Buying Guide Service

How To Pick The Right Video Game Console

We all, at one time or another, go on search to relive some of the best moments of our childhood, which no doubt include playing video games. With so many different consoles and handhelds, each including different features and capabilities, not to mention price tags, how do you know you’re getting the right one?

There are a few things to consider when making the decision to buy a new video game console. What is your budget? How much do you really plan to play it? What games do you enjoy playing? Is it for just you or do you plan to play with others?

We’ve taken the time to review and select some of the best consoles on the market and hopefully this will help narrow it down for you.

For True Gamers Looking For A Challenge: The PlayStation 4 or Xbox One

If the PlayStation franchise got anything right it is their console. It’s sleek design, unbeatable software, amazing graphics and gameplay, and accessories makes the PS4 stand out among the other consoles. The console (along with game or two included, if you know where to look) currently sells for under $300 before taxes and the gameplay looks amazing on 1080p HD TVs and even 4K TVs. You are also able to connect and play with friends from all over the world. This is a great way to really enjoy your console and make the most out of your video games.

Xbox One is directly aimed at the gamers. This console is not for the faint of heart. With a $300-$400 price tag, and amazing features, it’s easy to see why. You’re also able to design your own video game controller color scheme (with over a billion combinations), this takes personalization to a whole new level. While you do need a membership to fully enjoy everything Xbox has to offer, it’s worth it. They even sometimes provide free games and other goodies.

If you’re someone that loves to literally immerse yourself into the games that you play and stay connected with your buddies, the PS4 or the Xbox One is for you.

PROS: Great graphics, Lots of games, Online multiplayer functionality, Inexpensive for what you get, Connects easily with popular video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO Now, and many sports networks

CONS: New games are usually a bit pricey ($60+), Most of the fancier and cooler features require extra memberships and monthly (or annual) costs

For Nostalgic Video Game Dabblers: A Classic Console

We all grew up playing Mario, Sonic, and Crash Bandicoot and for some of us this created some of our most cherished memories. Finally beating that level that you were stuck on for weeks, keeping the console on, but the TV off, so you didn’t have to start over, we’ve all been there. Well, at least any of us born in the 80s and 90s. Nostalgia is an amazing feeling, and when we grow up and have kids of our own we find that we want them to experience the same things we did when we were growing up. More than likely they’ll never get a chance to learn the real struggle, the true experience, of a big, heavy TVs (with horrible blurry graphics), an NES, SNES, and/or Sega Genesis console with game cartridges that you have to blow on to make work, and mini-controllers.

For those looking to step back into to time and live through those video game experiences again, and have no extra frills or features, there are classic consoles for that. You can even still find old-school game boys. Try explaining to your kids why they need to play it in good lighting (since there’s no background light) and replace the batteries, since they don’t have a charger.

PROS: Relive your childhood, Console’s not too expensive, There are many different ones to choose from

CONS: You will feel the frustration all over again from when you were a child and probably only play for 5-10 minutes at a time

It’s easy to see that there’s a video game console for all of us. When trying to decide which one would be the best buy for you, just consider how much you’re really going to play it and what features you’re looking for.