Why Consoles?

“Why would you even get a console?” This is a question I hear time and time again from various PC gamers. You want to know why someone would get a video game console instead of building a gaming “rig?” I’ll tell you why.

Console > PC

There are quite a few areas in which consoles are simply better than computers for video games.

Price

One of the biggest reasons that gamers recommend PC gaming over console gaming is the price, but I personally think that console gaming can be much cheaper than PC.

For one, the cost of a gaming console can be drastically lower than building a gaming computer from the ground up. The PC Master Race subreddit claims that their “Media Elite” build matches console performance for cheaper, and their “Crusher” build offers better specs for the same price, but they quote the price of a current gen console at $450. The PS4 Pro is only $400, and you can easily find a standard PS4 for $300, sometimes even less. Plus, the prices listed on PC Master Race exclude the cost of an operating system or any peripherals such a keyboard and mouse. The price for a console includes the operating system and a controller. If you want to compare apples to apples, perhaps you should account for the $100 or more that a copy of Windows and peripherals can cost on top of the price of actual parts.

But wait, there’s more! PC gamers also like to rave about how Steam offers huge discounts on games, and I won’t deny that. However, this doesn’t mean that consoles are without ways to save on games as well. If you’re like me and have a backlog of games, it may be months or even years after a game comes out before you get to play it. By waiting for a while before purchasing, I can frequently find games for 50% or more off their original price new, and upwards of 75% off for used games.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Some of you may be fortunate enough to live near a public library that has console video games in circulation. This is the list of 105 PS4 games (at the time of writing this) that my local library has in circulation. At any point, I can put in a request for one of these games, have them drop it off at my closest branch, and stop by to pick it up. I get to keep the game for a week, possibly up to 3 weeks with renewals, provided that there are no other holds on the game. This service is offered for no additional charge besides the income taxes I’m already paying.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!!!!!!! If you have friends who also have the same console, you can share games with each other. For the first few months that I had my PS4, I literally didn’t own a single game for it. Instead, friends and coworkers let me borrow games that they weren’t playing at the time. I had so much to play that I still haven’t finished all of them. When I started acquiring some games of my own, I obviously returned the favor by letting them borrow my games. Can you do that with PC games? I don’t believe so.

The one point that I will give to PC gaming with price is the cost of digital downloads. For whatever reason, console games in digital form seem to never go down in price. I realize that publishers and purveyors don’t have to reduce price to sell off old games and free up inventory space, as digital games don’t take up physical space, but you would think that they would bring down prices as games get older. In any case, digital download prices seem to stay high for console games, even years after they come out.

Compatibility

Another huge benefit to console gaming over PC gaming is compatibility of games and platforms.

When I buy a console, it is guaranteed that I can play any game made for that console. I don’t have to check specs, run benchmarks, or anything else. I look at the label, and if it says PS4, I can play it. This compatibility is guaranteed across the lifespan of the console, as well. Someone who purchased a PS4 on launch day has been able to play every single PS4 game released since that day over 3 years ago. They can reasonably expect to continue to be able to play every PlayStation game released until the PS5 comes out. That sort of plateau in technology, while it does mean that consoles aren’t taking advantage of the latest and greatest of tech hardware towards the end of their life cycles, is attractive for those who plan on making a single purchase that will last several years.

For some people, this is a bad thing. They regularly replace tech devices like phones, televisions, and laptops when newer iterations are released. Personally, I don’t like to upgrade until my current version is either broken, or a completely phased out edition. As such, I don’t really like the idea of mid-generation upgrades like the PS4 Pro. In the case of people who are more willing to upgrade hardware, however, this is perfect. And as long as there aren’t any compatibility issues, I’m fine with playing games on slightly inferior hardware with lower framerates or quality reduction. It’s still a PS4, and both versions will play all PS4 games released, but there is an option for people who do want superior performance without the hassle of upgrading individual PC components.

Simplicity

An often overlooked benefit of console gaming is the simplicity that it offers.

With console games, I put in a disc or download the game, wait for it to install, and play the game. There are no drivers to install, no extra software to procure or calibration steps to make things work like they’re supposed to. I just select the game and play it. There is undeniable value in this simplicity.

I’ll note, as a software developer, I still occasionally have issues with PC problem troubleshooting. Someone without a programming background is surely less equipped to deal with these complications that may arise. If you’re just a guy or girl wanting to play a game, do you really want to deal with the headache of setting up a PC to play it? Or would you rather just get the console, get the game you want, and have a good time? That’s what I thought.

Console < PC

While consoles can hold their own against computers for video games, there are some areas where a PC is objectively superior.

Adaptability

Game consoles are obviously made specifically to play video games, while computers shine in their ability to handle a number of different tasks.

With a PC, I can start the day by checking my email and social media accounts. After that, I can do a little productive work by writing some code. Around lunch, I can take a break to scroll through reddit and watch some funny YouTube videos. When I’m done with work for the day, I can load up video editing software to work on that GoPro footage from my trip last weekend. Once the video is finished, I can use photo editing software to tweak some of the pictures to perfection. Then, I can get some gaming in with actual PC games, or load up an emulator to play some older console games.

On a console, I can… play video games. Sure, some modern consoles do have web browsers and video streaming clients available, but frankly they’re just awful. Productive stuff like programming? Yeah, not gonna happen. Consoles are great at playing video games, but they don’t do much else, and they don’t do anything else particularly well.

One small benefit to consoles only being good at playing video games is that you have a designated environment for gaming. With distinct places for work and play, it’s harder to get distracted when you’re trying to get work done. Not only that, but taking a break from work to play some games can clear your head, without being in the same place as the work. It isn’t necessarily a point for console gaming, but it is something to consider.

Customization

If you do want to build a PC that is more powerful than game consoles and have the budget for it, the sky's the limit.

Even if $450 is more expensive than current gen consoles, the “Crusher” is objectively a more powerful and superior piece of hardware. It can run games at higher framerates, higher quality settings, and with less stuttering and lag. No ifs, ands, or buts, about it, this is the point that PC hardware is more powerful than video game consoles.

The options don’t stop there, either. If you’re willing to splurge on the “End-All,” you will have hardware that will be vastly superior to any console of this generation, and probably next generation as well. Admittedly, you’re paying more than 2 consoles put together as well, but the experience will be much more fluid and response than any console gaming. Again, if you’re willing to throw the money at it, you can build a PC that will outclass consoles on every front.

Console = PC

There are some areas where console and PC gaming is roughly equal, or at least different enough that you simply can’t compare the two.

Exclusives

Different console platforms brag about exclusives, but the same can be said of PC games. Every platform has at least a handful of games that do not exist elsewhere.

The Super Mario Bros. franchise has been Nintendo exclusive for decades, and excluding mobile games, it will probably stay that way. Ratchet and Clank, probably my personal favorite series, has always been on Sony hardware and likely always will be. Halo has been Microsoft’s bread and butter since the days of the original Xbox. Each ecosystem has its own set of Crown Jewels that won’t be going away anytime soon. You really can’t compare consoles to PC games, when both sides are guilty of this.

Conclusion

So why might someone get a video game console instead of a PC to play games? I hope I’ve addressed this concern and given some compelling reasons to indicate why it isn’t as simple as computers being superior to consoles in every way.

Do consoles have downsides? Absolutely, they aren’t perfect. Consoles fit a very specific price and performance point, and you’re out of luck if you want to deviate from that even slightly. At the end of a console generation, you can’t really do anything to improve your current piece of equipment, all you can do is pony up the cash to buy the successor.

However, consoles fit a very real niche, one that encompases a large portion of the video game market. If you don’t have the money or expertise to build and maintain a gaming rig, consoles are for you. If you don’t care about having the absolute best quality and highest framerate, consoles are for you. If you’re like me and gaming has taken a backseat to other priorities, consoles might be best for you. If you’re more of a casual gamer and less of a hardcore gamer, guess what. Consoles are probably better for you.

Mostly, I just wish PC gamers would get off their high horse and lose the arrogance. There exists a PC gaming subculture, where those who use computers are the “master race,” and people who use game consoles are mere “peasants.” It’s an elitist trend, it is very annoying, and it is completely baseless. I’m not saying that all PC gamers are so pretentious, but the vocal minority speak much louder than the moderate majority. Can a PC have crazy high framerates and quality? Sure, if you’re willing to throw a ton of money at it. There are situations in which PC gaming is best, but it isn’t the superior option for everyone. Recognize that just because you have disposable income and spend multiple hours per day playing video games, what works best for you doesn’t work best for everybody else.

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