Three major brands have now established themselves in the highly competitive console market. We’re talking about Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo with their PlayStation, Xbox and Switch consoles. But which games console suits who? TECHBOOK makes the comparison.
Consoles offer mobility and flexibility. On average, they are also significantly cheaper than a gaming PC, for example. And if the PC was clearly ahead in terms of performance and graphics for many years, this is no longer so important today. In any case, the fact is that the number of PC gamers has been falling for several years, while the number of those who prefer to play their games via console is constantly increasing. This is evidenced, among other things current surveys of the Association of the German Games Industry.
However, if you buy a console, you have to make a fundamental decision as to which device it should be – and above all from which manufacturer. A later change is increasingly difficult, since the games are often tied to a specific platform and console. TECHBOOK therefore compares the three major console series – PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch – and explains which is suitable for whom.
Nintendo Switch is flexible and family-friendly
Although Nintendo is anything but new to the console business, the company broke new ground with the Switch. The Switch is a hybrid device that, except for the Lite version, has both stationary and handheld modes. It is therefore possible to gamble via the docking station on a large screen or on the smaller display built into the console.
This is possible, among other things, because of the Joy-Cons, the external controls of the Switch. These mini controllers can be attached to the side of the console, clipped onto an attachment, or held loosely in the hand. Nintendo has also adapted many of its own games, such as Nintendo Switch Sports, to this controller. In the game, for example, it is then possible to imitate the movement of a tennis serve in order to carry it out digitally. With a Switch, it is also possible to book the Switch Online subscription service.
There are now three versions of Nintendo’s console: the “normal” version, the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED. In terms of price, this makes a difference of up to 100 euros. The individual models differ in their battery life, internal memory size and display size. The Nintendo Switch Lite lasts up to seven hours in operation, has a memory of 32 GB and a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches. Also, it can only be used to play games in handheld mode; it is not compatible with a docking station. The Nintendo Switch OLED, on the other hand, lasts up to nine hours and has 64GB of storage and a 7-inch display.
The advantage of the switch is clearly its flexibility. Many Nintendo games such as “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” or “Zelda: Breath of the Wild” are also released exclusively for this console. And perhaps the biggest advantage: Due to the lower barriers and graphic requirements, many small developer studios publish via the Nintendo eShop. While this isn’t particularly user-friendly, it does contain a lot of lesser-known indie titles.
Microsoft’s Xbox for professional gamers
A lot has happened at Microsoft since the first Xbox hit the market in 2001. The console series now includes four generations. The current models are called Series X and Series S, with S marking the slimmed down version. In terms of price, the models are a whole 200 euros apart. In general, you get access to Microsoft’s GamePass with an Xbox.
An Xbox, no matter which model, is especially worthwhile if you like to gamble on large screens, because the console is a real graphics miracle. The current Series X in particular even enables gaming in 8K. The Series S doesn’t offer that and what it also lacks is a drive to also be able to play DVDs and Blu-rays. This is possible with the X version. Otherwise, the two consoles differ in their memory size – 512 GB vs. 1 TB – and the performance of the GPU.
Especially in comparison to the Switch but also to the PlayStation, the graphic performance of the Xbox should be emphasized. The Xbox Series X in particular is the most powerful console on paper – and it shows. Another big advantage is the backward compatibility of Microsoft consoles. Even titles for the 2005 Xbox 360 are still playable on the current models.
PlayStation as a powerful all-rounder
Current sales figures clearly show that Sony offers the most popular console with its PlayStation. So has the PS4 sold more than twice as well than the Xbox One. The current generation includes two editions of the PlayStation 5, which are visually the most striking consoles of those presented so far. Because while the Xbox is black and conspicuous and Nintendo only sets accents with the colored Joy-Cons, the PS5 is not only conspicuously high (39 cm), but also stands out visually with its white color and the somewhat futuristic proportions. The Slim and Pro versions of the PS4 that were released in 2016 are much less conspicuous in this regard. With regard to the PS5, the DualSense controller, which not only looks good, should also be emphasized.
The PlayStation 5 is also available in a version with and without a drive, which makes it possible to play DVDs and Blu-rays. The difference in performance between the two consoles is also significantly lower than that of the Xbox Series X/S. Older models like the PS4 (Slim and Pro) can also play movies.
When it comes to performance and speed, Xbox and PlayStation don’t take much, especially in the current generation. Even if Microsoft is a bit ahead, the PS5 can also have a resolution of 8K with a corresponding screen and has almost identical GPU and CPU values, although with 825 GB it also has a slightly smaller memory. Especially compared to the Xbox, there are significantly more exclusive titles on the PlayStation. Even major new releases can sometimes only be played with the PlayStation for months after release, until they end up on other consoles as well.
Also interesting: The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in direct comparison
Which game console is worthwhile for whom
The question of which console is ultimately suitable for which need is on the one hand very simple and on the other hand difficult to answer because it is very individual. In comparison, the consoles can be broken down into a few essential aspects.
Nintendo’s switch is suitable for Nintendo fans, since many of the company’s games are only available exclusively for the in-house console. In addition, the handy Switch is well suited for children; the interactive concept of the Joy-Cons is also very suitable for families who want to gamble together. Also, a big plus point of the console is that it allows access to many little-known indie titles. It’s worth browsing, even for experienced players. However, the graphical performance and cinematic effect lag behind the competition.
Particularly demanding players are therefore well advised to go with the Xbox. The current Xbox Series X is a good choice in terms of performance and graphics. There are also some exclusive titles like “As Dusk Falls” for this console series. In addition, an Xbox as such is backwards compatible on a large scale, so you can also play older games on it. In general, however, the selection is not as large compared to the PlayStation or Switch. The current model is also sometimes difficult to get hold of due to delivery bottlenecks.
Sony’s PlayStation offers the all-round carefree package for many. Above all, the selection of titles is immense, albeit less surprising than that of the Nintendo Switch. As a rule, however, all major games end up on the PlayStation sooner or later. The latest models such as the PlayStation 5 in particular also meet high graphical requirements. However, the PlayStation 5, for example, is still only available for a limited time and the previous generation already has an expiry date. Only on the PS5 is a more comprehensive backward compatibility ensured.