Best Game Consoles: It’s an exciting moment to be a gamer. With so many new games being released each month, now is a great time to pick up a new video game system if you are in need of 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.
We have spent a significant amount of time with all of these systems and can confidently declare that whichever one you choose is a good one. These gadgets have something for everyone, from spectacular visuals to smooth performance and the flexibility to take your gaming experiences on the move. And, with the imminent introduction of the Valve Steam Deck, this list will undoubtedly grow in the future.
Whatever console you intend to acquire, we recommend that you do it as soon as possible. Over the last year, supply concerns have made all of the top consoles extremely difficult to obtain. While holiday restocks will make it easier to find one, these popular gaming machines won’t be around for long.
Whatever your gaming requirements are, we will assist you in locating the best video game console for you. The following are the top video game systems to buy in 2022.
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The Best Game Consoles: PlayStation 5
The PS5 is the best plug-and-play gaming platform available, with lightning-fast load times, a redesigned controller, and an incredible roster of launch titles (including fan favorites and new exclusives).
To begin with, the PS5 currently has an advantage in terms of games. Since the beginning, PlayStation gamers have been enjoying titles such as Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, and Godfall.
Xbox players, on the other hand, have finally been able to play Halo Infinite since its release in 2021, but the number of top-tier exclusives beyond that is short. Sony has also finally included backward compatibility, and the PS5 will be able to play most PS4 games, ensuring that you don’t miss out on late-gen titles like The Last of Us Part II and Ghosts of Tsushima. Simply put, the PS5 has the best game library available right now when we talk about the Best Game Consoles.
However, the PS5’s strong launch roster is only part of the picture. The new DualSense controller, which is slightly larger than the DualShock 4, refines haptic feedback, bringing a precise sensation of touch into the gaming experience that force feedback could never attain. Hand triggers can indicate stress when you’re draining your stamina bar to pull back a bowstring or attempting to break down a locked door, for example. The new technology, paired with continued PSVR compatibility, creates a more immersive gaming experience.
In terms of peripherals and hardware, both iterations of the console feature AMD chips throughout, including an eight-core CPU based on a modified version of the Ryzen series. The GPU of the PS5 is also from AMD and provides 10.28 teraflops of power while enabling resource-intensive procedures like ray tracing, allowing for more complex lighting in games. It also includes a 4K Blu-ray player, which puts it on par with the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. In layman’s words, the PS5 is less powerful than the Xbox Series X, but it still packs a punch and offers a significant leap over previous-generation systems.
If discs aren’t your thing, or if you simply want to save money, the PS5 Digital Edition is the way to go. It costs $100 cheaper than the normal PS5 but has the same specifications. The only difference between the two is that the Digital Edition lacks a disc drive, which means Ultra HD Blu-rays are out, and you’ll have to rely on digital downloads. Everything else remains the same, including the launch lineup.
The biggest issue with the PS5 is that even after a year on the market, they’re still difficult to come by, owing to chip shortages. They come in and out of stock at retailers on a semi-regular basis, but you shouldn’t expect to stroll into a store and find one sitting on a shelf.
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The Best Microsoft Gaming Console: Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X is the fastest, most powerful Xbox ever. Play thousands of titles from four Generations of Consoles – all games look and play best on Xbox Series X. At the heart of Series X is the Xbox Velocity architecture, which pairs a custom SSD with integrated software for faster, streamlined gameplay with significantly reduced load times. Seamlessly move between multiple games in a Flash with a quick resume.
However, you can explore rich new worlds and enjoy the action like never before with the unmatched 12 Teraflops of raw graphic processing power. You will enjoy 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second, advanced 3D spatial sound, and more. Get started with an instant library of 100+ high-quality games, including all-new Xbox Game Studios titles the day they launch like Halo Infinite, with Xbox Game Pass ultimate.
The Xbox Series X is a technological behemoth. The system has 12 TFLOPS of power and up to eight times the graphical performance of the Xbox One, as well as twice the power of the Xbox One X. The Xbox Series X also includes 16GB of GDDR6 RAM and offers variable refresh rate, Variable Rate Shading technology, and a low-latency mode for an improved game response. The power of this next-gen system is guaranteed to impress players – that is, once actual next-gen titles are available for it.
It’s impossible to talk about the Series X without mentioning how wonderful Halo Infinite is. Despite missing its first date, the game was finally released near the end of 2021 and became an instant hit. We also love Forza Horizon 5, which won a series of honors after its release in 2021. Other games on Microsoft’s new platform, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and NBA 2K22, are fantastic, and there’s no shortage of other experiences to enjoy. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many excellent exclusives on Series X as there are on PS5, at least not as of 2022, but this will most certainly change in the future. There will be a deluge of amazing games for Xbox Series X in the future, including the long-awaited Perfect Dark revival, State of Decay 3, a new Fable installment, and many more.
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The Best Game Consoles: Nintendo Switch
Nintendo avoided the current console arms race by changing where you use your system rather than how you use it. The Switch is a hybrid device that, like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, plugs into a TV but also functions as a handheld.
While it lacks the power to play the latest 4K, 120 fps games anticipated for next-gen consoles, the Switch can play Doom at a smooth 30 FPS anywhere, which is more than enough for many gamers. In addition to new titles like Control, the Switch is an excellent platform for resurrecting modern classics like The Witcher 3, L.A. Noire, and Dark Souls Remastered.
The Switch is more than just a warehouse for lightly-aged AAA titles; it also has an ever-expanding catalog of fantastic first-party games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as well as excellent indies like Stardew Valley, Celeste, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Add in some retro Nintendo nostalgia with a growing library of NES and SNES titles available through Nintendo Switch Online, and the Switch becomes a well-rounded platform.
The Nintendo Switch is also an excellent companion system for anyone who owns a PlayStation or Xbox console. It can accomplish things that the competitors cannot, and it provides a slew of amazing titles that will almost certainly never exist on a Sony or Microsoft console system of the Best Game Consoles.
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The Best Budget Game Console: PlayStation 4 Pro
While many gamers are upgrading to the PlayStation 5, last-generation consoles still have a lot of life in them. The PlayStation 4 Pro is still a serious gaming machine with a large library of titles, and the price of the console (as well as games, peripherals, and so on) will continue to fall. The PS4 Pro is also slightly easier to find than the PS5, albeit most new consoles have been plagued by limited availability as a result of the recent chip shortage. Because of the increased visuals and clearer images for 4K-enabled titles, the PS4 Pro provides an outstanding playing experience for 4K television users.
We won’t pretend that the PS4 Pro can compete with the superior PS5, but it’s still a decent gaming experience. Aside from a few titles exclusive to the PS5, you’ll have access to the majority of big titles currently available, as well as all of the most popular free-to-play titles.
When determining whether to upgrade to a new system, price is a key consideration – there’s no shame in acquiring a last-gen console to play with until the PS5 becomes less expensive and more widely available when talking about the Best Game Consoles.
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The Best Game Consoles: Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite is a new version of the Nintendo Switch system and one of the Best Game Consoles that’s optimized for personal, handheld play. The Nintendo Switch Lite is a small and light Nintendo Switch system at a great price. With a built-in +Control Pad, and a sleek, unibody design, Nintendo Switch Lite is great for on-the-go gaming. The Nintendo Switch Lite is compatible with popular games such as Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and more. If you’re looking for a gaming system all your own, Nintendo Switch Lite is ready to hit the road whenever you are.
If you just want to use your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, the Nintendo Switch Lite is an excellent choice at a little lower price point. It lacks the conventional system’s television docking capabilities, but it is smaller and has a little longer battery life than the upgraded Switch console that was released last year. It’s also backward compatible with practically every Nintendo Switch game out of the box, making it ideal for titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield.
The Switch Lite does away with the Joy-Cons in favor of an all-in-one design. It’s almost an inch narrower than the original, making it more compact. It’s lighter, at 9.7 ounces, but not so much that it seems flimsy. Because the console is smaller than its predecessor, the button layout had to be adjusted slightly, but the console is still extremely pleasant and simple to use.
There are no discernible variations in gaming performance between the two consoles. Building your fortifications in a tense Fortnite encounter or revving up the field in Rocket League will feel just as seamless on the Switch Lite display as they do on the standard Switch screen. The Switch Lite lacks TV functionality and motion controls due to the lack of a dock, HDMI support, and Joy-Cons, however, the majority of the Switch catalog is available.
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The Best Portable Console: Nintendo Switch OLED
We chose the OLED to benefit from the larger, more colorful screen. It’s amazing how much better the new OLED screen looks compared to the original model’s LCD display. And the new OLED model’s larger 7.0-inch screen is a significant improvement, allowing you a bit more mileage out of the gadget without increasing the overall size of the computer.
The Switch OLED is a fantastic pick because it retains all of the previous model’s peripherals, including as Joy-Con controllers, docks, microSD memory cards, and, of course, games. This means that consumers who are upgrading can use their existing accessories with the new OLED model.
While the Switch OLED plays all of the same games like the original Switch, they just appear better on the new system – at least in handheld mode. When comparing the two systems, it’s obvious to perceive the difference between the two screens. Because the OLED has a built-in LAN connector in the dock, you may connect an Ethernet cable to enjoy online gaming without the hassles that come with Wi-Fi.
Users who like to play in tabletop mode will appreciate the Switch OLED’s new kickstand, which extends all the way around the back of the device. This is a significant improvement over the first model’s small, fragile kickstand. Overall, the regular Switch performs admirably, but the OLED model is a substantial advance in more ways than one. The OLED, like the original Switch, will not run titles at a higher definition, but it is ideal for individuals who enjoy high-quality Nintendo games or ports of older treasured classics – particularly in handheld mode.
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The Best Game Consoles: SNES Classic Edition
Nintendo was at its creative best during the 16-bit period, creating big, praised games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Metroid alongside cult hits like Earthbound. Third-party developers did not suffer in silence, with Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VI and Konami’s Super Castlevania IV being among the top games of all time.
With the SNES Original Edition, you can relive all of your favorite classic Super Nintendo games as you remember them from retro gaming. There’s also a CRT filter option that mimics the appearance of your vintage television.
Playing old Nintendo games on the SNES Classic is significantly less frustrating than it was 25 years ago, thanks to the addition of a save-state feature, and when you’re ready to sit down and game with a friend, classics like Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting give you a chance to compete for bragging rights.
Outside of the Nintendo Switch Online service, the SNES Classic Edition is also the only method to play Star Fox 2, a game that Nintendo canceled just before its scheduled release date. To get it, simply complete the first level of the original Star Fox, but be warned: once you start playing, it will be difficult to stop.
The Best Alternative Retro Game Console: Sega Genesis Mini
While the SNES Classic was our top retro option, the Sega Genesis has certain golden-age masterpieces that are only available on that system. From pioneering platformers Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Earthworm Jim to classic fighter kings Streets of Rage 2 and Mortal Kombat II, Sega offers just as many fantastic, nostalgic titles as its Nintendo rival console.
The Sega Genesis Mini includes 42 titles, 40 of which are Sega classics, as well as the once-exclusive Tetris and arcade shoot ’em up Darius. The set contains a sleek, compact Sega Genesis system as well as two classic controllers. The console is plug-and-play, and it comes with a power adapter and an HDMI cable.
The games are basically exactly as they were, except the console includes a save-anywhere feature, which is a huge time saver. Overall, whether you like Sega’s or Nintendo’s retro system selection will mostly determine your retro console preference. There are no bad choices, as evidenced by the fact that these systems continue to generate buzz decades later.
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The Best Game Consoles: PlayStation VR
We know that PlayStation VR isn’t technically a standalone game device, but given how it utterly transforms gaming on the PS4, it might as well be. A new PlayStation 4 and headset package costs significantly less than a gaming PC and either an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset, making it by far the cheapest virtual reality gaming choice.
It should come as no surprise that the PlayStation VR headset lacks the technical capabilities of full-fledged VR headsets. The headset has a pair of 960xRGBx1080 RGB panels — one for each eye — and is powered by the PS4’s AMD Radeon GPU, which is far less powerful than the minimum requirements for a Vive or Rift-compatible PC. It also offers a 100-degree field of view, which is significantly less than what the Rift and Vive have. However, in comparison to mobile-powered choices like Google Cardboard, PlayStation VR achieves the impression of total immersion that comes with a “full VR” gadget.
There are a plethora of amazing games accessible on the platform, ranging from action and shooter to platformer, puzzle, and a variety of others. Good luck determining which games are the best to play (or which you can handle being fully immersed in).
If you’ve never used virtual reality before, the PlayStation VR will take your breath away. You may be disappointed if you’ve tried more advanced VR technology, but this is the most consumer-friendly way to play VR games in the comfort of your own home. We are still waiting to see how well Sony’s PSVR 2 performs, but based on what we know so far, it appears to be a significant improvement over its predecessor.
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