Gaming Consoles List: What Are the Best Brands?
So, you just bought your dream Xbox or PlayStation. Now, what’s next? Of course, the next thing you need is a gaming console — or two — to make for a great gaming night! Be sure to browse our gaming consoles list for the best recommendations.
Standing close to the end of 2021, you now have many options to choose from. Quite unlike the 1990s when just a few major players were dominating the markets, now there is a wide variety. Today you will find many manufacturers who have come up with some of the most amazingly featured consoles. But there are bound to be hundreds of questions up in your mind like: What’s the best option for my budget? Or, which one is better: Xbox X series and Xbox S series? PlayStation or Nintendo? Would I be able to play Fortnite/Call of Duty on it?
So, it is not going to be an easy choice! But no worries. We’ve created a gaming consoles list, including the best brands to choose from.
Top 3 Gaming Consoles of 2021
Let’s take a look at the best three gaming consoles on the market today:
1. PlayStation 5
The sleekest, stylish DualSense Sony’s PlayStation 5 comes feature-packed and is sure not to disappoint. The new user interface is fast, with faster load times, and comes with a disc drive. You won’t have to part with your old PS4 games or UHD Blu-ray movies with this upgrade!
Key Features:
- 4K/120 gameplay, 8K/60 support.
- 825GB SSD internal storage.
- 3D audio tech.
- HDD USB Support.
So, while it does deliver what it promises, it could do a bit better in some areas. Take a look at some pros and cons of the controller:
Pros:
- Superfast load time.
- Revolutionary touch.
- Looks great.
- Higher frame rates.
Cons:
- The big size makes it hard to keep and use.
- It comes without Dolby Vision and Atmos.
- It could do with a bigger SSD.
- A limited number of PS5 games.
2. Xbox Series S
One reason to go for the Xbox instead of PlayStation is the type of games you play. PS5 may support most games, but the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X supports some of the titles you won’t get with PS5. Gears of War and Halo are prime examples.
An interesting note here is the recent acquisitions by the company. With Zenimax Media and Bethesda Studios on the portfolio, Microsoft most certainly has an edge when it comes to gaming.
Key Features:
- 2TB hard drive.
- USB 3.0 ports on the front.
- Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive supports 4K and HDR.
However, the console looks almost the same as its predecessor, Xbox One, just slightly smaller, which may be a great thing for some, as it feels and looks the same. However, if you want a completely different look, it won’t give you that.
Pros:
- It loads faster than the Xbox One.
- Supports new-gen games with a Game Pass Ultimate Subscription
- Textured grip for better support.
- A powerful antenna gives you a wide range.
Cons:
- No disc drive.
- No 4K resolution.
- No Kinect port like the one in Xbox One.
- Limited 4K gaming.
3. Nintendo Switch
An excellent multi-tasking controller, Nintendo Switch keeps the Nintendo name alive with this hybrid OLED console. You can use it both as a handheld console or connect it with the TV.
As always, Nintendo has kept its USP of being unique, and so, the controller features a 7-inch OLED display with amazing color accuracy and enhanced speakers for a great sound experience.
The graphics are, in fact, so good that you can rank them somewhere between PS3 and PS4 in terms of picture quality.
Key Features:
- Detachable controllers.
- A kickstand.
- A docking station.
- Accessories such as the grip and straps.
- OLED display.
You can compare it a little with the PlayStation Vita, but it comes with a way better screen resolution than all other handheld controllers.
With this one, you get to play the all-time favorites, like Super Mario Odyssey, Doom, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield and Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening, to name a few.
Pros:
- 720p screen resolution.
- Portable and unique.
- Easy to Use.
- High-resolution screen.
- Most third-party exclusive games can be downloaded.
- It works both as a home controller as well as a portable console.
Cons:
- Does not support 4K.
- Less powerful than Xbox and PlayStation.
- Max resolution 1080p.
- No VR.
- Only 32 gigabytes of internal storage.
- It does not support Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc. The big names when it comes to gaming.
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Key Factors to Consider
Although we have narrowed down the list to the top three players in the market, the ultimate choice depends on what you want from the console. Here are some factors you may consider before adding it to your cart:
Graphics
When it comes to graphics, previous versions of Xbox stood at around the same grounds. However, the launch of 4K was a complete game-changer. With more 4K games being introduced in the markets, you will need 4K compatible consoles.
Nintendo Switch as discussed, gives a 720p and a much lower frame rate.
Games
While most game publishers ensure to make games that can be supported or played on various platforms, some games can only be played on a specific console. For instance, games like Halo 5: Guardians and Gears 5 work with Xbox Series X.
On PS4 and PS5, you have God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Death Stranding, Bloodbourne, etc. Nintendo Switch supports the big names like Luigi’s Mansion, Super Smash Bros, Pokémon, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, etc.
So, it is best to consider the games you wish to play or love first before making the decision.
Price
Price is another key factor to consider, particularly if you are on a budget. If we were to set a starting price though, it would be $300. You may be able to get your hands on a basic version of a console around this amount.
For a better experience, more features, graphics, etc., you will need somewhere between $100 to $400 depending on your requirements.
Accessories
Consoles, when geared with the right accessory, can take your game a level up instantly. So, consider upgrading your gear along with the controller too.
Just a new console will not help if you have underrated or old hardware. Accessories you can get include (but are not limited to):
- Curved monitor.
- Headset.
- Racing wheel.
- Blue light glasses.
- Gaming mouse.
- Rechargeable batteries.
- Charging dock.
- Xbox stand.
- LED backlight strip.
- Gaming keyboard, etc.
You can also take a look at some of these bundles for a better experience:
The New Players of 2021
The top players never cease to keep up with the changing needs and trends. The upcoming model for this year (said to be released in December 2021) is the Steam Deck.
Just like the Nintendo Switch, this too is a handheld PC gaming console that can be used as a portable device alone or docked to the TV.
That’s definitely worth the wait if you want to game on the go.
The Verdict
So, which is the best gaming console of 2021 from our gaming consoles list? In the first instance, Xbox Series X and S may seem more powerful than the others, featuring more space than the PS5 or Nintendo switch. However, the PS5 is straight down all games. Everything about it, from the looks, size, compatibility and support, speaks volumes about its versatility.
Sony’s unquestionable quality makes it our number one choice as a console. Also, it offers support for the most widely played games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.