Best Game Console 2021
Mar 5th, 2021
Best game console 2021
Are you looking for the best game console on the market? Then you are in the right place. In 2021, the console market will be completely different from its early days, when there were only two choices. At the time, the choice was also easy, as Mario’s friends chose Nintendo and Sonic fans Sega.
Today, the choice of console depends largely on your own gameplay and budget. Many consoles still have exclusive games that may make the decision easy, but most of the latest games now arrive on almost all platforms. In addition, nowadays you have to think about what resolution or screen refresh certain models will reach at all.
That’s why we’ve put together this list to make your choice a little easier. We don’t bow in the direction of any console, we just tell you the strengths and weaknesses of each console. This will give you the information you need to make your decisions.
The list below has been made to help you make the decision to hunt for the best game console, now that the new consoles have finally been released.Each model is followed by a list of links that take a closer look at the console and their gaming offerings.
What is game console?
A game console is a consumer electronics device made for playing video games. In practice, it is a personal computer designed for entertainment use only , with an architecture (hardware and software) completely enclosed and protected from outsiders. Usually, the image produced by the device is viewed on a TV and the functions are controlled by the game controller .
Top 9 Best Game Console
1. PlayStation 5
2. PlayStation 4 Pro
3. PlayStation 4
4. Xbox Series X
5. Xbox Series S
6. Xbox One X
7. Xbox One S
8. Nintendo Switch
9. Nintendo Switch Lite
1. SteelSeries Apex Pro
Sony’s new PlayStation 5 console, as both a standard and diskless Digital Edition model, is just as convincing as one might have hoped. The only difference with the Digital Edition is the missing disk drive, so games need to be purchased fully digital from PlayStation’s own store. The company has revamped the PlayStation user experience and made it even easier to use and more practical. In addition to this, the console will feature a new revolutionary controller as well as improvements for PS Plus members, making the new console a clear step forward from the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro. Admittedly, like its rivals, the game’s release game selection is unnecessarily scarce, but thanks to Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales,
Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and Demon’s Souls, it beats the Xbox Series X offering so far. PS5's backward compatibility also brings previous-generation PS4 games to play on the new console, and many of these games are console-exclusive. However, backward compatibility is not as extensive as on the Xbox Series X, where games can always be played selectively from the original Xbox console. However, the PS5 significantly improves the situation over the PS4, and as a whole, the new console feels like an investment worth its money, which is likely to only improve over time. Enjoying all the benefits of a console requires a 4K / 120Hz-enabled TV with HDMI 2.1, but luckily you can enjoy fast game download times and user interface regardless of the display terminal. The PS5 promises to fulfill the aspirations of both bold and new-minded PS4 owners for the next generation of consoles to play the next generation. And thanks to backward compatibility, the previous console may not need to be restarted after the new one at all.
2. PlayStation 4 Pro
Everything the PlayStation 4 can do, the PS4 Pro can do a little better. If you want to join the 4K revolution and HDR is your thing, then this Sony console is just for you. The PlayStation 4 Pro has all the same games as a regular PlayStation 4, so if you're about to upgrade your console, you don't have to worry about updating your game library either. However, you will see a clear improvement between some games between your old and new console. The PS4 Pro is Sony’s most powerful model of the previous generation of consoles, capable of playing native 4K resolution as well as upscaling games to 4K resolution if the games have only been updated to support it. But the power of the device also benefits games that haven’t been updated, as they look sharper and run more smoothly thanks to the PS4 Pro’s Boost mode.
Like the base model, the Pro also has an excellent selection of games and also supports PlayStation VR. But while the console is capable, not all games can still be run at native 4K resolution, but have to be scaled, as the power of the console is not quite enough to guarantee a native resolution and a sleek experience. But while the console is capable, not all games can still be run at native 4K resolution, but have to be scaled, as the power of the console is not quite enough to guarantee a native resolution and a sleek experience. The console also has the same backward compatibility issue as the PlayStation 4, and it doesn’t support PS3 games terribly well. Also, the console doesn’t have a 4K Blu-ray player, so unfortunately you can’t watch physical 4K movies through the device. However, these can be streamed through various services. If you also don’t have a 4K or HDR capable TV, you might want to consider purchasing this console - especially if you already have a previous model. The benefits are not necessarily worth the extra cost. But if you’re entering the current generation of consoles for the first time and your living room is stumbled upon by a new 4K HDR TV, then you should definitely consider buying the PlayStation 4 Pro.
3. PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 is Sony's base model console, available as a standard and slimmer Slim model. The console was released five years ago and has since enjoyed by far the most popular of the current consoles with incredible sales figures. The biggest advantage of the PlayStation 4 is its excellent exclusive games, which during this multiplayer period are mainly single-player and strongly narrative titles such as Uncharted, Spider-Man, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn or The Last of Us.
Sony's option is also the only console currently available with the optional PlayStation VR VR helmet , which allows you to jump into virtual reality at a relatively low cost. But if you’re interested in 4K resolution, then the basic model of the PlayStation 4 doesn’t support it. Although 4K support is already available on the affordable Xbox One S, the PS4 has the highest resolution of 1080p. The console also doesn't support backwards compatibility with previous games, so if you want to play your old PlayStation 3 games, then unfortunately you can't. But if you want to join the latest generation of consoles in a relatively affordable way and like games made for the PlayStation, this console is your choice.
4. Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is without a doubt the latest and greatest Xbox console, but it doesn’t make it a necessary must-buy yet at this point. However, it is downright an excellent console with a lot of potential.
The next-generation Xbox is super-fast, surprisingly quiet, and capable of performance previously only available on expensive gaming computers. Thus, both new and old games look and run better on the new console, and for the equivalent price of € 509, the console is nowhere near as powerful as a computer. The end result is a console that is technically compelling and that significantly reduces game download times and greatly improves their visual appearance. In addition, it has numerous user-enhancing features that are hard to live without. Unfortunately, the console remains deficient in other areas. First, the console’s range of release games isn’t as appealing as it is on the PS5, and it runs out of must-buy exclusivity.
To get the most out of your Xbox Series X right out of the box, we recommend purchasing an Xbox Game Pass , which opens up a collection of hundreds of games to play for a monthly fee. It is this service that also sets the Xbox apart from its competitors, as a large number of games can be played immediately, which are added to the service every month. Games on the service can also be played on mobile devices, making the Xbox experience like a Nintendo Switch portable.
5. Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is a next-generation console that differs significantly from the others. It’s designed to offer the same next-generation experience as the Xbox Series X , which means higher screen refresh, beam tracking, and faster download times, but at a much lower cost. At the same time, this means a few compromises. First, the Xbox Series S has significantly less storage space than the Series X, in addition to which the console only targets 1440p resolution, which is scaled up to 4K on upscreen displays. The console is designed to play games at lower resolutions. In addition, the console does not have a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive at all, which may be too much of a compromise for some. But it makes the Series S a much cheaper and smaller console that can still play the next generation of games. The games are convincing on the Xbox Series S and offer a smoother screen refresh, faster download times and higher resolutions compared to the Xbox One models. They look and rotate great, even if they lag behind the Series X’s capable 4K resolution. But if you’ve been buying games digitally for a long time, or you’re a regular Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you’ll get all the next-generation features in Microsoft’s new low-cost console. The Xbox Series S is an excellent step into the new generation, and it won’t empty your account right away. But the console has also had to make compromises, as we mentioned earlier. If you own an extensive physical game library or like to buy games used, you can’t play them on the Series S at all.
In addition, the console is currently only available with a 512GB SSD, which does not accommodate very many games. While SSD technology is significantly faster than the HDD on previous Xbox One models, it really does run out of space. Although you can buy extra space for the console at the moment in front of the blade, the expansion card costs almost as much as the console itself. This console also doesn't get the 4K gaming that many need, but in terms of resolution you have to settle for 1440p. Although this resolution is very commonly used on the PC side, it is by no means bad and offers significantly better visuals than the older 1080p. As a result, the price of the console has been dropped. But if you already own an Xbox One X, then the drop from 4K to 1440p on the console is immediately noticeable. We therefore recommend that you purchase an Xbox Series X console if you want the best possible image quality for your games. Still, the Series S isn’t a step backwards in terms of performance when compared to the Xbox One X. In terms of components, the Xbox Series S has a much more powerful processor than the One X, as well as a more powerful graphics card that supports beam tracking, among other things. While the Series S teraflops are a couple of numbers smaller than their Xbox One X counterparts, they no longer mean everything when it comes to engine power.
6. Xbox One X
Before the new console generation, the Xbox One X was the most powerful console on the market. However, this was also reflected in its price. The Xbox One X is Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s PS4 Pro, and it’s undeniably quite a successful answer. Like the PS4 Pro, this console is capable of playing 4K resolution both natively and scaled, and supports HDR in games to which it has been added. But because there’s a lot more power inside the Xbox One X than in the PS4 Pro, a much larger portion of the games run smoothly in native 4K. So if you want the best 4K gaming experience on the market on consoles, the Xbox One X is your choice.
The Xbox One X also has excellent backward compatibility and a 4K Blu-ray player for physical 4K movies. Unfortunately, however, it suffers from the same problem as the Xbox One S, and it doesn’t have quite as good a selection of exclusive games as it could have. It is also an expensive machine. So if you can’t find a decent home theater system in your game room to support the console, you won’t be able to properly justify the asking price. Especially when the game selection isn’t as staggering as a competitor’s. It’s also worth noting that 4K gaming also requires a considerable amount of hard drive space, so the standard single-blade hard drive that comes with the console may not be enough for a longer period of time.
7. Xbox One S
Need an affordable console but aren't interested in what the PlayStation has to offer? In that case, check out Microsoft's Xbox One S. It replaced the original Xbox One model, and is smaller and smoother than the original model - and a little more powerful. This console is capable of scaling games to 4K resolution unlike the base model PS4. Admittedly, the 4K support on the Xbox One S isn't as high-quality as on the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, as 1080p images are mostly just stretched to a 4K screen without any strange improvements. Nevertheless, the scaling is relatively valid for a € 199 console.
Fortunately, in the absence of good exclusivity, Xbox consoles have much better backward compatibility than PlayStation consoles. In addition to its own games, the Xbox One S can also play certain games on the original Xbox as well as the Xbox 360. So if you have any previous Xbox consoles and compatible games in stock, or just want to experience the new games of this generation, then the Xbox One S is a great option for just that. Xbox consoles are also far more practical than PlayStations as a living room media center. While both consoles can take advantage of numerous different web-based streaming services, the Xbox is the only one to come with a 4K Blu-ray player. Not even the PlayStation 4 Pro has a 4K Blu-ray player, which is why the console was criticized in its release. So if you have a large collection of 4K movies as physical songs, turn the horizontal cup in the direction of the Xbox consoles. And if you’ve been planning to get a 4K Blu-ray player again, then the Xbox One S is one of the cheapest options. Unfortunately, Xbox exclusive games are unmatched by PlayStation counterparts, and the former’s collection is somewhat muted. Long-running series like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza do play their games on the Xbox, but they haven’t received quite as good reception as rival Uncharted or Horizon Zero Dawn.
8. Nintendo Switch
MAt the age of three, the Nintendo Switch is the newest entrant to the neighborhood, and its popularity is growing day by day. The company's new console is the most unique model on the market, as it can be used as both a handheld console and a traditional home console connected to a television.
Switch also offers a rapidly growing wide range of different games from Nintendo over the years. From exclusive games like Super Mario Odyssey to popular indie hits like Stardew Valley, Nintendo Switch’s selection offers something for everyone. However, it doesn’t have nearly the same power as the base PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, and it doesn’t support 4K or HDR (the display only reaches 720p resolution), so if you’re looking for power and performance, Nintendo isn’t your choice. Unfortunately, the console can not be found even in the latest and best developed by a third-party games. While past hits like Doom, Skyrim and LA Noire have since come to Switch, they have been playable on other consoles for years. However, a change for the better seems to be happening, but some of the games are likely to be helplessly out of reach of Switch due to poorer console performance.But where the PlayStation can deliver a VR experience, Nintendo has its own unique addition from Nintendo Labo . Cardboard accessories are one of the most innovative accessories we’ve seen in years, and they show clear potential. It’s also worth noting that at some point you’ll probably have to buy a separate microSD card, as the storage capacity that comes with the console will be pretty small.
9. Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo's latest addition to the family is the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is specifically designed to be a Travel Switch. The Switch Lite has the same performance as the original model, but is even more compact and lighter to carry. It’s also a fully portable model, so while it can be connected to a Joy-Con, it’s designed exclusively for single-player play. So it can’t be put in the dock, and it doesn’t come with Joy-Cones. Also, it cannot play all Switch games. In practice, therefore, those who require a yard or are party games. Its screen is also a little too small. This console is for those who don’t miss the big TV and want to play on the go. The smaller screen also makes the gameplay a degree more comfortable. Like the Nintendo Switch, this requires a separate microSD card at some point when the console’s own space threatens to run out.
Buying Guides
Five Decisive factors for the choice of console
Memory
A first consideration that you will have to make when buying a new console concerns the available memory : in particular if you are very avid gamers, or are giving a console to a passionate gamer, you will have to do the math about the size of the hard disk mounted on the console . In fact, you must know that video games must be installed on the hard disk in order to be played, it is not enough to insert the disk into the optical drive. The size of the hard disk is therefore important because, obviously, the larger it is, the greater the number of gamesthat we can install for you. To avoid having to delete your favorite titles as soon as they are completed, it is now necessary to have a lot of space, also considering that for true completionists , or gamers who love to finish their games at 100% by winning all the trophies, various weeks or months before you can actually uninstall them. Among the consoles currently on the market, the size of the hard disk ranges from 500 GB up to 2 TB , and often different versions of the same model are available that differ precisely in the size of the hard disk mounted. Keep in mind that individual games can take up a lot of space, roughly between 20 and 100 GB(a new record achieved in 2018): this should help you choose a model with the right size HDD. We also remind you that some consoles require an additional space of up to 50 GB to be able to manage the installation process , especially when you buy the digital version of the game, so you will need to have much more free memory than the one required by the game itself. From this point of view, buying a physical version supported by a disc can be an advantage. For the same reason it is important to check whether or not it is possible to replace the hard drivewith a larger one purchased separately: consoles in fact mount exactly the same types of disks that are found in computers, so those with minimal computer skills can, if they wish, mount a much larger disk. Currently up to 6 TB are produced , obviously at a considerable price. An alternative offered by some models is to connect an external hard drive to the console , an option that allows you to exponentially increase the storage capacity of your console with a relatively low cost.
Doors
Secondly, it is important to consider which and how many ports and connections a console is provided. Depending on the type of TV, modem router and headphones or stereo that we will use to play, some types of outputs will be convenient rather than others.
Connectors
Let's start with the connectors, or the ports that are used to connect the TV, headphones (or stereo), controllers and possibly other devices to the console. Technological evolution, of course, tends more and more towards high definition , both of images and of sound, for this reason on modern consoles we will find more and more digital outputs while the old analogue sockets disappear. Here then is what exits we can find on a console:
- • HDMI out : at least one of these outputs is always present, and is used to connect the console to the smart TV , projector or monitor that we will use to play;
- • HDMI in : this output, where present, allows you to connect the satellite antenna to the console;
- • Audio output : coaxial or, on more recent models, optical. Used to connect the console to a surround sound system, a pair of speakers or headphones;
- • USB ports : Most modern consoles have USB 3.0 or 3.1 type ports. They are used in most cases to connect the controllers to the console, to recharge them and in some cases to connect USB sticks or external hard drives.
- • Some models also offer the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth , first of all the controllers, which thus also become compatible with a PC if you want to play other titles on this platform.
Network
Although it is not strictly necessary to connect the console to the internet to play, the connection is still recommended for firmware updates and to access the online content which we will discuss more later. The speed of the connection to the router is particularly important if you want to play online : modern consoles allow you to play in multiplayer mode at a distance as well as to challenge other players wherever in the world they are. We can of course connect the console to the modem / router in two ways: physically via cable or wireless. For the cable connection we have a network port available which will almost always be of the Gigabit Ethernet type just to be able to enjoy a high-speed connection. As for the wireless connection, it is recommended to choose a Dual Band console , whose transceiver works on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands . The latter, faster, is more suitable for supporting the very "heavy" data traffic generated by the game. Remember, however, that in order to have a fast wireless connection, the modem router must also be Dual Band.
Graphics
The graphics, but also the audio quality, are one of the most tangible aspects of innovation regarding gaming consoles. This is improving from generation to generation and goes hand in hand with the advancements we are seeing in TV and monitor panels. In fact, you will not find on the market any console whose video resolution is not Full HD (1920 x 1080 p), therefore compatible with high-resolution televisions that have become common, with PC monitors currently on the market and with a large number of projectors for the home video. However, the technology for TV screens has already taken a step forward, and so-called 4K televisions , also called UHD or Ultra HD , are spreading. The resolution of these panels is four times sharper than non-Full HD TVs (at 720p) and they offer truly amazing picture quality and fluidity. Game consoles, which rely heavily on the quality of graphics, naturally adapt to this development, so the most recent models are equipped with upscaling technologies .These adapt the resolution of current games, at 1080p, to the higher resolution of the most modern televisions: the result is a significantly sharper image, but still not comparable to the definition achieved by native 4K content. In this regard , new generation consoles are coming , and consequently new generation games, in Ultra HD. These, in addition to very high definition, will also offer HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, an innovation aimed at improving the color range, contrast and definition of details in very dark or very bright areas of the image. This is only playable on 4K screens, so these brand new consoles are of interest mainly to those who already have or plan to buy an Ultra HD TV.
Entertainment
The current consoles, however, are entertainment devices that are not limited to video games, but are also able to play movies and music in streaming and not. A modern console is an excellent alternative to a pure Blu-ray player , and is therefore an excellent choice for those who, in addition to being a gamer, are also a cinephile. With a console you can play all kinds of discs up to Blu-ray and, in some cases still relatively rare, even the newest 4K Blu-rays . The consoles can also reproduce the audio using a surround system , both when playing games and when watching a movie: a console can therefore easily constitute the beating heart of a home theater, allowing you to quickly switch from playing to watching movies or Television programs. One of the most discussed issues among gamers is whether or not they can play their old games even on the latest generation consoles. Not all brands offer this option, even when previous versions of the same consoles were equipped with a similar function. One of the most famous examples is the PlayStation 4, which unlike the PlayStation 3 is unable to install titles intended for its older versions. However, we remind you that both Sony and Microsoft have recently launched additional services , for which a monthly subscription must be subscribed , which allow you to play in streaming classic titles for their respective consoles,ranging from big hits to lesser-known indies, but considered small jewels by critics.
Streaming
Thanks to internet access, consoles also acquire the ability to access online content , and in many cases they can actually replace a smart TV box . There is usually a selection of channels, services (such as Netflix), movies and TV series on each console that you can stream, often for a monthly subscription . Some newer consoles can also play 4K content , which is spreading more and more starting with Netflix and YouTube.
Download
Console manufacturers, in addition to making the aforementioned streaming services available, almost always also offer access to their own network within which users can have access to a series of content to download. For example, some demos of upcoming games can be downloaded and played for free, and there is also a virtual store where you can buy a wide range of games. Instead of buying the installation disc, as we pointed out above, you can buy a virtual copy, which is downloaded and installed directly on the hard drive and remains forever linked to our account, even if all users sharing the same console will have access to the titles downloaded through each of the profiles. Furthermore, those who subscribe to additional services will be able to enjoy various advantages, such as a free download every month, the possibility of participating in online multiplayer sessions and receiving additional discounts within the Store compared to other users, obviously in the face of a fee to be paid monthly or in one-off payments every three or twelve months. We remind you that some games explicitly require a subscription to these services in order to be used, a detail that must always be checked before purchasing.
Equipment
Finally, we also recommend evaluating which accessories are sold with the console, and which ones can be purchased separately. Very often, in fact, consoles are sold in " bundles ", or together with one or more games , generally at most three, among the most popular of the moment. In some cases, moreover, accessories are also added that are necessary just to enjoy these titles to the fullest: a console sold in a bundle with a driving game, for example, can also contain a special steering wheel in the package for playing. However, it is always possible to purchase the "basic" version as well of a console, at a cost generally lower than that of a bundle, but usually less convenient when you consider the cost of the various items purchased separately. The standard supply includes:
- • The console
- • One controller
The more classic accessories that can be purchased separately , useful depending on the game, are:
- • Additional controllers
- • VR glasses, i.e. for virtual reality and fully immersive games
- • Controller with motion detectors and relative TV sensor. With these you can play some games by making hand and whole body gestures rather than just moving your fingers on the controller
Other factors to keep in mind when choosing the console
Are the materials important?
The construction materials themselves are not of particular importance for a game console, as these are fairly standardized . For the external shell, both of the console and of the controller, there is an overwhelming prevalence of rigid plastic , with some non-slip and anti-sweat rubber inserts where the hands can be clenched even several hours in a row. What changes from console to console is obviously the design , which can be more or less cluttered, and the presence or absence of an external transformer . Even the colors are always very similar, with a prevalence of entirely black or entirely white models.
Is the brand important?
Let's face it: there aren't very many console manufacturers. On the market only Sony (with PlayStation) and Microsoft (with Xbox) compete , while Nintendo (with the Switch) places itself in an outsider position, trying to differentiate itself from the other two giants by offering different types of games. In fact, while Sony and Microsoft focus on breathtaking and realistic graphics , on titles belonging to many different genres, Nintendo differs by offering many exclusives that have always been exclusively reserved for this house. One of the most important discriminants to consider when choosing a console concerns the number and type of titles produced exclusivelyfor that platform. PlayStation is currently the console that offers probably the most interesting choice ever, always excluding the historical titles of Nintendo, such as Zelda, Super Mario, Xenoblade Chronicles and of course Pokémon.
Does the price matter?
Given the tight competition to just three players, console prices are quite aligned for all three manufacturers. A new console can cost from 260 to 360 € , depending on the technical specifications (the size of the hard drive) and any games sold in bundles. Typically, the new console models , at the time of release, have an even higher cost, over € 400, which then goes down slowly over time. Our advice, if you have the necessary patience, is to wait before buying the latest console model just released: often, in fact, all new releases require a period of adjustment to fix the small programming defects that emerge with the mass placing on the market. Wait a few months and not only will you buy the same console for a slightly lower price than the release, but you'll save yourself the frustrations that typically come with new products.
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