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PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and more
By
Alex Williams
Alex Williams
Writer
- Diablo Valley College
Alex Williams is an experienced tech writer with an interest in wearable technologies. He focuses on everything from gaming headsets to headphones.
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Updated on February 16, 2024
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- PC
- PS4
- Xbox One
- Xbox 360
- Nintendo Switch
- Accessories
The latest console generation boasts excellent graphics, powerful specs, and many games. The three big dogs are Sony with the PlayStation 5, Microsoft with the Xbox Series X and Nintendo with the Switch. All three consoles fit into their particular niches, with the PS5 having an advantage in exclusives at launch, the Series X being power graphically potent on paper, and the Nintendo Switch being the ideal portable device. in this article Our Picks What to Look For in a Gaming Console FAQ Pros Gorgeous 4K graphical output DualSense controller is a huge step forward Ultra smooth playing experience Cons Not quite as powerful as the Xbox Series X Sony’s PlayStation 5 represents a significant boost in visual quality over its predecessors, with more than five times the graphical output of the original PlayStation 4 and more than double that of the half-step PS4 Pro revision. The result is smooth, crisp, and ultra-detailed game worlds delivered in native 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second on supported screens, with 8K content compatibility also available. It also provides a much smoother play experience thanks to its speedy SSD storage, dramatically reducing load times. Beyond the power boost, the DualSense controller is an exciting innovation, packing in precise haptic feedback and adaptive, resistance-providing trigger buttons for a more immersive play experience. The PS5, available with or without a disc drive, had a solid array of launch games, including excellent exclusives like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls. The rival Xbox Series X is a bit more powerful on paper and sports a more compact, entertainment center-friendly design along with other perks. Sony is now selling a PS5 Slim model, which is 30% smaller than the original and has more storage. GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2 | CPU: AMD Ryzen | Storage: 825GB SSD | Optical Drive: Yes | Dimensions: 15.4"x4.1"x10.2" | Weight: 9.9 Lbs Pros Extremely portable Great for local multiplayer Relatively low cost Cons Graphics aren't as good as other consoles Lackluster online service No Ethernet port, Wi-Fi only Upon its first reveal, the Nintendo Switch marketed itself as a mobile gaming system that could be played at home on your television and carried around and playable wherever you go. Nintendo’s innovative console makes playing on the go easyand comes with a disassembling controller with split-screen options to play with friends. The Nintendo Switch has 50 third-party publishers in partnership for developing its future games. Hits like Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Mario Odyssey have given it a strong lineup. The Switch makes for an excellent system for parties with its mobile snap-off joy-con controllers–once out of its docking station, it acts like a tablet with its dedicated screen that can be shared with others through split-screen multiplayer games. GPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra Processor | CPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra Processor | Storage: 32GB Internal | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 4"x9.4"x.55" | Weight: .88 Lbs Pros Beautiful 4K graphics Fast loading and menus Most powerful console Extensive backward compatibility Runs quiet and cool Cons Lacks big exclusives No rechargeable controller battery Extra storage is expensive The Xbox Series X is the most powerful home console ever created, powering up to 12 teraflops of graphical performance for hyper-detailed 4K games at up to 120 frames per second on supported screens. Just as impressively, the super-fast custom SSD enables rapid loading of games and lets you swap between open games in mere seconds thanks to the unique Quick Resume feature. Microsoft’s console is compatible with a wide array of past Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games but lacks exclusives to warrant the $499 asking price. Pros 1440p next-gen gaming Plays all Xbox Series S/X games Backwards compatible Tiny form factor Great price Cons No 4K graphics Underpowered for a next-gen console No disc drive Limited storage Can't play physical discs from previous generations If you have to pick just one gaming console from this list, the Xbox Series S is likely the most lucrative option for most people. It's an excellent low-cost alternative to the Series X, bringing much of the same experience, albeit with some limits. The console can tackle 1440p gaming at 60fps or 120fps, but not 4K. Storage is limited to 512GB, but you can expand it with the expansion card. The real value of the console comes from its ability to play all the same games as the Xbox Series X. It's also backward compatible, giving you a wide range of games. The most cost-effective feature might be that you can use the Series S with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving you access to an extensive library of games for a monthly fee. GPU: AMD Custom Radeon RDNA 2 | CPU: AMD Custom Ryzen Zen 2 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Optical Drive: Yes | Dimensions: 5.9"x5.9"x11.9" | Weight: 9.8 Lbs Pros Great price Ultraportable size True D-pad rather than buttons Cons Only offers 720p No motion controls No TV hookup option The Nintendo Switch Lite is a cheaper, more portable option for gamers who want to experience all the best Nintendo titles on a budget. It ditches the dock and Joy-Con from Nintendo's original Switch, establishing itself as a handheld-only device. It comes in multiple colors, like bright turquoise or banana yellow. There's a much lower entry barrier at two-thirds the price of a standard Nintendo Switch, but it comes with a few sacrifices. Most notably, the Switch Lite doesn't dock to a television, meaning you can only play games in handheld mode. The lack of a built-in kickstand severely limits local multiplayer, but there are a handful of improvements over the OG Switch as well. The form factor feels better in the hands, and the smaller size makes it easier to take with you on the go. There's an actual directional pad that works better than the OG Switch's directional buttons, especially for platformers or fighting games. These upgrades make the Switch Lite perfect for anyone who plays exclusively in handheld mode and's looking for a better option on the go. GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | CPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | Storage: 32GB Internal | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 3.6"x8.2"x.55" | Weight: .61 Lbs Pros Classic nostalgic games Supports HDMI out and powered by USB Includes two controllers Cons Difficult to find in stock Gamers rejoiced when news dropped that Nintendo would be re-releasing updated classics of its former consoles like the NES and Super NES Classic. The Super NES Classic resurrects the glorious gaming era of the 1990s with 21 games, including Starfox 2. With the original look and feel of the 16-bit home console (only smaller), the Super NES Classic is a timepiece for when gaming was reaching its peaks. Some of the best two-player games of its era are included and ready to play, such as Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II Turbo. Defining games such as Megaman X, Earthbound, Kirby Super Star, and Super Mario RPG return, too. Any gamer wanting to relive their youth or introduce gamers to a simpler time when the Internet was first starting should get the Super NES classic. Included are two wired Super NES Classic controllers for multiplayer action. GPU: Mali-400 MP | CPU: ARM Cortex-A7 | Storage: 512GB Flash Storage | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 10"x2.68"x8" | Weight: 2.12 Lbs The newest gaming consoles can be pricey, but you don’t have to spend much for an exciting gaming experience. For instance, Nintendo’s consoles, on average, cost about $100 less than many of its competitors. You can also find great deals on classic systems. If you’ve previously owned a gaming console, you should consider buying a new one compatible with the library of games you’ve likely collected. For example, newer PlayStations won’t play games from older Sony consoles, but you can still access hundreds of older PlayStation titles using the PS Now streaming service. On the other hand, Xbox consoles have much better backward compatibility, not to mention a digital redemption scheme that lets you download newer versions of your existing games for free. How important is it to you to be able to play your favorite games in true 4K? If your answer is “very,” you’ll want a console that supports 2160p or higher, but if your answer is “not really,” you can settle for something else. The same goes for virtual reality, as not all systems will support it. FAQ Do you need a stable internet connection to use these consoles? While gaming consoles rely on an internet connection for much of their functionality, having a stable connection isn'tessential. However, not connecting your console will severely hamper its features and your overall enjoyment. Besides being unable to play with your friends online, you won't get updates for your console or games, purchase or download games digitally, or access the multitudes of free games that typically become available overa console's lifetime. Can you upgrade your consoles? Modern consoles have a limited upgrade capacity, usually restricted to storage and aesthetics. Unfortunately, there is no way to install granular upgrades like you would see with a gaming PC, but you still have the option to increase your storage space or swap its color for something more palatable.Best Games
Sony PlayStation 5
Best for Affordable Gaming
Microsoft Xbox Series S
What to Look For in a Gaming Console
Price
Compatibility
4K or VR support
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