Gaming has evolved since the 1950s and video games continue to get more challenging, intricate, and ambitious. In 2018, the industry was worth around $115 billion and it is expected to reach $180 billion by 2021. Today, over 42 percent of Americans are gamers and nearly 80 percent of households own a gaming console.

Since the introduction of the first successful video game consoles in 1972, the technology has transformed regarding the designs, features, power, and more. You can boost your gaming experience by getting the best gaming console from reputable companies like Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and more. Sony and Microsoft focus more on creating life-like graphics while keeping most things simple.

Nintendo always comes up with unique names and new play styles. Gaming consoles can transport you to fantasy realms, allowing you to be anyone from an assassin in the colonial era to an alien, and more. The best gaming console will give you a magical experience whether you are a professional or casual gamer.

Read on to learn more about the best gaming consoles of 2020. We've listed some key features for each of these gaming consoles for you to consider as you make your choice. Once you've reached the end of this guide, you'll be able to choose which of the best gaming consoles is best for you!

Editors choice

1. Wii Console

9.65 / 10
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The Nintendo Wii is a classic console that is designed with entertainment in mind. The Wii comes with exclusive games that will be difficult or impossible to find on any other platform. If you are still nostalgic about some of those old classics, the Wii is the console to get.

Despite being released years ago, the Nintendo Wii is still one of the most powerful consoles that you can buy today. Its motion-sensing control system comes with wireless controllers called the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck. The controllers have special sensors that will allow the console to detect your movements and control your characters accordingly.

The motion sensors and the controllers will have you off the couch in minutes. You will no longer have to rely only on your thumbs to control the characters. Moving the controllers through the air will make the games more realistic and make the gaming experience richer and healthier.

The console is just meant to complement your home entertainment experience. It comes with a dock that is used for connecting the system to a TV, letting you play with your friends and family in the living room. The Wii is powerful enough such that all the games scale correctly and realistically on large screens found on the market today.

Configuring and controlling the Wii and most of the titles that it supports is fairly straightforward. Nintendo ensured that it would be easy to locate all the controls without resorting to experts. The sensors that are built in the Wii provide an easy interface for scrolling through screens and navigating the game worlds.

Key Features
  • A built-in Wi-Fi network card
  • Has a built-in flash memory
  • Comes with a memory card slot
  • It has two USB ports
  • An ATI graphics chip
Pros
  • It is the ideal console for family gaming
  • Allows healthy gaming
  • Has a large collection of games
Cons
  • Many multiplayer web services no longer work
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Wii Console
Premium pick

2. Nintendo Switch

9.98 / 10
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The Nintendo Switch is one of the most sought-after handheld gaming consoles in the world. Its premium design, top-of-the-line features, future-proofing, and extensive games library explain this popularity, especially when you compare it with the competition. The Nintendo Switch is unrivaled when it comes to delivering a fantastic gaming experience.

If you are a busy gamer who has to travel frequently for work, you should definitely consider picking up the Nintendo Switch. It lets you play those AAA game titles on the move. You will also be able to play your games on the handheld display, which features a sharp screen that is perfectly calibrated in sharpness, brightness, and contrast.

What's more, you can also play with your partner or friends when you are away from home. The Switch allows each player to use one Joy-Con in a competitive environment. If you can access a table or other suitable platform, the Nintendo Switch gives a tabletop mode that comes with a stand for propping up the display.

The Nintendo Switch gives you gaming versatility that you will not find anywhere else. You will not get bored trying to figure out ways to get the most out of your console. The primary mode allows you to use one Joy-Con in each hand, while the second option allows two players to take a Joy-Con each.

Nintendo also sells additional Joy-Cons to enable multiple players to share the same console, especially when the Switch is docked to an external display. The final gaming option enables you to slip a set of Joy-Cons into a traditional grip accessory. It mirrors a typical traditional controller that most people have used before.

Key Features
  • Comes in a slim package
  • A long lasting-battery
  • Detachable Joy-cons
Pros
  • Supports on-the-go gaming
  • An amazing living room experience
  • It has hundreds of exclusive titles
Cons
  • Quite expensive compared to other high-end consoles
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Nintendo Switch
Best value

3. UTTORA

8.90 / 10
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Flexible and packed with incredible games, Uttora is the perfect gaming console for anyone who values versatility. Not only does this console offer you a variety of games, it also offers a variety of ways to enjoy them.

Uttora contains 400 classic games that range from action-packed to fighting. The wide range of games ensures that you can quickly find the right pick for you. The classic nature of the games, on the other hand, ensures that you are transported straight to your childhood.

The game console supports multiplayer mode. You can easily enjoy the games with family and friends. Since everything is better shared, this feature is a dream come true. You never have to indulge in the fun alone.

To ensure multiple players can play smoothly, the console comes with a wired controller. This controller has a similar button set to the one on the handheld console. The only difference between the two is that the wired controller lacks a screen.

You can easily project games to your TV screen via the AV output port. When this feature is used in multiplayer mode, the game feels more enjoyable and less constrained.

The console is also portable as it is about the same size as your smartphone. You can, therefore, easily fit it in your pocket or bag and carry it everywhere you go.

The battery life allows you to enjoy games from anywhere. With a capacity of 800mAh, you get five to six hours of playtime.

Key Features
  • Wide range of games
  • Wired controller
  • TV screen projection
  • Pocket-sized
Pros
  • Versatility in gameplay
  • Durable battery
  • Portable size
  • Diverse gaming options
Cons
  • Lacks online multiplayer options
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If you are looking to buy a gaming console that comes with a sleek design, improved power efficiency, updated DualShock 4 controller, and more, PlayStation 4 Slim is an excellent choice. This gaming console has a smaller and thinner design with a new all-matte black outlook. The rounded edges and the large hollow around the midline give the console a softer look. You will appreciate the improved design because it is space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

PlayStation 4 Slim features 5GHz bands, offering you a more stable wireless connection. The console has a power plug socket, making it more efficient since this feature eliminates the need for an external power brick. Additionally, the slimmer version has an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and a camera expansion jack. The camera port allows you to have a virtual reality gaming experience.

PlayStation 4 Slim has a straightforward setup, so you can even use the original PS4 or PS3 cables. The console features an upgraded controller that has a new translucent light bar. This unique element allows you to see the color set without turning the gamepad around in your hand. You can also connect the gamepad via USB connection as an input option, which offers smooth gameplay.

PlayStation 4 Slim has an excellent storage capacity of 1TB. You can enjoy downloading more of your favorite games without running out of space. The console features Blu-ray and DVD playback, and with an improved wireless connection, you can stream or download your favorite movies.

Key Features
  • HDR-enabled
  • PS VR
  • Weighs 7.43 pounds
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Pros
  • Remarkable wireless connection
  • Sleek and slim design
  • Allows for virtual reality gaming
  • Improved DualShock 4 controller
Cons
  • Lacks 4K Blu-ray player
  • No optical audio
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PlayStation 4 Slim

If you are looking for a gaming console that gives you access to world-class games, you will love Microsoft Xbox One. With games ranging from sports to adventure, this console unlocks a whole new world of gaming experiences.

The Xbox One allows you to access the growing library of Xbox 360 games. As a result, you can play games from any genre you like, ranging from puzzles to arcades in the Xbox library. Additionally, the console has over 100 games exclusively designed for it.

You can use the Xbox One for games and watching movies. With access to streaming sites such as Netflix, you can easily switch to a movie when you get tired of gaming.

All your movies and games are guaranteed to be in HD because the console produces high-quality images. As a result, you can expect your movies and games to feel exceptionally immersive and vivid.

This console also comes with a ton of storage. With an internal storage size of 1TB, you can download as many games and movies as you would like from the store. The console can comfortably handle all the games your heart desires.

You need not enjoy the fun-filled games of the Xbox One alone. The console allows you to engage in fun with friends. Equipped with a feature called Xbox Live, playing with friends is a breeze. All you need to interact is a steady internet connection. Your friends do not even need to be in the same room as you.

Key Features
  • Xbox 360 library
  • Video streaming
  • Multiplayer mode
  • 1TB internal
Pros
  • Wide variety of games
  • HD quality
  • Large internal memory
  • Multiplayer anywhere
Cons
  • Single console
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Microsoft Xbox One Console

The Retro-Bit Retro Duo is a 2-in-1 gaming console that is perfect for all your favorite NES and SNES titles. The console is sleek and stylish, which ensures that it will complement your living room entertainment appliances.

If you are a fan of retro gaming, you definitely need to consider buying the Retro-Bit Retro Duo. It offers the richest collection of retro games out there. For people who have never played retro games, this will be a discovering experience. For those who played the games on other consoles, the experience will be like leafing through an old book from your childhood or listening to an old jazz record.

The Retro Duo’s compatibility of most retro games is excellent. It will play every Super Famicom game that you throw at it. If you are more into Super Mario Bros, all the 8-bit tiles will run perfectly on the Retro Duo. You will be lost in time for a few hours as you dive into the gameplay.

You may have a few classics that are no longer supported on modern gaming hardware. The Retro Duo does a wonderful job of accommodating as many emulation-capable titles as possible. You will not notice any speed or graphical discrepancies for most titles.

The controls of the Retro Duo are perfect for old titles. The physical and virtual settings and controls will allow you to interact with the game just as you would when using a traditional set.

However, a few modern touches have been added to address some of the annoyances that gamers complained about when first playing the titles when they came out. You could say that you are getting the best of both worlds.

Key Features
  • Has two game cartridge slots
  • Supports S-video connection
  • Wired controllers for a lag-free experience
Pros
  • It works perfectly for popular titles like Super Mario
  • Delivers a smooth gaming experience
  • It feels light but premium
Cons
  • Does not work well with newer HD TVs
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Retro-Bit Retro Duo

A true blast from the past, Atari Flashback 8 is the perfect gaming console for anyone who misses the gaming hits of their childhood. This console brings back classic games in a bigger and better way.

Atari Flashback is packed with 120 Atari 2600 games ranging from Pitfall to Kaboom. With games from your favorite genres and more, Atari ensures that you have incredible games at your fingertips.

Furthermore, you can enjoy all these games on your TV screen. This gaming console has an HDMI video output port that allows you to project games to your TV. Consequently, you can take a deeper dive into the gaming world. After all, large screens are well-known to be more immersive than small screens.

While the gaming consoles of the past were unforgiving, Atari gives you more leeway. This console allows you to pause, save, and rewind games. As such, you can take a bathroom break without losing your game. You can also switch to another game in the middle of playing another without facing harsh repercussions.

This gaming console might be reminiscent of the past but it has some modern features such as a wireless joystick. Wireless joysticks enable simple and unrestrained gaming. However, just in case you prefer wired gaming controllers to wireless ones, the gaming console has ports that you can use to connect them.

Key Features
  • Games from a wide range of genres
  • HDMI video output port
  • Pause and stop functionalities
  • Wireless joysticks
Pros
  • Variety of games
  • Freedom while playing
  • Can use a TV to play
  • Forgiving features
Cons
  • Range of games could be wider
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Atari Flashback 8

The Retro-Bit Super is a reliable and economic console to play your old cartridge games. The ability to play games that were vital back in the days is sensational. The console is compatible with SNES, NES, and Genesis games, making it versatile. With a pair of ports with different designs, you can play a large collection of games with ease.

At 2.2 pounds, the console is not only light for you to carry around but also comfortable. Being built from plastic materials doesn't compromise its durability as the moving parts don't wiggle. Additionally, the colored LED illuminates to notify you which mode has been activated. Next to the LED is a button that effectively resets the system.

The console has two SNES-style controllers with a genesis-like plug, which is highly responsive to gamepads. The Retro-Bit Super comes with an S-video that transfers videos with higher quality than the composite video. As a result, you can enjoy gaming with the intended color and brightness.

Next to the controller ports are two handy switches that are easily accessible. These ports allow you to toggle controller arrangements and control the region for mega drive titles. The fact that you can use your favorite SNES/MD controller with any of the systems makes playing NES games more comfortable.

Setting up the console is not a challenge as it comes with a detailed guide. The Super Retro Trio comes with a pair of 9-pin D connectors and NES/SNES ports for you to enjoy the two-player action.

Key Features
  • Two-player action
  • S-video connection
  • Compatible with NES, SNES, Genesis games
  • LED classic controller
Pros
  • Plays with SNES, NES, Genesis games flawlessly
  • Can use original console controllers
  • Supports Game Boy games
  • Light weighed
Cons
  • No HDMI output
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Retro-Bit Super

If you are looking for a versatile Nintendo console, you cannot go wrong with the Amazon Renewed Nintendo New 3DS. Not only will you feel excited but also comfortable using the stereoscopic 3D feature. The 3D feature produces quality images with an increased vibrancy that won't weaken your vision.

Besides, the 3D feature is the new, improved processing power that gives you smoother gameplay where apps open and close with added brevity. Nintendo added the second analog control stick, which is accurate and responsive.

Thanks to the new ZL/ZR button and the new C stick that provide you with smooth navigation in apps like the web browser. New to the console is the rear trigger buttons that are easy to find. At no time will you accidentally press the L and R buttons in the heat of the game.

Nintendo has repositioned the start and select buttons to a convenient place under the XYAB buttons for flexibility. The console has built-in NFC support and added improvements to the 3D glasses-free technology. Well, this enables compatibility with the New Nintendo Amiibo figurines. The added Amiibo support gives you the ability to get bonus items and customize your characters.

The refined and ergonomic design enables you to carry it around to experience outdoor games with friends. Additionally, the three cameras give you better snapping even in dark environments. The console includes parental controls to help parents limit the kind of games their kids can access.

Key Features
  • 802.11 Wi-Fi connection
  • Stable 3D effect
  • Built-in NFC for Amiibo support
  • Micro SD card support
Pros
  • Overall improved construction
  • Much more consistent 3D
  • Great C stick
  • Bigger screen than its predecessor
Cons
  • No charger included
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Amazon Renewed Nintendo New 3DS

You will find two main types of gaming consoles, the handheld video games consoles and the one that sits in your room connected to the TV. The non-portable consoles are robust and guarantee a phenomenal gaming experience for you, your family, and friends. You can select a gaming console depending on the games you prefer because of the availability aspect. Some people prefer role-playing games while others like sports video games.

Some of the most popular consoles include PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Ensure that your favorite games are readily available on the console you select. A game such as the Halo line is available only on the Xbox, while the Uncharted, God of War, Gran Turismo series, and Spider-Man are exclusive to Sony gaming consoles. However, if you are a dedicated gamer who plays almost all genres, then you might opt for Xbox or PlayStation.

The two gaming consoles offer an eclectic mix of game genres, including action, sports, racing, and more. Handheld consoles are compact and portable, making them easy to carry around in your bag or pockets. Some of the famous handheld gaming consoles include the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch Lite, and more. Wii and Wii U consoles by Nintendo offer light-hearted games such as Super Mario and the Zelda series.

Regarding performance, you can look for features such as 4K graphics, storage capacity, and more. Xbox One X and PS4 Pro can deliver seamless 4K gameplay. Such consoles support 4K high dynamic range as well as native 4K technologies that guarantee more detail, sharper contrast, and more vibrant tones. However, 4K gaming requires you to upgrade everything, including getting a 4K television.

If you are interested in virtual reality games, you can get PS4 because it is the only gaming console that supports VR. The storage capacity is essential and gaming consoles have internal space ranging from 4GB to 500GB. If you plan to purchase digital games over the service, then you can select a console with a larger capacity. PlayStation offers the option of adding extra storage with a solid-state drive.

If you are looking for features such as motion gaming, you can go for consoles such as Xbox, PS3, and more. Today, most consoles support motion gaming, and this has transformed the way people play games. Some consoles come with a camera, while others have additional controllers, enabling motion gaming. Consoles such as Nintendo Switch offer versatility and have many family-friendly games.

Today, most gaming consoles offer powerful hardware, high-fidelity games, and more. Myriads of options exist on the market, and finding the best gaming console can be confusing and challenging. This review will help you during your decision-making process. Now that you've read through this guide, you can revisit this list and choose one of the best gaming consoles.

FAQ

Q: What is the best gaming console for kids?

Most gamers agree that Nintendo has the best game roster for kids. A Nintendo Switch is perfect for family gaming because it transforms from a hand-held gaming device to a TV console system. This allows young children to enjoy gaming while on the go in the car or during air travel as well as at home on the big screen. The versatility makes it an excellent option for families with both teens and younger children.

The Nintendo Switch also has an excellent system for parental controls.

Q: Which gaming consoles are best for multiplayer and co-op games?

Since most gamers are loyal nearly to the point of monogamy to their preferred gaming console, you’ll get different answers to this question depending on who you ask. However, the Xbox One offers a wide array of multiplayer titles, whereas PS4 and PS5 devote games more toward solo play, while also supporting most of the popular titles for multiplayer.

Nintendo Switch also supports a multiplayer platform for popular titles.

When choosing one of the best gaming consoles for multiplayer and co-op games, it’s best to consider which systems your gaming friends use and choose the one that’s used by the majority of the people you intend to game with the most.

Q: Which gaming console offers the most backward compatibility?

Playstation launched the PS5 with backward compatibility in mind, offering PS4 titles with upgrades including faster loading speeds and frame rates as well as higher fidelity in many games. There is only a short list of about 10 PS4 games that are not backward compatible and these are clearly marked as being for PS4 only.

Unfortunately, the PS5 doesn’t offer backward compatibility for PS4 or PS2 games.

Xbox One also has a large catalog of games with backward compatibility for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, so if you love to play old favorites, Xbox One is definitely one of the best gaming consoles to choose for old titles.

Q: What is the most up-to-date gaming console?

The two newest gaming consoles had a nearly simultaneous release. On November 10, 2020, the Xbox Series X had its long-awaited launch. It features an updated design, ultra-fast frame rates, a comprehensive subscription service, and an improved controller.

Playstation’s PS5 release enjoyed great fanfare on November 12, 2020, just two days after the Xbox Series X, with both launched just in time for the holidays. PS5 has immense processing power, delivers fast load times, and has fantastic 4D graphics. The powerful processor also means this console is larger than most and has a streamlined, futuristic look. It delivers a more immersive tactile experience with its DualSense controller for feedback.

These are the best gaming consoles in the latest releases and their prices are nearly identical.

Q: What are the best gaming consoles for streaming services?

Many people also use their gaming consoles for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. 

Both PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming consoles offer the latest in streaming services with dozens of streaming apps available and up to 8K HDR resolution. Xbox Series X supports more apps than the PS5 but lacks a disc drive.

The Nintendo Switch is essentially for gaming rather than streaming and doesn’t support Netflix or other services with the exception of Hulu. However, the portable, handheld design and its ability to stream Hulu television make it a good choice for watching TV on the go.