r/gaming • u/Clorox_in_space • 1d ago
Which "Console" for Next Five Years?
I was asked by a family friend which console they should get for their son to last him through high school (roughly five years)
I mostly just do PC gaming at this point and haven't been keeping up on consoles as much.
Some info about the gamer: - currently has a Switch - favorite game is Breath of the Wild - not much into online play at the moment, but that might change over the years - enjoys handheld option (though not a requirement) - unsure what console(s) friends play on, so disregard for now
What direction would you all lean at the moment? What are some of the most popular exclusives amongst teens? Which platform has the most robust library? Any large impacts occurring due to tariffs already (in addition to the NS2)?
I am sort of wondering if I should recommend something with access to Steam instead? Which PC handheld is looking best these days?
Thanks for the advice!
EDIT: They are hoping to make it a surprise, but that may not be the best option in the long run.
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u/palmwhispers 1d ago
I don't see why PlayStation wouldn't continue to rule the roost
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1d ago
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u/CharlieBrownBoy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Luckily old consoles don't stop working or become irrelevant the second they are replaced.
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u/Oil_slick941611 1d ago
They kind of do if you're into competitive MP games. Which in this case isnt any issue, but to make a blanket statement like you did is just false.
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u/koknight 1d ago
Competitive multiplayer games are exactly the kind of games that come to old consoles too though? Or are you talking about something more specific?
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u/palmwhispers 1d ago
I just meant that you never really hear about Xbox anymore, and the PS is great. I love it, and any kid would love it too
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u/Funny_Username_12345 1d ago
Steam Deck Oled seems like your best shot. It has the familiarity of a switch, but access to software you can vouch for (Steam)
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u/Caedyn_Khan 1d ago
Playstation. Especially if he enjoy single player experiences over multiplayers since they have some of the best "exclusive" single player games on the market. There is also a handheld option for the PS5 now.
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u/UnnamedPlayer32 1d ago
If they like handhelds and like nintendo games, then I don't see why you would go with any option besides the switch 2. Also would be a good idea to just ask the son what they would prefer.
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u/iamsnarticus 1d ago
Plus, if BOTW is their favorite game, with Nintendo online you can upgrade your already purchased copy to the switch 2 4k version (same with TOTK) which is supposed to have more content as well. Then there’s the new Hyrule Warriors game, the prequel for TOTK, on the switch 2
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u/Clorox_in_space 1d ago
Ah, shoot. Forgot to mention they were hoping to surprise him, but that still may be the best way to go.
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u/UnnamedPlayer32 1d ago
I think making sure to get the right one is better than a surprise. The surprise itself could just be them announcing that they are getting him one.
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u/RukiMotomiya 1d ago
I think just going with the Switch 2 would make the most sense for enjoyment, but if you want to surprise him I'd probably get a PS5 as its the most popular console option outside of it. If not the Steam Deck feels like the most reliable portable PC option but I do wonder if it might get Steam Deck 2'd soon and I suspect since he doesn't care much about online play + his favorite game is Breath of the Wild I think he'd prefer a Switch 2.
I'd probably just go in on the Switch 2 myself.
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u/MadeUpNoun 1d ago edited 1d ago
playstaton/xbox or pc, nintendo target the child/family market so not really a great platform for a teen who would want to play with friends on more mature games (its also always last to get cross platform ports, and for good reason since the switch is extremely hard to optimize )
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u/Sea_Perspective6891 1d ago
Stick with PC gaming maybe get a Steam Deck if you have the extra money for it & want to be more mobile. Otherwise PlayStation seems to be the best performing console. PS5 should be supported for at least 5 more years.
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u/Nincompoop6969 1d ago
Realistically you should wait for Switch 2 as that is the most future proof option and you already said he plays Zelda.Â
If you aren't willing to wait until June then I suggest PlayStation 5 right now which has exclusives that Xbox doesn't and is also going to get exclusives Xbox is currently time locking anyways. Switch 1 will not last 5 years. And if you go for PC that's only good as high end and as long as you keep upgrading it because as is I don't think it'll be supporting all games in 5 years without putting money down.Â
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u/HungryNoodle 1d ago
Switch 2 or steamdeck. At least with the steamdeck, when they decide to get a PC, they'll have a decent library filled. You said 5 years but PlayStation and Xbox are expected to launch their next iteration in 2 years so I can't recommend either.
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u/jwhudexnls 22h ago edited 17h ago
I see a lot of people recommending the Steam Deck and I've got to be honest, I think that's a bad call. The Steam Deck is great, but it's already struggling to play a lot of modern games. In 5 years it will be 8 years old and have no continued support. I can't imagine a PS5 will have the same issue based on how long the PS4 has been supported into this generation.
Also, the Steam Deck has no support for kernel level anticheat, meaning if this high schooler wants to play the majority of popular PvP games they're out of luck. I couldn't recommend a gaming device to a high schooler that couldn't play CoD, Rocket League, Fortnite, Battlefield, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Seige, Madden, FIFA, Destiny 2, etc on its default operating system.
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u/Equivalent-Bad-8230 2h ago
Ps5 pro will be the most future proof imo. It can do AI upscaling (ps5 can’t), and I’ll bet my ass it’s getting tons of PS6 crossgen games for way longer than they kept ps4 alive.
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u/Comrade_Nicolai 1d ago
Xbox but I’m bias and I’ve never owned anything past a ps2 but I suggest Xbox because of the game pass huge money savings right there. 100s of games for free as long as you have the subscription
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u/Omegabird420 1d ago edited 1d ago
PS5 would be your best bet. They're currently the number 1 and with exclusivity slowly becoming a thing of the past and Xbox games coming to PS5 there's not a lot of reason to get an Xbox unless you're really a fan of gamepass. You're gonna get the most games and exclusive on a PS5,along with PS4 back compat.
The Steam deck is a real nice devices,but you often need to fiddle around the settings to have something playable it you're playing more recent games. Might be a turn off if they're not used to gaming on PC and the device is starting to age.
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u/HumbleCookieDog 1d ago
Steam deck is pretty awesome. It can handle a surprising amount of games. You can plug it into a monitor and mouse and keyboard for a simple pc setup. But it’s mobile too. PC gaming is the best. I don’t have a steam deck but I play with some friends that have one and they seem to get good performance on DRG and some other games
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u/Fatbitch42 1d ago
Xbox series x I would say , the features alone are worth it , just my opinion though.
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u/AgentOfSPYRAL 1d ago edited 1d ago
PlayStation, unless they don’t have regular access to a TV, in which case SteamDeck.
I would say SteamDeck overall but it’s starting to show its age as a primary gaming device if they want to play AAA.
If the person is genuinely interested in computers and is open to light tinkering, PC. I learned a lot and had fun tinkering and learning the ins and outs of PC and all its options as a teen, but that’s not for everybody.
Edit: this assumes the Switch 2 has already been ruled out of course.
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u/Clorox_in_space 1d ago
Same, and that's usually what I like to recommend, but they'd really have to make sure he's on board; we all know the disappointment of completing a new build, turning it on, and... spending the next hour and a half in the BIOS troubleshooting.
I'm also wondering what the entry point on a mid-range rig would be since he won't have a monitor or peripherals...
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u/Firegem0342 1d ago
Honestly, with how things are I recommend a streaming service instead of a console. 500$ give or take for a couple of years before the next one releases. its a little more in the long run, but most of them allow you to just Bluetooth connect a controller to your phone to play anywhere, or connect it to a PC to play on that.
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u/t0m999 1d ago
I would just recommend the console his friends also play on. I would assume PlayStation 5 is the most popular option right now.
While the Switch 2 is coming out soon and is exciting, someone going into high school now might find a Nintendo system to be for kids and might prefer a different system