generalgivercolor

[generalgivercolor]

Best video game consoles 2020: Top consoles that fit any type of gamer

We’re approaching the end of this video game console generation, with both Sony and Microsoft gearing up to release their next-generation consoles – the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X respectively – so those looking for the peak of performance might want to hold off until next Christmas.

Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have all diverged into their own niches in the past few years and each console has its pros and cons. But for our money, the Xbox One X is the best video games console thanks to its raw power and Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

1. Xbox One X: Best overall

If you’re looking for raw power, the Xbox One X is the clear choice. Stack this alongside a suite of entertainment apps and a 4K Blu-Ray player and the Xbox One X is the ultimate multimedia machine.

The problem Microsoft has faced throughout this console generation has been the games - which is a big deal for a games console. Sadly, this is still Microsoft’s Achilles’ heel. But, while they still don’t have big hitters on the same level as Sony or Nintendo, their recent spree of studio acquisitions and the fantastic Xbox Game Pass subscription means that you won’t be short of excellent games to play.

Sadly, the Xbox One X still has a fairly clunky user interface. Updates have improved the situation since we last reviewed the console, but it’s still not where it needs to be. There’s also the cost to consider as the most powerful console in the world comes with the highest price too.

2. Nintendo Switch: Best hybrid

Presumably taking inspiration from that Hannah Montana song, the Nintendo Switch offers the best of both worlds - it’s both a home console and a handheld thanks to an innovative hybrid design. When connected to the dock, the Nintendo Switch behaves just like any other home console but pull it out and it instantly switches (we see what they did there) into a handheld device.

Nintendo’s first party output has always been stellar and the Switch carries on that grand tradition with critically acclaimed hits like Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8. Support from third parties is still lacking though, so you won’t be able to play popular titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch. Not that you’d want to thanks to Nintendo’s lacklustre online support.

The Nintendo Switch is also the least powerful console on the market. This means third-party games like The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt and FIFA 20 will be graphically inferior to other console versions - you just have to decide if portability is worth the graphical downgrade. We certainly think so.

3. Xbox One S: Best value

In many ways the Xbox One S shares the same pros and cons as its bigger brother, the Xbox One X. Both offer fantastic multimedia options, the exceptional value of Xbox Game Pass and a built-in 4K Blu Ray Player. At the same time, Microsoft’s Xbox has a weaker lineup of exclusive games when compared to Sony’s PS4 and Nintendo’s Switch. You won’t be short of games to play, but you’ll miss out on some heavy hitters. The UI is still clunkier than we’d like too.

Where the Xbox One S differentiates itself is in power and cost, forgoing the former to offer huge savings on the latter. If you’re looking for value for money, you’ll be hard beat to find better than the Xbox One S. It’s almost worth buying for the 4K Blu-ray player alone.

If you’re looking for a cheap console to tide you over until the next generation of games consoles arrive next year, the Xbox One S is a clear winner.

4. PS4 Pro: Best exclusive games

Spider-Man, The Last of Us, Death Stranding, Bloodborne, Gran Turismo Sport. Sony’s PS4 Pro is all about the games. They’ve forgone multimedia options to focus on cramming as many exceptional exclusive games as they can onto one console. If all you’re looking for is the best games, then look no further.

There is also the PSVR to consider - Sony’s proprietary VR headset. The PS4 is the only games console to support VR and the PSVR even has a good number of exclusive VR titles like Astro Bot: Rescue Mission. Add that to VR classics like Superhot VR and Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes and you’ve got a fantastic VR machine at a reasonable entry price.

Sony’s claims of the PS4 Pro being a "4K console" do come with a lot of small print though. Due to the power gap between it and the Xbox One X, the PS4 Pro uses a lot of clever tricks and upscaling to reach the mythical “4K” resolution on many of its games. It also lacks the 4K Blu-ray player of the Xbox One X, meaning it loses out in the battle for multimedia supremacy.

But at the end of the day, the PS4 Pro is a video game console and in that regard, Sony has knocked it out of the park thanks to their phenomenal first-party titles.

5. Nintendo Switch Lite: Best handheld

The days of the dedicated handheld seem to be numbered, but Nintendo are still putting up a strong defense with the Nintendo Switch Lite. This lighter revision of the Nintendo Switch drops the docking system and detachable joy-cons, simplifying the design down to a more conventional handheld system. As a result, it’s more comfortable to use than its larger cousin. With that said, it’s still a little larger than we’d like and it can become uncomfortable during extended play sessions.

The Nintendo Switch Lite also shares its library of games with the regular Nintendo Switch, so you’ll be able to play hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Pokemon Sword & Shield. Add this to third-party goliaths like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Minecraft and the Switch Lite has one of the best game lineups in handheld history.

The lack of detachable joy-cons does mean that some games can’t be played on the Nintendo Switch Lite - this list includes party games like 1-2 Switch, Super Mario Party etc. You probably weren’t looking to play an eight-player party game huddled around a single Switch Lite, but it's worth bearing in mind when weighing up your purchase options.

If all you’re looking for is a dedicated handheld gaming device, the Nintendo Switch Lite is your best - and only - option on the market. It’s still a little bit too bulky, but the ability to play the Mario Kart 8 and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt on the go is too good to pass up.

Why trust us?

We’ve tested gaming consoles rigorously for over five years. Our most recent evaluations took over 80 hours. Our writer and product tester is a lifetime avid gamer who thoroughly researched and tested each of the consoles, pushing each to their limit to test their quality, features, performance and ease of use. We considered each console’s interface, gaming and video playback, exclusives, price features and overall ease of use, all while examining how effective each console would be for users of all gaming experience levels and budgets.

Our team of reviewers and test assistants worked together throughout the evaluation process. This helps us consider the widest possible variety of features and use cases.

How much do gaming consoles cost?

New gaming consoles cost between $179 and $500, which includes traditional consoles as well as handheld and hybrid consoles. Prices increase according to processing power, but there are other factors to consider such as game selection and home entertainment center multimedia options, like streaming video. Special or limited edition consoles can cost more.

Key features to look for when buying a gaming console?

Exclusive Games

Many video games are available for multiple platforms, like Minecraft for example. However, some games are made exclusively for a specific console. So if you’re dying to play Halo or Forza, you'll need an Xbox. Heard great things about Uncharted or The Last of Us? Sony’s PlayStation is the only place they are available. Likewise, any title in Nintendo’s Mario or Zelda franchises can only be played on its devices.

While there are more multi-platform games than exclusives, it’s important to keep in mind that most cross-platform games really only work on the latest Xbox and PlayStation devices, since those systems have such similar capabilities. Nintendo’s consoles, however, have fun and unique features but aren’t nearly as powerful as the others, which makes it harder for developers to create comparable versions of their games for Nintendo consoles.

But with the advent of the Switch, Nintendo has begun collaborating with third-party game developer companies, and now games available on the Switch have improved greatly both graphics- and capacity-wise. The lesson here is to discover what kinds of games you and your family like to play, then choose a console that supports most of them.