It can be confusing to choose the right games console. There are so many out there, with so many different games that it can be mind boggling to sift through them all to find the one that stands out for you. You may think that the XBox One is the most powerful and then there would be the PS4 with huge diversity in its gaming titles. You also have the Nintendo range of games consoles and games, and these can be exceptional when you’re looking for fun multiplayer Mario games! 

There is no right answer for which the best console is that you should buy. Why? Well, games consoles are individual. What’s good for one is not good for all, and you need to base your choice on the games you play, if you’re using it to learn and create, or you simply want to relax with it and even the budget you have. You also need to consider how many people will be using the consoles that you purchase. With this in mind, let’s talk through what you need to think about before you buy your game console!

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Who Is It For?

Before you buy anything, you need to ask yourself who it’s for. You could buy the best XBOX ONE X games but if they’re not age-appropriate for the kids, you’re going to struggle with not feeling like you’ve wasted your cash. The average gamer age is 35 in the United States, so you need to think about which consoles will fit you and what won’t. 

What Are My Gaming Options?

Below, we’ve put together a list of consoles that you should consider buying - with a little bit about each of them!

• Nintendo Switch

Best for families and younger gamers, the Nintendo Switch is like the Disney of the gaming world - it’s suitable for everyone of any age! Some of the games include Zelda, Mario and Pokemon, and Nintendo games in general often avoid most of the violence and language that other consoles include in their games. The Nintendo franchise is long in the tooth, so you will know the history of GameBoy and other Nintendo consoles out there. The Switch allows for multiplayer gaming, and it’s one of the easiest consoles to use out there!

• PlayStation 4

Excellent for the older teens in the house and adults, the PlayStation 4 is the perfect console for gamers who love to be online and interacting with people all over the world. There are some excellent role-player games as well as shoot-em-up games that can be enjoyed by all. There are even sporty games like FIFA that are perfect for those who want to play in a team. There are tons of single-player games that are just as great as the multiplayer games. The console has a lot of platforms and one of the most popular games, Fortnite, began on PlayStation 4. There’s not really much room for family games with the PS4, either, which makes it less than inclusive for the family market. However, the PlayStation store is easy to use and you don't just get games on the console, either. You can buy and download movies, TV shows and demos so that you can keep up to date on the games coming out!

• XBox One

Another one great for kids and older teenagers, the XBox One is brilliant for the Minecraft fans out there. There is a correlation between their biggest competition - the PlayStation 4 - and themselves, but there is less for families with the XBox One. Instead, it’s great as a high-value, high-powered console for teenagers. There are usually tons of deals for the XBox One out there, but you have to wait for the sales and know where to look when you’re shopping around. 

How Much Do You Have To Spend?

The last question that you really need to ask yourself is what your budget is for your console? The right budget will fit the criteria for your console, and you can ensure that you are buying the right one when you hunt down the best deals. Thankfully, there seem to be sales all of the time when it comes to games consoles. The year has Black Friday, holiday sales, end of season sales and upgrades, too. The few hundred dollars in price between each console really do make a big difference, and seeking out the best value is important. There are usually bundle deals with games and accessories included, but new deals always come and go. All you have to do is ensure that you buy at the right time!

Buying a console is a luxury, and buying the right one will mean that you have years of fun ahead of you. Choose wisely!