What Video Game System Should I Buy
As the 32-bit generation starts having offspring, it's only natural parents would want to share their love of console gaming with their kids. Sure, there are three main home consoles, but everything from streaming devices to smartwatches runs video games nowadays.
what video game system should i buy
The second Microsoft got into the game console market, it quickly became a destination for mature gamers looking for Triple A immersive experiences. The Xbox Series S is one of the fourth generations of Microsoft home consoles, and a perfect destination for everyone in the family.
In the late 2010s, a big wave of gaming nostalgia, with everyone from Nintendo to Sony and even Sega releasing modern versions of legacy systems packed with games. Many of them left gamers feeling cold, except for the SNES Classic Edition.
You know your console is a good one when you can't keep it on the shelf even two years after you released it. That is the case with the PlayStation 5. A combination of chip shortages and high demand from gamers around the world has made it difficult for many to secure this next-generation console.
Personally, I've found them to be far more comfortable than the PlayStation 4 controllers. Although, if you're continually pressing L2 or R2 during a game to pull off combos, for example, I've found it can be a strain on your fingers.
While games made specifically for the Xbox One are compatible with the Series X console, Microsoft has games specifically designed for the Series X and S consoles that reduce load times and showcase 120fps capabilities. While playing with such a high frame rate, you can enjoy 3D spatial audio so you know what's around you at all times.
In a world where most gamers focus on getting high-performing monitors or the biggest TV, the Nintendo Switch is doing things differently. While this console gives you the option to play on your TV, the handheld 7-inch OLED screen provides gamers with a gaming experience you can transport with you.
With so many uses, you can race against your friends in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, watch YouTube on your TV, or venture through the world on The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. If you're interested in using a Switch for cozy games, you could opt for titles including Stardew Valley or Potion Permit.
Nintendo estimates that battery life will last between 4.5 - 9 hours. As you can see, that's a broad spectrum, but in my experience, it seems about right. If I'm playing games that are less graphics-heavy such as This War of Mine, or retro games like Grandia, power consumption is lower and I can reach the higher points of this estimate. However, fast-paced options like Zelda will burn power more rapidly.
While the specs for this console aren't the flashiest, the Nintendo Switch is the perfect gaming console for families due to the abundance of family-friendly games and multiplayer options, such as Overcooked, offered through the Nintendo eShop.
This gaming console can be docked or handheld and is based on Linux. The interface is user-friendly and the analog sticks -- as well as the top controls -- are familiar and comfortable. When it comes to playing resource-heavy games, the graphics are incredible and, in my opinion, far superior to the Nintendo Switch.
The Xbox Series S is the less advanced counterpart to the Xbox Series X. Though this console is noticeably smaller than the Series X, it comes at a cost: the lack of an optical drive. Along with having no disk drive, the Xbox Series S displays games at 1440p, while the Series X displays games in 4k. But, being more affordable, if you're willing to sacrifice picture quality for saving money, this Series S is a perfect option.
With an all-digital gaming library on this console, you will be able to access all of your games without leaving your sofa. While this console provides ease of access to your full library of games, it also provides up to 120fps while playing said games in part to a custom SSD.
Similar to the Series X console, you can immerse yourself in the gaming action with 3D Spatial Audio created from the console. With access to the Game Pass from Microsoft, a service provided just for Xbox gamers, and expandable memory in the rear of the console, you can store loads of games available at any time.
When it comes to gaming, most people are either Team Xbox or Team PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch is typically ignored. But you can't discount the Switch, because it offers exclusive games and you can play it when you're on the go or at home.
Finding a game console that works for your gaming needs can be challenging unless you're like me and have purchased a console based on title exclusivity alone (Horizon Zero Dawn, anyone?). However, when you are making your choice, you should think about how often you intend to play it, whether multiplayer is important to you, and how much you are willing to spend.
When I was first looking at making my newest console purchase, I researched heavily before making that hefty purchase of a PlayStation 5. Let me tell you, I don't regret it at all. The PS5 is a clear front-runner in the game console industry due to its elaborate design both inside and out.
Though the clear top pick was the newest PlayStation, the competition is tough. With the Xbox Series X's versatility in the gaming world as well as the streaming world, the console had to be included as Microsoft went all out with this unit. In contrast, the Xbox Series S is less powerful but still worth the money if you are a casual gamer.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model was selected because of its ability to not only be a console but also a handheld system. Nintendo games are very popular, with Mario Kart being a staple in the Nintendo community, but you can only find those games on the Switch or other Nintendo products. The Steam Deck, too, is an excellent handheld, although the storage available does let it down in consideration of the price tag.
The game and game console market has been slow in recent years due to the pandemic, economic issues, and chip shortages. However, as supply chains return to something approaching normality and gamers are actually able to get their hands on new consoles, development can now continue.
I would recommend the Nintendo Switch as the best console for beginners. The Switch -- whether you opt for a legacy device or the new OLED model -- is simple when it comes to controls and many of the games available are puzzle, turn-based, or cozy. With the Switch's portability, comfortable controls, and large screen, this device is a great introduction to modern gaming without throwing someone into the challenges of Frostpunk or the fast pace of Elden Ring.
Usually, console manufacturers such as Sony or Microsoft sell their consoles at a loss and make up for the shortfall through their games and services. This way of doing things could stay the same, meaning that you shouldn't see huge price increases with each successive generation of consoles.
Specs don't mean everything, and it's more what the developers do with the hardware and software that makes games great. That being said, if a console has flaws in its specs (e.g., its CPU is underpowered, or its storage space is lacking) this could hamper your gaming experience, especially towards the end of that console's lifespan.
Digital Foundry is a great YouTube channel if you want a detailed analysis of consoles, games, and more gaming-tech-related things. Consider it to see how well your potential new gaming console runs its games.
Next, we have arguably the most important aspect to choosing your new gaming console; its games library. This usually determines whether we consider a console to be the best gaming system. It is all about the games, after all!
This is a tricky one to gauge off the bat, as new gaming consoles' games libraries gain quality throughout the lifetime of the device. Always take a look at all next-gen consoles' launch libraries to see if they're for you, as well as each console's unique showcases or presentations at events such as E3.
There are also the dimensions of the console to consider. In the ninth generation of video games, we've seen a truly bulky design from the PS5, which might make you favor the Xbox Series X/S over it for practicality. Nintendo and Valve, on the other hand, have smaller consoles than Sony and Microsoft, but face different design objectives because of their handheld and hybrid nature.
An arguable must-have feature for all next generation consoles is backward compatibility. Gamers rejoiced when Sony and Microsoft announced that their ninth generation consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, would be backward compatible, with these consoles even enhancing select last-gen games. Backward compatibility also helps boost a new gaming console's launch library, giving you a range of last-gen games to play.
In addition to gaming-oriented features, there are also non-gaming features you should look out for. Can your new games console play Spotify, Netflix, and other streaming services? Can you browse the web on it? Ask yourself if there's anything more you want your new gaming console to do besides being able to play games.
On top of its games and features, take a look at the different services your new gaming console provides. Standard gaming subscriptions would be for online gaming and streaming games, but take a look at the unique perks a subscription would give you, whether that's free monthly games, special discounts, cloud storage, or anything else.
In the end, the best gaming system is the one that satisfies what you want from gaming, whether that's an immersive single-player experience, VR gaming, or to try out as many games as you can with a streaming subscription. So, do your research and make sure your new gaming console gives you what you want.
When shopping for a new game console, the first question to ask yourself is what you intend to use it for. Are you invested in the Mario, Pokémon, or Zelda series? Do you need hardware that can play UHD Blu-rays or stream 4K video? Are you just looking for an all-in-one entertainment system without any bells or whistles? 041b061a72