Game consoles continue to maintain their popularity today and increase this popularity day by day with new models. The internet and smart devices seem to have changed the gaming world. In addition to being able to play against people from other places, today’s consoles allow to do a lot of online activities, interact and use different versions to unlock game levels. Game consoles can offer a connection and collaboration point for friends who may not be in the same place.
Things to Consider About Game Consoles
Game Console Selection
Going for the latest and fastest experiences means many gamers only want the latest technology to play. That said, the previous generation consoles can run great at a fraction of the price, especially when gaming is just getting started. If you don’t need to play the latest games, you can browse Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii U as well. Each continues to stand out as cheaper options to own great games.
While there are many crossovers between different consoles, there are some key games that will require specialized hardware to play. If you want to play Roblox or Forza on a console, you need to buy an Xbox One. If you want to play Mario or Zelda games, Nintendo Switch becomes suitable. Or if you want to enjoy Spider-Man or Kena Bridge of Spirits, PlayStation 4 is needed.
While choosing the best game console to buy, it is important to decide on who will use it, where it will be used, what it will offer compared to the current technology, while it is important for parents to consider the type of content they will be satisfied with for their children. The most important piece of information to understand about a game before kids play it is its PEGI rating. This rating can be viewed on the box or in the online store to make sure a game is kid-friendly.
Computers, Tablets, Smartphones and Consoles for Gaming
There is an increasing crossover between console and tablet games. Many games are available on iPad and Android devices, as well as Xbox, PlayStation or Switch. If you have a new tablet, it is useful to try the games on that system before buying a console. You can even buy a Bluetooth Game Controller (a game controller that physically holds the phone, like a console) for use with a tablet and connect it to the TV for a console experience without spending much money.
Aside from the initial costs of buying a console, you also need to factor in the subscriptions required to play with others online and how much the extra controllers will cost. It is also worth noting that Xbox, PlayStation and Switch online subscriptions provide free or discounted access to a large catalog of games. Most of them have a free trial version which provides an affordable and easy way to try a lot of games before making a purchase.
Game Consoles
PlayStation 5
There are two versions of PS5. However, unlike Xbox, both offer the same graphics performance. The main difference is that the cheaper model only runs games digitally. The price of the model with Blu Ray drive is higher. Although old PlayStation 4 controllers can be used to play old games on PS5, it is necessary to use a new Dual Sense controller to play new games. It is important to consider the cost of additional controllers when making decisions.
PlayStation 5 runs most PlayStation 4 games. If there is a large PlayStation 4 disc library available, it is necessary to purchase the Blu Ray version of the PlayStation 5 to access them. You can also subscribe to PlayStation Plus to access a variety of games each month, or to PlayStation Now, which allows you to play and download more PlayStation games on a variety of other devices via a game streaming feature.
PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 4 Pro
There are two versions of PlayStation 4 available. It splits into a PS4 as a standard model and a PS4 Pro with 4K graphics and more power. However, all PS4 games run on both machines and look great no matter which version is chosen. As with the Xbox One, apps like Netflix and Amazon Video are getting it for streaming video. However, this console is geared towards gaming rather than all-round entertainment.
PlayStation has a number of “PlayLink” games that can be played with a smartphone as the controller. This means 6 people can play together without the need to buy multiple controllers. It’s also really diverse in how it’s played. Using the touchscreen, camera and tilt controls enables some unique gaming experiences not possible on other systems.
Xbox Series X|S
There are two versions of this console. Xbox Series S offers a slightly less immersive visual experience, but still plays all new Xbox games. It does not contain a disk drive, so it is necessary to purchase the games digitally. Xbox Series X offers a premium experience with the best visuals. It also provides a disc drive if one wishes to use games on discs. Xbox Series X|S supports most legacy Xbox One games. When deciding which version to buy, it’s important to remember that the cheaper model only offers 500GB of storage.
Xbox Game Pass subscription, which provides 100’s of the latest games with a monthly subscription, is also available. This avoids the expensive overhead of purchasing individual games and expands the range of gaming experiences to play.
Xbox One S / Xbox One X
While the 4K-capable Xbox One X now has a more advanced version, the One S is a great option for budget-conscious folks who want all-round entertainment. It plays games up to Full HD (1080p) but can also be used as a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player and works as a smart streaming device with many entertainment apps including Netflix and Amazon Video. There are 1000s of games available for Xbox One, and hundreds of old Xbox 360 games can also be played on the console. This makes it a great feature for those looking to upgrade.
As with any connected device, the Xbox One S provides access to the internet and online apps. Most of the games can also be played online. For this reason, it is necessary to supervise children while they are playing to ensure that they play safely. Fortunately, there are also plenty of parental controls to restrict access to online activities and age-inappropriate games.
It also has a new dual control feature so that two people can control the same game. This makes it ideal to take away the frustration that very young players can experience when learning a game. It also makes it a fun way to collaborate on more advanced experiences for all ages.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch stands out as the latest technology console that allows playing Mario and Zelda games. When a connection is established with the slot, the game can be played on the TV. When removed from the dock, it works as a standalone portable gaming device. That means you can play the same games you play on TV while you’re out and about on the screen. Its controllers are also detachable, so two people can play games at the same time without additional accessories. All major games like Fortnite, Minecraft and FIFA are playable, although there are no Call of Duty games or Roblox. It also becomes the best way to play Mario Kart, Zelda, and the popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons games. It also has an ever-growing library of affordable indie games.
The parental controls work perfectly and use a separate app for iOS and Android to set options. This makes it really easy for parents with kids to keep track of how their kids are playing. In addition, parental protection does not include a browser, and online gaming with others is limited to approved friends only. The only downside is that you can’t set different restrictions for different users as the settings apply to the entire console.
There is also a slightly cheaper version of Nintendo Switch that offers portable games only. This version cannot connect to a TV. All Switch games are playable, but it becomes more difficult to use with other people. This is a good option if you’re going to be playing mostly on the go. There’s also a new version of the Nintendo Switch updated with a bigger, brighter screen, better battery life, and an updated dock.
Nintendo 2DS/3DS
Nintendo has been making handheld game consoles for over six years with the 3DS series. This huge library of games can be accessed with a wide variety of hardware. The original 3DS, the new 3DS and 3DS XL have a 3D display that doesn’t need glasses. The original 2DS, the new 2DS and 2DS XL allow to play all 3DS games but not the dedicated 3D screen. The games look the same, if not like 3D. The 2DS XL stands out as the latest version of the most common handset. With 1,000s of compatible games already available, many of which are heavily discounted, the 2DS XL is making it the best portable game console of its generation.
Like the 3DS variants before it, the 2DS XL can be played online. As with the Switch, the parental controls work perfectly. It can restrict online purchases and browsing with age-specific guidelines.
Nintendo Classic Mini / SNES Classic Mini
The Super Nintendo (SNES) original came out in 1992. Many people have good memories of him. Nintendo seems to be aware of the longing for retro thrills. As such, it re-released a smaller and modernized version of the original console. This version; It includes 21 classic games from the 90s, including Super Mario World, Super Mario, Star Fox, and comes with two controllers modeled after the originals.
These models stand out as an all-in-one unit without internet access. Games are included in the system and locked to the machine. Therefore, more games cannot be added. This feature also brings with it the confidence for families with children to know that the child will not encounter any undesirable behavior. Multiplayer is good and old fashioned this device can still be used. There’s also a more basic Nintendo Classic Mini entertainment system that provides games from previous generation Nintendo hardware. This model stands out as a little cheaper.
Sony PlayStation Classic Console
This model stands out as a miniature re-release of the original 1994 PlayStation console. 20 of the best PlayStation games come pre-installed on the system, including Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash!, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3 and Wild Arms. It can be connected directly to a display with the included HDMI cable. It also includes a virtual memory card so you can save adventures as you switch between games. Two controllers are also included in the box. This makes it a cost-effective way to access some great classics.
