The truth that a lot of people refuse to acknowledge is the fact that the majority of consoles are quite comparable when it comes to performance (provided that they belong to the same generation). Comparing Xbox 360 to PS5 is not exactly a fair comparison.
Where they greatly differ are their exclusives. Now, while it’s true that all these exclusives eventually come to PC, you’ll never be able to play a PS exclusive on Xbox (other than through streaming of the PC port).
Still, Xbox and PS aren’t your only console options (even if they are the most popular ones). More importantly, even though they are used by kids, these consoles usually don’t make that many games with the youngest audiences in mind.
With these considerations in mind, how do you choose which console to take? Furthermore, what if you’re not just buying it for yourself but for your entire family? Here are a couple of considerations to make when choosing the best video game console for families.
Top 4 Best Video Game Console Generations
PS4 Pro
While in 2022, the majority of people are considering a switch to PS5, the truth is that there are still so many reasons to go with PS4 Pro instead. Namely, the PS5-exclusive library is still not that impressive, which means that the cost of switching to a more expensive platform may not be justified at the moment.
At the moment, the most popular game on PS4 is still Marvel’s Spider-Man, with God of War, Uncharted 4, and The Witcher 3 following behind. Keep in mind, nonetheless, that some of these games (like The Wicher 3 and God of War) aren’t suitable for young kids.
The truth is that this heavily depends on your kids. If they’re young, Overcooked, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Minecraft are some of the best PS4 family games.
Minecraft is especially great, seeing as how it helps them explore various interactive education concepts. After all, it’s like playing with Legos on your console, with all the creative options that come with it.
Xbox One S
This platform is equivalent to the PS4 Pro, seeing as how it’s a last-generation console with a fantastic shelf life and so much to offer. Sure, it’s limited to 1440p resolution but this isn’t nearly as unimpressive as you expect it to be. Sure, it’s not 4K but the imagery on 1440p can be more than stellar. With kids, however, it’s never about the graphics.
Its best feature is the Xbox Game Pass, which, for a monthly or yearly subscription, allows you to play over 100 games across Xbox, PC, and various mobile devices. So, from the cost-effectiveness standpoint, it’s more than worth it.
Nintendo Switch
The best thing about Nintendo Switch is that it doesn’t keep you confined to a living room. This means that you can take it to the porch or patio, as well as take you with you on your vacation. You don’t have an infotainment system for your kids in the car? It’s no big deal if you have Nintendo Switch.
Keep in mind that it’s quite inexpensive (actually one of the most affordable portable consoles), which means that even if you don’t like it, it won’t be that big of a missed investment. The list of games is quite impressive and Nintendo Switch Online is constantly improving.
In other words, it’s great fun for the family and the fact that it’s portable gives you a chance to use it all over the place, not just in the living room.
Meta Quest 2
Those interested in VR should consider getting Meta Quest 2 for their family console. First of all, this is the safest way to enjoy VR, seeing as how there are no wires and it’s relatively clear to set aside some clear space for it.
From a technical standpoint, it’s an impressive VR console. It takes just two hours to charge it fully, the motion tracking is amazing, and it performs quite consistently. Games like Beat Saber are worth trying out and they can be used to keep the family active even without going to the gym in the winter.
For the kids, it’s important to stress that it may help them develop better motor skills and balance, especially compared to those who play video games the old-fashioned way. For older members of the family, VR games are also an excellent way to reduce stress.
Wrap Up
In the end, the truth is that as long as you pick one of the above-listed platforms, you just can’t go wrong. The only question is, what is the priority? Is it portability, VR, the number of games, cross-platform compatibility of games, or the overall game and platform performance? By considering and answering this question first, you’ll also answer the question of – which platform or new video game console should I get? It’s really that simple.
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