James GordanFor a long time, players debated fiercely about the most suitable device to play with: PC or Console. In recent years, mobile devices have also entered the market and offer a different gaming experience.
But with the release of a new generation of consoles from Sony and Microsoft a few days earlier, and the arrival on the market of a large number of new hardware for PC gamers, the debate intensifies.
If you are considering buying a new gaming device this year, which one should you choose?
Factors to consider include
Costs
No matter what game you play, this hobby can be very expensive. AAA titles can cost you $60 or more each time, and limited editions cost even more. Subscriptions that enable online gaming, new controllers, headsets and other peripherals will also increase costs.
Many modern games also include micro transactions to buy in-game items, new cards, season tickets, etc.
All these costs exist both on the console and on the PC platforms and do not take into account the cost of the hardware itself.
Game consoles generally cost less than dedicated game PCs, even recently released devices such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S series. In the United States, the PS5 costs $499, while a gaming PC with a high-performance processor, graphics card, RAM, cooling system, motherboard and SSD usually costs about twice as much.
In addition, if you do not have a copy of Windows, game monitor, keyboard or mouse, costs increase even more.
On the other hand, mobile phone games are usually much cheaper. You probably already have a smartphone that can handle most games, even if it doesn’t work with the highest settings.
Mobile games are usually much cheaper and often completely free. Publishers make their money by showing you ads and/or offering you in-game items that you can buy with real money. But you don’t have to pay them.
Some free games on mobile devices can even be played against people with computers and consoles. Fortnite, for example, allows cross-platform gaming, although the configuration can be a bit complicated.
Set selection
There used to be a huge gap between the content available on different platforms. Many exclusive games were only available on a console, PC or mobile phone. The situation has slowly changed in recent years, although the problem still exists.
So before you buy, check that the games you want to play are available on your favorite device.
Many AAA titles such as Call of Duty and FIFA are available on consoles and PCs, both physical and digital. They are generally not available on mobile devices because the hardware is not able to handle games at the same level as a larger computer. However, some publishers make mobile versions instead.
In addition, many games can be found on PCs and mobile devices, but not on consoles. For example, online casinos where you can bet on games like roulette and blackjack or play video slots, where sites like Oddschecker offer free spins bonuses, are usually only found on computers, smartphones and tablets.
Home and independent games are also more common on PCs and mobile devices than on consoles. This is because consoles are usually more difficult to develop and their manufacturers are more selective about the content that can be connected to them.
Emulators that can work with older games and even Android applications can also be installed on your PC to give you even more choice.
In this case there is no perfect option, and there will always be platform games. However, if you want to have as large a library as possible, a computer is probably the best option.
Renovation
When you buy a console, it remains the same throughout its lifecycle. Games released at launch and games released shortly before the replacement of the console.
You don’t have to worry about the last game with a higher minimum configuration, you can just buy and play it.
On the other hand, this is something that PC gamers should always keep in mind. Hardware manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the new processors and graphics cards that come out every year. This means that computer hardware can become obsolete much faster. Simply adding a new stick of high-speed DDR3 RAM will improve performance significantly.
Of course, you don’t have to update every year, because a high-end graphics card will usually be able to play new games for 3 to 5 years, even if you can’t use the highest graphics settings.
If you want to have the possibility to develop your game over time for progressive improvement, instead of taking a big step forward every ten years, the PC would be the best option.
Setting
The same goes for customization. Although remotes are sometimes available in different colours, your choices are very limited. With a PC you can adjust every small detail, from the power supply to the backlight of the keyboard.
Players use it to express their personality by adding case lighting, experimenting with liquid cooling systems and designing a system that is not only beautiful but also state-of-the-art.
Games for mobile phones can also make this possible to a certain extent. You have a wider choice of smartphones and tablets, even though you usually can’t create your own device from scratch.
You can also add boxes, modify the design and make many other changes to the software that are not normally possible on consoles.
Portability
Unless you bring your TV or monitor, game consoles and PCs cannot easily be moved to play outdoors. A gaming laptop can afford it, but it’s generally more expensive than its desktop mates.
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid system, so you can play it on the go, but it doesn’t have that many games that appear on Sony and Microsoft devices.
For as flexible a mobile gaming experience as possible, mobile devices are a clear winner. Since you already have your smartphone with you, it is available at any time of the day, so you can get started right away, whether you’re at home, on the train or in the park.
Which one should I choose?
The choice of device depends on the type of player you are, the games you want to play and the amount you are willing to pay. Although fanboys and fangirls on both sides will never admit it, the reality is that there is no such thing as a perfect slot machine, it will always be a compromise.
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James Gordan
