Do you believe in the PC master race? Are you a big Nintendo fan and wouldn’t consider playing on a PC or Mac?
If you had the budget to only purchase one gaming platform, you’d have to take a moment to debate whether to focus on PC vs console gaming. It’s an old debate but one that remains relevant. The experience of playing on PC is different than playing on a console and it’s a choice you might have to stick with for years.
To help you figure out which gaming platform to focus on, we’ve listed down the advantages of both options. Read on below to discover whether you should opt for console gaming or high-end PC gaming:
Advantages of PC Gaming
Should you go for PC or console gaming? What makes PC gaming superior in the eyes of many? Let’s dive into the main benefits of focusing on gaming on a powerful PC rig right here, starting with the joy of playing with better visuals:
Better Graphics
Do you want to play games with the smoothest frame rate enabled? Do you want realistic features, ray tracing, and 4K resolution? If you want to get the best gaming experience then you should consider PC gaming.
Of course, getting the best graphics doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need the latest processor, an insane amount of RAM, and the best video card you can buy. Of course, you won’t be able to appreciate the ultra-setting graphics without a high-end monitor too.
Better Sales
There’s no doubt that console digital stores offer great sales.
However, there’s no denying that sales on Steam and the Epic Game Store are far more frequent. Some of the sales include AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto V or Cyberpunk 2077, games that consistently top the charts. You also need to consider things like the Steam Summer Sale or the Black Friday Sale.
You’ll spend a lot of money on building the best PC rig but you get rewarded with a bunch of discounts for video games.
More Mods
Debating whether you should opt for PC or console gaming often boils down to one factor: what are the available choices? PC games already have the advantage with better graphics and a wider selection of titles but it also grants access to mods.
Mods can change how a game looks and plays. The best mods can improve the experience and fix issues that the developers didn’t work on. Unique mods can completely alter how the game runs.
For example, Dragon Age: Origins didn’t allow players to alter the spells and abilities of the main party members. You can find a mod that now enables this. It allows players to re-spec the characters as they please.
You can find mods, official and unofficial, for almost every game as long as it’s on PC.
Free Multiplayer
The issue with consoles is that you can’t play most multiplayer games online unless you pay for the online service. For Playstation players, they need to pay $9.99 per month for PS Plus. Nintendo Switch owners need to pay $19.99 a year for the online service.
Only a few console games, like Fortnite and Paladins, don’t require a subscription. When you’re gaming on a PC, you always have access to online multiplayer. There are no hidden fees or subscription payments required.
Of course, the monthly subscription for MMORPG titles like World of Warcraft is different. Those games rely on monthly subscriptions to continue adding new content for months and years to come.
One PC For Years
Did you spend over $1000 or $2000 on a gaming laptop or desktop PC? The good news is you won’t have to spend much more for the next few years. You won’t have to replace your rig for a decade — you simply need to update it by replacing the processor or graphics card every five years or so.
If you aren’t an expert in building a gaming rig, you can start by purchasing a gaming laptop. They’re portable too so you can game on the go. You can start looking for some of the best options in the market at lenovo.com
Advantages of Console Video Games
Playing on a PC has a bunch of benefits but why do people still purchase gaming consoles? Why are there so many avid fans of the Nintendo Switch or Playstation 5? Discover the main advantages below:
Simpler, Convenient Purchase
When you opt for PC gaming, you have to consider things like compatibility between the OS and your video card. You need to consider if your gaming rig can even run the games you want to play. If you want to play a game at full 4K resolution and 60fps, you’ll need to check if you have the hardware for it.
This is not a problem for console gamers. As long as the game came out for the console, you get the guarantee it’ll run. Developers can later release patches to fix things like slowdown and poor resolution.
There are only two versions of the PS5 to choose from. Microsoft did the same thing with the new Xbox Series X. Nintendo has both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite, the latter of which can’t dock to a TV.
Exclusive Games
Yes, playing on PC opens the gate to a wide library of choices. However, people flock to consoles for exclusive titles. You can’t play these games anywhere else, even on a powerful PC.
Take the Nintendo Switch, for example. The top ten selling games on the platform are all Nintendo exclusives, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. These games sell the console and it’s easy to see why people buy Nintendo Switches — they want to play the games they can’t play on a PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X.
Is there a way around this for PC gamers? They can play some console titles by using emulators but this isn’t entirely legal. There’s also the fact that even the best emulators encounter glitches and hiccups when running games.
The Comfort of Couch Gaming
Let’s face it — PC gaming isn’t comfortable. You’ll need an ergonomic chair to sit properly and comfortably. It doesn’t get any better the longer you play.
Console gaming, on the other hand, allows you to play on the couch. You can play while standing, seated on a recliner, or even on your bed.
Keep in mind that the longer you play, the more you’ll need to shift around. Moving a bit helps keep the blood flow going. It also prevents your body from developing sores and aches.
PC gaming doesn’t allow that level of comfort. You can only sit in one chair and one position. Console gaming gives you the freedom to relax and still have fun.
Couch Co-Op
One of the main issues of PC gaming is that you can only have one person playing in front of a PC at a time. If you want someone to play with you, you’ll have to awkwardly squeeze both players on the same keyboard. Many games don’t even allow this.
You’ll have to get a second gaming PC and then hook them up either via LAN or Internet connection.
For console gaming, you only need to grab a second controller. Both players don’t need to squeeze in front of the PC. Using Bluetooth controllers, players can play on a Nintendo Switch or PS5 regardless of where they sit in the living room. It allows for a comfortable local multiplayer experience.
Physical Game Collecting
Today’s PC gaming landscape is 100% digital. You won’t find developers and publishers releasing PC games with physical installers. Not all modern PCs and laptops come with a CD/DVD drive.
Games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars recently got taken off the Nintendo digital store. However, people can still play it because Nintendo released a physical copy of the game. Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game, is another good example of a game that once became unavailable digitally but now has a physical copy available.
PC vs Console Gaming
When it comes to PC vs console gaming, which is the better option? It all boils down to your main preferences.
If you want high-end graphics, mods, lots of sales, and a wide library of games, then you should go for PC gaming. It’s expensive, sure, but your gaming computer will last for years. There’s also the benefit that you get to keep all your games in a digital library.
However, if you want access to excellent exclusive titles and you don’t want to build a complicated rig, you should choose to purchase a gaming console. You also get instant access to couch co-op and physical games but you will have to pay for online multiplayer.
Some games let you play on both platforms. The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, for example, enables cross-saves between PC and console. Another game that offers this feature is Divinity: Original Sin 2. These games let you play on both platforms, enabling you to pick and play wherever you feel like it.
Enjoy the Best Video Games Today
PC vs console gaming isn’t as clear-cut as one might assume. PC gaming works great for those who can afford the rig, who look forward to sales and primarily play on their own. Console gaming is the better option for those looking for local multiplayer, great exclusive titles, and don’t want to fuss around with building a complex PC rig.
But why stop here when we’ve got even more tech and gaming tips for you to discover? We invite you to continue reading our posts right here to pick up all the tips and tricks you need.