Playstation 5 vs Nintendo Switch vs Xbox Review

In 2021, there are a variety of gaming console options available for both children and adults. Even still, most people are going to be choosing between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo at any given time. These giants have the broadest range of new releases, cutting edge features, affordable pricing, and of course, those AAA video game titles.

If you want to get the most out of your gaming experience, then buying one console of each brand seems like the only way to get it all. However, that can be wasteful to some and financially ridiculous for others. Don’t forget, most of these consoles start at over $300!

Instead, it’s best to purchase the console that’s right for you. That depends on the games you want to play and the experience you’re after. Which one fits the bill?

Let’s check out how the latest consoles from these top competitors measure up, and find out!

PlayStation 5

Cost From Manufacturer: $499.99 for Base Console, $399.99 for Digital Edition

Sales in Q1 2021: 3.3 million

Sales Overall: 7.8 million (March 31, 2021)

Overview

The PlayStation 5 first appeared in the cultural mindset in April 2019, when it got its first description in a public magazine. It then dropped on November 12, 2020.

It’s basically impossible to find right now. In certain places, it sold out in literally seconds after the initial drop. That stock shortage doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. The company is currently experiencing supply constraints that may continue well into 2022, but it’s doing its best to get consoles into everyone’s hands.

Features

The features include a variety of technical elements, like 16GB of SDRAM, 825 GB of storage, 7.1 surround sound Dolby Atmos, and an 8-core AMD Zen 2 as its CPU. However, what does this all mean for the player?

• Ray tracing for better graphics.
• Output available up to 8K, depending on the console, game, and screen.
• Extremely rapid data loading.
• Livestreaming capabilities built in.
• The ability to play nearly all PlayStation 4 games.

There are also other features that you may discover as you play more games and as Sony updates its hardware.

Best For

In general, the PlayStation 5 has proven to be a great buy for people who are really interested in PlayStation-exclusive games. In fact, most of the games that play on PlayStation 4, like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, are significantly improved on PlayStation 5. As such, if you have the time to play at home and you’re a PlayStation fanatic, the PS5 is a great choice.

Xbox Series X|S

Cost From Manufacturer: $499.99 for Series X, $299.99 for Series S

Sales in Q1 2021: Approximately 1.31 million

Sales Overall: Approximately 5.8 million (March 31, 2021)

Overview

Rumors of a new Xbox console started as early as June 2018. It was confirmed as the then-titled “Project Scarlett” at E3 2019. The dual console launched on November 10, 2020, with Series X being a more technical console and Series S being a more affordable version.

It immediately ran into many of the same shortage issues that the PlayStation 5 did. However, behind the scenes, these consoles have been looking for ways to get around those problems to become more widely available for everyone.

Features

The Xbox Series X|S runs on the same CPU as the PlayStation 5 and also includes 10 or 16 GB of SDRAM, 4.006 or 12.14 teraFLOPS per second of calculations, and 512 GB or 1TB of storage, with the numbers available for Series S and Series X respectively. For players, this translates into:

• Ray tracing for better graphics.
• Output available up to 8K, depending on the console, game, and screen.
• Expandable storage up to 2TB.
• The ability to play all Xbox One games, as well as Xbox 360 and original Xbox games that the Xbox One can play.

More features may become available over the coming months and years.

Best For

For the most part, the difference between the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox X|S comes down to personal preference. Which console-specific games do you want?

Xbox mostly markets the Series X as a “gamer” console, whereas it markets the Series S as a “family” console. With that in mind, the Series S might be a better option if you’re not too concerned with the ability to run games super-quickly or on a 4K TV.

Nintendo Switch

Cost From Manufacturer: $299.99 for full Switch, $199.99 for Switch Lite

Sales in Q1 2021: 5.68 million

Sales Overall: 84.59 million

Overview

The Nintendo Switch may be almost a full 4 years old, but its popularity has absolutely not waned in that time. As a matter of fact, in Q1 2021, the Nintendo Switch amazingly outsold the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X|S combined.

It works as both a handheld console and a TV console, it has a variety of games for both adults and children, and the price for a Nintendo Switch is lower than any ninth-generation console (except the Xbox Series S). Plus, it hasn’t run into any of the shortage issues of the other consoles.

Features

The Nintendo Switch is typically considered part of the eighth generation of consoles, rather than PlayStation and Xbox Series X|S’ ninth generation. What does that actually mean for the players of the Nintendo Switch?

• Display that can reach 1080p on a TV screen.
• Up to 2TB expandable storage.
• Simple movement between TV screen and handheld use.
• Multi-touch touchpad.

In general, the features of the Nintendo Switch have to do with the fact that it spans the handheld and TV-based markets simultaneously. You can use it for an on-the-go experience or an at-home gaming experience.

Best For

Nintendo has long been considered a “family gaming” console, and the Nintendo Switch absolutely delivers on the same level as many of the company’s previous models. However, it’s not just for families; there’s something on the Nintendo Switch for everyone, from the adventuring spirit of Breath of the Wild to the team play of Mario Kart. That’s something that the PlayStation and Xbox haven’t quite caught up to.

Which One Is Best for Your Needs?

The Nintendo Switch is far and away the best console for people who want a variety of options at a relatively low price. However, if you’re looking for more of a “gamer console,” then you can choose between the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. When picking between those two, your options are mostly going to depend on which console-specific games you’re most interested in.

Overall, it seems like the Nintendo Switch is widely dominating the console market right now, and it’s no surprise that this ever-versatile option is still just as popular now as it ever has been.