Nintendo Switch vs. Xbox One vs. PS4: Which Is Best?
While the dust settles, these three gaming consoles won’t!
There is no doubt that 2017 is proving to be a battle arena of gaming consoles. It has been a neck to neck clash of three of the most sought-after gaming console giants. These are Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and of course the PS4. But these three, each bring something different to the table, giving each of them their own unique attributes or shall we say aces up their sleeves!
Shopping for consoles is by no means an easy decision, especially when considering factors like price, purchase availability, games available in the market and overall longevity of the console.
And it’s quite an understatement to say that consumers are placed in a situation that makes them have to think twice, or more before they make their choice. Gamers are left with big decisions of gauging which among these three is worthy of their attention and money.
There are quite a few things that would make a specific console stand out compared from the others. Each of these consoles has their own strengths, which have been their unique selling proposition for gamers. Let’s take a look and compare each of them.
Sales
When we arrive at a topic of gaming consoles, Sony’s PlayStation 4 comes to the top of mind. After all, Sony has dominated the console market for over 20 years.
So how did we arrive at the PS4? Let’s check out a brief history of the Sony PlayStation.
SONY
PLAYSTATION 1 (PS1)
The rise of Sony started on December 3, 1994 when they released the original PlayStation system in Japan. On September 1995, it was later on released in the USA and Europe. It was released in Australia two months after.
During that time, the only rivals of the PlayStation console were Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64. All of these were fifth-gen video game consoles.
Nintendo 64 Console – black
preowned
(JPN) |
US$ 304.99 1w |
PlayStation holds quite a few notable feat under its belt. The most remarkable of which is being the first home entertainment system to ship 100 million units. But it didn’t come as an overnight success. They were able to accomplish it 9 years after their debut.
It was in 2001 when the “renaissance” of PS1 was fully-realized. PS One or PS1 is a slim version of its predecessor. More so, PS1 was named that way in order to avoid possible confusion its successor, the PS2 or PlayStation 2.
Do you want to get to know more about PS1? Then arm yourself with The Complete PlayStation Nostalgia Book: Let’s Talk About PlayStation 1!
The Complete Playstation Nostalgia Book: Let’s Talk About PlayStation One! (JPN) | US$ 17.99 1w |
The history of videogames has changed forever! Enjoy the most complete and nostalgic book about the first PlayStation. PlayStation 1 has sold 20 million copies in Japan alone, and over 1 billion worldwide. It’s the Queen of its generation, supported by hundreds of great games!
PLAYSTATION2 (PS2)
After the success of PS1, PS2 comes into the picture in 2000. What ‘s interesting about the PS2 is the fact that it is backward compatible with the DualShock controller as well as the games. Hence, it makes PS2 a sought-after console with a great system as well as an augmented games library.
PlayStation2 Console Charcoal Black (SCPH-90000CB) (JPN) | US$ 723.99 1w |
PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3)
Japan and the USA first witnessed PS3 when it was released in November 2006. Australia and Europe followed when PS3 reached them in March 2007. The main competitor of PS3 was Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360. These are all under the seventh-generation consoles.
PlayStation3 Console (HDD 80GB LittleBigPlanet Dream Box) – Clear Black (JPN) | US$ 699.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Console (HDD 80GB LittleBigPlanet Dream Box) – Ceramic White (JPN) | US$ 574.99 1w |
Despite having quite a slow start in the market, the PS3 was still able to recover. This was noticeable when they’ve released the Slim model.
PlayStation3 Slim Console – World Soccer Winning Eleven 2010 Bundle (HDD 120GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 529.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console – World Soccer Winning Eleven 2010 Bundle (HDD 120GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 529.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console (HDD 320GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 549.00 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console – Torne Bundle (HDD 160GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 624.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console – Sports Champions Value Pack (HDD 160GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 499.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console – Tales of Xillia X Edition (HDD 160GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 834.99 1w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console – One Piece: Kaizoku Musou Gold Edition (HDD 320GB Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 759.90 1w |
PlayStation3 Super Slim Console – Gran Turismo 6 & The Last of Us (500GB Charcoal Black Model) (EUR) | US$ 481.99 2-4w |
PlayStation3 Slim Console (HDD 500GB Model) – 110V Black (JPN) | US$ 359.99 1w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console (250GB Charcoal Black Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 379.00 1w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console (500GB Charcoal Black Model) – 110V (JPN) | US$ 421.99 1w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console – Minna no Golf Starter Pack (250GB Charcoal Black Model) (JPN) | US$ 399.99 1w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console – Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Emblem Edition (250GB Limited Model) (JPN) | US$ 539.99 24h |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console – Shin Hokuto Musou Legend Edition (250GB Limited Model) (JPN) | US$ 379.99 1w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console (500GB Charcoal Black Model) (EUR) | US$ 449.99 2-4w |
PlayStation3 New Slim Console – Puppeteer Pack (JPN) | US$ 329.99 1w |
PLAYSTATION 4 (PS4)
In 2013, Sony released PS4, an eight-gen console. The PS4 boasts its AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). The APU is built upon the x86-64 architecture that has the ability to theoretically reach 1.84 teraflops. According to AMD, the APU of PS4 was the “most powerful” by far that they’ve created. This was a big step that Sony took in veering away from the more complicated Cell microarchitecture of its predecessor.
PlayStation 4 System [Destiny Pack] (JPN) | US$ 799.99 1w |
PlayStation 4 System [Dragon Quest Metal Slime Edition] (ASIA) | US$ 799.99 24h |
PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB HDD (Jet Black) (JPN) | US$ 479.99 1-2w |
PlayStation 4 CUH-2000 Series 500GB HDD (Jet Black) (ASIA) | US$ 359.99 2-4d |
PlayStation 4 CUH-2000 Series 500GB HDD (Glacier White) (ASIA) | US$ 359.99 24h |
PlayStation 4 CUH-2000 Series 1TB HDD (Glacier White) (ASIA) | US$ 399.99 1w |
If there are two things that the PlayStation 4 is known to put emphasis on, then it would be its social interaction as well as the integration with other services and devices. Not only that, it is also capable of off-console gaming specifically on PlayStation Vita.
PSVita PlayStation Vita – 3G/Wi-Fi Model (JPN) | US$ 399.99 1w |
PSVita PlayStation Vita – Wi-Fi Model [Crystal White] (JPN) | US$ 538.99 1w |
PS Vita PlayStation Vita New Slim Model – PCH-2000 [God Eater 2 Fenrir Edition] (JPN) | US$ 299.99 1w |
PS Vita PlayStation Vita New Slim Model – PCH-2000 [Gundam Breaker Starter Pack] (JPN) | US$ 329.99 1w |
PS Vita PlayStation Vita New Slim Model – PCH-2000 [Otomate Special Pack] (JPN) | US$ 449.99 1w |
PlayStation Vita [Dragon Quest Metal Slime Edition] (JPN) | US$ 389.99 1w |
PS Vita PlayStation Vita New Slim Model – PCH-2000 (Silver) (JPN) | US$ 209.99 1w |
PS Vita PlayStation Vita New Slim Model – PCH-2000 (Metallic Red) (JPN) | US$ 209.99 24h |
Moreover, it is also known for its Remote Play, which allows you to stream your favorite PS4 games to your laptop or desktop computer, and Share Play, which allows you to invite a visitor to view your screen for up to 60 minutes a session.
One of the best things with PS4 that’s been lauded by critics was the adoption of the independent game development. For them, Sony gave customers their listening ear in being lenient when it comes to the digital rights management schemes. This makes Sony ahead of their competitor, Microsoft, since there are restrictions with their Xbox One before it was released.
All of these things contributed to the heightened demand for the PS4. It was even said that there were more than 53 million consoles sold worldwide in 2016. It’s also a big help that Sony released two hardware revisions of the PS4. The first one is the slim build and the other one is the “Pro” version. It worth noting that the “Pro” version sports a higher CPU rate and upgraded GPU. These two features are very crucial and enable the PS4 to support 4K gameplay.
MARKET SUCCESS
PS4’s success is predominantly rooted in its approach to the acknowledgment and collaboration with third-party developers. This is the different story when it comes to the major competitors of Sony such as Nintendo and Sega. Instead, these two focus more on their first party development. What Sony did differently was to streamline their game production efforts in order to provide a wide range of programming libraries. These libraries, in turn, are continuously updated online for the benefit of both Sony and the third-party developers.
The PS4 boats a strong line up of titles in 2017 to keep hardcore gamers more than satisfied.
Recent titles like Horizon Zero Dawn, Gran Turismo Sport, Destiny 2, The Evil Within 2, and FIFA 18 have all been eagerly awaited releases. Earlier in the year, we have seen Gundam Versus, Resident Evil 7 (with its groundbreaking PSVR first-person experience), Nier Automata (from legendary developer/publisher Square Enix), and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (offering some compelling game playing action for PS4 fans).
Gran Turismo Sport [Collector’s Edition] (English & Chinese Subs) (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, ASIA) | US$ 139.99 2-4d |
Gran Turismo Sport [Limited Edition] (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, JPN) | US$ 89.99 24h |
Gran Turismo Sport (English & Chinese Subs) (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, ASIA) | US$ 55.99 24h |
Gran Turismo Sport (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, JPN) | US$ 61.99 1-5d |
Gran Turismo Sport (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, US) | US$ 59.99 24h |
Gran Turismo Sport (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, EUR) | US$ 69.99 1w |
Uncharted The Lost Legacy (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 44.99 1-5d |
Uncharted The Lost Legacy (English & Chinese Subs) (PlayStation 4™, ASIA) | US$ 39.99 24h |
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PlayStation 4™, EUR) | US$ 36.99 24h |
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 44.99 24h |
If you’re looking for the Stand Alone DLC, you can grab your PSN code here:
PSN Card 50 USD | Playstation Network US
digital
(US) |
US$ 49.99 24h |
PSN Card 500 HKD | Playstation Network Hong Kong
digital
(HK) |
US$ 68.99 24h |
PSN Card 5000 YEN | Playstation Network Japan
digital
(JPN) |
US$ 51.99 24h |
Destiny 2 (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 59.99 24h |
Destiny 2 (PlayStation 4™, EUR) | US$ 59.99 1w |
Psychobreak 2 (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 69.99 24h |
The Evil Within 2 (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 59.99 24h |
The Evil Within 2 (PlayStation 4™, EUR) | US$ 59.99 24h |
The Evil Within 2 (Chinese Subs) (PlayStation 4™, ASIA) | US$ 55.99 24h |
FIFA 18 [Ronaldo Edition] (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 89.99 1-5d |
FIFA 18 (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 69.99 24h |
If you’re looking to purchase the digital version, here are the cards to match the digital price ¥10,886, BUT, with a bundle price. Check them out:
PSN Card 10000 YEN | Playstation Network Japan
digital
(JPN) |
US$ 96.99 24h |
PSN Card 1000 YEN | Playstation Network Japan
digital
(JPN) |
US$ 12.99 24h |
Biohazard 7 Resident Evil (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, JPN) | US$ 45.99 24h |
Resident Evil 7: biohazard (English & Chinese Subs) (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, ASIA) | US$ 41.99 24h |
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, EUR) | US$ 44.99 24h |
Resident Evil 7: biohazard (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, US) | US$ 59.99 1w |
NieR: Automata (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 34.99 24h |
MICROSOFT
On the other hand, Xbox One has reportedly sold around 26 million units from the start of 2017, according to SuperData. And they’ve estimated that Xbox One could’ve sold to 30 million units midyear. But Microsoft halted reporting their sales for their Xbox One. And obviously, it could mean something to the spectator in one way or another.
Xbox serves as the first video game console which is offered by an American company. The video game consoles developed by Microsoft under Xbox fall under the sixth, seventh, as well as eighth generations.
Perhaps the low sales of the Xbox One can also be attributed to the games that they have to offer. The only big exclusives that they have are Crackdown 3, Forza Motorsport 7, and Sea of Thieves. But the question is, are these games console movers in their own respect?
Crackdown 3 (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 59.99 pre |
Crackdown 3 (Xbox One™, EUR) | US$ 59.99 pre |
Crackdown 3 (English) (Xbox One™, ASIA) | US$ 55.99 pre |
Forza Motorsport 7 (Xbox One™, JPN) | US$ 61.99 1w |
Forza Motorsport 7 (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 59.99 1-5d |
Forza Motorsport 7 (Xbox One™, EUR) | US$ 59.99 2-4w |
Sea of Thieves (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 59.99 pre |
Sea of Thieves (Xbox One™, EUR) | US$ 59.99 pre |
Sea of Thieves (English) (Xbox One™, ASIA) | US$ 55.99 pre |
Sea of Thieves (DVD-ROM) (Windows™, EUR) | soon |
Sea of Thieves (DVD-ROM) (Windows™, US) | soon |
But let’s take a look at the journey of Microsoft and the path it has taken to be where it is now.
XBOX (2001)
Xbox became the first release of Microsoft as it forayed into the gaming console market. It falls under the sixth-generation video gaming console with its competitor such as PlayStation 2 and GameCube.
One of the reasons why the Xbox flew heights towards success was the popularity of its flagship game, Halo. The game made a promising release as an Xbox-exclusive and also a first-shooter genre–which wasn’t seen in the gaming industry for years. Hence, Halo earned a record of 1 million copies being sold in the first few months shattering previous records.
XBOX 360 (2005)
Xbox 360 is Xbox’s successor. It also became a leading competitor of the seventh generation video games consoles together with Wii and PlayStation 3. It’s noteworthy, too, that Xbox 360 beat PS3 in the market for the entire year. This could probably the result of Microsoft taking advantage of technological advancements as well as its focus on Xbox Live.
Further, Xbox 360’s popularity as strengthened because of Kinect. Kinect is a motion control system which uses an advanced sensor system. Apart from being a motion sensor, it is also voice-sensor. Such novelty propelled Kinect to be the fastest selling consumer electronics device.
Kinect (incl. Kinect Adventures) (Xbox360™, Kinect™, JPN) | US$ 179.90 1w |
XBOX ONE (2013)
The eight generation video game consoles rivalry would not be complete without Xbox One together with Wii U, Switch, and PlayStation 4. Xbox One’s unique selling proposition is its emphasis on internet-based features.
But controversy arose when after unveiling Xbox One, Microsoft also released its original digital rights management as well as privacy practices. This means that all games must be tied to the user’s Xbox One console and Xbox Live account. In addition, the console is also required to be connected to the internet for it to be able to synchronize the library. Failure to do so will mean that owners will not be able to play any games at all. This led to a massive negative response from consumers and critics.
XBOX ONE X (2017)
Xbox One X (1TB Console) (US) | soon |
Xbox One X (1TB Console) (JPN) | soon |
Xbox One X is a high-end model of the Xbox One family, which was newly developed to improve the performance significantly compared with the conventional stationary game machine and to experience the true 4K game. You can play big game with more beautiful screen and smoother drawing, shorter loading time and more immersive experiences.
* Smarter gameplay
The 8-core Custom AMD CPU is clocked at 2.3GHz to bring enhanced AI, real world detail, and smoother interactions to your gaming.
* Bigger worlds
12GB GDDR5 of graphic memory add speed and power to game performance to enable bigger worlds, further horizons, and quicker load times.
* Life-like detail
A 6 Teraflop GPU enables 4K environments and characters to become more realistic than ever, with more detail and smoother animations.
* Faster load times
Game graphics are faster and more detailed with 326 GB/sec memory bandwidth, to keep your gaming momentum flowing.
Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition
Xbox One X 1TB Console [Project Scorpio Edition] (JPN) | soon |
A special design body with a gradation based on the “Project Scorpio” logo and a dot pattern and a controller with a “Project Scorpio” logo in the center and a limited-volume model with a dedicated vertical stand.
NINTENDO
Last but definitely not the least is Nintendo, a Japanese multinational consumer electronics company. It boasts multiple portable consoles as well as seven home video game consoles. In a report released by Nintendo last September 2015, they revealed that they have sold over 722.22 million hardware units.
NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (NES) (1983)
It was in 1983 that Nintendo faced massive success with its release of the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). For hardcore video games fans, they probably are aware that 983 is the year of the video game crash. But with the spotlight on the NES, the video game industry was restarted, hence, leading to massive success. It is considered in the industry as the first true Nintendo console. And this introduced iconic games such as Zelda and Super Mario Bros.
GAME BOY (1989)
In 1989, Nintendo made a feat on its own again when they released the Game Boy. Apparently, Game Boy made history as the first handheld console that received large sales.
It also became the first portable, interchangeable cartridge handheld by the Japanese multinational consumer electronics company. The Game Boy’s games were 8-bit, black-and-white which were played on a green-tinted screen.The handheld console could last for 30 hours and only require 4 AA batteries. It has a red LED which indicated the remaining power of the system.
SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (SNES) (1991)
After the NES, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) follow Nintendo’s path of success. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System featured enhanced graphics, a brand new controller, and more. It was the first 16-bit console by Nintendo. However, SNES didn’t dominate without a competitor. It was Sega Genesis (also known as Mega Drive) which gave SNES a run for its money. But these two competitors found a bigger Goliath when in the 1990s, Sony released PlayStation.
This seems quite familiar in your eyes. Well, after all, this was revived through the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System. So you better have yours now while supplies last!
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (US) | US$ 179.99 24h |
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (EUR) | US$ 219.99 1-2w |
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (ASIA) | US$ 189.99 1-2w |
VIRTUAL BOY (1995)
Virtual Boy (JPN) | US$ 349.99 1w |
Virtual Boy is Nintendo’s first console with 3D graphics. It is also known as VR-32 during its development. The rationale behind the concept was to make a virtual reality experience. Virtual Boy has is a pair of goggles to which it sent out a different image to each eye in order to create a 3D effect. The problem was, the image can only be displayed in black and red. Hence, it was reported that using such system led to nausea and headaches. In turn, it has low sales. Later on, its sale was discontinued in the market.
NINTENDO 64 (1996)
Nintendo 64 Console – black
preowned
(JPN) |
US$ 304.99 1w |
The Nintendo 64 boasts its improved 3D graphics as well as the new controller. Its controller paved the way for the introduction of the modern joystick. It prides itself as the first home console which has four controller ports that were built into the system. It was released in 1996 and is also known as N64 or also codenamed as Ultra 64. Some of the most notable games that if offered were Super Mario 64, Saikyo Habu Shogi, and Pilotwings 64. Overall, Nintendo 64 sold 32.93 million systems.
GAME BOY POCKET (1996)
The Game Boy Pocket has a lot of similarities with the Game Boy. But the obvious difference would be the more slimmed version of the monochrome screen. More so, it made use of 2 AAA batteries which made its overall performance. In addition, it didn’t have the red LED to show the remaining battery. However, because of its high demand, Nintendo added the LED to the system.
GAME BOY COLOR (1998)
Game Boy Color served as the successor of the original Game Boy. The only difference with this was the color graphics that it has. Further, it’s notable for the many technical enhancements that it had. Some of which included an infrared wireless link-up port as well as a more powerful processor. It also boasts a custom Zilog Z80 central processing unit and an 8-bit processor. Despite being under the same umbrella, Game Boy Color was closely compared to the NES. The former was just ahead with the latter with its larger color palette. The only drawback was that there wasn’t a backlight on the screen.
GAMECUBE (2001)
GameCube is Nintendo’s sixth-generation game console. Its competitors were Xbox (Microsoft), PlayStation 2 (Sony), and Dreamcast (Sega). But despite the competition, GameCube proved itself to be the most compact sixth generation console. It featured an enhanced graphics and a new controller. The games of GameCube came on mini-discs. Further, it was Nintendo’s first console which solely used a disc format for its games. Most of the games offered by GameCube were sequels to their hit franchises like Star Fox Adventures, Pokemon Colosseum, Metroid Prime, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Super Mario Sunshine. GameCube has sold 21.74 million units.
GAME BOY ADVANCE (2001)
Game Boy Advance has proven itself to be a major improvement and first major technological upgrade from the Game Boy Color. Some of the most noticeable improvements were its handheld shape, better graphics, and the shoulder buttons. For the most part, the Game Boy Advance was considerably compared to the Super Nintendo console. The only thin line that separated the two was that 16-bit sound of the Game Boy Advance was not as powerful compared to the console. Hence, some games were remade from the Super Nintendo to fit the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo needed to remix the soundtracks so it would work on the handheld system. One of the best examples for this would be seen in the Donkey Kong Country series.
GAME BOY ADVANCE SP (2003)
This system holds the bragging rights of being the first Game Boy to have a clamshell design just like the Nintendo DS. It boasts a front-lit screen that can be turned off or on and better graphics. It also has a rechargeable battery which later on became the standard features for the succeeding Nintendo handhelds. The game compatibility of the Game Boy Advance SP is same as the Game Boy Advance.
GAME BOY ADVANCE DS (2004)
The Nintendo DS is quite iconic on its own because of the two screens that it has. The lower screen serves as a touchscreen. More so, it boasts an enhanced graphics as well as a backward compatibility with the games that were being offered for Game Boy Advance. However, there was one drawback that gamers criticized it for was its chunky design.
WII (2006)
Wii is Nintendo’s seventh-generation home console. Its main competitors were Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It featured slightly improved graphics, a new online system, as well as motion controls. It must be noted, though, that the graphical change was not as dramatic compared to the previous console transitions.
One of the things that best distinguishes Wii from its competitors would be the Wii Remote. This handheld motion controller is capable of detecting rotation as well as motion in 3D. This was made possible with infrared positioning as well as internal sensors.
Wii Remote Control (White) (Nintendo™ Wii, US) | US$ 56.99 1-2w |
Wii Remote Plus Control (Blue) (Nintendo™ Wii, JPN) | US$ 39.99 1w |
The Ninja Nintendo Wii Remote Controller (White) (Nintendo™ Wii, EUR) | US$ 49.90 5-15d |
The Ninja Nintendo Wii Remote Controller (Black) (Nintendo™ Wii, EUR) | US$ 49.90 5-15d |
Wii Remote Control Plus Tsuika Pack (White) (Nintendo™ Wii, Wii U™, JPN) | US$ 55.99 1w |
Wii Remote Control Plus Tsuika Pack (Black) (Nintendo™ Wii, Wii U™, JPN) | US$ 59.99 1w |
Nintendo Land Wii Remote Control Plus Set (Blue) (Wii U™, JPN) | US$ 49.99 1w |
Nintendo Land Wii Remote Control Plus Set (Pink) (Wii U™, JPN) | US$ 49.99 1w |
NINTENDO 3DS (2011)
Nintendo 3DS sets itself in its own league as a handheld device which can produce 3D graphics on its screen without even using 3D glasses. It also includes a Streetpass and a portable Mii Maker. It also boasts the bragging rights of being Nintendo’s first handheld device with a joystick.
Branching out from the Nintendo 3DS the New Nintendo 2DS XL. It was released in July 2017.
New Nintendo 2DS XL (Black x Turquoise) (US) | US$ 245.99 1w |
New Nintendo 2DS XL (White x Orange) (US) | US$ 234.99 24h |
New Nintendo 2DS XL (Black x Turquoise) (Australia) | US$ 245.99 2-4w |
New Nintendo 2DS XL (White x Orange) (Australia) | US$ 245.99 2-4w |
WII U (2012)
The Wii U serves as the first entry of Nintendo in the eight generation home video game consoles. What distinguishes Wii U from Wii is its Wii GamePad which has a 6.2″ touchscreen built into it. This gamepad boasts a wireless streaming capability to video output directly from the console. Furthermore, it has a new 1080p HD graphics (exclusively for TV screen) and an NFC chip used to scan in amiibo.
NES CLASSIC EDITION (2016)/SNES CLASSIC MINI (2017)
Nintendo isn’t afraid of taking the risk of looking back to where it came from. It this holds true when they released the NES Classic Edition. THe NES Classic Edition is a mini console which emulates the experience of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
And the discussion wouldn’t be complete if we are not going to talk about the SNES Classic Mini. Fortunately, we have a complete blog about “SNES Classic Mini: What You Need To Know.” Read on!
We have also released the sought-after Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System. So you better have yours now while supplies last!
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (US) | US$ 179.99 24h |
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (EUR) | US$ 219.99 1-2w |
Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (ASIA) | US$ 189.99 1-2w |
NINTENDO SWITCH (2017)
Despite just being released in March 2017, Nintendo Switch is already performing well by selling nearly 5 million units. It is still amassing the excitement from the gaming public. But there are pros and cons of getting a system that is quite new in the market. Are you thinking of getting the Nintendo Switch? Read our review of “10 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Nintendo Switch” to be guided.
As mentioned earlier, Nintendo Switch has just started in the race. And it is quite too early for it to overtake the two. But apart from its versatility of being played, it still offers more for their fans: games. The games that are being offered by Nintendo Switch pride itself for motion gaming. So take a look at the “Top 15 Nintendo Switch Games to Look out for!“
Graphics
Both PS4 and Xbox One use 4K output. On the other hand, Nintendo Switch took a different route. But it is unfair to say that Switch is any lesser compared to the two. One testament to this would be the amazing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which has been the front-runner of Switch when it comes to games. It has been the standard and nascent trademark of Nintendo Switch for its attractive and distinctive art style.
Both PS4 and Xbox One use 4K output. On the other hand, Nintendo Switch took a different route. But it is unfair to say that Switch is any lesser compared to the two. One testament to this would be the amazing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which has been the front-runner of Switch when it comes to games. It has been the standard and nascent trademark of Nintendo Switch for its attractive and distinctive art style.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo™ Switch, EUR) | US$ 69.99 2-4w |
For the most part, Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console. Hence, making it quite not at par when it comes to the graphical aspect of PS4 and Xbox One. After all, Switch focuses on its other strengths to have a niche of its own. However, being a hybrid console, it led to some compromise in its performance.
Such weakness is quite noticeable especially when it comes to playing a high-intensive and graphically high game such as Breath of the Wild. Once it is in docked mode, it can run up to 1080p. But such instance will lead to a drop in frame rate. However, it performs well if it’s used in a handheld mode with a resolution of 720p. And that is something worth commendable for the Nintendo Switch. What Nintendo Switch promises to its users is bringing HD gaming in the comforts of your pocket.
Xbox, on the other hand, is able to achieve the 4K output with the use of upscaling. It means that games are rendered at 1080p and later on stretched to fit a 4K screen. This works when the game’s pixels stretches to fit your television’s pixel in order to fit the 4K resolution. However, the images that are being offered by Xbox One are not true 4K. These are pseudo-4K resolution only which is less detailed and less crisp compared to the authentic one.
Despite the capacity of the PS4 in pulling off a native 4K resolution, it also uses the upscaling process employed by Xbox One. The only difference between the two is the fact that PS4 executes it cleverly. What it does differently is to render a resolution that is in full HD as well as 4K. Apart from that, it also uses a more modern and advanced upscaling method. This is called the “checkerboard rendering.” Using such allows PS4 to fill its 4K pixels properly.
Hardware
Both PS4 and Xbox One are overtaking each other in the race when it comes to hardware specs. After all, these two are run by the same hardware. This is the same reason why these two are capable of pulling off a 4K resolutions. Not only that, its hardware allows the two capable of high dynamic response (HDR) graphics as well.
Contradictory, Nintendo Switch takes quite another path. Its mobile processing architecture is from Nvidia with a highly modified Tegra X1 chipset. After all, Nvidia says is “based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards.” But what the Nintendo Switch is banking on when it comes to its hardware would be the versatility that leads to its portability. It has been the distinct advantage of Switch with its direct rivals. So whatever you are playing at home can also be played outside for a walk or if you are going to work.
Controllers
A potential problem with the Joy-Con could possibly be the 20+ hours that must be spent in between charges. But we wouldn’t bring you down. You need not fret because we got you covered. You can equip yourself with the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Grip, you can trail a cable from your console (or a wall plug) and charge the Joy-Con while still playing.
A potential problem with the Joy-Con could possibly be the 20+ hours that must be spent in between charges. But we wouldn’t bring you down. You need not fret because we got you covered. You can equip yourself with the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Grip, you can trail a cable from your console (or a wall plug) and charge the Joy-Con while still playing.
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Grip (Nintendo™ Switch, JPN) | US$ 29.99 1-5d |
Microsoft’s Xbox One’s controller takes pride itself with its impressive build quality as well as ergonomics. These things make Xbox’s controller the best all-around controller for any type of game. In addition, the shoulder buttons are made snappier especially for newer models making it comfortable to press and to rest your fingers on.
Another noteworthy feature of this controller is the triggers that rumble. It provides an improved force feedback during a game. More so, the sticks are topped with a smooth center together with a rasped edge which reduces slipping. The Xbox Guide button is already positioned up and away from the center menu buttons to avoid accidental inputs.
Express yourself with your favorite color Rock Candy controller. Featuring colored polycarbonate shells, brilliant white accents, and only the essential components you need, these officially licensed controllers are built for fun. Perfect for gamers of all ages.
Rock Candy Xbox One Wired Controller (Blueberry Boom) (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 53.99 1-2w |
Rock Candy Xbox One Wired Controller (Aqualime) (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 53.99 1-2w |
Rock Candy Xbox One Wired Controller (Stormin’ Cherry) (Xbox One™, US) | US$ 53.99 1-2w |
The controller of Xbox One transcends the fancy features and instead focuses on being the most comfortable and the best-built option for diverse genres. Ultimately, the latest version of Xbox One Wireless Controller has a textures rear grips and Bluetooth support which is promising for a better range and wireless support Windows PCs without a dongle experience.
Then here comes PS4’s design of DualShock which is the responsible for the standard layout that gamers came to know from yesteryears until today. The grip and layout of the DualShock 4 are much comfortable compared to its predecessor. Its new front-facing touchpad is also noteworthy because it brings captivating possibilities with its familiar design.
Looking for new DualShock 4 controllers? Look no further because we got it all for you. All you have to do is choose.
DualShock 4 (Black) (PlayStation 4™, EUR) | US$ 99.99 1-2w |
DualShock 4 (Wave Blue) (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 69.99 1w |
DualShock 4 (Magma Red) (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 49.99 24h |
DualShock 4 (Urban Camouflage) (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 71.99 1w |
DualShock 4 (Silver) (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 64.99 24h |
Or why not reconsider our DualShock 4 Wireless Controller (Glacier White)?
DualShock 4 Wireless Controller (Glacier White) (PlayStation 4™, US) | US$ 54.99 1w |
And by the way, don’t forget to have the DualShock 4 Charger Stand and DualShock 4 Charging Station for your convenience.
DualShock 4 Charger Stand (PlayStation 4™, EUR) | US$ 49.99 2-4w |
DualShock 4 Charging Station (PlayStation 4™, JPN) | US$ 27.99 24h |
Storage and Disc Drives
Both Xbox One and PS4 sports their physical disc drives. The former even boasting to play 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. Ironically, despite Sony being the founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, it didn’t incorporate 4K deck to its latest consoles. However, it’s able to work and play by using conventional 1080 Blu-rays.
On the other hand, Nintendo Switch isn’t capable of doing what the two can do. Instead, they omitted the discs altogether and opted for a cartridge instead.
When it comes to storage, Xbox One has either a 500-gigabyte (GB) or 1-terabyte (TB) internal hard drive. Most its space is made available for apps and games. In addition, available space can also be used for console software, saved games, as well as other system functions. The PS4, on the contrary, has 1TB. In comparison, both have the capacity of increasing their storage with the use of 3rd-party hard drives like the external USB 3.0 HDDs.
Western Digital Elements Portable 500GB, USB 3.0 (Windows™, Mac™) | US$ 47.99 2-4d |
Coming in last but definitely fighting is Nintendo Switch. It comes with 32GB of built-in storage. Just a word of advice, though, the new Zelda would already take around half of your storage especially if you buy it from Nintendo eShop.
Fortunately, you can expand your Switch’s storage with the microSDXC cards that are available. The Nintendo Switch supports cards up to two terabytes and Nintendo recommends a UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) Micro SD solution for the system. Also abbreviated UHS-1, the cards hit minimum write speeds of 10MB/s. While UHS-3 cards are faster, which write at a minimum of 30MB/s, the speed difference between the two types of cards is negligible when it comes to booting games.
Are you quite lost choosing between UHS-1 and UHS-3? Gamespot.com weighs it in.
From our tests, we noticed a memory bottleneck. This means that, for the Switch, you shouldn’t feel the need to pay the extra premium for more expensive UHS-3 cards, as it will not improve boot times.
Aside from making sure you get a UHS-1 Micro SD solution, you should focus on getting enough storage for your needs and pay attention to price per gigabyte. We’ve ranked the Micro SD cards accordingly in our gallery here.
Now here are your options for UHS-1 that you can choose from.
Media, Entertainment and VR
Both PS4 and Xbox One have proven to be not just gaming machines but also impressive media streamers. These two offer Amazon Video and Netflix apps. Not only that, these two gaming consoles accommodate BBC iPlayer and other terrestrial TV catch-up services.
Sony even offers its own internet TV service called PlayStation Vue while Xbox One has Sling TV. And since both are streaming with their sought-after 4K, then such scenario is really a big bonus for gamers.
Currently, only the PS4 supports virtual reality (VR). And you, too, can enjoy VR experience with the Playstation VR with PlayStation Camera Bundle Set that Sony is yet to release.
Currently, only the PS4 supports virtual reality (VR). And you, too, can enjoy VR experience with the Playstation VR with PlayStation Camera Bundle Set that Sony is yet to release.
Playstation VR with Playstation Camera Bundle Set (CUH-ZVR 2 Series) (PlayStation 4™, PlayStation VR™, JPN) | US$ 514.99 1w |
But the game isn’t over yet as Microsoft is also set to release its beefed-up Project Scorpio console later this year.
Xbox One X 1TB Console [Project Scorpio Edition] (JPN) | soon |
Xbox One X (1TB Console) (JPN) | soon |
As expected, since Nintendo Switch was fresh from release, it couldn’t be used for anything but gaming. Well, that’s at least the scenario on its launch. It doesn’t have the capacity to support major streaming apps such as Hulu, Netflix, as well as Amazon Video. But because it is essentially a tablet, it is not far from reality that sooner than later it will be able to do so.
Which Is Which From The Who’s Who
TomsGuide.com
There’s nothing quite like a Nintendo machine, and the Switch is the strongest example of that yet. It’s the only console you can use both at home and on the road, and its unique and versatile controllers open up a ton of cool possibilities. Most importantly, it’s the only place you’ll get to play the latest installments of Zelda, Mario and the rest of Nintendo’s major franchises, and if you’re a diehard fan of the Big N, that’ll likely be reason enough to own one.
Pocket-Lint.com
It is clear to see that the Nintendo Switch is a very different games console to the other machines. In many ways, it could be seen as an ideal second machine for hardcore gamers.
The motion gaming aspects could be a big draw too, especially if plenty of family-oriented games are made available. This is an area where Nintendo excelled with the Wii and it, therefore, offered something different to the Xbox 360 and PS3 of the time. The same could be true again.
The biggest barrier is price, with the Switch considerably more expensive than the standard Xbox One and PS4 thanks to being the new kid on the block. It might be worth waiting until Christmas, therefore, when Super Mario Odyssey is due to join the fray.
TrustedReviews.com
The Nintendo Switch is a technically fascinating console with loads of features that might take time to fulfil their potential. At £280, it will be a harder sell than the known entities of the PS4 and Xbox One, but those machines can’t do gaming on the move – a huge, huge deal for many people.
Ultimately, the Switch isn’t really designed as a straight-up rival to the PlayStation and Xbox, if only because you probably already own one of those systems. To our mind, the most compelling argument for the Switch is as a complementary console, one which adds unique functionality and a handful of tempting exclusives – namely The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – to your gaming arsenal.
For hardcore gamers, die-hard Nintendo fans, and those with long commutes, buying the Switch may be something of a no-brainer. But for the rest of us, nigh on £300 is a steep asking price for something that, in all likelihood, will live its life as a secondary system.
TechRadar.com
The Nintendo Switch, the newcomer to the fray, is by far the poorest performer when it comes to graphics and multimedia content. But, what it lacks in power it makes up for in convenience.
The Nintendo Switch is a console dedicated solely to gaming that you can easily play at home and on the go. Its hybridity means it’s able to offer a sense of freedom and fluidity of play that neither of its competitors can.
It’s also able to offer some of the most popular and enjoyable exclusives in gaming right now and if it lives up to its third party and video streaming promises it will become an even more worthy competitor.
And there we have it: you’ve got one extremely affordable all-rounder, one high-powered 4K machine with VR support, and one lower powered but multi-use dedicated gaming console.
ComicBook.com
And Your Winner Is…
The PlayStation 4! The Nintendo Switch is a major disruptive force, but Sony has momentum and a reliable manufacturing pipeline on their side. That said, make no mistake, Sony is going to have to work for their crown this year (definitely expect that PS4 price drop), and we may have a new champion in 2018. This console war is heating up, and hopefully the renewed competition will benefit fans.
So as they say, whatever rivalry exists is all in good fun. And that holds true especially for the console war between Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.
At the end of the day, we all differ in our preferences when it comes to gaming and specific needs of gamers. Despite all the technical discussion we have presented, ultimately whichever console you choose will be down to the games you want to play and your preferences.
Nintendo remains strong with its exclusive games such as Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon titles. On the other hand, the PS4 does have a strong stable of games that are sure to have players hooked on their controllers. Finally with the upcoming release of the Xbox One X, having 40% more power than any other console, and a true 4K immersive gaming experience all three of these options are viable for serious gaming fans.
obviously the the ps4 is the winner this gen.. it’s been the winner the moment it was announced, before it was even released. The best graphics., the best games, the best developers, the best community.. anyone that says the xboner or the switch(it off ) is the best clearly has no idea what their talking about.
Preach! Only PlayStation offers what real games should be. Don’t care about games for kids(Nintendo) and fake “exculsives”(Xbox). Seriously, both Nintendo and Xbox of them are jokes.
Lots of great information here! I can’t decide myself about it, i just love them all! haha!