Are you searching for a new console? We’re here to help. Whether you're looking to play great single-player story-driven games on the PS5 or want some family-friendly action that the Nintendo Switch delivers, there's truly something available for everyone. Check out our full breakdown of the most popular video game consoles available now, and skip to the end to see if you should consider PC gaming at home or on the go instead.
For more information about prices, games, and accessories for each console, use the links below to jump to each section:
Jump to:
- PlayStation 5 - Best PlayStation Console
- Nintendo Switch OLED - Best Nintendo Console
- Xbox Series X - Best Xbox Console
- Steam Deck - Best Handheld Gaming PC
Best PlayStation Console - PS5
One of the most popular consoles this generation is the PlayStation 5, Sony's latest and greatest that followed the wildly successful PS4. It features upgraded 4K visuals with support for ray tracing, an ultrafast SSD, and the all-new DualSense controller that immerses you in your games through haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The standard edition retails for an MSRP of $499.99 and comes with a Blu-Ray UHD disc drive for playing physical games and media, but a digital-only version is also available for $399.99 if you prefer to download your games directly from the PlayStation Store. You also now have the option of picking up the new PS5 Slim for $499.
PS5 Games
PS5 is known for its immersive single-player titles including The Last of Us series, God of War: Ragnarok, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Horizon: Forbidden West, Returnal, and many, many more.
PlayStation Subscription
To enhance your PS5 experience for online multiplayer gaming, you may also want to pick up a PlayStation Plus membership, which is available as three different tiers starting at $79.99 per year. Learn more about the differences between PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium.
PS5 Accessories
There are also a number of PS5 controllers and PS5 accessories you should consider adding such as additional DualSense controllers for co-op gaming, PS5 gaming headsets, and charging stations to keep your DualSense batteries topped up. The new PlayStation Portal was also recently released, but it's hard to get your hands on.
Best Nintendo Console - Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo's latest Switch model is the Nintendo Switch OLED, aptly named due to its larger 7-inch vivid OLED touchscreen display as compared to the original Nintendo Switch's 6.2-inch LCD screen. There are currently three models of Nintendo Switch, including the aforementioned Nintendo Switch OLED that retails for an MSRP of $349.99. Additionally, you can pick up the standard Nintendo Switch for $299.99, or the smaller portable-only Nintendo Switch Lite for $199.99. All three consoles can play the same games, so the decision as to which one you purchase comes down to playstyle and preference.
Nintendo Switch Games
Nintendo is known for its family-friendly and party-style games including Super Mario Wonder, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, just to name a few.
Nintendo Switch Subscription
If you enjoy retro gaming, or playing multiplayer games online, you'll want to consider a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, as well. Plans start at just $19.99 per year and include access to a curated selection of classic Nintendo games across the NES, SNES, GameBoy, N64, and more. Additionally, some plans also include access to expansions and additional content for popular games such as Mario Kart 8: Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Nintendo Switch Accessories
Additionally, there are a number of great Nintendo Switch controllers and accessories you can pick up to enhance your experience such as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, microSD cards for additional game storage, carrying cases, and more. You might also want to grab great Nintendo Switch headset.
Best Xbox Console - Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are Microsoft's latest consoles for the current generation, with the Xbox Series X being the larger, more powerful version that enables true 4K gaming and 1TB of storage. Xbox Series X retails for an MSRP of $499.99, while the digital-only, slightly less-powerful Xbox Series S retails for $299.99. Both consoles have access to the same library of games, but you'll enjoy better visuals and performance on the Xbox Series X.
Xbox Games
Xbox has been making big waves recently, acquiring the massive publisher Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, as well as purchasing Bethesda in 2021, making them the sole owner of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and many, many more. While Xbox Game Studios hasn't seen the same success over the past decade as compared to Sony's PlayStation Studios, it's slowly been building a stable of incredibly talented studios who will undoubtedly release some amazing titles in the future. For more information on what's available now, check out the best Xbox Series X|S games you can play in 2024.
Xbox Subscription
Xbox's main focus lately has been Xbox Game Pass — a Netflix-style subscription service that provides access to hundreds of popular games including Microsoft's first-party titles day-and-date, including Starfield, Halo: Infinite, Forza Motorsport, and more. Plans start at just $9.99 per month and also allow you to play online multiplayer games with your friends.
Xbox Accessories
If you're picking up an Xbox Series X|S this year, you may consider adding some popular Xbox accessories such as an additional Xbox controller for multiplayer gaming at home, a storage expansion card that allows you to store more games on your console, or a Xbox headset for online gaming.