A Newbie's Guide to Gaming: Costs, Consoles, and Options
Nov 22, 2020 | 0 Votes
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Buying a new gaming device that isn’t a phone is a huge financial commitment, which is why it’s best to make an informed decision. If you’re someone who is totally unfamiliar with consoles and PCs, note there’s a lot to consider beforehand. Personally, I’ve met people who have bought a PlayStation 4 with the goal of playing Pokémon, a Nintendo exclusive.
Before you decide to shell out hundreds - even thousands - of dollars to buy a console or a new gaming rig, here’s a short guide to help you out:
Console and PC vs mobile
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First off, although there are some games that are cross-platform, the ones these three platforms deliver are quite different.
Mobile focuses on a casual experience, considering its audience is made up of people who wouldn’t exactly call themselves gamers. Moreover, various app stores shell out free-to-play experiences with microtransactions in mind. Plus, a lot of mobile titles deliver similar gameplay and you could even say that most are just reskins of popular ones.
Though there are also F2P games on consoles and PCs, these platforms are the home of triple-A $60 blockbuster titles that deliver rich and varied experiences. So yes, getting the ones you want on a console requires a serious amount of cash. Thankfully, you can always lighten the load by keeping an eye out for occasional and regular sales.
Portability and peers
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So, let’s say you’re trying to decide between the three major consoles today: the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. You could also have your eye on the next generation with PS5 and Xbox Series X just around the corner.
If you want a hybrid (portable + couch) experience, go for a Switch. Gaming on the go is a huge deal today, thanks to the rise of mobile, and this is one aspect Nintendo’s current-gen console capitalizes on. You’d also want to consider the popular platform in your country. In Asia, buying an Xbox is unheard of. Nintendo, Sony, and PCs thrive in the said continent, so there are limited options if you’re aiming to drop into a Halo lobby.
Games and exclusives
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Every platform has exclusive games and franchises.
If you want to play Pokémon or any of the Zelda games, then get a Nintendo Switch. However, if you’ve seen trailers of the Last of Us, God of War, and Days Gone, then a PlayStation is your best bet. However, if you’ve always been a fan of Halo and want to try out Sea of Thieves with friends, then a PC or Xbox (Xbox games are also available on PC) should be in order. Moreover, please note that you can’t play Pokémon on an Xbox or PS4, or God of War on an Xbox.
In addition, the PlayStation and Switch are geared towards a Japanese audience and people who love Japanese games and anime. In a way, you could say both consoles are JRPG and anime game machines. Meanwhile, Xbox is more centered towards a western audience, particularly those who love sports and first-person shooters.
PS Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, and Xbox Live
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On consoles, you can’t dive into multiplayer games with your peers unless if you have any of the above-mentioned subscription services. This means you won’t be able to trade or battle in Pokémon Sword and Shield without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Moreover, there’s no way to play PUBG on an Xbox and PS4 without PS Plus and Xbox Live. Thankfully, these services hand out freebies, like PS Plus’ free games every month and NSO’s SNES and NES games and free trials.
However, all F2P games including Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Paladins are an exception - you can play online without buying any of these services.
Apart from these, you’d also want to consider Xbox Game Pass which gives you access to a large game library for $9.99 a month, and PlayStation Now which lets you stream an extensive catalog of multi-generation games straight to your PS4.
Buying a PC: costs and specs
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Buying a gaming laptop or PC is a major investment and you essentially have two options: buy a ready-made and already-built PC or build one yourself. The former option is relatively more expensive. Personally, I bought a decent Asus ROG PC - with an i5-8400 processor and a GTX 1060-6GB graphics card and 8GB RAM that can smoothly play current-gen games for $899. Laptops with lesser specs are a tad more expensive, but they’re better options if you’re planning to carry your device around.
You can build a PC for a cheaper price (and an extremely satisfying feeling once you’re done), you’d need to undergo several hours of research and meticulous work to do it right or pay someone to do it. Plus, doing so may not give you warranty privileges.
In any case, it’s best to check your options first and try to educate yourself regarding the topic or seek help with your peers. There are many tutorial videos and recommended builds online and tools, like GPU Benchmark to see which are the best processors and graphics that fit your budget.
Overall, if you’re buying a new gaming device, there are a lot of things to consider beforehand. Try to first read up on tips and get feedback from communities online prior to making a decision. After all, you’d want the most out of the money you’ll spend, so an informed choice is a necessity.
Featured Games
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