Best games console prices

The rest of the features and hardware are the same as in the other version. You can still expect the successful exclusives to get sequels on the PlayStation 5 first, but few are available so far, and in , most of them will still appear on the PlayStation 4, as well.

Both new console platforms will get some of the same major titles, as well, including installments from franchises such as Call of Duty, Destiny, and Madden. If you plan on playing online games, get the console your friends have. In addition to online play, PS Plus members with a PlayStation 5 console get access to a collection of 18 games —including some major titles. Most notably, Microsoft releases all the Xbox games it makes or funds to Game Pass players the day those games launch, including big titles like Forza Horizon 5 , Halo Infinite , and the upcoming Starfield.

But to do so, you need to use all the same accessories—including the camera, which needs a special adapter to connect to the PS5 —from your PS4. Both Sony and Microsoft have made their new consoles backward-compatible with some exceptions , so when it comes to your buying decision, the difference lies in what older games you own and what older games you want to play.

If you want only a single console, a PS5 makes for a clear upgrade over a PS4. Both output 4K video and have Blu-ray UHD disc drives, so you can watch digital movies or discs that you already own. But measure your space to make sure you know where it will fit.

The standard PS5 with the Blu-ray drive is The new Xbox launched in November With the Xbox and PlayStation platforms offering similar graphics capabilities at least on paper at similar prices, the reasons to get an Xbox instead of a PlayStation revolve mostly around which games you want to play and how—that, and Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft has made it clear that new releases in these series will be exclusive to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and it has also announced that every Bethesda title will come to Game Pass by sometime in —along with every subsequent game from those studios on day one. Game Pass is a major reason to consider an Xbox over a PlayStation.

As media centers, the new Xbox and the PS5 are similarly competent and capable of serving as the brain of your living room. With retro video game consoles, you can play the favorite games of your youth — or games you like that were released before you were born — and relive simpler times. Despite their basic graphics and lack of huge open-world maps, many retro video games are challenging enough to stump even the most hardened of gamers.

While you can still buy original retro video game consoles, we will mostly be focusing on the contemporary re-released versions, which are more reliable and practical for day-to-day use. You'll need to consider the consoles on offer and choose one of your favorites or opt for a multi-system console. Many of these consoles come with preloaded games, and you may or may not be able to purchase more, so check that the games you want to play are included.

Released in the mid-nineties, the PlayStation 1 is among the newer retro gaming consoles, but it still has a cult following thanks to classic games such as Tomb Raider , Crash Bandicoot , and Silent Hill. Sony has released the PlayStation Classic, which looks like the original PS1 console and comes with 20 games preloaded. Although Sega no longer produces new game consoles, it's still well-known for its retro consoles.

The Atari was one of the first home video game consoles, featuring retro favorites such as Pac-Man and Asteroids. Later Atari consoles included the Atari and the Atari Jaguar. The company has released a retro throwback console that includes a range of popular Atari games from different consoles such as Space Invaders , Seaquest , and Frogger.

Neo Geo originally manufactured arcade games only. However, the company eventually decided to offer home game consoles in the '80s and '90s, starting with the AES and moving on to the Neo Geo CD. You can buy the Neo Geo Mini, which is a mini version of a full-size arcade game with a built-in screen, though you can also attach in to your TV to play your favorite Neo Geo games on a larger screen.

Multi-system retro video game consoles allow you to play retro games from a range of old consoles. Some come with preloaded games from a variety of game developers that were originally found on different consoles. This type of console should be officially licenced. Otherwise, it may be loaded with bootleg versions of retro games that don't play correctly. Other offerings simply have a range of disc drives and cartridge slots so you can play original games from your favorite retro consoles.

Bear in mind that working games can be hard to come by, so this option is best if you already have a selection of retro games to use. If you buy a re-released version of an old console or any other new console that plays retro games, the games are usually preloaded onto the system. This is because genuine retro games can be tricky to find in working order, and game developers don't want to re-release old games that are unlikely to sell a large number of copies.

Most feature somewhere between 20 and 50 preloaded games, so you should expect to find the majority of the biggest games for any given console, plus a range of slightly more obscure titles.

This works out for the most part, but if you have one or two specific games you want to play, you'll be disappointed if they aren't included with your console, since it usually isn't possible to buy additional games separately. If you choose a multi-system console loaded with games from a range of consoles, check to see if it is officially licensed.

Otherwise, you may end up with games that are poor knockoffs of the originals. Your chosen retro video game console will almost definitely come with controllers. 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.