How to Determine the Best Platform for Your Digital Gaming Desires

Board games have earned their places as immortal sources of fun at home, and with the much more complex modern board games rising to the fore, it’s clear that physical tabletop games aren’t going anywhere. Whether it’s the classic $30 block stacks game of Jenga or the superb zoo-builder Ark Nova, board and card games simply can’t be outdone for fun with friends in person. Of course, you can’t always play games with others at the table.

For this, most turn to digital games. In some cases, you’ll get to access multiple platforms without additional costs, but the preference over time has clearly been to have all of your games in one place, as digital gaming is supposed to be convenient. So here, we’re trying to determine which of each competing set of platforms is the best.

A battle waged since 2001

In 2000, the PlayStation 2 launched to deliver one of the greatest game consoles ever created, and just a year later, Microsoft decided to throw its hat into the arena with the original Xbox. For the purposes of this debate, Nintendo’s offering is best considered its own offshoot genre of sorts, especially when you consider the handhelds, Wii, and then the hybrid Nintendo Switch.

Now, 22 years on from PS2 vs. Xbox, we have PS5 vs. XSX. Sales figures indicate that the PlayStation 5 is the more popular console by a matter of 11.85 million units or some 57.2% of the XSX’s total sales. Popularity doesn’t necessarily mean a better or even a good product – especially in the modern entertainment space. In this case, however, it’s tough to argue with the sales figures.

With the Xbox Series X, adopters received a machine that’s just as capable as the PlayStation 5, but it lacks in some major areas. First of all, turning on and using the XSX is exactly the same as using the Xbox One, while the PS5 offers a completely revamped experience from the PS4. Then, there’s the most important aspect in console gaming: the games.

The PlayStation 5 has dominated exclusive games between these two consoles, boasting the likes of Ratchet & Clank, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, and a few other triple-A titles. The XSX boasts big hitters like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Forza Horizon 5, and Halo Infinite. Xbox players await State of Decay 3, Starfield, and Ark 2.

The Xbox does come with a superior monthly subscription set-up with a bunch of multiplayer games and some classics, as well as a decent backward compatibility library, but with both consoles being at the same price point, it’s tough to argue for the XSX over the PS5. In fact, the PS5 bundled with one of the top games of the generation so far, God of War Ragnarök, and indie sensation Hades is only $40 more than the XSX with Forza Horizon 5.

The wars across computer-based entertainment

As discussed above, consoles tend to battle for your attention with exclusive games. In the realm of online browser gaming, however, it’s a bit trickier. Popular slot titles can be found on several different platforms. So, it’s best to turn to review scores and especially welcome offers to new players. The latest way to battle here comes in the form of the new $1 deposit casino, where you only need to deposit $1 to claim the welcome bonus and explore the full platform. Welcome bonuses often come with several free spins on top-ranking games, including Agent Jane Blonde, Wacky Panda, and Arena of Gold. For instance, players who deposit $1 at All Slots Casino receive 123 free spins on Wacky Panda.

Away from the browser-based play of online casinos, it’s over to the high-profile game launchers. For years, Steam owned what many saw as a monopoly over PC game launchers, but then Epic Games came along with the stated purpose of uprooting Valve’s mega platform. To do this, Epic came out swinging, offering triple-A games for free to anyone who had an account – which was free to create in the first place.

Now, the two continue to battle, with a matter of preference being more decisive here than perhaps anywhere else in gaming. Epic Games is still lacking features and community engagement arenas. Plus the fact that it is missing some marquee titles does leave long-time Steam loyalists a lot to call out. Steam, however, remains devoid of the big free games promotion that Epic thrives on, houses a lot of very poor games, and the customer service remains weak.

For the average gamer looking for some digital fun, there’s a clear winner in the console war, but on PC, there’s a lot to be explored between each platform before making a firm decision.

Nakoa Davis
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