Consoles
Consoles
PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox — and within each family, editions that differ more than they appear to. The most important difference is simple: does it have a disc drive or not?
At a glance
- The disc drive: the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S have none — digital only.
- Handheld or docked: the Switch does both; the Switch Lite is handheld only.
- Power: Series X and PS5 Pro target 4K; Series S and base models aim lower.
- Compatibility: every current console also plays previous-generation titles.
- Handheld gaming PCs: Steam Deck OLED, Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go S, MSI Claw 7 and 8 AI+ — your PC library in your hands. Plus the PlayStation Portal for streaming from your PS5.
What are you after?
Video Games 6,000+ titles for every console Console Accessories Controllers and equipment Gaming Furniture Chairs and desks Retro & Arcade Earlier generations
How to choose
- Disc or digital? — if you intend to buy physical games or resell them, you need a model with a disc drive.
- On the TV or in your hands? — the Nintendo Switch does both. The Switch Lite is handheld only and does not connect to a television.
- What resolution? — with a 4K television, a Series X or PS5 makes the difference count. On Full HD, the cheaper models are enough.
- Which games do you want? — each platform exclusives are often the real reason for the choice.
See also
Video Games Console Accessories Gaming Furniture Retro & Arcade All Gaming
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between the PS5 and the PS5 Digital Edition?
- The Digital Edition has no disc drive. It plays digital copies only, cannot read physical discs, and does not allow reselling games.
- What is the difference between Xbox Series X and Series S?
- The Series X is more powerful, targets 4K and has an optical drive. The Series S is smaller, cheaper, aims at a lower resolution and is digital only.
- Switch, OLED or Lite?
- All three play the same games. The OLED has a better screen; the Lite is handheld only, does not connect to a TV and has no detachable controllers.
- Do new consoles play old games?
- The PS5 plays PS4, the Xbox Series plays Xbox One and much of the 360 library, and the Switch 2 plays first-generation Switch cartridges.
- Do I need a 4K television?
- Not necessarily. On a Full HD set the cheaper models perform just as well — the difference only shows at 4K.
- What else will I need?
- A second controller if you play with company, and almost certainly extra storage within the first year.
- Can I collect my order from the shop?
- Yes, choose collection at checkout, with no shipping cost.
One question before all others
Do you want to buy physical games? If so, you need a model with a disc drive — and that rules out the PS5 Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S.