Photo Illustration: Vulture, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox
You might have heard of the new line of video game consoles and have piqued your interest. Should you be looking for a video game console for you? And which one? If you’ve been sitting outside of the gaming world for a while or are a completely newcomer, jumping back on can be a hassle, with plenty of information to analyze and little explanation for how important it really is. If that’s you, great news! This guide is for you.
Now, the bad news: It is now until far away The new wave of consoles is hard to come by. Naping one often includes being among the first to jump into a digital queue, and if anything happens with your connection, your odds are toasting. However, there are benefits to waiting: the longer you wait, the more glitches are worked out in what was a tough launch, and it gives you time to think about whether or not you want to upgrade your home theater to take advantage of the latest consoles. (More on that later, but it’s by no means necessary.)
But perhaps your needs are simpler. Maybe you just want the best all-in-one entertainment center, or the best console that you can get on a budget. Let’s explore the options together.
Some useful definitions: the current generation Consoles include Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5. The last two releases were launched in November, and thus overlap a lot with their predecessors, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. We call it The last generation Keyboards, and you can expect them to become obsolete sometime in the next couple of years. (Nintendo is moving at its own pace, preferring to release slightly updated versions of its consoles, such as additional iPhone upgrades.) Exclusive Games are games only available on one console, not on other devices, which makes this console more attractive.
Each console has a more expensive version available for purchase, and each has its own trade-offs.
Among the options available, Nintendo Switch Lite Wins for being the least exposed and most exciting with the least amount of money. You can choose from a huge and ever-growing library of games big and small, with exclusive titles that won’t appear anywhere else, in an attractive and unobtrusive package.
If you prefer something to go with your television, then Xbox S It’s hard to get to, as it’s built into the Netflix-style Game Pass for its console which offers dozens of on-demand games for a monthly fee.
Nintendo Switch Lite is $ 199, which is $ 100 cheaper than the regular Switch. Unlike this console, it does not have the option to connect to a TV, nor does it have detachable controllers, which makes it a completely portable device.
Xbox Series S. Retailing at $ 299, it’s $ 200 cheaper than an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 with a drive ($ 100 less than a PS5 without discs.) It’s an all-digital console without a drive for movies or games and comes with half the storage space for its more expensive sibling. (For someone who wants to play more than a handful of games, this will soon become a problem with an expensive solution.) Nor is it designed to take full advantage of Ultra HD TVs, so games in 4K are out of the question – but new generation games will still run just fine. .
The PlayStation 5 digital version drops $ 100 and discounts the PlayStation 5 drive at $ 499 – and the tradeoffs end there. It is the most expensive “budget” option, but also the most generous.
If you want your console to be an all-in-one entertainment device, the news … is good, I guess.
As more content spreads across more streaming platforms, getting everything you want in one place is harder than ever. However, console broadcast options are serviceable – essentially, you’re choosing between a larger group or a better experience. (Or the Nintendo Switch, which only the streaming apps Hulu and YouTube use.)
However, the Xbox Series X. It is the best choice for an all-in-one media device, as it has the most streaming application and thus the least reason to turn it off and switch to another device.
Xbox Series X. It has more apps available but a less fluid interface. It’s basically like opening apps on your Roku device, just all of your games are there too. You can customize your home screen extensively so that all of your tasks are easily accessible, but you’ll still move from one app to another.
PlayStation 5 is strangely lacking in media apps right now, and it mostly focuses on the big names in live streaming: Disney +, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Apple TV +. that Do youHowever, organize offerings from these services on one screen, with selections from each app’s library there to peruse. It’s fairly convenient: nicer than the way your cable provider organizes content on demand, but it’s not as cute as the Apple TV.
This is the most difficult question to answer. The two new line’s top controllers are equally matched in processing power, providing often the same experience with just a few distinguishing factors. Both are also a little unrefined: the Xbox exclusive game list is almost completely hypothetical at the moment but it makes up for it with the value of Game Pass. The PlayStation 5 is an incomplete mess, with users reporting frequent crashes and bugs with the game (though not having any full system glitches yet), while also being burdened with the worst UI at some point.
Deciding which one is right for you depends on how you answer a few questions. Are you planning to play with friends? Maybe you should all get the same console. (This might be the Nintendo Switch.) Want to keep up with the cultural conversation about games? Consider getting a console with the most exclusive benefits. (Now: PlayStation 5). Have you missed the last few generations of video games? Maybe you get one with the deepest seat for legacy games (Xbox Series X).
Do you want us to make the decision on your behalf? Get PlayStation 5 With A Hard Drive. It currently has an edge in exclusive games, a great deal of momentum due to the success of the PS4, and a number of fun new features – from its DualSense controller to the extensive social features for sharing games with friends – that make the entire package worth it. It’s not without its share of hiccups, but so far there aren’t any issues that can’t be fixed with an update or two in the coming weeks or months. Or years, if we’re really unlucky.
The Nintendo Switch comes second, but it is starting to show its age and it is rumored that it will get an updated version soon. It might be worth waiting to see what this looks like.
PlayStation 5 is strangely lacking in media apps right now, and it mostly focuses on the big names in live streaming: Disney +, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Apple TV +. that Do youHowever, organize offerings from these services on one screen, with selections from each app’s library there to peruse. It’s fairly convenient: nicer than the way your cable provider organizes content on demand, but it’s not as cute as the Apple TV.
If you get one of the current generation of consoles, you will need to know what it can do. Here are some games to try.
A gruesome gangster series that sings perfectly on Xbox Series X / S. Explore a vibrant Japanese city while searching for revenge on a crime gang that has abandoned you and befriends a team of misfits.
At the moment, this is the only game you absolutely need a PlayStation 5 to play – and it’s an odd one. Demon souls It is a remake of the cult’s favorite PlayStation 3 game. An opaque acquired taste, Demon souls It is a rewarding and strange game at the same time, and it is not a game for everyone but it is nonetheless the best demonstration of what the new generation of games can look like.
Since it is preinstalled on every PlayStation 5 system, you might be tempted to ignore this game. Do not. Astro games room It’s a fun-adventure for all ages that doubles as a demo of all the fun things to do with the DualSense controller.
Photo: Monstars, Resonair / Enhance Games
It’s not a graphical presentation, but it is easily one of the best games to launch on Xbox consoles. An inspiring shot of one of the most popular video games of all time, Tetris Effect: Connected Delight.
Evil tv scholar. Proud twitter aficionado. Travel ninja. Hipster-friendly zombie fanatic.