Did you know over half of the UK population plays video games? So you’re not alone if this is a favourite pastime! Knowing the best ways to play can be tricky though, with so many devices and games on the market. Explore the pros and cons of handheld compared to console gaming to discover which format is right for you.
- Portability and flexibility
A major difference between these two styles of gaming is portability. Traditional consoles are heavy, run from mains electricity and require additional equipment such as screens, keyboards and controllers. Handheld devices can be carried in your bag, and you don’t need any extra accessories to play the games.
This portability means you have greater flexibility with where you play. You don’t need to be confined to your home but can instead play on the go if you want to.
- Game selection
You can choose between a variety of games whether you opt for a handheld device or console, from action and adventure quests to simulation and RPGs.
Handheld systems with internet access offer a mix of mobile and video games including digital upgrades of arcade classics. You can play a spin game, go on a solo exploration of a virtual world or navigate multiplayer missions with friends, all with just one device.
Video games designed for traditional consoles are generally more immersive and complex and give you the option to communicate in real time as you play. There are genres to satisfy everyone, with settings ranging from the historic Wild West to futuristic apocalyptic fantasy worlds.
- Quality of graphics
Superior pictures are one of the main reasons why many choose to continue with consoles, especially if gaming is a significant passion. Along with a larger screen and pairable equipment that allows for surround-sound, these consoles have advanced Computer and Graphic Processing Units (CPUs and GPUs), high frame rates and more RAM for increased memory and storage, all of which contribute to more lifelike graphics which really pull you into the game.
That’s not to say that graphics are poor on handheld devices. Continuing advancements in technology have seen them go from strength to strength, and now you can enjoy a relatively exceptional experience on nothing more complicated than your smartphone. But there’s no denying that console graphics far exceed what’s possible on most handheld devices.
- Value for money
Given their superior game-running capabilities, consoles are more expensive than handheld devices. They also run off mains electricity, the cost of which is at an all-time high, and console games are at the higher end of the spectrum in terms of price.
Handheld options offer excellent value for money for gamers. Portable consoles are cheaper, rechargeable and give you access to high-quality games at a reduced cost. These days, most smartphones are also good enough for running games without lagging load times or pixelation, although you might find the battery life drains quickly if you’re running complex programmes.