Battle of Gaming Consoles: Which one should you buy?

For the gaming community, nothing beats a game session with yourself or with your friends after a particularly long day. Gaming consoles are expensive, but if you wish to upgrade leisure and quality time, they are a worthwhile investment.

These past few years, different brands have been introducing their versions of gaming consoles. Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus’ ROG Ally, to name some, take away your mouse and keyboard, and bring your favorite games on handheld consoles. And yet, the reign of Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo Switch haven’t died. They only continue to dominate the market.

This leaves the question, which one should you buy?

Sony PlayStation

PlayStation 4 | Nikita Kachanovsky, Unsplash

Elden Ring, God of War, The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Ghost of Tsushima are only some of the inclusions of PlayStation’s diverse and exclusive game library. With a strong lineup of award-winning games, you won’t go wrong with a PS4 or a PS5.

As a brand, Sony’s reputation in the gaming industry has been reliable. The PlayStation boasts lightning-fast loading times and breathtaking immersion with its performance. Its innovation and technology would transport you to the world of your character with the controller’s responsive vibrations that simulate environmental factors. In a way, it mimics the tension of interactions and combat.

Since it is a popular console, you won’t have a problem finding people to play with, especially when subscribed to PlayStation Network (PSN). PSN lets you connect with the online community and join multiplayer games. It also includes free monthly games and discounts so you should make the most out of it.

If you wish to immerse deeper, PlayStation also offers virtual reality (VR) support with its own VR headset and accessories.

While both PS4 and PS5 still work, you should opt for the latter for an upgrade in graphics, memory, and storage. It’s a good pick especially if you have a space for a proper gaming setup.

Microsoft Xbox

Xbox Series S | Kamil S, Unsplash

Just like PlayStation, Xbox offers exclusive game content like Halo, Forza Motorsport, and recent hits Grounded and Sea of Thieves. Choosing between PS and Xbox has been a topic of debate for years but ultimately, it depends on which exclusive games you wish to play and which aesthetic fits you better.

Xbox’s strong focus on backward compatibility is one of its top-selling points. This means that you can play original games, including those on Xbox 360 and One, to newer models such as Series S and X. It’s a perfect way to revisit older favorites and experience games from previous generations.

The Game Pass subscription also remains popular due to its vast library of games for a cheap monthly fee. You can find not only exclusives but also popular titles and indie games that you can play as long as you’re subscribed. Think of it as Netflix but in games instead of films and series. And since it is also from Microsoft, you can even play and use the subscription from your PC.

Its graphics and performance don’t lag behind its rivals. Quite the opposite, Xbox’s development kit showcases quick responsiveness and high dynamic range with frame rates up to 120 FPS.

Xbox Series S and Series X are the latest in the market. Both are in a good and playable condition but Series X claims to be the fastest, most powerful Xbox ever.

Nintendo Switch

Original Nintendo Switch | Matteo Grobberio, Unsplash

Nintendo challenged popular gaming consoles and developed Switch, a device that you can either play on your TV or handheld. Its hybrid design allows you to literally switch things around and play according to your preference. This versatility might be the reason why you should buy one.

Exclusive franchise games like Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon bring nostalgia to fans of Nintendo and retro. Their family-friendly appeal also brings families and friends together when played in a multiplayer setting. They even have parental control and family subscription features that let parents view their children’s game activities.

It offers three models: the original Nintendo Switch, the Lite version, and the OLED model. Nintendo compared them on a table here. Lite is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t allow you to play on TV but still has multiple games that you can enjoy. The latest OLED model upgrades the original’s LED screen and increases its internal storage.

PS, Xbox, and Switch all offer unique features. The decision of which gaming console should you buy depends on your interest and budget. Ask yourself: do you want a full gaming set-up at home or a handheld device? Which exclusive games are you more interested in playing? What features are you looking for? From this, pick the best console that aligns with your preference.