wise choice. But bear in mind that, apart from next year’s rumoured Switch Pro-Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo has not launched significant hardware upgrades for its console since its launch in 2017.

Nevertheless, portable gaming devices are slowly coming back in more powerful versions. Valve’s Steam Deck is a terrific way of playing with your Steam library wherever you want to, and several PC and mobile device manufacturers have taken the fight to them with their versions.

And you always have your phone in a pinch.

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They are not made only for calling people, you know?

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The times when mobile phones had the most basic games in their systems are long past. After all, when more than 51% of the yearly gaming revenue comes from mobile gaming, it’s safe to say the offer has increasingly grown larger in quality and quantity.

Moreover, smartphones have become more powerful than ever. In China, where mobile gaming has been a thing for the last two decades, manufacturers have become highly proficient at developing “gaming smartphones” that can equal or even surpass the performance of other mobile devices.

Western manufacturers have also picked this trend, with ASUS, Razer, and even Google taking a shot at developing advanced mobile phones closer to gaming consoles. Recently, Apple took the gaming world by storm when it announced that its newest iPhone 15 Pro will efficiently run AAA games like Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, Resident Evil: Village, and Genshin Impact.

For some people, the right solution is to update their smartphones.

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What should I pick, then?

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As we said before, picking the right console narrows down to your preferences, gaming patterns, and trends you would like to follow. Nevertheless, some considerations apply to everyone.

If you want a smoother experience, video game consoles are the best option. Choosing between PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch will largely depend on how you like your games:

● If you are into shooters, racing, or action games or would like to take advantage of sharing your game catalogue with a gaming PC you may already have, Xbox and its Gaming Pass is the best option.

● PlayStation is the superior choice if your tastes orbit towards great storytelling, role-playing games, or exclusives. Plus, its hardware has proven to be mildly superior to what Xbox offers, with the DualSense being an outstanding game controller and the M.2 NVMe support bringing added flexibility for game storage possibilities.

● If you can overlook graphics and love family-oriented games and outstanding game design, a Nintendo Switch can always provide you with what you need.

However, if you want the best experience a gamer can get, with highly customisable and upgradeable hardware, performance control, and added utility, a gaming PC is the wisest choice – as long as you have the budget and time to build it to your specifications.

And always remember that if budget neither allows for a powerful gaming rig nor a state-of-the-art current-gen console, there are mid-range smartphones that can give you access to a considerable library of casual and fully-fleshed mobile games.

Just stay away from those microtransactions.

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