2020 is set to be the year of the console wars. November sees the release of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X – two of the most eagerly anticipated tech launches we’ve ever seen. The PS5 has already sold out in record numbers, to the dismay of disappointed gamers the world over. But we shouldn’t just get carried away by the release of the big two, as there are already some fantastic consoles on the market that are more than capable of satisfying your gaming needs. Here are our top five.
Switch
We begin with the undisputed handheld king – the Nintendo Switch. Despite now being over three years old, the Switch remains wildly popular. This just goes to show that sometimes graphic performance and impressive framerates can’t beat old-school simplicity. It can be operated as a handheld device, as well as a home TV console, while its growing library of games will ensure that you never grow bored. Don’t expect PlayStation level power, but in terms of sheer charm and fun, the Switch is the pound-for-pound champ every day of the week.
Sega
If the Switch is too new-fangled for your liking, may we suggest the nostalgia-inducing Sega Genesis Mini. It’s an almost flawless modern take on the beloved original console, bringing an array of classic titles to a new generation of gamers. You can play 42 titles on the Genesis Mini, including the Sonic classics, Street Fighter II, Tetris and Earthworm Jim. While it’s true that some great games are missing (such as Mortal Kombat), this homage to a console legend still manages to pack a bucket load of fun for players of all ages.
PS4 Pro
It may soon be replaced by a wholly more advanced machine, but another solid bet when it comes to games consoles is the PlayStation 4 Pro. This souped-up version of the regular PS4 maximises the potential of what is soon to be a previous generation console. But regardless of its age, the Pro is slim, powerful and can play a whole host of excellent games. The PS4 Pro has several playable exclusives, such as God of War, Bloodborne and Horizon Zero Dawn. The Last of Us Part II and Final Fantasy VII are also available on the device – which remains a solid contender at a competitive price.
As predictable as it is, it would be remiss of us not to include the transformative PS5 and the equally impressive Xbox Series X. Starting with the PS5, it’s crucial to observe just how much of a technological leap Sony have made in their development process. The PS5 is set to come out on November 12th; though, we must say, good luck getting your hands on one next month. Its demand is understandable when you dive into the details. Alternative to the PS5, you can opt to take your free spins on John Slots for an online gaming option.
Sony’s newest offering boasts an AMD Zen2-based CPU with 8 cores at 3.5GHz, as well as 16GB of GDDR6. To put it in layman’s terms – it’s a performance beast. The PS5 is also blessed with a super-fast SSD for fast loading times, ray-tracing and backwards compatibility for thousands of fan-favourite titles. Starting at £449 for the standard version, it certainly won’t come cheap.
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s challenge to the PS4, and in just about every metric, it more than holds its own. The Series X is available from the 10th November – so again, you’re going to have to wait just a little bit longer to get your hands on one of these highly impressive machines. While the Series X also has super-fast SSD and ray-tracing, it does hold a slim advantage over the PS5 in other areas.
With potential 8k capabilities and backward compatibility for the previous four generations of Xbox consoles, it’s certainly a worthy challenger to Sony’s futuristic creation. Coming in at £449 – the same price as the PS5 – the Series X arguably offers gamers a little more bang for their buck. Let the console wars commence.
