I used to be a PC-only gamer but the older I get the more I gravitate toward very ‘simple’ platforms.
Because my gaming time slots can be unpredictable and sometimes short I can’t take too much time setting things up.
I was surprised to find that I use the Nintendo Switch a lot because the games are on cartridges (usually few to no downloading needed) and I can continue playing the game when I am away from home. Really surprising, considering I bought it out of curiosity in 2017 and that it is in some ways underpowered compared to my other devices- I never had a Nintendo ‘home’ console before that.
I thought of adding the PS4 to this mention however recently I’ve been avoiding playing it due to the constant updates. The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update . It really kind of ruined my first session.
What are your experiences and your preferred devices?
Used to be a huge PC guy but lately I like chilling in my recliner with my ps5. I can sit next to the wife this way and won’t catch flak for being on the PC too much. She games too and will move to the PC for those instances
I’m not sure what your definition of “older” is, but I’m past my 20s so I probably qualify.
I really like my Steam Deck. I have a Switch as well, but I only use it for exclusives. The Deck is great because it lives next to my bed and I can easily pick it up and play pretty much anything on it.
I used to love my desktop PC, but I keep feeling like I should be productive instead of playing games when I’m on it, and it’s just not as comfy as laying in bed.
Then again, I’m a grumpy Linux user since 15-ish years, so using locked down consoles is offensive to me.
Same here. I have a gaming laptop that sees the majority of my play time but the Steam Deck is perfect for picking up where I left off in bed or chilling on the couch with my partner instead of being shut away in my office.
I grew up with SNES and N64 era, so maybe I’m old enough?
PC. Consoles are too much to deal with. Cartridges are probably better than discs, but either having to change games in either is probably gonna make me choose to just not play instead. With PC, everything is just a few clicks away.
You can use digital downloads with consoles too. I don’t see how PCs are easier than consoles.
First you have to switch devices from the PC to the console to use it.
Our computers can play games from what, 20, 30 consoles?
I run the game on PC but use Steam link on the TV to connect to it and use a controller most of the time. It’s not the absolute best for playing keyboard + mouse games but it’s very nice for Subnautica for example.
My development PC running linux (I don’t use Arch, BTW) + Steam has by far the most games I’m interested in playing. Games that I have played my entire life run great, through DOSBox, Proton, native, or console emulators.
That being said, I still have a huge soft spot from my old 3DS and wish I still had it. Sure the Switch is great, but the 3DS had so many fun little quirky features that it was just fun to use as well as play games on.
3DS might be my favourite console. The DS library is amazing - and not region locked - then the 3DS JRPG selection is probably the strongest out of any console.
Still mainly my PC/steam deck but I mix in the switch in there for specific games and the xbox every once in a while for spider heck.
I guess I’m in the older segment as I’m in my 40’s, and still basically exclusively a pc-guy, making a slow but somewhat sure transition over to penguin themed os from windows.
I do play some older console games (via emulation), adventure games (scummvm <3) and quite a bit of modern pc singleplayer/coop titles. My go-to launchers are Steam and GOG.
Sure, pc maintenance can be a lot at times, but I’m a nerd and tinker on my pc a lot anyway, so it just happens.
PC. I only touched my series X lately to clean the dust off.
I like modding games and just a few games support mods on Xbox. I bought it when graphic card prices went up astronomically. After I got me an 6750XT haven’t played on the Xbox. Also older games run @30FPS or some half assed resolution on Xbox. Meh.
Yet another dude in his 40s here using a Steam Deck. I travel a lot for work so something portable and easy to just pick up for a short period is important. It has run pretty much every game I’ve wanted to play flawlessly.
2nd
Also my axe, additionally.
I used to be like you OP, PC-only gamer for a long while, but as I’m getting older (and got back into gaming a few years ago), I’ve mostly been using consoles or equivalents:
- PS5 40% of the time
- Xbox Series X 20%
- Steam Deck 20%
- Switch 10%
- Super Nt / PS3 / Analogue Pocket / Miyoo Mini Plus / 3DS / Vita, remaining 10%
PC. Because:
- Better controller support—I’m not limited to what MS or Sony deem as “certified” or “authorized” hardware. Most of the really good hardware (VKB, Virpil, Arduino) will never be available for consoles and what little is available is bad at best.
- Best sims are PC only (DCS, Il-2, E:D, X series, Hunternet etc)
- Sims support 3rd party auxiliary software (TacView, EDDiscovery, OMH, EDMC etc) for better experience and that’s simply not going to be possible on consoles, ever.
- For other games, modding experience on PC is simply better. SKSE and ENB is what keeps Skyrim going and makes it still relevant 13 years later. Can’t have this kind of code injection and wrappers on consoles.
- If I ever get into retrogaming, emulation is the way, especially since actually acquiring retro console games in their original physical format is bound to become a very expensive collector’s hobby if you don’t have your own collection from childhood already or don’t have local second-hand options.
My laptop is pretty portable, I just carry my hdmi and controllers with me and can hook it up anywhere to play some games. Want to watch some movies too? I gotchu. Pc all the way man.
I have a gaming desktop, personally, with a relatively light laptop I picked primarily for repairability and battery life.
My laptop can’t really game, but it can run Moonlight like a champ. I have a Raspberry Pi setup as a VPN and the gaming desktop has Wake On LAN, so I can have Baldur’s Gate 3 up and running in a couple minutes from anywhere with internet.
Android phone with Razer Kishi v1 controller. Stream PC games via Steamlink/Parsec. Emulators (NES / SNES / Genesis / GBA / DS / PS1 / PS2 / Gamecube / Switch).
I play mostly on my Steam Deck nowadays. If a game is too heavy for the Deck I just subscribe to GeForce Now for a month to stream to my Steam Deck. Once everything is setup on the Steam Deck it’s pretty much friction free to start a game, especially in GeForce Now.
As time goes on I lean more and more into PC gaming with emulation for older systems. Resistant to hardware and disks/cartridges failing and there are fewer concerns with online functionality going away completely. There’s a lot to like about the Switch but with it being literally their only console that still has any online features, I have serious concerns about longevity.
PC for “real” gaming. Phone for casual stuff, although I’ll stream better games when my connection is good enough.
