The selection of gaming consoles on the market has never been wider. Between promises of power, multiple models, and closed ecosystems, navigating the options can be a headache. As the tech experts at Joybuy, our mission is to help you see clearly and cut through the marketing hype to make the right investment.
In the heat of the moment, it's easy to overlook a few crucial details. Here are the three main traps to watch out for to avoid buyer's remorse.
To make things clearer, let's focus on the three pillars that will define your future gaming experience.
This is the very first question you should ask yourself.
Internal storage is a crucial battleground. With games easily exceeding 100?GB, a 512?GB SSD fills up in a flash. Aiming for 1?TB isn't a luxury; it's an investment in peace of mind. Also, consider the cost and ease of future storage expansion.
The ecosystem is a long-term commitment. Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass provides access to a colossal catalogue of games for a monthly subscription, an often very cost-effective deal. PlayStation counters with its PlayStation Plus service, which offers several tiers that include classics and new releases.
As we've seen, this choice is not trivial and will impact your wallet in the long run.
Rather than an endless catalogue, here are our targeted recommendations for every type of player, based on the criteria we've just broken down.
Why we recommend it: Its hybrid concept is brilliant: start a game on the living room TV and finish it on the train. Its game library, filled with iconic exclusives and family-friendly titles, appeals to all generations.
The Switch doesn't play the raw power card. Its strength lies in its versatility and unique gameplay experiences. The 4K/120 FPS debate simply doesn't apply to it.
Its 7-inch OLED screen elevates the handheld experience with vibrant colours and infinite contrast. The immersion is total.
Why we recommend it: For those who demand the very best of the new generation on their TV, without compromise. Cutting-edge graphics, an ultra-fast SSD, and a revolutionary controller: the winning trio for absolute immersion.
By choosing the Standard model with a Blu-ray drive, you escape the all-digital prison. The freedom of the physical and second-hand markets is yours!
The DualSense controller is a technological game-changer. Its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers deliver a gaming sensation that is simply unparalleled.
Why we recommend it: It's the most affordable entry ticket into the next-generation Xbox ecosystem. Its low price point, combined with a Game Pass subscription, gives it an unbeatable content-to-price ratio.
True, it's all-digital. But its economic model is built around Xbox Game Pass, which sidesteps the trap of per-game costs by offering unlimited access to a colossal library.
Compact and silent, it blends seamlessly into any living room. The 1 TB version finally provides welcome storage breathing room.
Why we recommend it: For those who dream of recapturing the magic and raw feeling of old-school arcades. More than a console, it's a true collector's item that will take pride of place in a game room or a living room with a bold style.
This niche product is in a league of its own. Its value isn't in performance, but in authenticity and nostalgia. It is therefore immune to the siren song of modern marketing.
Its design, authentic flight yoke, and retro decals offer a period-accurate immersion that is light-years beyond what a simple controller can provide.
Discover our full selection of consoles, all tested and approved by our editors according to strict criteria and current safety regulations.
No, not at all. These consoles work perfectly on a 1080p (Full HD) television. You will still benefit from near-instant loading times and increased fluidity, but without the ultimate image sharpness of 4K.
A console generation lasts about six to seven years on average. However, your console will remain perfectly functional long after that. Manufacturers continue to release games and updates for several years to ensure a smooth transition.
Yes, backward compatibility is now the standard. The PS5 is backward compatible with almost the entire PS4 library. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X/S is compatible with Xbox One games, as well as a large selection of titles from the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox. Better yet, many older titles get a new lease on life on these new machines, with improved graphics and dramatically increased fluidity.