Video game fans are living in the golden age of gaming. We claim this because of the number and quality of games available on the market and the access to different platforms used for this purpose.
Lately, we’ve been witnessing trends that involve the most modern technology. For example, the VR headset user base is growing. Of course, many players use mobile devices, primarily tablets and smartphones, as gaming platforms.
However, the facts say that PC and console gaming still dominate, especially among professional gamers. Interestingly, users of these platforms never stop proving which of these two options is better.
Objectively speaking, no matter which platform you choose, you can expect certain advantages and weaknesses. Through their analysis, you can find which solution is better for you. To help you, we wrote this article where we analyze the most important pros and cons related to PC and console gaming.
PC Gaming
Playing video games on a personal computer is as old as computers themselves. Still, the rise of the internet and multiplayer games has caused PC gaming’s popularity to take off. Let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of this option for gamers.
Pros
First, let’s start by noting that PC gaming provides the most powerful hardware, allowing players to experience the best graphics and performance. This is especially important for players who want to take advantage of the latest industry achievements.
Also, you can build a PC that matches your specific budget and needs. You can choose from products developed by various manufacturers and use a wide range of peripherals.
Furthermore, this solution provides access to a large selection of games – from strategy and simulation games to MMOs- many of which are unavailable on consoles.
Another thing that’s unavailable on consoles like PlayStation and Xbox is online casino gaming. Namely, using your personal computer lets you play some of the best casino games for free or real money. Undoubtedly, online pokies (slots) are the most played games of this type.
Several factors contribute to the popularity of pokies. For instance, they typically offer bonuses, including free spins, multipliers, reel transformation, wild symbols, jackpots, and more.
Also, users can expect many fascinating themed pokies online, covering stories and themes like ancient civilizations and mythology, nature, sports, movies, music, gemstones, medieval fantasy, festivals, holidays, and other things that will keep players excited. Of course, many pokies include sophisticated graphics that make the gameplay more enjoyable. Some feature 3D graphics, but even the ones relying on 2D elements look great, thanks to the colorful symbols, fun animations, and detailed background images.
It goes without saying that many players fancy online pokies because these games don’t require any special knowledge and skills. So, unlike complex strategy games, which require analysis and a strategic approach, you can start enjoying pokies right away, even if you play for the first time. We focused on pokies in this part of our article because many of the things mentioned about them can be applied to other computer games. Still, the difference is that you can’t play them on consoles.
Cons
Of course, not everything about PC gaming is positive, and it might have some downsides. For instance, this type of gaming is more expensive compared to gaming consoles. Even if the starting purchase equals, you’ll need more money for upgrades and maintenance.
Furthermore, you must be knowledgeable about technical stuff to set up and keep your system running when you choose this option. Finally, according to many users, there are more cheaters on PC games because they are more susceptible to this practice.
Console Gaming
Even though it’s a relatively newer phenomenon, console gaming has a long history. Today, players can choose from several consoles, including PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox. Let’s take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of this option.
Pros
One of the best things about console gaming is its affordability. Generally speaking, it’s much cheaper to purchase a powerful next-gen gaming console than a PC. Indeed, there were some supply problems when the latest consoles appeared on the market, but these things are settled now.
Undoubtedly, consoles are more accessible to set up and don’t require special skills. They come with a user-friendly interface suitable not only for seasoned gamers but also for newbies. In addition, you don’t have to worry about your processor, motherboard, graphics card, or other hardware issues – consoles don’t suffer from compatibility issues like PCs.
The good news is that you can play almost every game available to PC players. Of course, except for the ones we mentioned before. On the other hand, several exclusive games are not yet available on PCs.
Each console has a library of exclusive games you can’t enjoy on other platforms. Interestingly, these brands have recently started speeding up this process and turning exclusive games into more accessible titles. Still, they usually become available to other platforms in a year or two.
Another thing that console gamers like is the social aspect of these gaming platforms. They get excellent online features that make connecting, playing, and staying in touch with friends easier. PC gaming has started following this trend in the last few years with the help of digital video game distribution platforms like Epic Games and Steam.
Cons
We discussed the excellent things about console gaming, and now it’s time to look at the cons. For starters, they don’t have the power to match the performance of high-end PCs. This might be true when released, but after a short period, they can’t match the latest and best personal computers.
Also, consoles don’t allow players to upgrade much of their hardware (typically, they can only introduce changes in the hard drive). Finally, most consoles require paid subscriptions to get access to online features.
