Video games are more diverse than ever, and the medium continues to grow in popularity. There’s a platform for nearly everyone – but which one suits you best?
Your first big decision is which console to buy. You can go down two routes: a conventional box console or a handheld one. It all depends whether you want to experience breathtaking visuals on your TV at home or be free to play wherever you go.
There are three big players in consoles: PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo. Each platform has exclusive games – for example, you can’t play Mario titles on PlayStation or Xbox. Some people choose a console based on which exclusives it has, but there are other ways to decide.
Conventional consoles
The Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Microsoft Xbox Series X are the most powerful consoles available, capable of amazingly detailed graphics.
The newest, biggest games are no longer compatible with the previous generation of consoles, namely the PS4 and Xbox One. Unless you plan to play older titles, or you need a low-cost option for a child, it probably isn’t worth buying an older console in 2024.
Sony PlayStation
PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition (one controller) – $899 PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition (two controllers) – $869
Sony’s PlayStation is the most popular platform worldwide and has a large range of exclusive games including Horizon: Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7 and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.
PlayStation Plus: You’ll need a PlayStation Plus subscription ($16/month ) to play online games. The subscription comes with online storage for saving your progress, a few games to keep each month and discounts on other titles. You can bump to a more expensive plan to access hundreds of additional games to play while you’re subscribed.
Controller: The DualSense controller has been redesigned for the PS5. It’s larger and chunkier than previous versions. It also gives you greater feedback through force-sensitive triggers and contextual sounds. Its vibration feedback is subtler than the simple buzzer that previous models had. There’s only one controller included with the Disc Edition console, so if you want to play local multiplayer games, you’ll need to buy another one for $130.
PS Remote Play: Sony’s remote play app lets you shun your TV by streaming your PlayStation sessions to your laptop or phone. There’s also an official PlayStation Portal device that’s dedicated to remote play. Remote play operates on your local WiFi network, so you’ll need a strong connection.
Microsoft Xbox
Xbox Series X – $899 Xbox Series S – $549
While it’s second to Sony in sales, the Xbox is no slouch. It’s a good game system with a decent number of exclusive titles, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves.
Xbox Game Pass: Often called “the best deal in gaming”, a Game Pass subscription of some kind is a near-necessity for Xbox owners. It’s available in three tiers to match your needs.
Core ($13/month ): A Game Pass Core subscription lets you play online games. It comes with a small catalogue of games to play and discounts on further titles.
Console ($14/month ): Gives you access to a huge, regularly updated library of games. Titles range from new games released by Microsoft studios, like Bethesda and Activision, to small independent games, to nostalgic Xbox 360 hits.
Ultimate ($22/month): Includes both Core and Console, so players can play online and use the full library. Also includes the EA Play service (which includes The Sims and many popular sports titles) and gives access to the Game Pass library on PCs.
Controllers: New Xbox consoles only come with one controller, so if you want to play local multiplayer games you’ll need to spend an extra $ 100. However, Xbox One controllers are compatible too, so you might be able to get one of those second-hand (or have one lying around yourself).
TIP: If you’ve bought or received a console as a gift, know that it can’t be used straight from the box. Allow a few hours to unbox it, connect it to your network, set up a user account and download updates (as well as the games themselves, unless you’re using a physical disc or cartridge).
The Switch is unique for being usable in two modes – both handheld and plugged into a TV. It’s been a huge hit and is believed to have outsold both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S put together. Nintendo has a huge range of exclusive series, from Super Mario to Legend of Zelda to Pokémon. Many are family friendly, which makes the Switch a great option for kids.
There are three available versions.
The new OLED edition has a superior screen and better speakers. If you plan to use the Switch in handheld mode a lot, it’s the best option.
If you plan to play most often on a TV, the original Switch performs just as well, so you can save a few dollars by getting that.
The Switch Lite is a pure handheld console that can’t be docked to a TV, so it’s far less versatile. We’d only recommend it for children.
Portability: The Switch is made to be mobile. It’s lightweight and resembles a small tablet with gaming controllers attached. Nintendo claims a battery life between 4.5 and 9 hours – long enough to play a few games when you’re out.
TV connection: You can play on a larger screen by connecting the Switch’s stand to your TV’s HDMI port. For a portable console, the Switch plays very well on a large TV, but don’t expect the overall visual experience you’d get from a PS5 or Series X.
Go online: A Nintendo Switch Online membership ($6.50/month, $13/quarter or $33/year) lets you save game data to the cloud and join online multiplayer games. You also get access to a catalogue of nostalgic titles from the ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Multiplayer: Each half of the Switch controller can be detached and used separately. This lets two people play on one console and, if you have two consoles, four players can play at once.
Handheld PCs are the newest “consoles” on the market. There are a few available, but the example we’ve picked is the handheld device from Valve, proprietor of the PC game store Steam. The Steam Deck is a portable computer that runs PC games through the Steam service. It’s a bold crossover, allowing games designed for computers to be played in a Nintendo Switch-style form.
For enthusiasts: Because these devices are miniaturised high-spec computers, they are very expensive. The Steam Deck is for passionate gamers who care about things like frame rates and ray tracing. It’s overkill for a kid wanting to play Roblox, or for a spot of The Sims on the weekend.
Big and heavy: The Steam Deck has a bigger screen than the Switch and is made of heavier materials. It’s not quite as easy to carry around, but it’s still comfortable enough to hold for long periods.
Don’t bother with the LCD version: The newer Steam Deck OLED has a far better screen, but also more storage, a bigger battery, and several other improvements. The original LCD Deck is still on the market, but it isn’t worth spending $1,300 on when the OLED version exists.
Buying games
Once you’ve chosen a system and got it home, you’ll need something to play. When it comes to buying games, it’s about grabbing bargains when you can and not getting too hooked on “live service” titles.
Physical vs digital
Digital stores are now the norm for buying games, with some PlayStation and Xbox consoles skipping the disc drive altogether. Each console has its own store, from which you can buy titles using a card or gift voucher credit.
However, there is a strong argument to be made for owning a physical copy.
When you “buy” a game on a digital platform, you’re really buying the right to access the game on that platform. If the game’s publisher pulls the game from the store, or the store ceases to exist, you won’t necessarily be offered a refund.
By contrast, you’ll always own a physical copy (unless you lose or scratch the disc or card). The publisher can’t revoke your access and, when you’re done with it, you can loan it to friends or sell it.
Live service games
More and more major releases follow the “live service” model, where games are continually updated to encourage players to log in regularly for years to come. Often, but not always, these games will be free to download in the first place, then offer bite-sized pieces of extra content that players can choose to buy.
You can easily spend more money on a “free” game than one you buy upfront. That’s not to say you should avoid them, but be aware that studios need to make their money back somehow. In the best case, they do so through optional bonuses, like new character costumes. If you’re unlucky, it’s through locking story progress behind in-app purchases or by using randomised rewards that border on gambling.
If you’re enjoying a game and have extracted several hours of entertainment from it, why not spend a few dollars to acknowledge the creators? However, if you find yourself wanting to spend regularly, or the game is starting to feel like a chore, that’s your sign to put the game down for a while and perhaps install something else.
Refunds
There are lots of problems that can plague game releases. If you buy the latest game only to discover it doesn’t work properly, you’ll want to be able to claim your money back.
Before you purchase from a store, make sure to read its refund policy. All physical and digital stores are required to follow the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act, though some may make you fight for your rights .
Pre-orders
Pre-ordering is like paying to join a queue, so when a product (either software or hardware) becomes available, you are first in line. Usually, you’re asked to pay the entire cost of the product up front.
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you can cancel an order if the retailer “is not able to deliver your order within a reasonable time of the estimated delivery time”. The Act doesn’t specify what constitutes a “reasonable time” to wait, but in most circumstances, we don’t think it should be more than 2 weeks.
Some retailers may try to reject your cancellation if the delay is because “suppliers are unable to supply goods”. We argue that this goes against the Act.
Even though you’re protected by consumer rights, paying for something before it’s released is risky. We think you should only pre-order a product if there’s a genuine risk it will sell out.
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TIP: If you’ve bought or received a console as a gift, know that it can’t be used straight from the box. Allow a few hours to unbox it, connect it to your network, set up a user account and download updates (as well as the games themselves, unless you’re using a physical disc or cartridge). 
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