10 best game consoles

Let's talk about game consoles or consoles. Unlike a computer, the main priority is on games, and a TV is used as the basic output device. More recently, each console has a unique set of games, distributed as an exclusive. Now, many projects are multi-platform, which is only welcome.

In 2019, the 8th generation of consoles is already underway, which have certain similarities and differences with their direct competitors - computers. Note that at the moment online projects have become especially popular on consoles thanks to the optimization and improvement of the very hardware of the game stations.

Pros:

• You don't need to collect anything. Plug and play.
• Portability. Compactness has always been considered a plus for consoles.
• No messing around with device configuration.
• Easy to disassemble and clean.
• High-quality factory thermal paste with a service life of up to 5 years.

Minuses:

• Subscription. Very often you can't just buy a game, you need a subscription.
• Poor picture quality than on a computer. The frame rate is at the lowest level of playability, usually 30 frames per second.
• If not serviced, thermal grease can stick to it.

We have selected 10 of the best game consoles in the world for you.

The best stationary game consoles

Let's start with the consoles most familiar to a large circle of players. These devices are used exclusively at home paired with a TV. Their dimensions are too large for transportation, but this allows you to install the maximum productive hardware inside and a good cooling system for a consistently smooth and beautiful picture, which is what the consoles are famous for. In this category, we pitted against the two main competitors in the market - PlayStation and Xbox.

5 Sony PlayStation 4 1 TB

We begin our review of home game consoles with a very popular old man in the world - the usual PlayStation 4. The model, at first glance, can hardly attract buyers. The performance of 1.82 teraflops is enough for comfortable gaming in FullHD resolution, but there is no hope for the graphics of the level of PS4 Pro or a powerful gaming computer. The design is more angular than that of the new comrades, which many will like. Of the relative shortcomings, we note the absence of the latest generation Wi-Fi (802.11ac) and a fairly high average cost.

Why is the model included in the rating despite these shortcomings? Quite simply, the base PlayStation 4 is gradually retiring, which is why sellers often make big discounts. Also, the set-top box almost always comes with games that are sold separately for at least 2 thousand rubles, a PS Plus subscription and even additional DualShock 4 gamepads. Finally, this version of the "curling iron" has already acquired a large number of accessories that can be bought for a penny.

4 Sony PlayStation 4 Slim 1 TB

The Slim version has become a "lightweight" version of the classic PS4, differing in slightly smaller dimensions, quieter operation and a lower price. I am glad that the HDMI cable is now included in the kit by default and does not need to be purchased separately. We have not forgotten about the DualShock with pleasant tactile sensations, but slightly worse ergonomics than the Xbox.

The console looks decent in appearance. In terms of dimensions, it turned out to be less than the 3rd generation. The graphics chip, although average, is based on modern architecture, while the 3rd generation had a powerful graphics core, but outdated. The processor is clocked at 1.6 GHz, with only 8 GB of GDDR5 RAM. There is no port for reading memory cards, but Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are fully present. I was upset by the fact that it would be impossible to connect external audio peripherals to it like speakers. You will have to choose between connecting headphones to a gamepad or be content with sound via HDMI.

3 Microsoft Xbox One S

The first representative of Microsoft game consoles hurts competitors with several features at once. First of all, you pay attention to the significantly lower cost. Some stores offer the device for only 16-17 thousand rubles.True, this will be a version with a 500 GB hard drive, which will not be enough for an avid gamer. For 23-24 thousand, you will find One S with 2 TB HDD - this is the best indicator on the market.

The second feature is 4K support. Blu-ray works great in this quality. Games are more difficult. First, in the settings, you must force the upscale to UltraHD. Secondly, you will not get a smooth and beautiful picture. But with FullHD, everything is fine - the picture quality is slightly better than on PS4, PS4 Slim and regular Xbox One. The refresh rate can reach 60 fps. There is support for HDR - high contrast mode, in which the picture looks much more contrast. Finally, let's not forget about the looks - many reviewers and buyers agree that the Xbox One S is a very beautiful device.

2 Sony PlayStation 4 Pro

Powerful and silent set-top box. If the original model produces 1.8 Teraflops, then this one immediately gives 4.2. The Wi-Fi module has been updated, which works stably with 5 GHz networks. The power of the set-top box is enough to display both Full HD and full-fledged 4K. In general, this is still the same PS4, only for large screens. The matte 3-piece candy bar keeps dust and fingerprints to a minimum. There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the front and 1 on the back, allowing you to connect your PS VR from the front to the back.

At the same time, power consumption increased to 310 watts. The device is delivered in a bulky and heavy box of medium presentable appearance. The delivery set also includes a mono earpiece with a microphone, the expediency of which is currently in question.

The attachment consists of the following components:

• controllers or manipulators for navigation;
• main unit, consisting of a motherboard, processor, RAM and other elements;
• carriers. mainly optical discs play this role;
• data cables, including a high-frequency antenna cable for transmitting images to a TV.

1 Microsoft Xbox One X

The Xbox One X is officially the world's most powerful gaming console. Its performance is equal to 6 teraflops! The closest competitor from Sony has a third less power. All thanks to the brand new Scorpio Engine and 12GB of RAM. Of course, there is support for 4K and HDR10. The picture is excellent. But if you have a simpler TV, don't worry - One X will be relevant for you too, because in FullHD or 2K resolution, the set-top box simply produces a much more beautiful (due to various effects) and smooth picture with a refresh rate of up to 60 frames per second. You don't have to worry about sound either - DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 with Atmos TrueHD technology are supported.

There aren't many exclusives on the Xbox compared to the PlayStation. At the same time, the games purchased will also be available on Windows PCs on board, making them somewhat of a smarter purchase.

The best Nintendo game consoles

Nintendo has always been a special company. They never seriously competed with the guys from Sony and Microsoft, while having a huge army of fans of all ages. At first glance, it may seem that their games are monotonous and boring, but digging deeper, you understand - they all have perfectly polished gameplay. What about consoles? They are as crazy and unusual as their creators.

3 Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

We've already said that Nintendo has a huge fan base. And this army was formed more than a decade ago. In the late 90s, the company that released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (in our country, its exact copy - Dendy is better known), was one of the largest manufacturers. Contra, Donkey Kong, Super Mario World - these and many other games have won the hearts of young gamers.

The novelty, released in 2016, allows you to plunge into childhood. The box is very compact and has a retro design. A pair of wired joysticks also correspond to it. The design is the same from the 90s, which further immerses you in the atmosphere of retro gaming. The box itself is powered by a regular USB - you can even connect it to the TV connector. The picture is output via HDMI, you definitely won't have to fiddle with adapters.There are 21 games preinstalled on the console, but of course you can download the images yourself. Of the key differences from the original SNES, we note the ability to save and "rewind" the gameplay 40 seconds back.

2 Nintendo New 2DS XL

In the segment of portable consoles, officially presented in our country, Nintendo unconditionally dominates. We will consider the relatively simple New 2DS XL model. First of all, the form factor is interesting. This is a folding model in the form of a book, inside of which there are two displays at once (the main one is 4.88 ", the lower one is an additional one - 4.18") and control buttons, a cross and a stick. These dimensions allow you to carry the console at all times, playing whenever you want. The body has a place for a stylus, which is much more convenient to operate in some cases. Note that there is also a Nintendo 2DS on sale - a slightly more compact non-foldable model, the cost of which is, on average, a thousand rubles less. Otherwise, there are practically no differences.

The battery has a capacity of only 1300 mAh. Battery life varies greatly. In modern demanding games, the console can live for only 3.5 hours, in the classics - up to 10-12 hours. Games - typical for Nintendo - Pokemon, Mario, etc.

If you want your console to last a long time, you need to clean it too. For 4 years of moderate use, scraps of cotton wool may form inside it without proper supervision, and the smell may not be the most pleasant. The good news is that the disassembly of the console is a relatively simple process and preventive cleaning can be carried out once a year.

1 Nintendo Switch

The leading position is expectedly occupied by the new product that made a splash - the Nintendo Switch. This is the world's first hybrid video game console. What does it mean? There is the main part, in the form of a tablet with a 6.2 'screen and HD resolution and "dopa". If you want to play on the go - connect the joycons to the "tablet" and go. A large TV in front of the sofa - the console in a special docking station, and the joycons on a special platform in the form of a gamepad and play again with comfort. You can play alone or with a friend by giving him one of the joy-con. The games are really interesting and unique. In addition to the traditional Nintendo series, there is a set of 1-2-Switch mini-games and full-fledged third-party projects like TES V: Skyrim, FIFA 18 and Wolfenstein. Battery life is about 6 hours.

You get special pleasure from versatility: you start playing at home in front of a huge TV, then disconnect the console and continue playing on the subway, and at the end of the evening sat down with friends in a cafe, placing the console on the built-in footrest. Not parting with games anywhere and never - isn't this the dream of a real gamer?

The best retro consoles

For many people, acquaintance with game consoles began with 8 or 16-bit games. "Turn it off, otherwise you'll put the picture tube down", "don't hit it, I'll try something", "I'll be the first!" - these phrases sounded from enthusiastic children while playing Mortal Kombat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other legendary projects. Returning to childhood as an adult, as it turned out, is quite simple - you just need to spend a little money on a modern version of the classic console. For example, such as in the rating below.

2 Sega MegaDrive Classic

The classic "Sega" is still available for purchase at a ridiculous price of about 2,000 rubles. This is the fourth generation of game consoles, but this particular model was remembered by many players for its graphics and unique games. The console has a 16-bit system and was a direct competitor to the legendary Dandy. Compared to it, "Sega" was able to offer a better picture. The device is made in a minimalistic black case with a pair of rounded joysticks. The body has 2 ports for joysticks, so that you can play alone or in a pair with a friend.

The cartridges are also worth highlighting. They look simple enough and not very reliable, which is why chips on their cases were common. Often the set-top box delivery included a collection cartridge, where you could find 62 or 131 games.The deluxe edition included games such as The Golden Ax, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mortal Kombat and many more.

1 SEGA MegaDrive Gopher

Many manufacturers of retro consoles try to copy the original as much as possible. Appearance, controls, system interface. The creators of SEGA MegaDrive Gopher have taken a different path - they have combined the achievements of modern technology and the "lamp-like" nature of old games. The device turned out to be no more than a modern smartphone. In addition to the 2.8 ’screen with a resolution of 360x240 pixels, there is a place for a stick and six buttons in front - the layout is familiar to the old joysticks of the original console. There is an AV-out and an audio jack for connecting a TV and a headset, respectively. The battery is only 750 mAh, but this is enough for 10 hours of play.

Inside, everything is extremely simple. Motorola processor, clocked at 7.61 MHz, slot for memory cards up to 4 GB. However, an old 512 MB flash drive will probably be enough for you, because the images of games take up only 1-4 MB. In addition to the 20 pre-installed games, you can always find other projects. There are a lot of them on specialized forums, and if necessary, you can independently port the PC version of the game.