Which Gaming Console Is Right For Your Home?
Video games are as popular as ever, and there's no shortage of gaming consoles to choose from. Of course, not all systems are the same. If you've decided to buy a game console for your home, it's important to do some research beforehand to find out just what each system offers and what you can do with it. Gaming consoles are not a small purchase, and making an informed decision will help you get the most out of whatever you ultimately decide to buy. Which system you choose will depend on what kind of games you and your family enjoy and what kind of gamer the system is intended for. Here's a quick look at some of the most popular video game consoles available and what you can expect to get out of each one.
1 - PlayStation 5
Sony's PlayStation 5, or PS5, is one of the newest consoles. There are two models available: one with an HD disc drive and a digital model without the disc drive. The disc drive model can read games on a traditional disc and costs $499. The digital model is designed for gamers who prefer digitally-downloaded games and costs $399. The PS5 uses a wireless controller with a built-in microphone and an improved speaker. Newer games for Sony’s previous console, the PS4, will be compatible with the PS5 as long as they were submitted through Sony after July 2020.
2 – Nintendo Switch
Nintendo released its Switch console in 2017. The Switch is unique in that it can be used as either a portable handheld tablet or connected to a television and used as a traditional game console. Gamers can play in one of three modes: TV Mode, with the system connected to a TV display; Tabletop Mode, using the unit’s kickstand to prop it up on a tabletop and playing from the tablet screen; Handheld Mode, using the tablet as a portable handheld game. Gamers can buy games on a game cartridge or digitally through the Nintendo store accessible from the console via internet connection. The standard model costs $299. There is also a Lite version available for $199. This version can’t connect to a TV.
3 – Xbox Series X
The Series X is the newest game console from Microsoft. It was released in early November 2020 and has an enhanced graphics display and a faster drive to limit load time. The Series X also supports many streaming and video services like Apple TV and offers gamers access to a huge library of games for a monthly subscription fee. The new console will use backward compatibility, meaning that any game that works on Xbox One will function on the Series X. The console is selling for $499.
4 – Oculus Quest
Oculus, a subsidiary of Facebook, has created a virtual reality gaming headset that can run its own software and games. The Quest is the newest version of the Oculus headset and was released in May 2019. There are two models available: one with 64 gigabytes of storage for $399 and one with 128 gigabytes for $499. More casual gamers will be fine with the 64-gigabyte version, but more intense gamers who want a lot of games will probably want to upgrade to the larger model. The headset has integrated audio, but users can also buy external headphones to use with the system.
5 – Google Stadia
Stadia was launched in late 2019 as a cloud-based system. It doesn’t require any hardware, users simply need Google Chrome and an internet connection. The system pairs with YouTube to stream games, allowing users to game from their mobile device and use optional accessories like controllers or headsets. Gamers buy the games they want to play and can play at one of two service levels: the free, or “Stadia” level, which limits resolution to 1080p, or the “Stadia Pro” level, which offers higher resolution and discounts on games for a monthly cost of about $10.
