Gamers always debate whether a gaming console or a gaming PC (personal computer) is better.

Both a game console and a PC have many advantages and disadvantages. Which one is better depends on the gamer’s preference. 

To illustrate, game consoles are easy to use. Playstations and Xboxes can be hooked up to any TV in a house, and Nintendo Switches can be played anywhere. 

Not only are game consoles easy to use, but they also have consistent performance, especially the newer consoles. Most consoles can run at 60 to 120 fps (frames per second) without error. 

Another result of a console’s consistent performance is its fast management. Consoles can manage memory more efficiently, which leads to faster game loading times and smoother performance.

Game consoles have a feature called split-screen, which allows gamers to play multiplayer games with their family or friends in the same room. 

Game consoles also have exclusive titles. Some famous PS5 exclusives include Marvel Spiderman series, Horizon series,  God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 1, and the Uncharted series. Some famous Xbox exclusives include Halo 2, Forza Horizon 2 and Forza Horizon 5, and Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.

Even though game consoles have a lot of advantages, they also have a lot of disadvantages.

One thing game consoles do not allow is extra upgrades to their systems. Even though consoles have consistent performance, some people like to enhance their gaming experience with better graphics or storage.

Another issue is that game consoles don’t allow mod support (modifications to a game). Because of a console’s limited storage, it’s challenging to add mods to a certain game. In addition to their limited storage, most consoles update automatically with a certification process (a process by which the platform owners grant legal licenses for games to be sold on a platform). This will allow mods to put a security risk on a console and potentially enable a cheat.

One major aspect of a console is when it was released. Therefore, if a gamer has an old game console, such as the PS2, it cannot support newer games because of its FPS and graphics, and if a gamer has a newer game console, such as the PS5, it cannot support older games because they weren’t made for the newer console.

Besides the console, the PC also has many advantages and disadvantages.

PC games are cheaper. Steam, one of the PC’s largest video game distribution platforms, has many cheap games. Steam also has annual sales for each season; some games can be 50% or 75% off. 

Along with these cheap games, PCs have a more variety of games. To illustrate, Steam alone has over 18,000 games on its platform.

A PC can be used for other things besides gaming. For instance, it can be used for work, school, shopping, or watching TV series or movies. 

Another unique aspect of a PC is that it can be physically or systematically upgraded. People can upgrade their PC by installing another monitor (a small TV screen) or by replacing certain PC parts with better ones. 

Similarly, a PC can have more customizable hardware. To dive even deeper, a PC can customize its keyboard, monitor, or mouse. 

Like consoles, PCs also have exclusive titles. Many famous game titles that are exclusive to PC are Dota 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and World of Warcraft.

Even though a PC can have a lot of advantages, it also has a lot of disadvantages.

Consoles are primarily easy to use and kid-friendly, but a PC offers much more freedom. While it seems good, it is also more likely to attract viruses, have personal information leaked, or be hacked. 

An enormous aspect of a PC is its cost. A good PC will cost between $1,000 and $2,500 because you’ll have to upgrade it to support quality video gameplay. This is only for the PC itself; a monitor, keyboard, and mouse will cost even more.

A person who plays on a PC could either make the PC themselves or get it pre-built. The problem is that it’s very hard to make a PC without any computer knowledge or the right tools, and if it’s pre-built, there is a good chance it can overheat and have poorly configured hardware.

A PC and a game console are unique in different ways, but both have pros and cons. At the end of the day, it’s up to the gamer.