There’s never been a better time to be a fan of video games. The gaming industry is huge, and it’s constantly growing. Exciting titles are continually being developed, and thanks to technological advances, new releases are vibrant, engaging, and immersive.
Even though mobile gaming is immensely popular – some 2.2 billion people regularly play games on their phones – many prefer home gaming on a PC or console. But which of these two home gaming options is better? Let’s see how they compare.
PC Gaming
There are lots of advantages to gaming on your home computer. You don’t have to use your TV screen; you can choose between a mouse and keyboard or a specially adapted controller, and the games tend to be cheaper.
The standard of the graphics and overall performance is usually very high too. Some people even build their own PCs to get the exact features and specifications they want.
So what about the disadvantages? PCs can be expensive to purchase, especially if you’re going for a high-end make. While all home computers can run games, not all of them are capable of supporting newer, more advanced gaming software.
If you want your PC to run top-notch games, your computer will have to be a top-of-the-range model, and the best gaming PCs can cost thousands of pounds. If you’re going for an expensive one, you’ll have to consider your budget and whether it’s worth the investment. Then there are upgrades. Usually, when you buy a home computer, it’ll be a long-term investment, and you’ll have to fork out for upgrades now and then to ensure the hardware lasts.
Console Gaming
Video game consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, the Sony PlayStation 5 and the Xbox are designed with gaming in mind. They’re straightforward to set up and use, and they take you directly to the games right away with nothing else getting in the way.
Compared to PCs, they’re usually somewhat cheaper and are a lot smaller; they’re nowhere near as big as the rather bulky motherboards that PCs have. Plus, you don’t usually have to upgrade them. By the time a console typically needs updates, there should be a newer, more advanced model out anyway.
As for the disadvantages of console gaming, there are a few. The games aren’t the cheapest. Some of the biggest titles can be upwards of £60 on launch day. This is a significant cost, and it can add up if there are multiple games you want to play. Plus, many games have DLC (download content) that adds content to the main game and most of the time, this costs extra. With PCs, playing online isn’t a problem. With consoles, however, you typically have to pay a subscription to play with others over the internet.
Backward compatibility can be an issue for some players: some of the newer console models may not be capable of running older games. This isn’t an issue with PCs, as almost all computers can run all PC games. The standard of PCs worldwide has increased dramatically over the past few years, to the point that you can be in New Zealand and have exactly the same PC options as someone in the US. This has allowed software providers to increase the intensity of their games, and one industry that has seen a marked improvement is the iGaming industry. There is a long list of software providers making state-of-the-art pokies, including Leander, Rival, and Betsoft. When looking for the best pokies online, you want to choose the fully licensed providers with a good RTP rate and allow you to play from anywhere. Nearly all online casino software providers design their games so they can be played on all iterations of a device. Whatever computer or phone you visit a casino on, all the games should be playable.
Which One’s Better?
So which of the two is better? It’s all a matter of personal preference. If you’re new to gaming, you should probably go with a console, as it’s designed specifically for gaming. For serious gamers, a dedicated PC is perhaps the best option. Many professional gamers, including Twitch streamers, use high-spec PCs because these have the best performance standards. Having said that, many of the newest consoles are also very technically impressive.
Both PCs and consoles are great for gaming. If you’re thinking of purchasing one, do some more research first. Your decision may be swayed by certain games that are exclusive to a particular console and can’t be played on PCs or vice versa. Both options are well worth considering and offer top-quality gaming experiences you’re sure to enjoy.
