World video game day | Guide for new players: consoles, subscriptions and prices

2023-08-29 21:36:55

the choice of a console It is a somewhat tricky decision for any user without previous contact with the world of video game. to the elevated coststhe offer exclusive depending on which titles within each platform and the platform itself experience of the player, other added expenses are added: the subscriptions. If the proposals of each company -call it Nintendo, Microsoft or Sony- were already very diverse, now you also have to consider the multiple quotas available to be able to enjoy the game online and other benefits.

As if that were not enough, the classic dilemma between PlayStation (Sony) e Xbox (Microsoft)comparable to a new football fan who must opt ​​for FC Barcelona or Real Madrid, now adds a third competitor: the Nintendo Switch. It is so true that these consoles are aimed at a different ‘gamer’ public as that the third of them, of format hybridhas recently managed to touch the 130 million of units sold since its launch and thus enter the podium of the most successful in history. Above, the PlayStation 2 (155 million) and the Nintendo DS (154 million) still rank first and second, respectively.

With these three candidates on the table, there are several factors to take into account when reaching a final resolution. Be that as it may, below you can find both the prices of each medium like those of his subscriptionsas well as some indications that you cannot ignore if you want to hit the target with your next purchase.

consoles

The prices of the video consoles are subject to their capacities of storageso expanding a few ‘gigabytes’ of memory can be translated into tens and even hundreds of euros. The decision, then, will be one or the other depending on how many games We calculate that we are going to download to our console. However, there are several ways to enlarge this range of the ssd card in case it is required once the console is purchased.

It should also be noted that the Nintendo terminal, being a hybrid console (with the exception of its Lite version), allows you to play without the need for a monitoralthough it is always advisable to have one to expand the possibilities of the game and also enjoy the mode multiplayer.

Be that as it may, considering the prices of sale from a supplier such as Media Marktthese would be the costs today for the versions basic (less storage and a controller) of the latest generation consoles.

PlayStation

PS5 (825GB): with a discount of 18%, the original price of the latest Sony console goes from 549 euros to 449 euro. PS4 (500GB): a decade after its launch, its price is still around 299 euros.

Xbox

Series S (512GB): The ‘lite’ version of the latest Xbox console can be found for 284 euro. Series X (1TB): Although this version is not available without games included on the aforementioned website, its market price revolves around 519 euros.

Nintendo Switch

Basic (32GB): The basic version of the Nintendo console is available for 294 euro. OLED (64GB): if we want to bet on a larger and more vibrant screen, in addition to improved audio and double internal storage (although without 4K), the price of the basic version will increase slightly up to 347 euros (329 euros if it is the black and white version). Lite (32GB): the portable version of the Nintendo Switch is smaller and does not allow connection to a television, so it is also cheaper: 220 euros.

The main consoles developed by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

subscriptions

The video game leap ‘online’ to the consoles has brought with it an expense with which the players of computer they had never had to deal with: the subscriptions. The companies behind each game console offer these rates, in a modality monthly, quarterly o Yearlyin order to get revenue especially from two services: the mode multiplayer with other users connected to other terminals and the catalogs of exclusive games available on each platform.

Notably exceptions ‘free to play’ como Fortnite sort this type of limitation and allow your users to compete without no cost. However, beyond these, enjoy with your friends Now it has a price that, depending on the case, does not happen at all unnoticed.

PlayStation Plus (monthly, quarterly and yearly) Essential: Offers online multiplayer mode, plus the offer of free monthly games and exclusive discounts. Its price is 8,99€/mes, 24,99€/quarter or 59,99year. In most cases, PlayStation users benefit only of the ‘online’ mode, which is why they opt for this package, the cheaper of the three offered by Sony. Extra: offers the advantages of the Essential ‘pack’ and adds a catalog of what they call ‘best seller’among which stands out the selection Ubisoft+ Classics. Its price amounts to 13,99€/mes, 39,99€/quarter or 99,99year. Premium: results from the addition of the Extra package with the service of ‘streaming’ in the cloud and an even larger catalogue, with classics included. In this case, the rates escalate up to the 16,99€/mes, 49,99€/quarter or 119,99year.

XBox Live (monthly) Game Pass: Available on both Xbox and another version for PCthis package has a catalog of more than 400 titlesto which must be added some advantages in platform video games like Riot Games or included subscriptions to services such as EA Play. Its price is 10,99€/month (€9.99/month in the case of the PC pass). Gold: if you just want to benefit from the mode ‘online’by 6,99€/month you can obtain it through this package, which includes of the free games per month Ultimate: the divided offer of catalog and ‘online’ service converges in this third package (14,99€/month), which includes both titles for consoles and computers, as well as the advantages of Gold or others such as the availability of games Xbox Games Studios the same day of its release.

Switch Online (monthly, quarterly and/or yearly) Individual: only allows you to benefit from the ‘online’ mode in a single account, although it has prices as competitive as 3,99€/mes, 7,99€/quarter or 19,99year. In case you want to enjoy the expansion pack offered by Nintendo, the annual cost would amount to 39,99 euro. Familiar: Jump up to a total of ocho accounts for 34,99year (69,99€/year if the expansion pack). In this way, this option would be totally recommendable from just of payerssince half the annual price (17,50€, approximately) would be less than that of the same package in individual mode.

Final decision

Beyond the costsboth of the console itself and of the attached subscriptions, there are other factors that can define which option is the most recommended for each user. As in most decisions of these characteristics, the answer to the question ‘Which console is better?’ it will be ‘It depends‘.

On one hand, the experience of the game already differs a lot if we talk about PlayStation or Xbox, more similar to each other, in relation to Nintendo Switch. The latter offers a format hybridin which leaving your home does not have to mean that you stop play. On the other hand, Nintendo has always been characterized by a more ‘familiar’based on an experience shared and for games where the fun premium over competitiveness. Conversely, if the paragraph graphic and immersion in themes such as warlike are your main preference, it is clear that both PlayStation and Xbox will be consoles more suitable for you.

As for the latter, both are competence direct and, as such, preferring one or the other will already become a matter of tastes personal. Now the titles exclusive in the Sony and Microsoft terminal, as well as the services integrated within each subscriptionthey may end up tipping the balance to one side or the other.

Last but by no means least, the cost of each videogame will oscillate over a fairly wide range of prices: the cheapest can cost few euros, while the most expensive titles are around 70. To these figures must be added the possible special versions o ‘deluxe’as well as packages that include improvements or advantages within the game itself.