Not to be left behind by TV manufacturers, Sony and Microsoft have released an updated version of the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One that pack more power and have the capability of outputting a 4K video signal.
However, just because the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One X are the newest consoles doesn't mean that the older versions aren't supported any longer. These new, more powerful consoles are just a half-step up and still use the same games as the original PS4 and Xbox One. A huge factor in what console you should buy is the kind of TV you have.
The thing is if your TV isn't 4K you're not going to get the full effect of the improvements these new models offer. If you're planning to wait a few years before you upgrade to 4K, then getting the Xbox One X or PS4 Pro just isn't worth the extra money.
There's no use in getting a video game console if it doesn't have decent games to play. The Xbox One and the PS4 have very similar libraries, so it comes down to which system has the better exclusives. Exclusives are games that only come out for one particular console.
For example, you'll always see games like Call of Duty come out on both Xbox and PlayStation, but you'll only ever see Halo on the Xbox. There are also some games that may have limited-exclusivity to a particular console or limited-exclusivity for downloadable content.
The Nintendo Switch is in another bracket entirely when it comes to its library. A lot of the games that are available for it are titles that were originally released for other consoles.
Usually, they don't have as good graphics because the Switch isn't as powerful as Microsoft and Sony's systems. However, Nintendo produces some of the best system-exclusive games, so if you're a huge Mario, Zelda, or Metroid fan, the Switch is the only console where you'll find those. You can do more than just play games on a console. These robust devices can provide a whole suite of functions to make them an all-in-one entertainment device.
Sony and Microsoft's consoles are also equipped with Blu-ray drives that will allow you to watch standard Blu-ray movies. If you're looking for something a little more cutting edge when it comes to media playback, you'll want to get an Xbox One S or Xbox One X.
Both of these consoles have 4K Blu-ray players built in, which will allow you to watch movies in stunning quality. The Nintendo Switch, unfortunately, doesn't have much in the way of non-gaming activities. The Switch also lacks an optical drive, so there's no watching your Blu-rays or DVDs with that console.
In days past, each video game console had its own architecture. This means that each one was designed from the ground up with custom sets of instructions that did not work with any other machines.
That's all changed in the latest console generation. They use the same x CPU instruction set that your Windows, Linux, or Mac computer does, and that makes it easier for game developers to get their products to run on PC and console. The Nintendo Switch is a bit different. It uses the ARM instruction set, which is the same as the one your phone or streaming box is designed around.
It's not too hard for developers to port a game from x86 to ARM, but because the Switch is a bit different, you'll likely see some games come out for it a little later than they did on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Buying a video game console is a significant purchase, so it's good to have an idea of when it'll be obsolete.
Consoles, unfortunately, aren't like toaster ovens. As the years pass, technology improves and becomes cheaper, and eventually, your console will become outdated. Many systems on the market right now are considered to be part of the ninth generation of video game consoles.
The eighth-generation consoles were on the market from until late , and that's about a typical timeframe. Consoles usually have a lifespan of around seven years before the next model is released. If someone offers you one, and they're not close friends or family, then odds are it's stolen or broken. It's possible that you can get a used model of the older models in the upper end of this price range.
If buying used, always make sure you see the console tested with an actual game on disc before you buy it. This will show you that it can power on, play games, and that the disc drive isn't bad. Fast forward to the present day, the floating-point performance of the average game console is of 1 TFLOP tera-floating point operations per second. All the video game consoles nowadays demand a significant amount of RAM and internal storage.
Internal or on-board storage has replaced the memory cards and cartridges of old game consoles. The first Microsoft Xbox , released in , was the first machine to use on-board storage, with 8GB available, along with an optional memory card of 8MB. Now, game consoles have up to 2TB of internal storage. USB ports enable you to connect peripherals to the console, such as speakers, headphones, and external hard drives.
Not only that, when you have a USB flash drive and HDMI ports on your console, you can easily save your game profile and transfer it to another console. Connectivity is another praiseworthy advantage found in modern game consoles. With Bluetooth connectivity, gamers can connect any Bluetooth device they want — wireless headsets and speakers, wireless controllers, or even keyboards.
With wireless controllers, you don't risk getting tangled in cables. If you opt for wireless controllers, you need to make sure the gaming experience is smooth and without any delays between the moment you provide the input and the moment when it becomes visible on the screen. The lag for wireless controllers should be below ten milliseconds for undisrupted gaming. However, there is a significant advantage wired controllers have over wireless controllers: with wired controllers, you don't have to worry about charging the battery of your controller.
Motion-sensitive controllers provide an intuitive sense to gaming by detecting and tracking gamers' movements with the help of accelerometers and gyroscopes. With motion-sensitive controllers, your movements are seamlessly translated into the game. Such controllers are suitable for sports and action games, which were made extremely popular by Nintendo's Wii console. Game consoles offer a variety of entertainment options in addition to gaming, for example, movie streaming, music streaming, and virtual reality applications.
Besides, there is a wide range of accessories you can use for different types of games: racing wheels, joysticks, and even comfy seats. However, not all the machines are equal since each of them is unique in terms of hardware, movie streaming capacity, and exclusive apps. As brands such as Microsoft and Sony continue to upgrade their consoles and the games that make them so popular, any typical gamer is going to need to understand what backwards compatibility is.
With backwards compatibility, you can play games from the previous generation or several generations of console. And, currently, few game consoles are backwards compatible.
Paired with a VR headset , your game console guarantees an immersive and interactive experience in a 3D environment. When it comes to the PS5 vs. When we talk about the best game consoles, it's the 'games' that ultimately matter the most. When choosing a game console, the choice depends a lot on the games you like to play.
The number of exclusive games often becomes the top priority for most of the users. Exclusive games are what defines a console; they are only available on a single platform belonging to the console producer. Sometimes, a unique title is the principal reason players choose a particular game console. With the popularity of game consoles such as the Xbox Series X, access to subscription services are becoming more important to gamers, too.
Game consoles 1 - 5. Sony PlayStation 5 1. Microsoft Xbox Series X 2. Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition 3. It also lacks the 4K Blu-ray player of the Xbox One X, meaning it loses out in the battle for multimedia supremacy. But at the end of the day, the PS4 Pro is a video game console and in that regard, Sony has knocked it out of the park thanks to their phenomenal first-party titles. Where the Xbox One S differentiates itself is in power and cost, forgoing the former to offer huge savings on the latter.
Our most recent evaluations took over 80 hours. Our writer and product tester is a lifetime avid gamer who thoroughly researched and tested each of the consoles, pushing each to their limit to test their quality, features, performance and ease of use. Our team of reviewers and test assistants worked together throughout the evaluation process.
This helps us consider the widest possible variety of features and use cases. Prices increase according to processing power, but there are other factors to consider such as game selection and home entertainment center multimedia options, like streaming video.
Special or limited edition consoles can cost more. Many video games are available for multiple platforms, like Minecraft for example. However, some games are made exclusively for a specific console. Heard great things about Uncharted or The Last of Us? But with the advent of the Switch, Nintendo has begun collaborating with third-party game developer companies, and now games available on the Switch have improved greatly both graphics- and capacity-wise.
The lesson here is to discover what kinds of games you and your family like to play, then choose a console that supports most of them. However, at least for the time being, you cannot play with a friend who owns a different console than you. Another option is local multiplayer. You can play using two TVs in a single location or using the split-screen feature on a single TV. However, Nintendo continues to create games and consoles that can abide by this option, making its consoles great for local gaming.
Consoles also have parental controls, which give concerned parents more control than ever over the kinds of games, apps and videos their kids can access. Most of the latest consoles have the necessary power to play media smoothly and effortlessly. Some can even read Blu-rays and DVDs, so you can watch your entire physical movie catalog without buying a separate disc player. And since the consoles constantly receive automatic software updates, the viewing experience is ever improving.
The newest heavy-duty console to hit the market — the Xbox One X — has 4K HDR playback and the most powerful gaming console processor on the market. The best way to compare it is to say that an Xbox is a media center that also plays games, and the PlayStation is a gaming console that also plays media. Nintendo understands that not all consoles are meant for the living room. You can play AAA titles on them, and some even allow for 3D gameplay. If you want something more powerful and versatile, which allows for handheld gameplay as well as traditional couch-and-TV-based gaming, for both solo and multiplayer fun, go with the Switch.
As we approach the end of this console generation, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are all gearing up for the future. As a result, none of the previous generation of consoles are still on sale, with exception of Nintendo's 3DS and 2DS line of handhelds.
These still offer great value thanks to their extensive game libraries, even if new games are no longer being release.
If you're looking for budget gaming, your best bet is to get one of the entry level consoles like the Xbox One S or PS4 Slim. If you're not attached to physical media, Microsoft also sell a digital only Xbox One S.
It doesn't have a disc drive, but it's even cheaper than the normal model. Otherwise, consider classic or used consoles.
Most cities have small, local game stores where you can often find deeply discounted — albeit used — consoles and games. You can also save a ton by buying used accessories.
Most of the time, the people running these stores are avid gamers as well and can give you recommendations and keep you notified of upcoming releases, sales and in-store events.
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