Game console sells better

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Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. Video game consoles have come a long way since the days of the original Atari — in addition to playing games from your favorite franchises, they can stream movies, play Blu-rays, and in some cases, they even support virtual reality.

Video game consoles are incredibly complex machines, and an emphasis is placed on being a one-stop shop for all your entertainment needs. Playing Blu-rays, watching your favorite streaming services, and playing current and retro games are all possible on most consoles. The factors that play into whether a console is right for you or not will typically come down to what kind of TV you have, and what extra features interest you most. It seems like just yesterday p was the hot new TV tech on the street, but it's already old news.

The new resolution standard is 4K UHD, and these displays pack in about four times the amount of pixels p does. We're in this weird transition period where the market is still in the midst of making the shift in orientation toward 4K.

This video game console generation came out just before 4K became affordable for the everyday consumer, so the original versions of those consoles were geared towards p. Not to be left behind by TV manufacturers, Sony and Microsoft have released an updated version of the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One that pack more power and have the capability of outputting a 4K video signal.

However, just because the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One X are the newest consoles doesn't mean that the older versions aren't supported any longer. These new, more powerful consoles are just a half-step up and still use the same games as the original PS4 and Xbox One.

A huge factor in what console you should buy is the kind of TV you have. The thing is if your TV isn't 4K you're not going to get the full effect of the improvements these new models offer. If you're planning to wait a few years before you upgrade to 4K, then getting the Xbox One X or PS4 Pro just isn't worth the extra money. There's no use in getting a video game console if it doesn't have decent games to play.

The Xbox One and the PS4 have very similar libraries, so it comes down to which system has the better exclusives. Exclusives are games that only come out for one particular console.

For example, you'll always see games like Call of Duty come out on both Xbox and PlayStation, but you'll only ever see Halo on the Xbox. There are also some games that may have limited-exclusivity to a particular console or limited-exclusivity for downloadable content. The Nintendo Switch is in another bracket entirely when it comes to its library. A lot of the games that are available for it are titles that were originally released for other consoles.

Usually, they don't have as good graphics because the Switch isn't as powerful as Microsoft and Sony's systems. However, Nintendo produces some of the best system-exclusive games, so if you're a huge Mario, Zelda, or Metroid fan, the Switch is the only console where you'll find those.

You can do more than just play games on a console. These robust devices can provide a whole suite of functions to make them an all-in-one entertainment device. Sony and Microsoft's consoles are also equipped with Blu-ray drives that will allow you to watch standard Blu-ray movies.

If you're looking for something a little more cutting edge when it comes to media playback, you'll want to get an Xbox One S or Xbox One X. Both of these consoles have 4K Blu-ray players built in, which will allow you to watch movies in stunning quality. The Nintendo Switch, unfortunately, doesn't have much in the way of non-gaming activities.

The Switch also lacks an optical drive, so there's no watching your Blu-rays or DVDs with that console. In days past, each video game console had its own architecture.

This means that each one was designed from the ground up with custom sets of instructions that did not work with any other machines. That's all changed in the latest console generation.

They use the same x CPU instruction set that your Windows, Linux, or Mac computer does, and that makes it easier for game developers to get their products to run on PC and console.

The Nintendo Switch is a bit different. It uses the ARM instruction set, which is the same as the one your phone or streaming box is designed around.

It's not too hard for developers to port a game from x86 to ARM, but because the Switch is a bit different, you'll likely see some games come out for it a little later than they did on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Buying a video game console is a significant purchase, so it's good to have an idea of when it'll be obsolete.

Consoles, unfortunately, aren't like toaster ovens. As the years pass, technology improves and becomes cheaper, and eventually, your console will become outdated. Many systems on the market right now are considered to be part of the ninth generation of video game consoles. The eighth-generation consoles were on the market from until late , and that's about a typical timeframe.

Consoles usually have a lifespan of around seven years before the next model is released. If someone offers you one, and they're not close friends or family, then odds are it's stolen or broken.

It's possible that you can get a used model of the older models in the upper end of this price range. If buying used, always make sure you see the console tested with an actual game on disc before you buy it. This will show you that it can power on, play games, and that the disc drive isn't bad. Why should I buy a console instead of a PC?

This is an age-old question that really comes down to a matter of preference. With a PC you get the freedom to spend as little or as much as you want on gaming performance. You'll also have access to a broader gaming library since PC games from as far back as the seventies can still work on today's computers.

However, the initial cost of a PC is higher than that of a console, and dealing with drivers and tweaking settings might not be for everyone. If you want a more personalized gaming experience, you might want to look into a PC. If you want something that just plugs in and works, go for a console. What kind of input ports do I need to have on my TV to play a current-gen console?

The only port you need to connect any of the current consoles is an HDMI port. The Switch OLED is an excellent choice because it uses all the accessories from the previous model including Joy-Con controllers , dock, microSD memory cards, and, of course, games. This means users who are upgrading can use all of their old accessories on the new OLED model.

While the Switch OLED does play all the same games as the original Switch, games simply look better on the new machine — at least in handheld mode. This is a huge improvement over the thin, flimsy kickstand on the original model. Overall, the original Switch still gets the job done, but the OLED model is a significant improvement in more ways than one. Why you should buy this: This last-gen console has a healthy catalog of top-tier games and the price tag has dropped since the release of the PS5.

This console delivers an impressive playing experience for 4K television owners because of the enhanced graphics and sharper images for 4k-enabled titles. Read our full Playstation 4 Pro review. Why you should buy this: The Nintendo Switch Lite is the best handheld game console out right now. Why we picked the Nintendo Switch Lite: If you plan on only using your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, the Nintendo Switch Lite makes for a great option at a slightly lower price point.

It lacks the television docking support of the standard system, but features a smaller size and a slightly better battery life than the updated Switch console that launched last year. Ditching the Joy-Cons, the Switch Lite comes with an all-in-one design.

Coming in at 9. Being smaller than its predecessor, the button layout had to be altered slightly, but the console is still incredibly comfortable and easy to navigate. Read our full Nintendo Switch Lite review. With the plug-and-play SNES Classic Edition, you can experience all over your favorite classic Super Nintendo games as you remembered them through retro gaming. To unlock it, you just need to beat the first level of the original Star Fox , but it will be very tough to pull yourself away once you start playing.

The package includes a sleek, miniaturized version of the Sega Genesis console and two classic controllers. The console is ready to plug and play and includes a power adapter and an HDMI cable. The games are presented almost exactly as they were, but the console does include a save-anywhere function, which is quite a time-saver.

There are certainly no wrong choices, and this is exemplified by the fact that these consoles still generate hype decades later. Read our full Sega Genesis Mini review. A new PlayStation 4 and a headset bundle comes in a lot cheaper than a gaming PC and either an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset, making it the most affordable virtual reality gaming option by a long shot. It should come as no surprise that the PlayStation VR headset does not have the technical capabilities of its full VR counterparts.

It also has a degree field of view, which is slightly smaller than the Rift and Vive. There are so many fantastic games available on the platform, ranging from action and shooter to platformer, puzzle, and a slew of others. Good luck trying to figure out which are the best to play or which you can handle being fully immersed in. Read our full PlayStation VR review. While there was just a small selection of games for last-gen consoles that took full advantage of these features, the newest slate of consoles will better leverage these technologies moving forward, essentially standardizing them.

PS5: Which console should you buy? Why we picked the PlayStation 5: With lightning-fast load speeds, a new controller, and a phenomenal lineup of launch titles including fan favorites and new exclusives , the PS5 is the best plug-and-play gaming platform available. Read our full Xbox Series X review The best portable game console: Nintendo Switch Why you should buy this: You want a console gaming experience — but on the go with unmatched first-party support.

Why we picked the Nintendo Switch: Nintendo sidestepped the current console arms race by changing not how you use your console, but where. This LG robot could soon be serving your restaurant meal.