Mia
In 2023, players enjoy some of the best conditions that the gaming industry has ever seen. The size and quality of new titles continue to push boundaries, particularly as developers and publishers seek to create ever bigger and more immersive content. Of course, not all players appreciate the growing proliferation of microtransactions, but there are many that enjoy the regular on-going content that this model provides.
However, while the creators of video games continue to push boundaries through their innovation, there are many things that also remain the same in the world of gaming. Perhaps none more so that the eternal debate about which platform is the best to play on.
Some argue that the PlayStation 5 offers the ultimate gaming experience, while others maintain that its rival from Microsoft is better. At the same time, PC gamers continue to assert that their computers are superior to any console, just as mobile players make similar claims about their smartphones and tablets.
But which one of them is right in 2023?
Computers Continue to Offer the Most Flexibility
If you want to game on your own terms, then a gaming PC is still your best bet. From being able to personally select each individual component inside your machine to the freedom to play practically any title on the planet, there really is no better degree of flexibility.
It’s not just the AAA blockbusters that you can find on PC, either. Fans of card games can enjoy a wide array of different poker variants thanks to leading online platforms like PokerStars. In addition to commonly-played versions like Texas Hold’em and five-card draw, you can also enjoy more niche options like Badugi, HORSE, and Courchevel, all of which can be played in a variety of formats, including cash games and tournaments.
In addition to a plethora of card games, PC players can enjoy millions more titles ranging from retro releases from the 1970s and 1980s to the latest games. Through backwards compatibility, emulation, and colossal catalogues like the Microsoft Store and Steam, there are more options than you could ever get through in a lifetime. If you’re playing on a budget, you can even take advantage of the many free options.
Consoles Offer Affordable and Accessible Blockbuster Gaming
While modern games consoles are more expensive, at least in cash terms, than they ever have been, they continue to be an affordable route for players to access the most recent releases from big-name publishers.
A high-end gaming PC can easily set you back several thousand dollars, but the base model PlayStation 5 can be picked up for just $400, while a more premium option is still only around $500.
Although the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles have fewer titles, there are still hundreds of great options available on both, including a healthy mix of old and new. However, the biggest selling point for these devices is their simplicity. Apart from an initial account setup process, you just need to plug them in, switch them on, and get straight to playing. There’s no need to mess about with drivers or any complicated configurations.
Smartphones Deliver the Best Gaming on the Go
In the past, if you wanted to play games away from home, you either needed a portable console like the Game Boy or an expensive gaming laptop with a short battery life. This is no longer the case as smartphones have stepped up to supply a superb gaming experience on the go.
While not quite on par with the graphics and size of the latest AAA releases for PCs and consoles, mobile games still offer decent visuals, complex mechanics, and immersive storylines. Some even have cross-platform play that allows you to compete with or against friends on other devices, including in famous games like Fortnite, Among Us, Roblox, and Hearthstone.
But, of course, the biggest advantage of smartphones is the ability to pick up your phone, tap an icon, and enjoy a gaming session from practically anywhere in the world. Many modern mobile gaming apps require an internet connection to use all of their features, but there are also plenty of options that include offline modes so you really can take your gaming anywhere you want.
