Game consoles gained popularity a very long time. Evidence of this are the numerous museums of the achievements of the gaming industry, where a huge number of consoles from dozens of manufacturers occupied the stands of exhibition halls. This area is quite serious, firmly occupying its niche in the world market, so it will continue to develop further. There are stationary and portable devices that appeared not so long ago. Therefore, the buyer will have to first determine the task for which the prefix is purchased. In addition, you should deal with a variety of technical characteristics, because the quality of work of the console and its price often depend on them. Our review of the best gaming consoles will introduce you to several models. He will tell about their advantages and disadvantages, as well as tell you which manufacturer should be trusted.
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Game console which company to choose
In the gaming market, long-lived companies that once made a breakthrough by releasing this or that prefix for sale already exist. Almost all brands are well known even to those who are not familiar with the gaming world.
Most brands on the list have been competing for many years. Despite the fact that the level of trust in the company producing the console plays a big role in the choice of device, there are still other equally important factors.
Having defined the firm, be sure to pay attention to the purposes for which the console is needed. If you are a mobile person, you'd better choose the portable option. The secondary factors include such characteristics as ergonomics and design. But here everyone has to choose to taste.
The following companies are particularly well-known on the market:
1. Sony
2. Nintendo
3. Microsoft
4. Nvidia
Remember that fixed and portable consoles can be used not only for its intended purpose. For example, with their help it is easy to listen to music, view videos and photos, as well as communicate over the network. Here, of course, Sony, Microsoft and NVIDIA are considered the leaders in universality. But most products from the company Nintendo do not provide for such opportunities.
Best Stationary Game Consoles
Sony PlayStation 4
The console of the new generation of PlayStation 4 from Sony is the good old classic in the new version. The company's engineers took into account the flaws of the previous model and released a prefix with a concise design and a powerful hardware component. The body is made of high-quality black plastic, has an unusual shape of a parallelepiped, which is slightly tilted. On the front side there are touch buttons responsible for turning on / off the gadget and opening the Blu-ray drive. The back panel has all the necessary connectors.
The device is equipped with an AMD Jaguar processor (8 cores) and a graphics card - AMD Radeon. On board the console, RAM in 8 GB, and HDD - 1 TB. Battery DualShock 4 will allow the console to work up to 8 hours without a break. Gamepad PlayStation 4 wireless. It has excellent ergonomics and fits perfectly in your hand. All controls are in the right places, which provides comfort in the process of use.
Advantages:
- high quality picture;
- no game hangs;
- built-in power supply;
- ergonomic joystick;
- large selection of games.
Disadvantages:
- PlayStation ™ Network;
- high cost of games.
Microsoft Xbox One
The next best prefix in the category, of course, is Xbox One from Microsoft. For many years, this console competes with the popular PlayStation. The difference between the two gadgets can be seen. The Xbox design is completely different: the size of the case is larger, and the power supply is not built-in.
Despite the inconsistency of appearance, the stuffing of the device did not let us down. The AMD processor has 8 cores, which ensures smooth and fast work. Good graphics come from the AMD Radeon video chip. The memory of the console is 8 GB, but the hard disk has only 500 GB, which is half the size of the PS4.
AMD video chips and mobile processors have corrected the shortcomings of previous versions of the console - heat and power consumption has decreased. Now the device works almost silently. Another chip of this model is the presence of an additional HDMI-input. This allows you to connect external devices to transfer images. The joystick is made in matte black plastic, on which no prints remain. His ergonomics is not bad, in his palm lies confidently. All buttons and levers have a smooth ride.
Advantages:
- low power consumption;
- noiselessness;
- the ability to view multimedia.
Disadvantages:
- weaker graphics than PS4;
- gamepad cross;
- long installation time of games.
Nintendo Wii U Premium Pack
The Nintendo Wii U Premium Pack Console has at least “cool” features than the previous two legendary consoles. The compact dimensions of the gadget (269 x 172 x 172 mm) and light weight (1.6 kg) are several times smaller than the Xbox and even the PS4. This allows you to successfully enter the device in any interior, without attracting special attention to it.
The hardware boasts a multi-core IBM processor and graphics - AMD Radeon HD. RAM is 2 GB, and the amount of hard disk - 32 GB.
A chip Wii U can be called a new system of communication in the network - Miiverse. It gives gamers the opportunity to discuss games, share opinions and impressions, learn about new content, and just communicate. This application allows you to invite friends to the game, ask questions, be interested in the passage and much more.
The included controller can play the role of a control panel for the TV both during the game process and during watching the programs. Having a camera, microphone and 6-inch screen opens up many new possibilities.
Advantages:
- compact size and low weight;
- bright graphics;
- powerful processor and fast work;
- unusual controller.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
Best Portable Game Consoles
Sony PlayStation Vita WiFi
Sony's PlayStation Vita WiFi is a continuation of the already familiar PSP branch. The model preceding it has largely ceased to suit modern gamers. Time passes, therefore, what used to be considered a cool chip, has now become a disadvantage. In this regard, the engineers made the first and very important change - they added another stick. Now it will be much more convenient for players to while away the time on trips or flights, plunging into the process. Management in general has become much smoother and more comfortable.
The changes also affected the dimensions of the portable console: it has become somewhat larger. Now you have to look for a place in a backpack or bag, since it is almost impossible to put it in your pocket. But the touch screen has increased, now it is 5-inch. Charging lasts a long time, about 5 - 6 hours. Those who already own a stationary PS4, it is desirable to purchase this console. She is fully compatible with her older brother.
Advantages:
- high autonomy;
- PS4 compatibility;
- ergonomics;
- no heat
Disadvantages:
- no connection to the TV;
- built-in memory - 1 GB;
- the display flashes in the sun;
- high price.
NVIDIA SHIELD Portable
The high price of NVIDIA's SHIELD portable console, according to many, deserves every penny spent. It will be not just a pocket console, but a device that can replace a lot of gaming equipment in the house. Firstly, SHIELD supports all Android games. The Lollipop operating system is compatible with the entire game line from its predecessors, except for a few outdated copies. Secondly, there is compatibility with all emulators of old consoles. Well and, thirdly, thanks to connecting via HDMI to the TV, you get a full-fledged console.
The model also supports streaming from a personal computer.This provides the opportunity, without downloading multimedia files, to view / listen to them from the console. The design of the model is very unusual: the folding form successfully hides the screen, protecting it during transport. Ergonomics is at a height, since all controls are conveniently located and have a rather large size. The only thing that could be better is the display. Instead of a 5-inch one, the 6 and 7-inch would easily fit into the case, since there is enough free frame around.
Advantages:
- unusual display protection design;
- great functionality;
- powerful stuffing;
- ergonomics.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
Nintendo 3DS
One of the most convenient consoles, not only for games, but also for other entertainment can be called Nintendo 3DS. The manufacturer is not in vain entered in the name of the model 3D. Now the console really boasts the appearance of this feature. Of course, its implementation is not comparable with a computer, but still, it works quite well for a portable device. The ability to connect via Wi-Fi, a motion sensor and a gyroscope, as well as the use of the bottom screen as a touchscreen, give the gamer an excellent atmosphere, immersing it headlong into the game.
Thanks to the two installed cameras that are simultaneously shooting, the user will be able to shoot videos, photos, and even do animation in 3D. The device is able to work without recharging up to 8 hours, and this is a very high figure. New location of controls allows you to play with great convenience. The ARM quad-core processor makes the console work fast.
Advantages:
- 3D function;
- up to 8 hours without recharging;
- fast work;
- ergonomics;
- clamshell case;
- low price
Disadvantages:
- display size - 3 inches;
- built-in memory - 1 GB.
What game console to buy
1. For fans of time-tested classics, definitely worth buying a stylish and powerful PlayStation 4 console from the famous Sony company.
2. We recommend Xbox One from Microsoft to all Xbox fans and just people who want to buy a decent quality console. The price of the device is slightly lower than that of the PS4, but the quality is almost the same.
3. Fans of games from the company Nintendo strongly advise you to pay attention to the stationary console Wii U Premium Pack. Despite the high cost, the console is very good and deserves to be the best along with the two previous competitors.
4. For all owners of a stationary PS4, it is advisable to purchase a portable PlayStation Vita WiFi console from Sony. It supports all the old line of PSP games, and is also fully compatible with its older brother.
5. For those who don’t mind paying more than a lot of money for a portable console with wide functionality, we advise you to purchase SHIELD Portable from NVIDIA. The unusual design, support for all gaming lines and the ability to connect to a PC, make the console indispensable for gamers.
6. The Nintendo 3DS model is suitable for children and adults. The low price of the device, its fast work and unusual bright design will delight all game lovers away from home.
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