Time for an obvious statement: video games are all well and good, but they mean nothing without a console. But you've got to get the console that's right for you.
Gaming content has reached a level of visual and narrative development that results in beautiful, cinematic experiences. This is piled on top of the self-evident fact that games are filthily addictive and fun. But consoles offer more than just access to incredible gaming content. They are now entertainment centres, hosting streaming apps like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Now TV, Spotify, YouTube and BBC iPlayer.
In terms of specifications, Xbox and PlayStation are the closest matched and therefore they tend to have the biggest rivalry. Nintendo is off doing its own, very unique, thing and does more than fine. And even though it’s not a console, PC gamers occupy an exciting area of the market – once the remit of hardcore tech and game heads, PC gaming is seeing a real growth in no small part due to YouTube and Twitch gamers popularising the medium.
The game industry is awash with fantastic cross-platform content, like Rage 2 or GTA: IV, but there’s still a large volume of console exclusive games that may also sway your opinion one way of the other.
There's a lot of choice out there and some tough decisions to be made, all consoles offer something new unique – it's up to you to assess your needs and choose which works best. A quick spoiler alert though, which ever way you lean, you're in for a good time.
So, without further ado and in no particular order, here's a brief run-down of the home consoles. So, in no particular order, here's a brief run-down of the top consoles out there.
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Home Consoles
1 of 6Xbox One, from £178.99 to £384.00
Microsoft's consoles are powerful machines. In order to offer something up for every budget out, Xbox has several editions available. The Xbox One S was released a couple of years ago to replace the original One. Why? Visual power. It's a great all-rounder, loaded with HDR support (High Dynamic Range – vivid contrast, bright colors and a superior image, so long as your TV supports it), a 4K Blu-ray player, 4K streaming and of course powerful gaming specs (8GB Memory, 12 CPU cores) - though the games won't be in 4K. It's available with 500GB or 1TB of storage space. There's also now a 1TB S Digital-Edition which does away with the disk drive, bringing down the price. The Xbox One X is the most powerful console on the market, with all the Xbox goodness being boosted by 12GB Memory, 40 CPUs and 4K gaming. It costs more, but if you take your gaming seriously and want to get the most out of your 4K TV, then this powerhouse is the one. If you have an Amazon Alexa device, you can link it up to an Xbox One to act as your virtual assistant. With an Xbox, you get access to Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that lets you access over one hundred high-quality games. Check out some of the best Xbox One accessories here. The best Xbox One exclusives: Halo: The Master Chief Collection__, Forza Motorsport 7 and Ashen. Amazon.co.uk
2 of 6Sony PS4, from £232.45 to £343.68
Sony's pedigree is undeniable – they've been delivering the goods since 1994. The PS4 is their current console, and it's a strong one. It runs with 8GB Memory and eight CPU cores, a Blu-ray player and 1080p HD output. It's available with 500GB or 1TB of internal storage. Sony also offer the PS4 Pro which bumps the console stats up to support 4K gaming and streaming. With the PS4, you'll be able to link up to the PS VR for a fully immersive 306-degree gaming experience. PS Plus is also available, which gets you access to online multiplayer as well as monthly exclusive game deals and PS4 game downloads. The best PS4 exclusives: Yakuza 6**, ****The Last of Us Remastered**, Shadow of the Colossus__ and God of War. Amazon.co.uk
3 of 6Nintendo Switch, £279.99
Nintendo have always done their own thing, and it's (almost) always blown audiences away. The Switch is played with Joy-Cons which can be used separately in each hand or as a controller configuration. It plays a wealth of high-quality games in 1080p HD, full of Nintendo faces that we've come to expect over the years. When you're playing it on the TV, it sits in a dock. Whenever you choose, you can undock the Switch and move over to playing in handheld mode via the 720p in-built screen. So, home console quality games are now portable. This is revolutionary. The Switch comes with 32GB of internal memory, but this can be expanded up to 2TB via a MicroSD card, and the battery time during handheld mode is (as of August-2019) between four and a half and nine hours. The Nintendo Switch will also give you access to Nintendo Entertainment System Online, which lets you access tons of classic NES content. In September, Nintendo are releasing a handheld only version of the Switch called the Switch Lite, which is available for pre-order. The best Switch exclusives: Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Amazon.co.uk
4 of 6PC Gaming Rig
PC gaming is a broad field. If you are hoping to enter its realm, it can seem daunting, some time spent on internet research can help you find what you need. You can but rigs pre-built from brands like Alienware (pictured), or you can build your own if you feel up to it – it's not as hard as it looks! PC Gaming is very rewarding. With a decent rig, you can enjoy an array of gaming content old and new. If you are so inclined, there is also the weird-but-wonderful world of game mods. Ever wondered what Skyrim would be like if all the dragons were Thomas the Tank Engine, or what it would feel like to rampage in GTA: IV as Toy Story's Woody? You'll be able to access game retailers like Steam, who have countless games over countless genres. The best PC games: Witcher III, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Civilization VI and Garry's Mod. Amazon.co.uk
5 of 6Sony PlayStation Classic, £34.99
It's a tiny PlayStation One pre-loaded with 20 of the best PlayStation games of all time, including Final Fantasy VII, Destruction Derby, Tekken 3 and Jumping Flash (if you remember this game, take a moment to reflect on how weird it really was).Amazon.co.uk
6 of 6SEGA Mega Drive Mini, £69.99
How about this for a punch in the nostalgia gland? This is console preloaded with 42 classic and much-loved Mega Drive games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, Earthworm Jim and Golden Axe. It's available for pre-order now. Amazon.co.uk