Welcome to our 2024 Ultimate Gaming Gift Guide! Our aim this year is to be as broad as possible. Explaining the best systems to buy, who they are for and who will get the most out of them.
Systems
The gaming landscape has changed somewhat in recent years. Aside from the Switch, they are all high end PC’s, which means a bigger crossover in the games each plays. Microsoft has said that many of its exclusive titles will be going to other platforms. Sony, once famous for its single player exclusives now puts its best titles on PC. These often appear with improved graphics and frame-rates. so in reality there has never been a better time to jump in and grab the device of choice, but which one??
Nintendo Switch
The Switch is a fantastic system, we have owned multiple over its life cycle. It is a little long in the tooth now and many recent games struggle to run on the system. This includes first party titles such as Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That said it is the perfect system for a younger audience, or someone that wants to play their games on a commute. There have been rumours for quite some time of a successor to the Switch. This will be much more powerful and be able to play the vast library of older Switch games. If you do have your heart set on a Switch, be wary of overpaying. There will be price reductions once the inevitable follow up is out. One more thing to think about with Switch is whether you want to get the Lite version or the traditional one. The Lite is more rugged and intended to be used on the move. It can not be connected to a TV like the unit with the dock. It also cannot play certain titles that use motion like the fantastic Mario Party series. Nintendo Switch Deals On Amazon
Xbox Series/PS5
Both these machines offer the best console gaming currently available. High refresh rates, 4K HDR output and even ray tracing in some games. I would say that these are more focused on the more traditional gamer. Each console offers the ability to play the last generations games. Xbox Series (X/S) being able to play all Xbox One games and the PS5 able to play around 99% of PS4 titles as standard. The Xbox does go a little further running around 630 of the 360 and around 70 of the Original Xbox catalog. Both systems charge for online play, and have their own gaming libraries available via subscription. Gamepass and Playstation Plus are fantastic value for new and returning players. as they get to experience the best of the console for a nominal fee, with new games added all the time. Be wary though as it operates on a Netflix style scheme and titles are added and removed constantly. Series X Deals On Amazon
The PS5 systems are pretty simple to explain. The base consoles offer either with or without a disc drive. This will come down to personal preference, of how you intend to buy games. If you already have a library of older titles then you will need a drive to play them on.
Sony has also recently released the PS5 pro. This is the same as the original base console with some more bells and whistles in the internal specs. This will make some enhanced games look even better than their standard counterparts. This will only be for the person who wants the best of the best experience.
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Xbox Series is where the conversation becomes a little more confusing. The Xbox Series X is the most powerful console and usually has a disc drive in its housing. Recently they have released a digital version with more storage and the disc drive removed. Both consoles run the games at the optimal screen resolution with all the bells and whistles. The Xbox Series S has always been an all digital console. Featuring zero access to a disc drive. It is quite different internally but does run the same games as the Series X. Instead of aiming for 4K screen resolutions, it is intended for 1080p gaming. This would be a fantastic console for a younger child, especially considering that you can get offers on the system vs its bigger brother.
PC
Computers offer a lot of flexibility. You can do some photo editing, file your taxes and kill monsters in hell on your off time. In recent years PC gaming has surged to new heights with publishers such as EA, Rockstar and Ubisoft all coming back to Steam (The PC’s biggest gaming storefront). Due to the scope of this article I will be unable to spec out a PC for you, as it is far too complex a subject to tackle.
Desktop
For the enthusiast, I would recommend a Desktop PC. These offer the most flexibility, being upgrade able and future proof. Long after the PS6 has arrived, your old Desktop could have a new GPU, some storage upgrades and still be able to run rings around the new hotness.
Gaming Laptop
For general use, a Gaming laptop may be a good option. Be aware that a mention of a 4060 does not mean they are comparable in performance, with an actual Desktop 4060 in most cases. A Google will help you choose the right option. Be aware that many parts in a laptop are custom made, so trying to fix your USB drives or an obsolete wifi card in 3-4 years may not be as easy to do as your think. Because of the small form factor, upgrades can be harder to make. Some manufacturers solder ram and storage directly to the motherboard.
Handheld
The Steamdeck is a fantastic machine. I will be using that as my main reference. Be aware that there are countless other options from ROG, Lenovo, Aya Neo and others.
The Steamdeck from Valve, offers a similar form factor to that of a Nintendo Switch, but allows you to play PC games. This device uses a translation layer to allow Windows games to play on this Linux based system. and pretty much everything I have tried to play on it has worked after a little tinkering. It is a handheld, so whilst it can run the latest and greatest, it may have to run them at lowered settings. Like its console cousin it also offers the ability via a dock to connect to a larger display like a monitor or TV. This allows for a more comparable experience to that of a console. My own personal unit was the entry 64gb one from launch. With a little tinkering and a guide online I managed to upgrade my device to a 2tb one. Steamdeck Deals On Amazon
The Steamdeck is also a Linux based PC at its heart. You can run a desktop environment on it and use it for browsing, photo editing, coding etc with the addition of a mouse and keyboard. This also gives all three a major advantage over the consoles – Emulation.
PC gaming is vast, the library alone on Steam, Epic and GOG is massive, with something for everyone and 95% of the time at a fraction of the cost of a console game. When you add emulation into the mix, it makes it a compelling matter. Imagine playing your old games from your childhood. Every system you once owned at your fingertips. Modern controls, filters to make them look better and comfort features such as saves for games that never had them.
Overall
If I am buying a console for a more casual gamer, someone on the move or a younger child, I would be looking at a switch.
For a older gamer, someone who wants the best of the best, and can afford it, or for a switch gamer looking for a more adult set of games, I would recommend a PS5/XBox
For the Enthusiast, I would recommend a PC. Whilst the barrier to entry can be higher, the benefits over time and the flexibility outweigh the cost. The Steamdeck offers a very console like experience, making it the perfect time to make the jump into PC gaming.
Featured Image: Florenz Mendoza
