The war between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo carries on. This console generation is quite competitive, and there are reasons to pick every one of these — but we think Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro is the best gaming console you can buy.
PlayStation 4 Pro
The best gaming console overall
Why you should buy this: It’s the best version of the most popular console and has the highest number of high-fidelity games.
Who it’s for: Everyone.
Why we picked the PlayStation 4 Pro:
The PlayStation 4 Pro is the best version of the most popular game platform available today. With 4K, HDR 10 compatibility, and the PlayStation 4’s exclusive game library, it is currently the best plug-and-play gaming platform.
A very large majority of both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One libraries are available on both platforms. Though both platforms have popular exclusive franchises, the PlayStation 4 (Pro or standard) sees more exclusive games each year. The PS4 also has access to a small number of less well-known indie games and niche titles, such as Japanese role-playing games, that the Xbox One does not.
That’s the main reason for our pick. The PS4 has the best games, and the PS4 Pro makes them look as stunning as possible. The Xbox One X is technically even more powerful — but it lacks must-have exclusives. There’s just not as much to play.
Picking PlayStation 4 also opens the door for you to pick up PlayStation VR, which, as we’ve noted, is the most affordable premium VR headset available. Microsoft, meanwhile, has confirmed that VR support is not coming to the Xbox One X.
While it can be difficult to take advantage of the PlayStation 4 Pro’s advanced features, namely HDR support, the improvements it provides to even unoptimized games make it the most technically impressive way to play the largest number of games on a console. Most major games offer some form of support for the system, whether it be improved framerate, 4K resolution, HDR support, or all three.
Nintendo Switch
The best gaming console for portability
Why you should buy this: You want a full console gaming experience, but on the go.
Who it’s for: Everyone
Why we picked the Nintendo Switch:
Nintendo sidestepped the current console arms race by changing not how you use your console, but where. The Switch is a hybrid device that plugs into a television like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but also works as a handheld.
While it doesn’t quite have the oomph to play the latest 4K, 60 fps releases for Xbox One or PS4, the Switch can play Doom (2016) at a smooth 30 fps anywhere you want to, and that’s more than good enough for a lot of gamers. In addition to contemporary titles like the Wolfenstein II port, the Switch has also proved itself as a fantastic venue for reviving modern classics, such as Skyrim, L.A. Noire, and Dark Souls Remastered.
More than just a clearance house for lightly aged AAA titles, the Switch also offers an ever-growing catalog of fantastic first-party games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as well as excellent indies such as Stardew Valley, Celeste, and Dead Cells. Add in some forward-looking experiments with Nintendo Labo, and the Switch is looking like a well-rounded platform with something unique to offer everyone.
Most recently, Nintendo even announced a virtual reality kit built from Labo, letting younger players enjoy the world of VR while also creating new gadgets to use on the system. It makes use of the Switch’s built-in screen rather than a dedicated headset, making it one of the most “Nintendo” products we’ve seen in a long time.
The Switch is also a great companion console for people who already own a PS4 Pro or Xbox. It can do things its competitors can’t and offers many appealing titles that will never appear on a PlayStation or Xbox.
Sega Genesis Mini
The best retro gaming console
Why you should buy this: You want to relive the golden age of 16-bit gaming.
Who’s it for: Anyone with a love for retro games.
Why we picked the Sega Genesis Mini:
Nostalgia is at an all time high right now in the video game industry, with many companies jump onboard the retro gaming train that Nintendo kickstarted. One of the newest additions to this nostalgia trip is Sega, who does the best job — outside of Nintendo — of recreating a classic gaming console with some of its best games.
While others, like PlayStation, have failed at bringing older consoles back, the Sega Genesis Mini is an excellent way of experiencing the only true competitor to the SNES. With the SNES Classic out of production, the Genesis Mini is currently the best way to experience the golden era of 16-bit gaming.
It comes with the miniaturized rendition of the futuristic Genesis console along with two wired controllers and more than 40 games. Right out of the box, you are ready to experience local multiplayer with some excellent titles like Streets of Rage 2, Street Fighter 2, and more.
The rest of the lineup is amazing, with a large helping of Sega classics included in the package. All the expected Sega titles are here like Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe, but there are other more surprising entries worth your attention like Castlevania: Bloodlines and Tetris.
There is something for everyone, ranging from brilliant RPGs like Phantasy Star IV to the extremely challenging platformer Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. Many of these games rank among the best Genesis games ever created and you can own them all in one neat package.
How we test
Choosing the best gaming console is, honestly, more philosophical than technical. Since gaming PCs currently produce the highest framerate and highest resolution, picking the best gaming console comes down to a number of factors including its design, features, and game library.
We do test them, of course. We’ve spent a lot of time playing video games on these consoles and even more thinking about what they can do. We make sure that everything we like about these products works and delivers like advertised. That includes playing all kinds of games, checking the quality of the internet connectivity, factoring in quality and quantity of exclusives, and checking if developers are currently making games for the platform.
