It’s probably one of the oldest battles gamers have ever known: console or computer? Luckily we’re not here to settle the debate, but rather to give you an idea of what you’re getting into.

When faced with the prospect of upgrading your PC or changing consoles, most gamers will hit the internet. Either to talk to their greater social media, or to scour various forum posts and reviews in order to figure out where their money is better spent. Unfortunately for most gamers, this decision is not made lightly, and is often more complicated than simply spending what you have on hand. When purchasing your primary gaming system, are you in it for the long haul?

Dollar Days

When investing in your gaming rig, price point is probably the most limiting factor. Do you only have $200-$300 to spend? Can you invest more than $800? While consoles are generally cheaper in the long run, they provide a lot of power for a smaller price tag. They’re guaranteed to work out of the box (or at least come with a warranty if they don’t), and usually come in bundles providing at least one game for you to get started. While extra controllers, fancier cords, and more games will cost you additional rates, a console will still offer you instant gaming at a reasonable rate. In addition, many online or local game resellers can provide used consoles at an even cheaper rate–not a bad deal.

Building your own PC however, or buying one pre-made, is a much larger initial investment than a console on average. In the long term however, it might actually provide better gaming benefits. While consoles aren’t quite aging as fast as they used to, the fact remains that a well-built computer will last you much longer than the current system en vogue. Games will load faster and generally look prettier for longer than a console can provide. Additionally, if you have a lot of gaming friends who have built their own rigs, chances are you can scoop up used pieces for a reduced or no cost to help offset the price point. Old monitors, computer towers, mice, keyboards, or speakers, are often held onto and passed down between gamers as needed. While most gaming computer builds will never be as cheap as their console bretheren, the benefits of their longevity help offset the costs.

Longevity

While consoles don’t age quite as fast as phones or cars, the truth remains that when buying a console you have a set number of days before it goes out of date. While new models are often released for existing systems, eventually, the newest system will come and replace it–often leaving you with an empty feeling before the joy of a new system kicks in. Additionally, consoles generally cannot be updated with additional power boosts unless you really know what you’re doing. And even then, it can be risky. Often, computers can be upgraded with minor improvements or additional sticks of RAM, which help to keep your games moving.

While longevity might be lacking for consoles in terms of playing the latest and greatest titles, older gaming consoles have proven their nostalgic staying-power. If getting your hands on those original SNES or SEGA games is what you want out of your gaming experience, you really can’t beat going the system route–computer emulators just aren’t the same.

Exclusivity, DLCs, Social Media, Oh my…

Computers and consoles each come with their own cultures and interests. Similarly, each also often have their own exclusive game titles, DLCs, or social circles which do not necessarily play well between platforms. That one great FPS you’ve been waiting for a sequel for might only be coming out on a given console, locking in your purchase. Similarly, the group of friends you play with might only play their action-adventure game on their computers, and while a console version is available, they are set up on different servers. Do you like sharing everything you do to your various social media? You might be limited in what kinds of sharing you can accomplish based on which system you choose. Sadly quite often there are circumstances outside of a gamer’s control, which dictates the way they’ll spend their money, given the chance.

So What Should You Do?

 When weighing the benefits of either gaming method, it’s clear that the decision isn’t easy. So what should you do?

TLDR: Consoles

• Plug and play: a great gaming experience right out of the box, no adjustments necessary!
• Lower up front cost investment.
• Will likely have exclusive DLCs or titles that will not be available on a computer.
• Great deals on used consoles and games, and the ability to relive the nostalgia of older systems in true form.

If you only have a bit of money to spare, and you want to start gaming now, a console is probably your best option. With a low end cost, you’ll have more money to spend on games for as long as the system is supported.

TLDR: Computers

• A higher cost investment initially, but its power will likely last much longer than a console, even with minor tweaks.
• A wider variety of titles available, including the option for modding your games.
• More sales on newer and indie games (e.g. Steam).
• A lot of options for sharing or interacting with your social sphere without having to rely on built-in options.

If you have a bit more to spend up front, and want to have more control over your gaming experience, then a computer is your best bet. Whether you build it yourself, or buy a pre-made system, a computer’s components are likely to outlive a console’s power in the long term, allowing you to game for longer without having to change things up.

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Whether you decide to buy a new console or build a PC, there are tons of gaming options available. Controllers are no longer console-exclusives, consoles are integrating more cross-platform interaction, and built-in emulators allow you to play your favourites no matter whether you’re looking at an Xbox or Windows UI. After all, it’s not what you game on, but how you game, that truly matters.

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