Top Five Reasons to Invest in a Console over a Computer

Since the dawn of gaming, personal computers and video game consoles have competed for the attention of the gamer community. Each medium of play has its own positives and negatives. In this first article, we will explore the advantages of console gaming over PC gaming – but keep in mind that, today, each device is really tailored to a specific type of gamer. This is a very subjective list, so for those of you whose roots are already embedded in one over the other, please don’t take offense. Here we go:

Number 5: The Controller

Unlike a PC, consoles usually only have a handful of controllers to choose from. What makes it so nice is that despite what you may have, the game creators have already mapped out the controls. They intend the optimal way to play to be the given control scheme. But even so, many consoles allow alternately configured control schemes, or even complete customization by the user. The brains at Nintendo have shown this first-hand with games like Super Smash Bros.: Brawl, in which not only are the inputs customizable, but you can choose from a wide variety of controllers.

Number 4: Single-Screen Multiplayer

On days when you are chilling with a friend, there is nothing easier than tossing a game in your console, chucking two controllers into the ports or syncing two wireless controllers and starting up a Halo deathmatch. Sadly, a lot of PC games do not allow single-screen multiplayer – especially some of the biggest name PC titles. Thus, most PC gamers don’t get that face-to-face competitive or co-operative experience, since their friends are in their own homes playing on their own rigs.

Number 3: Cost

Your average PC can cost over $1000. Your top-of-the-line gaming PC can cost upwards of $3000, even if you build it yourself. Add all of the supplements, like controllers and games, and you simply will not be walking away with a pocketful of spare currency. The hard fact is that if all you want to do is play games, you can buy all three current generation systems for under the price of a pretty good PC. And as more and more games get the multi-platform treatment, you don’t have to be worried about not being able to play because you’re on a console.

Number 2: You Get What You Pay For

When you buy a console, you are also getting the guarantee that it will do everything it states it will. A PS3 game will play on any PS3 console because it is designed with that console completely in mind; the same goes for accessories and other additions. With the PC, you have to worry about your system specifications, codecs, plug-ins, modifications, accessories, supplements and a laundry list of other things.

Number 1: Wider Variety of Games

Ever since multiple consoles have been released per generation, there has been a bigger selection of console games. The PC may dominate the MMORPG market, and even have a leg up in FPS’ and RTS’. But as far as full-length titles go, consoles have a variety. Sure, multi-platform titles have been all the rage nowadays, but walk through any gaming store and you will notice what the wide world of console gaming has to offer – and this is just the U.S. market.

So there you have it, the top 5 reasons to invest in a console over a PC. Remember, this is a rather subjective list, but it’s how I see the state of things. Stay tuned for my Mr. Hyde article, where I’ll give the top 5 reasons to invest in a PC over a console.