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A the game console is the perfect Christmas gift – it's exciting, it's cool and everyone can participate the same day (provided you have the foresight to take it out of its packaging the day before Christmas to download the inevitable six hours of system updates). But choosing the machine to use is complicated and confusing, and if you make a mistake, you may end up with another unloved gadget piled up in the closet where you keep the air fryer and the mini candy machine.
Here are some tips for harassed parents or partners who have found the words "game console" on the Christmas list of a loved one and live a technophobic panic.
The options
There are three major consoles: the Sony PlayStation 4, the Microsoft Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. The PS4 and Xbox One are very similar in technology (they are essentially mid-range computers), offering high-end graphics performance, especially if you buy the more expensive PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, that fully support 4K technology. television screens. Both machines also allow you to easily stream your games online so others can watch them, if you have teenagers interested in it.
The Nintendo Switch is very different. its graphics are not as impressive, but it has a built-in screen that allows you to connect it to your TV or play it at any time.
Questions
Who will use it?
Is the console primarily for young children, teenagers or adults? Or do you want something that everyone can play together? If this is the last case, the switch is a great family option: most Nintendo games are child friendly, intuitive (making them great for parties where some participants are not players), but are also challenging enough to appeal to experienced players. However, teens and adults are more likely to want to participate in action adventures and shooter games (such as Assassin's Creed, Tomb Raider and Red Dead Redemption) that are not part of Switch. A PS4 or Xbox One may be better if you have a mature household.
What types of games do you like?
The Switch is for people who really like Nintendo games. Although other editors occasionally support the console (Switch can use Fortnite and Minecraft, for example), these are the great home-grown titles, such as Super Mario, Mario Kart, and The Legend of Zelda, for which most Switch owners are here.
The PS4 and Xbox One are better options for big-name headlines from companies like Activision (Destiny, Overwatch), Electronic Arts (Fifa, Battlefield) and Capcom (Resident Evil, Street Fighter).
Although these consoles receive many identical titles, they both offer exclusive "first-party" games that are not on other machines.
The PS4 is the best option for epic narrative adventures, both fun to watch and play, as it features the brilliant Uncharted series, God of War and Marvel's Spider-Man. Sony also has a PlayStation VR virtual reality headset (sold separately).
However, if you like racing games and shooter games, the Xbox One may be better, as you will enjoy the exciting Forza Motorsports and Forza Horizon driving simulators, as well as space combat games. , Halo and Gears of War.
To learn more about which consoles offer the best games for you or your family, check out our game reviews or the Metacritic reviews aggregation site, which lists the best games on each console (see "Browse by Plate" section). -form").
Will you play online?
If you or your child would like to play games like Destiny, Battlefield or Fifa with friends online, check which consoles have these friends. If you buy a PS4 on your daughter and all her friends own the Xbox Ones, it will be harder for her to join her and chat with them in the game. The Xbox One and PS4 charge a monthly fee to access the game online, but the services are very reliable and offer extensive parental control.
The Nintendo Switch also has a subscription for online games, but it is much more suited to "local" multiplayer games, that is, all players in the same room use the same TV. Do you buy a console so that the whole family can, for example, play together on a wet Sunday afternoon? The switch is made for this kind of scenario.
What will you do next?
The switch is not intended for those who want to watch streaming video services on a console because it does not support third-party entertainment applications. But this can be a boon if it will be used by a child.
The PS4 and Xbox One have access to services such as Netflix, Amazon and iPlayer, and can stream 4K movies and TV programs in full UHD resolution (as long as the broadband connection is up to the task). However, get an Xbox One if you want to play 4K Blu-ray discs on your computer – the PS4 does not play them.
The Xbox One and PS4 also offer access to old games, but in different ways. The Xbox One will allow you to put your old Xbox 360 games in the player and play them (although only a selection of games is compatible). You can also play dozens of classic Xbox titles by purchasing a Game Pass subscription. The PS4 does not play old PS3 discs, but it does offer a subscription service, called PlayStation Now, that lets you play and play a wide selection of favorite PlayStation titles of yesteryear.
How much do you want to spend?
Well, it's complicated. A Nintendo switch costs around £ 280; an Xbox One S costs around £ 200, an Xbox One X costs £ 450; A PlayStation 4 costs £ 250 and a PlayStation 4 Pro £ 350. These prices are for basic equipment packages. Spend a little more to get a package including the console, a game and possibly an additional controller, for about £ 50. As we approach Black Friday, it's a good idea to see what retailers like Game, HMV, Argos, Amazon and supermarkets offer.
On the price alone, the switch is a good deal because you get a console with two joypads, plus a portable game console, all in the basic package. But the Xbox One S – at £ 200 – is also a great value. If you sign up for the Xbox Game Pass, you'll also have access to hundreds of games.
What if you just want to play the classics?
You do not have to buy the current machines if you only want a few hours of nostalgic denigration of the buttons. Nintendo has launched two retro machines, The Mini NES (£ 50) and Mini SNES (£ 70), both of which offer more than 20 built-in games, while Sony's PlayStation Classic (£ 90) is filled with favorites from the Original PlayStation. Nothing brings a family together at Christmas like Double Dragon II: The Revenge.
Verdict
Playstation 4: With impressive graphics performance, a wide range of excellent exclusive titles, a virtual reality capability and access to your favorite video streaming services, the PS4 is a versatile and brilliant player. This is the most sold console of the three for a reason.
Xbox One: With performance comparable to that of the PS4 but with a more limited selection of exclusive games, this console adds the ability to play 4K Blu-ray discs, control the display of your TV and connect to your PC (via the Xbox Play Anywhere feature), making it a good choice for people who want to use the console as a 4K media hub and play games. It also has an admirable accessibility support.
Nintendo Switch: Not as powerful as the other two but it offers many innovative child-friendly features, including an integrated screen for playing on the bus, making it the best choice for younger families. In addition, this is the only place you can play The Legend of Zelda: The Wild Breath, Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, among the greatest games of the decade.
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