Christmas is right around the corner, and parents across America are wondering what console to gift their children this holiday season. Currently, the videogame market is full of different amazing console devices, all with their unique perks. Some of them support high-end gaming, while others are portable and easy to carry, so which one is the best choice for your kids?
Gaming consoles are of two major types; TV-tethered, the bulky ones that need to be connected to the TV in order to play, and Handheld, the small ones that are portable and come along with a screen of their own.
Best TV-Tethered Gaming Consoles
I. PlayStation 5 or PS5
PlayStation 5 or PS5, by Sony, is the best gaming console available in the market, and it is the perfect Christmas gift for your kids.
It is the latest gaming console by Sony, and if your kids already have a PS4, then nothing can be a better gift than a PS5. It is more powerful than its predecessors and supports a lot more games than them.
The PS5 is available in two versions; Standard ($500) and Digital ($400). You want the Standard one as it arrives with a disk drive. Even though the Digital edition is $100 cheaper, the ability to buy second-hand game discs at half the prices will soon make up for the extra bucks you will pay.
PS5 is also a better choice because of the exclusive games it offers. This year you can get one with Horizon Forbidden West or Gran Turismo 7. God of War: Ragnarok is also a PlayStation exclusive, and believe me, it is the only game your teenager wants to play this season.
II. Xbox Series X
Xbox series X and S are the latest Xbox editions by Microsoft, and it is certainly a better Christmas gift choice if your kid prefers Xbox over PlayStations.
How would you know if your kid prefers an Xbox, you ask? Just say “PlayStation is better than Xbox” to your kid and enjoy the chaos that follows.
Xbox series X ($500) is the one that you should go for as it is the disc variant and more powerful than series S ($300).
With the Xbox series, you can get Halo Infinite, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Forza Motorsport 8, etc., as exclusive games.
Best Budget Gaming Console in 2022
Xbox series S is the best gaming console in a budget price range. It is available on Target for $299.99, a total of $200 cheaper than PS5 and Xbox series X.
It is half the size of the Xbox series X, so it does not take up much space on the table, and it can run most of the latest games smoothly.
S is the digital edition of the Xbox, thus, it does not have a disc drive, meaning you will not be able to buy second-hand copies of the game to play on it. Also, it is not that powerful, so some of the game won’t run as smoothly as Xbox series X.
Now, even though PS5 and Xbox series X are the best possible holiday gifts for your kids, it is more than likely that they will be out of stock on most platforms, or you probably don’t want these bulky devices on your table, so here are a couple more amazing consoles that your kids will absolutely adore.
Best Handheld Gaming Consoles
I. Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the best handheld gaming console to buy this holiday season for your kids. It is available on My Nintendo Store for as low as $199.99.
It is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo. The best part about this mini console is that it can be used in more than one way to play games anytime, anywhere!
It can be connected to your TV to enjoy smooth Full HD gaming and is also used as a handheld device to play games on the go.
Unfortunately, the portability of Nintendo Switch also makes it difficult to monitor the screen time of your kids. They can easily sneak it out or play when they are supposed to study or sleep.
The standard model of Nintendo Switch is available for $299.99 on My Nintendo Store.
II. Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is another hybrid video game console, like the Switch, developed by Valve. It is the best choice to play all your PC games on a handheld device. If your kid prefers to play PC video games, then a Steam Deck will be an even better gift than the PS5.
It can be docked to the TV or used as a portable handheld device. It comes with three different storage options. The 256 GB model ($529) is the most balanced option but if money is not a factor for you, then surely go for the 512 GB model available for $649.
It is available for purchase on the Steam Deck website.
Beware of the Counterfeit Consoles
The video game industry is full of cheap and duplicate consoles that are sold as the real deal. So, purchase the products from only reputable sellers online and be extra cautious when buying consoles from a store nearby.
If you find a deal that is too good to be true, then there is a high probability that the product is a knock-off, so do your due diligence before spending your hard-earned cash this holiday season.
About Sony
Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo. The company operates as one of the most comprehensive media companies on the planet and also holds the distinctions of being the largest video game console company and the second largest video game publisher in the world.
Its gaming and network services arm Sony Interactive Entertainment (formerly Sony Computer Entertainment) is best known for producing the popular line of PlayStation consoles.
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