What is the best gaming console? Should we opt for the PS5 or the Xbox Series X? Or maybe opt for a portable hybrid like the Nintendo Switch OLED? And what about portable consoles like the Switch Lite, or a streamer for games like the Nvidia Shield? Also consider the latest generation, but still popular, PS4 and Xbox One.
Game consoles are essential for many of us, but they are expensive and each offers something slightly different, be it graphics power, design or game availability.
If you are a professional gamer, it can be confusing to choose a console, especially if you are about to start in the world of video games. That’s why, at PCWorld, we want to make it easy for you and help you make the best purchasing decision.
On the other hand, you can find cheaper consoles, in this article we have grouped the best latest models.
You might also be interested in reading our Comparison between PS4 and Xbox One by clicking on this link.
PlayStation 5 – The Best Experience
- Advantages
- the inconvenients
- large dimensions
- Small internal SSD
The PlayStation 5 represents the pinnacle of next-gen gaming, delivering solid gameplay across [email protected] (or even 120fps with a compatible TV) as well as super fast loading times thanks to the inclusion of a custom-designed SSD, albeit a tad small at 825GB, and unlike the Xbox Series X, c It’s quite difficult (and expensive) to expand internal storage.
When it comes to performance, expect ray tracing, high-quality textures, improved particle effects, and a more faithful overall experience than the PS4, but it’s arguably the DualSense controller that does. really separates it from the competition.
Sony’s DualSense controller has adjustable triggers, meaning the bumpers can better simulate pulling a gun or recoiling from a bow before firing, and the advanced haptic motors make things right, too. much more realistic.
The two technologies combined are a huge step up from the Xbox controller, offering minimal differences at best.
There may not be a less powerful variant like the Xbox Series S, but the discless PS5 Digital is available, at a price that doesn’t compromise next-gen performance.
But keep in mind that the PS5 is a bargain no matter which variant you choose.
Xbox Series X – The Best Xbox
- Advantages
- the inconvenients
- No changes on the Xbox controller
- Slower load times than PS5
Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s answer to next-gen gaming, and it delivers the same performance [email protected] with ray tracing, high quality textures and improved particle effects over the PS5, and while not as fast as Sony’s SSD, the inclusion of an SSD means the game is also fast.
There’s a massive library of games available to play, offering compatibility with the original Xbox – something the PS5 can’t compete with, as it only offers compatibility with PS4 titles outside of its PS Now service.
The design is much more understated than the competition, featuring an all-black design with green highlights on the console vent, but it’s still tall at 30cm.
It’s a strong contender for the title of best console, but it’s the “safe” Xbox controller upgrade that lets it down: while Sony has pushed hard on every aspect of the console experience from new generation, it seems that Microsoft has focused only on the tower.
Xbox Series S – Best for Xbox Game Pass
- Advantages
- Cheaper than Series X
- Fast SSD performance
- Best for Xbox Game Pass
- the inconvenients
- It is limited to 1440p
- Unable to run Xbox One X (or Series X) upgrades
Xbox Series S doesn’t offer the same 4K gaming speed as Series X or PS5, but it does offer key improvements like fast SSD and Xbox UI upgrades, and it’s much cheaper than Xbox Series S. hero consoles.
In fact, if you have a 1440p screen, this might be the perfect console for you, especially considering it’s much smaller than other next-gen consoles, making it a better companion to the TV. It could also be an inexpensive way to get your hands on exclusive Microsoft titles if you primarily play on another console, especially given the company’s purchase of Bethesda.
Don’t get me wrong though: it’s not as powerful as its big brother, and it can’t even run games with Xbox One X enhancements, so stay away if you’re currently using the latest-gen One X. .
Nintendo Switch (OLED) – Ideal for portable gaming
- Advantages
- Large OLED display
- thinner glasses
- Improved battery life
- the inconvenients
- Method
- No increase in graphics power
The Nintendo Switch (OLED) doesn’t offer the boost in graphics power that some were hoping for, but as the name suggests, it has a larger 7-inch OLED display for an enhanced portable gaming experience with color more vivid and deeper blacks. . Zelda has never looked better than on the Switch’s OLED display.
It’s more than just a screen upgrade, though; there’s an improvement in battery life over the original 2017 Switch variant, which offered between 4.5 and 9 hours of battery life depending on the game you’re playing. The console also fixes some long-standing complaints, such as the flimsy kickstand, this time replaced with a much sturdier option, and the button shapes have also been improved.
If you want the new version of the Nintendo Switch with a longer battery life, the OLED model probably won’t be w orth it, if you want a Switch older than 2017, or you won’t have a problem with it, the OLED model will be worth it sadness.
Nintendo Switch – Best for Hybrid Games
- Advantages
- hybrid format
- Great titles for Nintendo Switch
- the inconvenients
- outdated design
- average battery life
- Lack of graphics power
Nintendo’s latest console is, predictably, unusual. The Switch is a kind of hybrid between different styles of consoles. You can connect it to your TV to play big screen games or take it with you on the go like any other portable console.
Just like the most recent version of the main console, the switch it has the thinnest game lineup of the bunch, so it’s not the best option if you want immediate access to a wide variety of titles (the list is growing by the day, though).
Still, it’s the only console you can play the latest Zelda and Mario titles on, and the best option if you want releases of major games like Skyrim that you can take with you anywhere.
If you want to check out some of the best games for Nintendo Switch, feel free to click on this link.
Microsoft Xbox One S – Best for Beginners
- Advantages
- Affordable
- great gaming experience
- Decent performance at 1080p
- the inconvenients
- Can’t run games in 4K
It’s not the high-end variant, but the Xbox One S is a great console for most gamers. It’s smaller and lighter than the Xbox One, and the power supply is built in, which is a plus.
The Launch Edition also has a whopping 2TB of storage. Although the Xbox OneS it supports 4K resolution, it’s limited to video playback, so you’ll have to buy for the Xbox One X for 4K gaming (or get the PS4 Pro).
PS4 Slim – For PlayStation Beginners
- Advantages
- Affordable
- fine design
- Extensive library of PlayStation exclusives
- the inconvenients
The new PS4 Slim That’s more or less what the brand itself says: a smaller version of the original PS4 with a more rounded design.
PS4 owners won’t need to upgrade their systems as the internal specs are nearly identical. Although the new PS4 slim supports HDR, it is not something exclusive, as it was also introduced during the launch of PS4 with an update of
Nvidia Shield TV (2019) – Best for cloud gaming
- Advantages
- space-saving design
- Cloud Gaming Ready
- Android TV capability
- the inconvenients
The Nvidia Shield TV might seem pricey for a media streamer, but the games available on Google Play on the system are pretty cheap, and there’s plenty more on offer too.
While the Shield offers the same functionality as a standard media streamer (on-demand TV, etc.), it also offers a number of power-hungry Shield-exclusive games and is also compatible with a number of Bluetooth controllers.
Plus, there’s an exclusive subscription service that puts a huge library of games at your fingertips, and you also have the option of purchasing the latest PC games to play directly on the Shield via GeForce Now.
Nintendo Switch Lite – The best portable
- Advantages
- Affordable
- Compact and fun design
- the inconvenients
- only by hand
- Average battery life
- Small 5.5 inch screen
If the standard Nintendo Switch isn’t portable enough for your needs, the smaller Switch Lite may be just what you need. It offers the same basic Nintendo Switch experience, with the latest console titles, but with a smaller 5.5-inch screen and a lighter form factor.
However, unlike the standard console, it is not a hybrid: it is simply a portable console, without the possibility of connecting it to a television. The Joy-Cons are also not removable, which could cause issues with gesture-based titles.
Still, it’s cheaper than the standard Nintendo Switch, and for those who mainly play handheld games, the Lite’s lack of a TV isn’t much of an issue.
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