How to Choose a New Gaming Console: 8 Things to Consider

Confused about which console you should buy next? Well, don't be, just take these factors into consideration.

It's tough to choose a new gaming console. There's often a lot of competing factors to consider, as well as your personal preferences, that help decide which console is the best gaming system for you.

So, here are eight things you should consider when looking to buy a new gaming console.

1. The Price of Your New Gaming Console

The first barrier in the way of you getting your new gaming console is its price.

Usually, console manufacturers such as Sony or Microsoft sell their consoles at a loss and make up for the shortfall through their games and services. This way of doing things could stay the same, meaning that you shouldn't see huge price increases with each successive generation of consoles.

That being said, it's best to compare the prices of the consoles you're looking at, as well as their variants. Consoles usually take several years for their RRP to decrease, so consider this as well.

Related: $70 Video Games: Is This the New Normal?

2. Consider a New Gaming Console's Specs

The next thing you want to look at across the board is the specs of your potential new console.

Specs don't mean everything, and it's more what the developers do with the hardware and software that makes games great. That being said, if a console has flaws in its specs (e.g., its CPU is underpowered, or its storage space is lacking) this could hamper your gaming experience, especially towards the end of that console's lifespan.

Important specs you should look at are the: CPU, GPU, RAM, system storage, expandable storage, extended storage, video output, audio output, connectivity, and networking features.

Also, consider how these specs translate to your gaming experience. For example, a console can look great on paper, but still underperform compared to its rivals and vice versa. Nintendo is the console king when it comes to using your console's specs smartly and efficiently.

Digital Foundry is a great YouTube channel if you want a detailed analysis of consoles, games, and more gaming-tech-related things. Consider it to see how well your potential new gaming console runs its games.

Related: PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: The Battle of the Specs

3. What Games Does This Console Play?

Next, we have arguably the most important aspect to choosing your new gaming console; its games library. This usually determines whether we consider a console to be the best gaming system. It is all about the games, after all!

This is a tricky one to gauge off the bat, as new gaming consoles' games libraries gain quality throughout the lifetime of the device. Always take a look at all next-gen consoles' launch libraries to see if they're for you, as well as each console's unique showcases or presentations at events such as E3.

Sony and Nintendo always offer some strong exclusives, whereas Microsoft’s unique offerings are usually lacking. We could see this change as publishers like SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) or Microsoft acquire gaming studios and then gain exclusive games for their platform. It's best to keep an eye on gaming news in case things like these happen; you wouldn't want to buy a new gaming console only to find that you can't play the next game in your favorite franchise on it.

Related: Why The PS5 Could Have an Amazing Gaming Library by 2025

4. The Designs of the New Gaming Console

The first thing that'll stand out to you when you're deciding which next-gen console (or past generation) to buy is its aesthetic. That being said, it's probably not the most important aspect. But, a cool, unique design is always a plus.

There are also the dimensions of the console to consider. In the ninth generation of video games, we've seen a truly bulky design from the PS5, which might make you favor the Xbox Series X/S over it for practicality. Nintendo and Valve, on the other hand, have smaller consoles than Sony and Microsoft, but face different design objectives because of their handheld and hybrid nature.

Though it's not the most important aspect, make sure you're okay with a next generation gaming console's design.

5. What Features Does Your New Gaming Console Have?

Games consoles have grown from simply just playing games, into all-in-one entertainment systems. So it's best to look at what features your new gaming console brings, both gaming and non-gaming wise.

Gaming features can include things like the general UI, customizable system settings, and console unique features, such as the Nintendo Switch's handheld and docked modes.

An arguable must-have feature for all next generation consoles is backward compatibility. Gamers rejoiced when Sony and Microsoft announced that their ninth generation consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, would be backward compatible, with these consoles even enhancing select last-gen games. Backward compatibility also helps boost a new gaming console's launch library, giving you a range of last-gen games to play.

In addition to gaming-oriented features, there are also non-gaming features you should look out for. Can your new games console play Spotify, Netflix, and other streaming services? Can you browse the web on it? Ask yourself if there's anything more you want your new gaming console to do besides being able to play games.

Related: Is It Worth Buying a Games Console for the Games These Days?

6. The Services That Your New Gaming Console Provides

On top of its games and features, take a look at the different services your new gaming console provides. Standard gaming subscriptions would be for online gaming and streaming games, but take a look at the unique perks a subscription would give you, whether that's free monthly games, special discounts, cloud storage, or anything else.

With each new console generation, you'll see new services, improved services, and unique services across all next-gen consoles. It's best to keep an eye out and weigh up the pros and cons of the services each new gaming console offers.

7. How Is the Controller for Your New Gaming Console?

Gaming is really stepping up in all aspects, and we're seeing that in gaming controllers. A good controller can really help make your gaming experience that much more immersive.

It's best to compare the controllers for next generation consoles. Look at each of their aspects, such as shape, build quality, button layout, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and any other features they bring. It might not sound important, at first, but it really can make a difference.

Related: Reasons We Love the PS5 DualSense Controller (and Reasons We Hate It)

8. What's the Ecosystem of This Next-Gen Console Like?

Last of all, consider the ecosystem of all next gen consoles before you decide to buy one.

Families of games consoles (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox) have been creating and building on their ecosystem for years, so if you've only played on one, it might be a shock to switch.

Are you looking for more of the same or a new experience? Which consoles are your friends getting? Do you care about your game progress and trophy collection starting from scratch?

This all depends on what you want out of your new gaming console, but you shouldn't ignore a gaming console's ecosystem.

The Best Gaming System Is the Console That's Right for You

Whether you're looking for a new games console of this generation, last generation, or generations to come, these are aspects you should always consider.

In the end, the best gaming system is the one that satisfies what you want from gaming, whether that's an immersive single-player experience, VR gaming, or to try out as many games as you can with a streaming subscription. So, do your research and make sure your new gaming console gives you what you want.

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