Video Game Consoles

We’ve covered online gaming and gaming laptops, but we’re now going back to the beginning. We’re going back to where it all started - the video game console. Ironically enough, the video game console is still alive and well. Nintendo, PlayStation, and XBox, these are massive sellers and continue to be in 2020. The fact that the interaction between players is now happening online, however, has led some to believe that the whole industry is navigating toward a laptop gaming experience. While this is true for some, there is still a large swath that enjoys a hand-held control, hanging on their couch and pretending to be a world-class soccer striker or some post-apocalyptic freedom fighter. To each his or her own, and that’s still the beauty of video game consoles! 

Video game consoles hit the scene in the early 1970s. Atari was one of the first players, and their famous arcade game Pong took the world by storm. Mattel later entered the arena, followed by Nintendo, Sega, an updated version of Atari, and then moving into the 2000s with Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Xbox, Wii, and Xbox One. In terms of the types of consoles, there are three: micro consoles, plug and play consoles, and handheld consoles. While most consoles fight nicely into one of these three categories, you also have products like the relatively new Nintendo Switch that is widely considered the first hybrid video game console. It looks like a handheld console but is built around a docking station that can be seamlessly connected to a TV or monitor. 

Choosing the right video game console is not an easy task. There are an estimated 2.5 billion gamers worldwide and as such demand for cutting edge performance is fierce. The first thing to do when considering a new unit is to read and compare the specifications of the various consoles you’re considering. Setting up an easy to follow excel sheet where you can compare screen size, memory capacity, etc, side-by-side is a big plus. Second, be sure to add an additional column with the average online reviews per console. There are always upgrades and new versions of the same, base console year after year. Like cars, a Honda Accord from 1997 might not be as great as one from 1995. Keeping up to date on the changes and variations year to year per console is a good area to monitor. 

How you play is another area to pay attention to. Some folks are lone wolves, preferring to game on their own without much need (or desire) for interaction. Others need that interaction, feed off it, and without it, the whole experience isn’t the same. For example, PlayStation 4 (PS4) owners cannot play with Switch or Xbox One players online. This definitely presents an issue. There are also certain games that can’t be played on more than one console. The gaming community was up in arms when a popular game, Until Dawn, was released only on the PS4. The same occurred with the Mario game never being available on the PS4. These slights can cause some real bad blood! 

Lastly, consider your budget. None of the top consoles are cheap but depending on ancillary technology that you might own there are some consoles that might make more sense. It’s still a hobby for those with time, and if you have the time, it’s a heck of a lot of fun!