Which Console for Christmas 2016?
When Christmas comes around, many parents are others are contemplating games console purchases. Perhaps you’re thinking about which one to request from Santa. If you’re buying a console for someone else, hopefully they have given you a hint to help you choose. However, if it’s a surprise or they have left you in the dark, it’s not as easy to pick the right one.
The best thing to do is to look at the highly-rated consoles of the year and the games available to play on them. That should give you a better idea of which one is appropriate, especially if you know what sort of games someone wants. Of course, you might just be looking at a console to buy for yourself.
PS4 Pro
The Sony PlayStation 4 Pro is a new model that aims to improve on the PlayStation 4. The original model was extremely successful, selling many millions of units in the last three years. The PS4 Pro could be an option for anyone who wants to update their existing console or someone who doesn’t yet own a PlayStation. It’s compatible with existing PS4 games and is meant to offer better graphics than the previous model. The big question is whether it’s worth the upgrade for someone who already owns a PS4. If you’re looking for big improvements, it’s best to also have other sophisticated pieces of equipment to rely on. If you’re planning to buy it as a gift for a current PS4 owner, accompanying it with a 4K TV might be best
PS4 Slim
If the PS4 Pro is a step up from the PlayStation 4, the Slim goes in the other direction. It offers a cheaper option if you’re on a tighter budget. A console is a pretty big gift to give someone for Christmas, so you might want to consider something less expensive. Unlike the PlayStation 4 Pro, anyone who already has a PS4 doesn’t need to consider this one. It has a slim design and has pretty much everything the original model offers. However, this console doesn’t have an optical audio port and the hard drive and graphics aren’t as impressive as the Pro. But it still delivers on the gaming front, and it’s a great deal cheaper than the Pro. This budget-friendly option could be the right choice for a first-time PlayStation owner.
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Xbox One S
Another option to consider for the first-time console owner is an Xbox One S. Anyone who hasn’t had an Xbox before might enjoy this model. Like the PS4 Slim, it’s a smaller version of the original console. It supports 4K video, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and HDR contrast. However, these functions only work with newer TVs. So if you want this console for the great images, consider whether it will be compatible with other items. If you or someone you know already has an Xbox One, swapping to this one may not be worth it. However, it could be seen as an improvement on the original for someone who has never owned it. If it doesn’t need to be a Christmas gift, the new Project Scorpio console will be released in 2017.
Nintendo 3DS XL
You might be considering a portable option, instead of a large console that has to stay at home. Nintendo’s line of DS portable consoles has been popular for a while now. They added a 3D function a few years ago, and now they have supersized it. It’s still portable but offers a larger screen size. The screens use face tracking, and there are some internal improvements on previous models too. However, the battery life isn’t great, which isn’t ideal for a portable console. There are some other inconveniences that might be annoying, such as having to remove the back of the case to change the SD card. But it’s still a good choice if you want a portable console over a static one.
Nintendo NES Classic
This console, which has the look of a classic Nintendo, is in high demand this year. It offers classic 8-bit games, which are excellent for newbies and veteran gamers alike. If you know someone who loves a bit of gaming nostalgia, these consoles are a no-brainer. You can play two-player games and connect with HDMI and charge it with a micro USB. It’s also a very small console, so won’t take up much room. However, be aware that the included controller is wired and the cord isn’t very long.
Choosing a console for Christmas can be difficult. Whether it’s for you or someone else, think about the advantages and disadvantages of each.