The best games console: for performance, value, retro and more

The choice between the best games consoles has never been more varied. While Sony‘s PlayStation 5 remains my recommendation for the best games console overall, due to its exclusive games, enhanced controller tech and UI. The Xbox Series X has gained some ground with Xbox Game Pass, the Nintendo Switch continues to be one of the best-selling consoles (its OLED model is fantastic) and Valve’s Steam Deck takes PC gaming on the go.

When considering which is the best games console, I share why I feel each deserves your attention. I’ve spent 25 years writing about video games, have edited Official PlayStation Magazine and several Xbox magazines, and I think there’s no better time for choice than right now – each console on my list has its own merits and uses, (I should know as I own most of them).

If you want more power than even the Xbox Series X can offer, then it might be wise to invest in one of the best gaming laptops for the ultimate PC experience. For a hit of nostalgia, check out my guide to the best retro games consoles, or if you’re interested in delving into game art and development, then read our Unreal Engine 5 explainer. For now, however, let’s take a look at the best game consoles that I recommend.

Ian Dean

Ian started writing about video games on PlayStation magazine Planet PlayStation in 1998, he’s since edited and launched a number of best-selling games magazines, including X360, XBM, PlayStation World and Official PlayStation Magazine. He has a wealth of experience writing about video games, but also a passion for game art, design and tech.

Best games console: quick list

The best games console in full

Best games console overall

The best games console overall right now is the PlayStation 5. Sony’s console replaced PlayStation 4 in 2020 and though blighted by supply issues remains on course to be the all-time best-selling games console.

PS5 is a beast. The console supports 4K / 120fps gameplay. 3D audio boosts any game experience, too. The PS5 is whisper quiet as well, although the disc can be loud as it pre-loads a game.

In my PS5 review, I noted the secret weapon for Sony’s console is the innovative DualSense controller, which delivers a one-off experience for gamers with haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, reactive lighting, a touchpad and a built-in mic. The DualSense controller makes games feel unique. Better still, all its features are customisable and can be turned down or off. Discover the best PS5 controllers available now for more choices.

The best video game consoles live and die on their games, and PS5 has some of the best around. Exclusive PS5 games include God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West and Helldivers 2. PS5 owners who sign up for Sony’s PS Plus subscription service get monthly free games, free remastered games and for Premium members access to collections of free games.

PlayStation 5 also comes in two versions, a standard model and the slightly cheaper PS5 Digital Edition, which foregoes the disc drive. Aside from lacking a Blu-ray drive the Digital Edition is the same, and as we move towards digital-only releases it’s a good option to get a PS5 for a little less.

Best value games console

It may surprise some that I’ve picked Xbox Series X as my best value games console. It’s not the cheapest on my list and its performance matches PS5 making it more of an investment than a Nintendo Switch OLED or Lite, but Xbox has Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass is a revelation that has seen PS5 play catch up for years now. Essentially, for $14.99 / £10.99 a month, you get thousands of Xbox games, including day one releases like Starfield and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Hellblade 2. You also get classics from Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, as well as indie games, and picks from Ubisoft and EA’s collections. In terms of value, there really is nothing like Game Pass right now, and Xbox Series X is the best way to make use of it.

Xbox Series X is also capable of 4K gameplay at high frame rates for some of the most graphically impressive titles you can buy right now. So, again, on paper Xbox Series X should be top of my list. But in my Xbox Series X review I found this console, while great, lacks a controller like the DualSense and its UI design feels dated.

In its corner, Xbox Series X is also a little cheaper than PS5. If price is an issue I’d also recommend the Xbox Series S in my also tested section, which is cheaper than Xbox Series X but also a little less powerful (but for now all games must be developed for both models). If you’re after one of the best games consoles of all time with access to a library of amazing games, then Xbox Series X is a great option, it just lacks some of PlayStation 5’s smarter features.

Best handheld games console

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the revamped and updated edition of the Nintendo Switch (see the also tested section), one of the best-selling consoles of all time. Internally the Switch OLED remains the same as the standard Switch, meaning it has an Nvidia Custom Tegra X1 processor and 4GB of RAM that delivers good game performance, but not on a par with PS5 or Xbox Series X.

The big change for the Switch OLED is the larger 7-inch display that delivers brighter whites and deeper blacks. The OLED screen is a thing of beauty that ensures playing Switch’s library of games is punchier than before. There’s an option to switch to standard mode if you prefer, which returns colours to the classic Switch levels.

It still displays at 720p and outputs at 1080p, which is a little disappointing as I would have liked a 4K output upgrade. It seems while the Switch is a capable two-in-one console clearly its handheld capabilities are where the OLED model shines. This model has a revised ‘curvy’ design making it nicer to hold for extended times, while the new 64GB internal storage means you can store more Switch games for your travels.

Speaking of games, this remains and has always been Nintendo’s biggest strength. The Switch has a fantastic catalogue of some of the greatest games ever made, including Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Mario Odyssey (read my guide to the best Nintendo Switch games). There’s a library of great indie games and a sub to Nintendo Online unlocks classic games from NES, SNES and Game Boy Color (highly recommended).

Best PC games console

Valve’s Steam Deck is the Holy Grail of handheld consoles – it enables you to play the latest PC games on the go. It’s larger and heavier than a Nintendo Switch but crams in all sorts of high-spec features, such as a top-end custom AMD GPU and CPU for power, touch pads, gyro controls and more.

The idea is you can take your PC collection on the go, and with a classy 800p display (there is a new OLED model too) and supporting 30 and 60 frames per second the Valve Steam Deck performs well, though dedicated PC gamers may not like the downgrade. Yet, the handheld console supports over 3,000 games and more can be made to work with some effort.

And here’s the rub, Steam Deck is impressive and can run the latest and best PC games, including 2022’s biggest hits like Elden Ring, yet games aren’t made for Steam Deck, they simply run on Steam Deck. It’s a subtle difference, as games made for Nintendo Switch are designed for its controls, while on Steam Deck you’ll need to spend time figuring out control setups that work. Similarly, battery life can drain fast (two hours for a Triple-A game) unless you monitor and tweak each game’s settings – Steam Deck is hardly plug-and-play.

Steam Deck is also heavy and noisy, the fan really works overtime to cool this beast. Yet, it’s a gaming PC in your hands and PC gamers will be used to the DIY nature of trouble-shooting game setups and controls.

Best games console for kids

Nintendo Switch Lite, as the name suggests, is a lighter version of the Switch OLED higher up on my list. It’s also cheaper and slightly smaller, with Nintendo’s catalogue of family-friendly games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and other cosy games.

Switch Lite is essentially a version of the Switch, but it can’t be docked and connected to a TV and has built-in Joy-Con controllers, so it can’t play all of Nintendo’s games, for example, Mario Party won’t run on Switch Lite. In its corner, however, the Switch Lite has a longer battery life.

Nintendo has been behind some of the best handheld consoles ever made, including the iconic Game Boy and dual-screen Nintendo DS, so it’s no surprise that it has made a brilliant handheld console with the Switch Lite. If you want to enjoy Switch games with the whole family then the OLED model is ideal, but if you have a child who wants their own games console, and you need assurance it’ll have age-appropriate games, then the Lite model is a great pick.

Best retro games console

The Evercade EXP is, I believe, the best retro games console you can buy right now. It’s not a mini replica like other retro consoles, for example the new Atari 400 Mini, and it’s neither is it designed just to play older games, like the Atari 2600+. The Evercade EXP plays collections of classic games from the 8, 16 and 32-but eras as well as new indie games and modern retro-like game collections.

This wealth of games, often inexpensive with collections containing between six and eight games, is a great way into retro gaming. But the hardware is good too, the OLED screen makes every every retro game sing while the handheld design is comfortable and responsive. The Evercade EXP can be connected to a TV, so it’s not just a handheld. The TATE mode is interesting – turning the console into a vertical system for classic shooters – but it can feel a little like a gimmick as the buttons are quite close together, as I noted in my Evercade EXP review.

Overall the Evercade EXP is a perfect retro console and it’s superb value for money; the console comes with 18 Capcom games pre-installed, including Final Fight, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts and Strider; and a special bundle comes with the IREM Arcade 1 collection, a cart of classic ’80s arcade games, including R-Type.

Note: Evercade has recently launched a new EXP-R model (it comes in black with teal accents) which has all of the same features as the original EXP model, but with a refreshed approach. There’s a new chipset that runs cooler, an added textured grip on the back for comfort. It still supports the entire Evercade cartridge library and comes bundled with Tomb Raider.

Best games console: also tested

Nintendo Switch
The older Nintendo Switch remains one of the best games console, though its been superseded by the OLED model. If you want a Switch for less money but with all the features lacking in the Lite model, this is the one.
Read our Nintendo Switch review

Xbox Series S
While I believe Xbox Series X offers the best value overall, the cheaper and slightly less powerful Xbox Series S is good if you want Game Pass but don’t need a disc drive and are happy with 1080p resolution gaming.
Read our Xbox Series S deals tracker

ASUS ROG Ally
The ASUS ROG Ally is a direct competitor to the Steam Deck and while its design is curvier, lighter and more portable it lacks the power and versatility of Valve’s leading PC console. But it’s still recommended if you want a PC handheld that’s more mobile.
Read our ASUS ROG Ally review

Best games console: how to choose

When choosing a new games console you need to consider a number of things, including price and performance, but also never forget why you’re buying a games console – it’s for the games. I’d recommend considering the below factors when choosing a new games console, or one of the best gaming consoles on my list above.

• Performance If you want the latest games that push graphics details, animation, audio and tech then you’ll need to consider performance. In this case the best choices are between PS5 and Xbox Series X.
• Design This matters more than you may think. A modern games console will likely sit in the living room and be a piece of tech furniture. For me, the choice is between PS5’s sculpted aesthetic or Xbox Series X’s clean block. Personally, I’ve become more appreciative of Xbox Series X’s design since it launched, its simplicity is appealing.
• Controllers While pure power is always great, Nintendo has proven how you play is often more important than the latest ray-traced effects. Two standouts here are PS5’s DualSense controller, which offers impressive haptics and a comfortable design, and Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con that offer great immersion and interactivity – ideal for party games.
• UI design How you use the console is important, and can enhance the overall experience and connectivity to broader media and functions. Consider if you want the console to be a media player for movies and music as well as gaming.
• Ecosystem This is a particular one for legacy gamers. If you’ve been playing Xbox for since the Xbox 360 then you’ll have a catalogue of games to play in Xbox Series X, likewise, PlayStation gamers will have titles and rewards amassed. So consider if you want to start anew or make more of your collection.
• The games This is HUGE. Games are the reason to own a games console, so consider the kinds of games you love and which console has the best ones; for example Nintendo’s exclusives are usually more family orientated, Sony’s focus on cinematic storytelling while Xbox generally has the best racing and action games.
• Accessories This isn’t the most important but it’s good to keep in mind. Does the console have a good selection of pro controllers, racing wheels or support for SSDs? It’s worth noting only the PS5 supports VR, with the excellent PlayStation VR2.

Best games console: how we test

To test and review the best games consoles on my list we spend time with each console to asses its performance, best features, games and design – often we return games consoles and write updated reviews to see if new UI and added features have improved the console.

I personally own most of the consoles on this list, apart from the Steam Deck, so have made judgements based on my own experience of using each one. Where I’ve not had first-hand use of a games console I’ve referenced our own reviews as well as those of our sister site TechRadar.

We review and test games consoles under the conditions most people will experience if they buy one, with the console setup in a living room with a good HD TV. If a console has a handheld then we get out the house, often taking them on long trips or to the office and judge how well they performance in different circumstances, including connecting to WiFI. I also like to consider the weight and build of a handheld console, for example does it fit into a regular bag?

To test aspects like a handheld or controller’s battery life we use the device on a full charge and let it run down; we then do the same again but in constant use and gauge how intensive a console may drain a battery.

We review plenty of gaming devices here on Creative Bloq, from consoles to retro replicas, laptops and smartphones, but make sure that only devices we have awarded three stars and above make it into our buying guides. You can read our full process for all products in our ‘How we test and review‘ guide.

Best games console: frequent questions

• 1. PlayStation 2
• 2. SNES
• 3. PlayStation
• 4. Nintendo Switch
• 5. Xbox
• 6. Sega Dreamcast
• 7. Xbox 360
• 8. Nintendo Wii
• 9. Atari 2600
• 10. Sega Mega Drive