10 best gaming consoles from S$199 to buy: PS5, Xbox X, Nintendo Switch and more
As the year approaches a close, many of us are looking to kick back, relax and give ourselves a little treat for a job well done for 2023. One of our favourite methods of kicking back is to get lost in a video game or two. Games are fundamentally pleasurable experiences that stimulate the reward centre in our brains. They also let us imagine ourselves as our favourite football team in FIFA 23, race friends in Mario Kart, catch insects in Animal Crossing or own a make-believe restaurant in Overcooked!.
While a desktop computer or a laptop should suffice for most individual games, there’s nothing like the experience afforded by gaming consoles. Not only can you play games on a bigger screen such as your television, but games on these devices also allow for multiplayer games that enhance the fun through shared experiences with friends and family — perfect if you host parties and gatherings often.
Ahead, we share with you the various types of gaming consoles and the best in each category, with a range to suit everyone from beginners to hardcore gamers. Want to elevate your home gaming sessions? We’ve also included virtual reality headsets for a more immersive gaming experience.
Video Game Consoles
Nintendo Switch Console ($329)
- Comes with a set of Joy-Con controllers
- Compatible with all Nintendo Switch games
- Can be docked to the Nintendo Switch Dock to have video output to a TV
- 4GB RAM and 32GB storage that can be expanded with microSD
- Approximately 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life
There was the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS before the company launched the Nintendo Switch in March 2017, which revived Nintendo as a frontrunner in the gaming world. The easy-to-use and fabulously portable Switch can be used in three ways — handheld, tabletop or connected to the television with the Nintendo Dock and a HDMI cable. The dock also has a built-in wired LAN port to connect to the Internet for online gaming. Finally, the Nintendo Switch has a Joy-Con controller set for multiplayer gaming. Nintendo Switch Console ($329). Shop now
Nintendo Switch OLED Console ($372)
- Larger screen compared to the original Switch
- Can play all Nintendo Switch games and comes with a set of Joy-Con controllers (with haptic feedback)
- Can be docked to the Nintendo Switch Dock to have video output to a TV
- 4GB RAM and 64GB storage that can be expanded with microSD
- Approximately 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life
The newer Nintendo OLED series was released in October 2021. It has the same functionalities and portability as the OG Nintendo Switch, but now comes with a larger, OLED-powered screen that has a brighter, crisper display. Because of the bigger screen, not all games will fit neatly with the new parameters and look different. The OLED model also has more storage space of 64GB compared to Switch and Switch Lite’s 32GB. Nintendo Switch OLED Console ($372). Shop now
Sony PlayStation 5 Console Disc Edition ($799)
- Ultra-high-speed SSD with Integrated I/O
- Supports both 4K and 8K output
- Supports 3D audio with the appropriate TV speakers or headphones
- Disc drive able to play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs
A step up from the already popular PlayStation 4, the PlayStation 5 boasts better visual quality with 4K output, greater RAM, more memory storage space and faster processing speeds. This disc model can also play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Those who own PS4 can rest assured that most of their games will be able to play on the newer, more powerful PS5. Meanwhile, the DualSense wireless controller with the PS5 offers haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that vibrate and interact with what’s happening in the game. Sony PlayStation 5 Console Disc Edition ($799). Shop now
Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ($669)
- Ultra-high-speed SSD with Integrated I/O
- Supports both 4K and 8K output
- Supports 3D audio with the appropriate TV speakers or headphones
- No disc drive, fully digital
If you’re looking to save some money, consider the Digital edition of the PlayStation 5. It has all the same features and specifications as the Disc model except for not having a disc drive to play physical media. All games will have to be downloaded before playing on the Digital edition, which could ultimately mean that you can store fewer games and data in comparison. Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ($669). Shop now
- Custom SSD and integrated software powering up to 120 frames per second with 12 teraflops of graphic processing power
- Supports True 4K and 8K HDR
- 3D Spatial Sound and supports gaming in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Disc drive able to play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs
The serious competitor to Sony’s PlayStation has always been Microsoft’s Xbox, both released in November 2020. Xbox X is the more powerful model of the two that launched, which offers 4K visuals, more RAM and memory space and faster processing times. Likewise, most Xbox games you currently own while playing on older models are compatible with the Xbox X. The Xbox Wireless Controller was also upgraded in the form of a new D-pad and textured grips. Xbox Series X ($799). Shop now
- Less RAM and slower processing speed than Series X
- Supports 1440p
- 3D Spatial Sound and supports gaming in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Fully digital; no disc drive
Similarly, Xbox has a more wallet-friendly model in the form of the Xbox Series S. The lower price tag comes with a less powerful visual quality of 1440p and lower RAM and processing speeds. There is also no disc drive in the Series S as it is a fully digital model. But with savings of $240, the Xbox Series S could be a great starter or gift to someone who isn’t a hardcore gamer. The Xbox S also has a slimmer profile than the Xbox X. Xbox Series S ($539). Shop now
Handheld Gaming Consoles
Nintendo Switch Lite Console ($199.27)
- Can only play Handheld games unless you connect separate Joy-Con controllers
- Cannot be docked to the Nintendo Switch Dock
- 4GB RAM and 32GB storage that can be expanded with microSD
- Approximately 3 to 7 hours of battery life
Launched in September 2019, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the cheapest of the three Switch models as it only has a Handheld mode. Consequently, only games supporting said mode are available to play on this model. You can, however, connect separate Joy-Con controllers with it to play non-Handheld games as the Lite does not come with them. It is also the lightest of the bunch with the smallest touchscreen size (5.5 inch as compared to Swtich’s 6.2 inch and OLED’s 7.0 inch). Nintendo Switch Lite Console ($199.27). Shop now
- 7-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback controls
- 16GB RAM and either 64, 256 or 512GB storage that can be expanded with microSD
- Approximately 2 to 8 hours of battery life
People who play computer games will easily recognise Steam, Valve's video game distribution service. In February 2022, they released their handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck. The main appeal of the Steam Deck is the ability to access your existing library of games and play them on the go. Each game, however, has a varying compatibility with the Steam Deck, which the device will let you know of the experience you can expect to have while playing on it. The machine does not have a HDMI port but you can use a USB-C adapter or the Steam Dock to connect it to the television or a bigger screen. Valve Steam Deck 512GB ($899). Shop now
Virtual Reality Headsets
- 4K+ Infinite Display, or 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye, and 3D audio
- Touch Plus controllers and Direct Touch give you precise control
- Over 500 applications available
- Up to 2.2 hours of battery life
Virtual reality, or VR, is one of the newer ways to gaming and it offers a more immersive experience than other gaming consoles listed here. The Quest 3 headset, which the company touts as providing a mixed reality experience that includes VR, was created by Meta, Facebook’s parent company. The model was unveiled in June 2023. There are also accessories you can add to maximise the comfort and fit. Bonus: You can even wear them over glasses. Choose between the 128GB or 512GB iterations. Meta Quest 3 (from $999). Shop now
- 4K HDR visuals, or 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye, 110 degrees field of view and 3D audio
- Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and finger touch detection
- Connected to PlayStation 5 via USB-C
Get the PlayStation VR2 if you own a PS5 and want to enrich your gaming experience with virtual reality. The headset was released in February 2023 and can work with several games, with many more on the way. The headsets have sensors that track your eye movements and vibrate with feedback. It works with the accompanying VR2 Sense controllers for the complete VR gaming experience. PlayStation VR2 ($924.05). Shop now
