Guide
The ultimate launch guide for the Nintendo Switch 2
by Domagoj Belancic
The ultimate gaming console shopping guide
5.12.2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Want to surprise a loved one with a brand new Switch, PlayStation or Xbox, but feel a bit overwhelmed? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Games and Christmas, a match made in heaven. Thinking back to those «good old days» make me feel all fuzzy inside. Little Domagoj ripping off the wrapping paper hiding new consoles, handhelds and games like a fierce predator in a frenzy – ah, the memories. Picture something like this:
Would you also like to treat a friend or family member to this kind of excitement, but don’t know where to start? No need to despair. We’ve put together an extensive overview of all currently available consoles plus recommendations for the right target group to go with it.
Nintendo Switch: old hardware, but has it all
Nintendo’s handheld-console hybrid is a little outdated. Nevertheless, it still makes for an excellent Christmas present.
Switch models
The basic model of the Switch is slightly more expensive (around 300 euros or francs). It features a 6.2-inch LCD screen with detachable Joy-Con controllers. It also includes a TV dock to connect it to the television.
The most expensive Switch model is the OLED model (around 350 euros or francs). As the name suggests, its seven-inch diagonal OLED screen is larger, brighter and really pops. The device also has a better battery life compared to the basic model. This model is the one I’d recommend most.
The three Switch models are the same in terms of performance. The fact that all models are portable means that compromises had to be made in terms of the graphics. Switch hardware was already technically outdated at launch in 2017 and massively falls behind other consoles.
Controllers and essential accessories
When buying a controller, you should be aware that Joy-Cons in particular are often affected by an issue known as «stick drift». This happens when the controller’s analogue sticks wear out over time and register your inputs incorrectly.
Games: a family-friendly line-up with exclusive bangers
With the Switch, you can choose from a vast range of games from different genres for all types of players. Even eight years after its release, the console’s still being supplied with brilliant games, both by Nintendo itself and by third-party manufacturers.
Compared to other consoles, the Switch has the most exclusive games. This is partly due to the huge number of games Nintendo has churned out for this console generation. The Switch is home to many popular Nintendo series including Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Super Smash Bros and Metroid. Many of these exclusive Switch games are among the best games of recent years across all consoles.
The Switch is also the console with the most family-friendly titles, which is mainly owed to Nintendo’s enormous game output. But «family-friendly» doesn’t mean just for children. Nintendo games generally appeal to a very broad target group.
You can buy Switch games either physically or digitally in the Nintendo eShop. All three Switch models are compatible with both physical and digital games.
You can read our reviews of this year’s best Switch games in the following articles:
Subscriptions: good value for money
Like all current consoles, the Switch comes with an online subscription: Nintendo Switch Online. You need it to be able to play online against other players. As a bonus, you get access to a retro games library that’s expanded with new titles every month.
In the basic model for 20 euros or francs per year, you can play NES, SNES and Game Boy games. It also includes access to cloud storage for your game data and exclusive multiplayer games such as Tetris 99 or F-Zero 99.
The expansion package for 40 euros or francs per year comes with additional Nintendo 64 and GBA games as well as new content for various games from Nintendo, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Animal Crossing.
As a subscriber, you also have the opportunity to purchase exclusive Nintendo hardware such as the Nintendo alarm clock Alarmo or new editions of retro controllers. You also get to exclusively use the new Nintendo Music app for smartphones with a subscription.
Verdict:
The Switch is technically outdated and can’t keep up with current consoles in terms of graphics. On the other hand, the device impresses with its portability and a huge game library that appeals to a broad target group. The controllers impress with many integrated functions and a very good battery life. The online subscription’s inexpensive and offers lots of exciting content, especially for retro fans. Of the three models available, I recommend the OLED.
PlayStation 5: the expensive blockbuster machine
The PS5 is the top-of-the-line machine for gamers with high graphical demands. Sony’s console also impresses with the best controllers of all manufacturers.
PS5 models
The PS5’s available in four models. The first two launch models – one with a Blu-ray drive and one without a drive – are no longer available in stores. They’ve since been replaced by the Slim version.
The fourth and most recent model’s the PlayStation 5 Pro. Compared to the Slim version, the Pro often enables a smoother and/or sharper display of games. Think 60 frames per second instead of 30 and 4K resolution with upscaling technology.
The additional computing power you get with the PS5 Pro’s reflected in the price: for a slightly smoother or sharper gaming experience, you’ll have to pay around 800 euros or francs.
The PS5 Pro’s only available without a drive, but it does come with 2 terabytes of storage instead of just 1 terabyte like the Slim version. You can also retrofit the drive to the Pro at any time. The drives of the Slim version are compatible with the Pro.
If you decide to get a PS5 – whether it’s the Pro or Slim version – you’ll be well equipped for the coming years. Analysts have predicted that Sony won’t be releasing its new generation of consoles (i.e. the PS6) until 2027 to 2029. Further upgrades in the style of a PS5 Pro aren’t expected before that time. However, it’s possible that Sony’ll surprise us with a portable PS5 in the near future.
Controllers and additional accessories
For people with physical disabilities, Sony also offers the Access Controller for around 60 euros or francs. It’s a highly customisable, modular controller that allows you to create your personalised input device.
If you’d rather play your PS5 games in handheld format, you can do so on the PlayStation Portal for around 220 euros or francs. The device is basically a tablet fused with a PS5 controller. You can’t install and play games locally, you can only mirror the content of your PS5 to the Portal via an internet connection. Find out how this works here:
With the latest firmware update, you can also use the Portal to stream games directly from the cloud (without going through a PS5), provided you have the expensive PlayStation Plus Premium subscription (see below). With this new function, you can theoretically just buy a PlayStation Portal without a PS5. Provided you can live with playing streamed games only and putting up with delays that can be pretty noticeable at times.
A cool bonus: with the PS VR2 PC Adapter for around 60 euros or francs, you can also use Sony’s glasses for VR games on your PC.
Games: a huge game library with exclusive blockbusters
The PS5’s backwards compatible with the entire PS4 game catalogue. This means Sony’s console has a huge games library at its disposal. The PlayStation’s supplied with countless high-quality titles by both third-party manufacturers and Sony itself. Compared to the Switch, there are fewer top-class family-friendly games on the PlayStation. Instead, there are all the more blockbusters that try to outdo each other in terms of spectacular staging.
Compared to Nintendo, Sony’s no longer super strict about being exclusive. Many PS5 games are also made available for PC at a slightly later date. Multiplayer games such as Helldivers 2 are even released simultaneously on both platforms.
You can purchase games on the PS5 both physically as a disc version or digitally in the PlayStation Store. Needless to say, you need a PS5 with a disc drive for the disc versions.
Check out our reviews of this year’s best PS5 games in the following articles:
Subscriptions: expensive fun
If you want to use the online functions of the PS5, you need an additional subscription called PlayStation Plus. As a bonus, you’ll get monthly games as a gift and access to a relatively large games library depending on your subscription level.
The basic Essential subscription costs 72 euros or 79 francs per year. It includes three «free» games per month as well as cloud storage for your game data.
The more expensive Extra subscription will set you back 126 euros or 140 francs a year. In return, you get access to a games catalogue with hundreds of new and older PS4 and PS5 games in addition to the benefits of the Essential subscription. Brand new games from PlayStation studios are only added to the subscription a few months after their release.
The absolute high-end subscription is Premium. This one will cost you 152 euros or 170 francs per year. In return, you can access a retro games catalogue with PS1, PS2 and PS3 titles. You can also stream PS5 games via the cloud instead of downloading them locally to your PS5. This works relatively well if you have a stable and fast internet connection. Selected Sony films can also be watched with this subscription.
Verdict:
PS5 consoles are high-end devices for people who want outstanding graphics and spectacular gaming blockbusters. If you’re not willing to make any compromises and want to be well equipped for graphically complex games, it’s worth investing in a PS5 Pro. For most gamers, however, the basic PS5 models will do. As a fan of physical media, I recommend the version with a disc drive.
The huge game library offers everything the average gamer’s heart desires – including time-exclusive PlayStation games. Accessories include excellent controllers, a solid VR headset and gadgets such as the PlayStation Portal.
The Xbox Series X and S: Microsoft’s consoles mainly impress with their subscription
Microsoft’s latest consoles take a different approach to Sony’s PS5. Instead of wooing customers with exclusive blockbusters, Microsoft’s all about its unbeatable subscription model.
Xbox models
The Xbox Series S doesn’t feature a disc drive. Unlike the PS5 Slim, you can’t retrofit one either.
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s most powerful console. On paper, it’s faster than the PS5 (Slim), but in practice, you won’t notice the difference. This version costs around 550 euros or 450 francs. The console’s equipped with a permanently installed disc drive.
The latest model’s the Xbox Series X Digital Edition without a drive. Unlike the PS5 Slim, you can’t retrofit one either. This model is the same as the standard version of the Xbox Series X in terms of performance.
If you go for an Xbox Series X, you’ll be well equipped for the next few years. The same goes for the Series S, but you’ll have to put up with limited functions for some games.
Although Microsoft’s said they’re working on a successor console, this is unlikely to be released anytime soon. It’s also pretty clear that Microsoft’s working on a handheld version of the Xbox, but we’ll have to wait a few more years for that. A Pro version of the Xbox Series X isn’t expected to be released in the coming years.
Controllers and additional accessories
Unfortunately, the controller’s powered by batteries. If you want to install a chargeable battery in the device, you’ll have to opt for the Xbox Play & Charge Kit for around 25 euros or francs.
For more demanding gamers, there’s the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. For around 130 euros or francs, you get interchangeable sticks, pedals on the back and countless settings to suit your gaming style.
For people with physical disabilities, Microsoft also offers the Adaptive Controller for around 130 euros or francs. It’s a highly customisable, modular controller that allows you to create your personalised input device.
Games: huge selection, not much exclusivity
Unlike Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft no longer offers any exclusive games. All games from the Xbox studios also come out for PC at the same time. More and more titles are also being ported to the PS5. The Switch has also already received some formerly Xbox-exclusive games. It can be assumed that more and more Xbox games will also be available on other platforms in the future.
At least you can rest assured that many big titles will be released on the Xbox first. This is because Microsoft, in recent years, has bought up a number of major game studios who have supplied their consoles with blockbuster titles and will continue to do so in the future. For example, Bethesda (known for Fallout, The Elder Scrolls and Starfield) or Activision (known for Call of Duty).
You can purchase games for the Xbox either physically or digitally in the Microsoft Store. If you buy a Series S or Series X Digital Edition, you’ll have to do without physical games.
Check out our reviews of this year’s best Xbox games in the following articles:
Subscriptions: the Xbox’s trump card
The Game Pass is more than just a subscription for online gaming. With its subscription, Microsoft’s created a service many gamers view as Netflix for the gaming sector. However, this only applies to the most expensive version.
Three subscription levels are available for consoles. But unlike for Nintendo and Sony, you can’t purchase subscriptions annually. The prices listed below are monthly.
With the cheapest Core subscription for 7 euros or 9 francs per month, you only get a small catalogue of around 25 games in addition to the online functionality. Brand new games from Microsoft aren’t included here.
With the slightly more expensive Standard subscription for 13 euros or 15 francs per month, there are «hundreds of games» available in the catalogue according to Microsoft. However, there are no brand new releases here either.
Verdict:
The Xbox consoles are high-end devices full of spectacularly staged blockbusters. Since Microsoft has bought up so many game studios in recent years, you can be sure that the console will continue to be supplied with many hits in the future. The excellent backwards compatibility gives you access to an immense catalogue of games from past Xbox generations.
Microsoft makes up for the boring controllers and lack of exclusive games with an unbeatable game subscription. As a fan of physical media, I recommend the version with a disc drive. If you only want to use the Xbox as a Game Pass machine, go for the digital version.
Header image: Domagoj Belancic
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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