It’s an exciting time to be a gamer. With so many new games being released each month, now is an excellent time to purchase a new video game console if you need an upgrade or some new gear. Should you purchase a new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X console? Perhaps you prefer mobile gaming and want to purchase the new Nintendo Switch OLED.
The thing about video games is that they are actually quite inexpensive when compared to other forms of entertainment, especially when you consider how many hours people will put into a game versus a movie or show. And the latest consoles not only allow you to play video games, but also provide apps like Netflix and Hulu, making them all-in-one entertainment devices for your living room. The following is a list of the best consoles to buy right now if you can find them.
BEST GAMING CONSOLE
SONY
According to available statistics, Microsoft’s Xbox is the most popular home entertainment console in the United States. However, the PlayStation is the undisputed global leader. Even though Microsoft will soon own popular games like Call of Duty, many of these titles are expected to remain available on PlayStation for the foreseeable future. Sony has its own exclusives as well, ranging from God of War to Demon’s Souls and Spiderman. In terms of hardware, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox are comparable. What will ultimately determine your choice is whether you prefer PlayStation exclusives over Xbox exclusives. The much-anticipated game Starfield, which was previously scheduled for a PlayStation release, will now be exclusive to Microsoft’s console. As a result, you should test the library on both consoles. The disk-less PS5 costs $100 more than the comparable Xbox Series S, but it performs better in high-end games.
Pros
4K graphics.
Solid exclusive games
Cons
More expensive than Xbox
BEST MICROSOFT GAMING CONSOLE
MICROSOFT
Microsoft’s flagship console, the Series X, was released last year. The Series X video game console is a beast, with support for high-end 4K graphics and new rendering techniques like “ray-tracing” (think more realistic shadows in video games) (which can also stream TVs and movies from your favorite services). Microsoft owns many iconic videos game franchises, such as Halo and Fallout, and recently announced that it will add franchises such as Call of Duty to its arsenal of in-house titles. That means they may become exclusive to Xbox in the future—Microsoft offers an appealing monthly subscription service called Game Pass, through which hundreds of games can be downloaded and played for just $15 per month, similar to Netflix. It might want the best titles to become exclusive to boost Game Pass. That makes the Xbox a solid choice over PlayStation, though many of these games may remain available on Sony’s competing console (where you still have to pay individually for many top titles), and the PlayStation has its own popular exclusives. Unlike the more affordable Series S, this console includes a disk-drive and more powerful graphics.
BEST PORTABLE GAME CONSOLE
This is the first-generation Nintendo Switch. Unlike the previous pick, this one is less expensive, and in exchange for the lower price, you get a smaller screen (6.2 inches instead of 7 inches). If you intend to use your Switch primarily in docked mode, connected to a TV, the standard Switch will suffice. Some people simply do not enjoy playing on the go because a small screen can be difficult to see, and docked mode allows you to play with a dedicated controller more easily. The Switch Lite is also available for $199, but it has a small screen and cannot be connected to a TV, so we don’t recommend it.
Pros
Portable, good for kids.
Cons
Smaller screen than the Switch OLED model
BEST PREMIUM PORTABLE GAME CONSOLE
NINTENDO
For fans of iconic Nintendo franchises like Mario and Zelda, which are exclusive to the company’s own devices, the Switch is a solid gaming device. However, in terms of graphics capabilities, the console falls far short of competitors. It’s best for children and adults who grew up playing Nintendo, rather than gamers interested in higher-intensity games like Call of Duty and other similar titles. The Switch stands out on this list because it can be used as a standard console connected to your TV or as a handheld, making it the most versatile and one you may want to purchase alongside another console for on-the-go play. Animal Crossing is a game that is enjoyable for people of all ages and can help you pass the time on your next flight.
BEST BUDGET GAME CONSOLE
MICROSOFT
The Series S, as the name suggests, is Microsoft’s latest console without a disc drive. This means you can only play games that you have downloaded from the internet. Most people should be fine with this option in 2022, but some people still prefer to own physical copies of the games and other media they buy. If that is important to you, you should get the Series X instead. Another factor to consider is that the Series S is slightly less powerful than the Series X, allowing you to play games at 1080p rather than 4K as on the higher-end console. However, many games released today do not take full advantage of the Series X hardware. On the entry-level Series S, you’ll still get a great, nearly comparable gaming experience.
Pros
Good value
Graphics performance is slightly lower than the Series X
