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The world of game consoles is very tribal. Rather than technical specifications and rationale, many people decide on the best game console based on emotion and loyalty. Hey, that’s how it should be – the ‘best game console’, be it a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation or any other is the one that makes you happiest.
But what if you are a newcomer to the scene? You just might need this guide.
What to look for in a game console
Looking for your first gaming console and don’t know where to start? Want to buy the best game console as a gift? Completely lost? Here is a breakdown of the things you should consider to help you make the right decision.
- Social circle – For most gamers, gaming is a social pastime. It’s what you do with the friends you have and can help you meet new people all over the world. If your friends already own a particular game console, you might want to choose the same one to enjoy multiplayer gaming together. It will also let you share games.
- Controller design – This is closely tied to your console preference. The design and feel of the controller can significantly impact your gaming experience. Get a feel for the controllers of different consoles to see which one you find the most comfortable.
- Portability – If you primarily want to game at home, a traditional console might be more suitable. If you prefer gaming on the go, consider a portable gaming console like the Nintendo Switch.
- Game library – Each console has its exclusive games. Consider the games you want to play and check if they are available on a particular console. Some gaming consoles have a broader third-party game support while others focus on exclusive titles.
- Online Services – Consider the online services offered by each console, including multiplayer capabilities, subscription services (like Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus) and their cost, and free monthly games to enhance your gaming experience.
- Performance – If you’re concerned about graphics and processing power, look into the technical specifications of each gaming console. Remember that different games may run differently on different consoles so hard specs aren’t always the best way to decide.
- Storage – More storage means that you can download or install more games and saves. This is especially important as newer games require more space. The memory of traditional game consoles can be expanded via external hard drives while mobile game consoles use SD cards.
- Future plans – Consider the plans of the console manufacturers regarding upcoming games, system updates and potential hardware upgrades.
- Media features – Some gaming consoles double as media centres, offering features like streaming services, Blu-ray/DVD playback and more. If multimedia capabilities are important to you, factor this into your decision.
Best game console
After much research (gaming), we decided that while each game console has its advantages, they all excel in particular ways. Here is a list of the best gaming consoles to buy in Singapore in 2024.
Sony PlayStation 5
The Sonly PS5 was the best all-round game console given its high-end specs. 1440p HDMI video output and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) combine to give crisp, lifelike images for immersive gaming.
- CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Disc Drive?: Yes, digital-only option
- Storage: 825GB SSD, expandable with external storage
Buy from S$649 at Lazada Shopee
Xbox Series X
Our best game console for new gamers is the Xbox Series X, especially when paired with the Xbox Game Pass. Everyone will love Quick Resume switching between games, and the clarity of Dolby Vision.
- CPU: CPU 8X Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.66 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU
- GPU: 12 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Disc Drive?: Yes
- Storage: 1TB NVME SSD, expandable with external storage
Buy from S$699 at Lazada Shopee
Microsoft Xbox Series S
The Best Budget Game console
- CPU: 3.6GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- GPU: 4 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
- RAM: 10GB GDDR6
- Disc Drive?: No
- Storage: 512GB NVME SSD, expandable with external storage
Buy from S$539 at Lazada
Nintendo Switch OLED game console
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best all-round portable game console on the market by a hair. It has a big, bright HD screen in a compact, lightweight frame that is very affordable. Best of all, it comes with a dock that allows you to game on your home TV with the detachable controllers!
- CPU & GPU: NVIDIA Tegra
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Display: 7″ 1280×720 (HD) screen, up to 1080p (FHD) output
- Disc Drive?: No, cartridge slot
- Storage: 64GB eMMC, expandable with SD card
Buy from S$352 at Amazon Lazada Shopee
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is undoubtedly the best budget portable game console and perfect if you want to game with the handheld only, without the option to continue on a TV.
- CPU & GPU: NVIDIA Tegra
- RAM: 4GB GDDR4
- Display: 5.5″ 1280×720 (HD) screen, no TV output
- Disc Drive?: No, cartridge slot
- Storage: 32GB eMMC, expandable up to 2TB with SD card
Buy from S$229 at Lazada Shopee
Valve Steam Deck
Valve’s Steam Deck easily takes the best portable PC game console spot for those who are willing to shell out, huge storage and PC gaming on the go.
- CPU: AMD Zen 2 3.5 GHz
- GPU: AMD 8 RDNA
- RAM: 16G eMMC OR 256 GB SSD OR 512 GB SSD
- Display: 7″ 1280×800 (HD) screen
- Disc Drive?: No
- Storage: 64GB eMMC, expandable with SD card
Buy from S$590 at Lazada
ASUS ROG Ally
ASUS takes the title of best premium portable PC gaming console with the ROG Ally that features an FHD screen, Windows 11 OS and 65W Type-C charging and connectivity.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 2 5.1 GHz boost
- GPU: AMD 3 RDNA
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Display: 7″ 1920×1080 (FHD) screen
- Disc Drive?: No
- Storage: 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD
Buy from S$1,009 at ASUS Lazada
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