Looking for the best games console of 2022? You’ve arrived at the right location. Since the early days of console gaming, the scene has altered dramatically. There were just one or two consoles available back then, but there are now a plethora of options.
Having a lot of options is excellent since it means you can choose a console that fits your budget and gaming preferences precisely, but it may also make the search more complicated. Sure, there are some exclusive titles that can help you seal the deal and save time, but most new games are multi-platform these days. There’s also the matter of resolution and frame rate to think about. Overall, it’s not always an easy decision to make.
Fortunately, we’re here to assist you in making your decision. We don’t have a favorite company or a preference for one over the other. In this guide, we simply go by the numbers and give you everything you need to know about the latest and greatest gear. Here are the top gaming PCs of 2022 if you prefer to play on your computer.
Why should you buy it: It’s the most recent version of one of the most popular consoles ever, with the best launch lineup of any platform to date.
Who it’s for: Everyone.
Why did we choose the PlayStation 5?
The PS5 is the best plug-and-play gaming platform available, with lightning-fast load times, a redesigned controller, and an incredible roster of launch titles (including fan favorites and new exclusives).
First and foremost, when it comes to gaming, the PS5 currently has the upper hand. Since the beginning, PlayStation fans have been enjoying games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, and Godfall. Xbox fans, on the other hand, have finally had the opportunity to play Halo Infinite since its release in 2021, but the list of top-tier exclusives is short. Backward compatibility has now been added to the PS5, and the PS5 will be able to play most PS4 games, ensuring that you don’t miss out on late-gen blockbusters like The Last of Us Part II and Ghosts of Tsushima. Right now, the PS5 has the best game collection available.
However, the PS5’s strong launch selection is only half of the story. The new DualSense controller, which is slightly larger than the DualShock 4, refines haptic feedback by bringing a precise sensation of touch into the gaming experience that force feedback never could. The hand triggers might express strain if you’re draining your stamina bar to pull back a bowstring or attempting to break down a locked door, for example. The new technology, when combined with PSVR’s continued support, creates a more immersive gaming experience.
When it comes to peripherals and hardware, both versions of the console are powered by AMD CPUs, including an eight-core CPU based on a customized version of the Ryzen line. The PS5’s GPU is also made by AMD, and it has a performance of 10.28 teraflops while enabling resource-intensive procedures like ray tracing, which allows for more complex lighting in games. It also has a 4K Blu-ray player, which puts it on par with the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. In layman’s words, the PS5 is less powerful than the Xbox Series X, but it still packs a punch and is a significant leap over previous-generation systems.
If discs aren’t your thing — or you just want to save money — the PS5 Digital Edition is the way to go. It costs $100 cheaper than the normal PS5, although it has the same specifications. The only difference between the two is that the Digital Edition lacks a disc drive, which means you’ll have to rely on digital downloads instead of Ultra HD Blu-rays. Everything else remains the same, including the launch lineup.
The PS5’s biggest difficulty is that, despite being on the market for a year, they’re still difficult to come by, owing to chip shortages. They come in and out of stock at retailers on a semi-regular basis but don’t expect to stroll into a store and discover one on the shelf.
Why you should buy this: It’s the most powerful Xbox available right now, and Game Pass is an attractive value.
Who it’s for: Players who want to play as many new games as possible with the best visual fidelity.
Why we picked the Xbox One X:
The Xbox Series X is a technological marvel. The system has 12 TFLOPS of processing power and up to eight times the graphical performance of the Xbox One, as well as double the power of the Xbox One X. The Xbox Series X also includes 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, as well as a configurable frame rate, Variable Rate Shading technology, and a low-latency mode that improves game responsiveness. When actual next-gen titles come available for it, the capabilities of this next-gen system are guaranteed to impress gamers.
It’s impossible to talk about the Series X without mentioning how fantastic Halo Infinite is. Despite missing its intended date, the game was released near the end of 2021 and became an instant hit. We also enjoy Forza Horizon 5, which won numerous honors after its release in 2021. Other games on Microsoft’s new platform, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and NBA 2K22, are fantastic, and there are plenty of more to play. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many excellent exclusives on Series X as there are on PS5, at least not as of 2022, but that is expected to change. There will be a deluge of amazing Xbox Series X titles in the future, including the long-awaited Perfect Dark revival and State of Decay 2.
In the meanwhile, Xbox Series X customers will have plenty of games to choose from. The Xbox Series X, like the Xbox One, will support every previous generation of Xbox games. This means you’ll be able to play games from the Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on the next console, which is a significant win for game preservation. Game Pass, the best offer in gaming, is also available on Xbox. Gamers may explore and test out new titles for a cheap monthly charge, with over 100 heavy-hitting games on the lineup and promises of Project xCloud integration.
There are plenty of current first-party titles that would cost you a premium if you went out and bought them right now, so the library isn’t only made up of last-gen throwaways. Because Game Pass is also accessible on PC, the Series X offers more cross-platform options than Sony’s offerings.
The Xbox Series X is a powerful machine, but it’s also remarkably quiet. The cooling architecture of the console is extraordinarily efficient, to the point where you might wonder if the console is even turned on at times. By comparison, the Xbox One is deafeningly loud.
Why you should buy this: This last-gen console has a healthy catalog of top-tier games and the price tag has dropped since the release of the PS5.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to game without breaking the bank.
Why we picked the PlayStation 4 Pro: While many gamers are upgrading to the PlayStation 5, last-generation consoles still have a lot of life remaining in them. The PlayStation 4 Pro is still a serious gaming machine with a large game library, and the cost of the console (as well as games, peripherals, and other items) is only going to fall down. The PS4 Pro is also slightly easier to find than the PS5, though, most modern consoles have suffered from low availability following the recent chip shortage. Because of the increased visuals and clearer images for 4K-enabled titles, the PS4 Pro provides an outstanding playing experience for 4K television users.
We’re not going to pretend that the PS4 Pro is anything like as good as the PS5, but it’s still a fun game to play. Aside from a few PS5-only titles, you’ll have access to the majority of current-gen titles as well as all of the most popular free-to-play games.
When determining whether or not to upgrade to a new system, price is a key consideration; there’s no shame in picking up a last-gen console to play with until the PS5 becomes less expensive and more widely available.
Why you should buy this: The Nintendo Switch OLED is a mid-generation upgrade with a larger, sharper screen and a slew of other features to justify the $350 price tag. It’s great for individuals who are new to the Switch family, especially if they plan to play in the handheld mode most of the time.
Who it’s for: Players who want a better-looking screen in handheld mode or who play online while docked. It’s great for users who plan on upgrading or who have never owned a Switch system before.
Why we picked the Nintendo Switch OLED:
We went with the OLED because of the larger, more vivid screen. It’s amazing how much better the new OLED screen looks compared to the original model’s LCD display. And the new OLED model’s larger 7.0-inch screen is a significant upgrade, allowing you to get a little more use out of the gadget without increasing its total size.
The Switch OLED is a great option because it includes all of the previous model’s peripherals, including as Joy-Con controllers, docks, microSD memory cards, and, of course, games. Users who are upgrading can keep all of their old accessories and use them with the new OLED model.
While the Switch OLED can play all of the same titles as the original Switch, the new machine’s graphics are simply superior – at least in handheld mode. It’s easy to observe the differences between the two screens when you put both systems side by side. Because the dock on the OLED has a built-in LAN connector, you’ll be able to put in an Ethernet cable to enjoy online gaming without the drawbacks of Wi-Fi.
The Switch OLED’s new kickstand, which covers the full backside of the device, will suit users who prefer to play in tabletop mode. This is a significant improvement over the first model’s small, fragile kickstand. The original Switch is still functional, but the OLED variant is a substantial upgrade in more ways than one. The OLED, like the original Switch, won’t run titles at a higher fidelity, but it’s ideal for individuals who want high-quality Nintendo games or ports of older treasured classics in handheld mode.
Why you should buy this: The Nintendo Switch Lite is the best handheld game console on the market right now, allowing you to play all of Nintendo’s latest and greatest games without paying the same price as its hybrid cousin.
Who it’s for: Everyone
Why we picked the Nintendo Switch Lite: If you just intend to use your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a terrific option at a lesser price. It lacks the conventional system’s television docking capabilities, but it is smaller and has slightly greater battery life than the new Switch console that was released last year. It’s also compatible with practically every Nintendo Switch game out of the box, making it ideal for games like Pokémon Sword and Shield.
The Switch Lite does away with the Joy-Cons in favor of an all-in-one design. It’s almost an inch narrower than the original, making it more compact. It’s lighter, at 9.7 ounces, but not so much that it seems flimsy. Because the console is smaller than its predecessor, the button arrangement had to be adjusted slightly, but it is still quite pleasant and simple to use.
On the smaller system, there are no noticeable variations in gaming performance. On the Switch Lite display, revving up the field in Rocket League or preparing your fortifications in a stressful Fortnite encounter will feel just as seamless as on the original Switch’s screen. The Switch Lite doesn’t have TV support or motion controls due to the lack of a dock, HDMI connector, or Joy-Cons, but the majority of the Switch library is available.
Why you should buy this: You want a console gaming experience — but on the go with unmatched first-party support.
Who it’s for: Everyone.
Why we picked the Nintendo Switch:
Nintendo avoided the current console arms race by changing not how, but where, you use your console. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid device that can be plugged into a television, similar to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but can also be used as a portable.
While it lacks the power to play the latest 4K, 120 fps games anticipated for next-gen consoles, the Switch can run Doom at a smooth 30 FPS anywhere, which is more than enough for many gamers. Aside from newer titles like Control, the Switch is an excellent platform for remastering modern classics like The Witcher 3, L.A. Noire, and Dark Souls Remastered.
The Switch is more than just a warehouse for lightly-aged AAA games; it also has an ever-expanding library of fantastic first-party games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as well as fantastic indies like Stardew Valley, Celeste, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The Switch is a well-rounded device when you add in some old-school Nintendo nostalgia with a growing collection of NES and SNES games available through Nintendo Switch Online.
Anyone who already owns a PlayStation or Xbox console will find the Nintendo Switch to be an excellent companion console. It can accomplish things the competition can’t, plus it has a tonne of amazing games that you won’t find on a Sony or Microsoft console.
Why you should buy this: Sony’s PlayStation VR headset is the most affordable way to give virtual reality gaming a try.
Who it’s for: PS4 gamers (or anyone) who want to play virtual reality games.
Why we picked PlayStation VR: PlayStation VR isn’t technically a standalone game device, but given how it radically transforms PS4 gaming, it might as well be. A new PlayStation 4 and headset package costs significantly less than a gaming PC and either an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset, making it by far the cheapest virtual reality gaming choice.
The PlayStation VR headset lacks the technical capabilities of its full VR competitors, which should come as no surprise. The headset has two 960xRGBx1080 RGB panels, one for each eye, and is powered by the AMD Radeon GPU in the PS4, which is significantly less powerful than the minimum requirements for a Vive or Rift-compatible PC. It also offers a field of view of 100 degrees, which is significantly less than the Rift and Vive. In comparison to mobile-powered choices like Google Cardboard, PlayStation VR provides the impression of complete immersion that comes with a “full VR” gadget.
There is a tonne of great games on the platform, ranging from action and shooters to platformers, puzzles, and a variety of other genres. Good luck figuring out which games are the best to play (or which you can handle being fully immersed in).
If you’ve never tried virtual reality before, the PlayStation VR will astound you. You might be disappointed if you’ve tried more complex VR technology, but this is the most user-friendly way to play VR games in the comfort of your own home.
We have yet to test how well Sony’s PSVR 2 performs, but based on what we know so far, it appears to be a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Why you should buy this: The Genesis Mini is Sega’s retro console offering, renewing the classic Nintend0-Sega rivalry in a new era.
Who it’s for: Those who preferred Sonic’s blazing speed to Mario’s block-breaking ways.
Why we picked the Sega Genesis Mini: While the SNES Classic was our favorite retro selection, the Sega Genesis is home to a number of golden-era classics. From iconic fighter kings Streets of Rage 2 and Mortal Kombat II to groundbreaking platformers Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (arguably when the company’s speedy mascot was in his prime) and Earthworm Jim, you have to admit that Sega has just as many stellar, nostalgic titles as its Nintendo counterpart console.
The Sega Genesis Mini includes 42 titles, 40 of which are Sega classics, as well as the once-exclusive Tetris and arcade shooter Darius. A sleek, miniature reproduction of the Sega Genesis system, as well as two iconic controllers, are included in the bundle. The console comes with a power adapter and an HDMI cable and is ready to use right out of the box.
The games are essentially identical to the originals, however, the console does contain a save-anywhere feature, which is a huge time saver. Overall, whether you like Sega’s or Nintendo’s retro system lineup will determine your retro console preference. There are no bad choices, as evidenced by the fact that these systems continue to generate buzz decades later.