Best Gaming Consoles for Beginners in 2024

Getting started in gaming can feel overwhelming with the variety of consoles on the market. For beginners, it’s essential to choose a console that’s user-friendly, offers a great library of games, and fits your budget. Here’s a breakdown of the best gaming consoles for beginners in 2024.

1. Nintendo Switch OLED- Gaming

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Portability: The hybrid design lets you play on the go or dock it to a TV.
Family-Friendly Games: Titles like Animal Crossing, New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and The Legend of Zelda cater to all age groups.
Simple Controls: Intuitive Joy-Cons make it easy for new players to pick up and play.

Features

Stunning 7-inch OLED screen for vibrant visuals.
Large library of casual, family-friendly, and indie games.
Affordable compared to other consoles.

Price: $349.99

Pros

Hybrid Design: Switches easily between handheld and TV mode, offering unmatched versatility.
Great for All Ages: Family-friendly games like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing appeal to beginners of all ages.
Portability: Light and easy to take anywhere, perfect for gaming on the go.
Massive Game Library: Access to exclusive titles and indie gems.
Affordable: Offers a budget-friendly entry into gaming without sacrificing too much quality.

Cons

Graphics Limitations: While great for portable it doesn’t have the same graphical power as PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Storage: Limited internal storage, which might require an external SD card for extensive game collections.
Multiplayer: While great for local multiplayer, online play often requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

2. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition- Gaming Console

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Digital Convenience: No need for physical discs, everything is downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
Exclusive Games: Access to beginner-friendly exclusives like Astro’s Playroom (pre-installed) and other top-rated title.
DualSense Controller: Offers haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for an immersive gaming experience.

Features

Supports 4k gaming for stunning visuals.
Backward compatibility with many PS4 games.
PlayStation Plus subscription provides free monthly games and multiplayer access.

Price: $399.99

Pros

Next-Level Graphics: 4k gaming with stunning visuals and smooth performance.
DualSense Controller: Features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for a highly immersive experience.
Games: Access to critically acclaimed exclusives like Demon’s Souls, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Ratchet & Clank.
Future-Proof: With its impressive hardware, it’s set for years of high-quality gaming.

Cons

Price: At $399.99, it’s one of the more expensive entry points for beginners.
Digital-Only: No disc drive, so you must rely on digital downloads for all games.
Availability: Due to high demand, it might difficult to find at regular price.
Bulkier Size: Larger than the Xbox Series S, making it less compact for smaller spaces.

3. Xbox Series S- Gaming Console

Why It’s Great for Beginners

Budget-Friendly: One of the most affordable next-gen consoles.
Game Pass: Access to a vast library of games for a low monthly fee.
Compact Design: Smaller size makes it easy to fit in any space.

Features

Digital-only console with no disc drive.
Optimized for 1440p resolution and 120fps gameplay.
Ideal for casual gamers who want variety without spending much upfront.

Price: $299.99

Pros

Affordability: At $299.99, it’s the most budget-friendly next-gen console, making it a great choice for beginners.
Game Pass: Offers incredible value with access to a vast library of over 100 games through Xbox Game Pass for a low monthly fee.
Compact Design: Smaller and more portable than other next-gen consoles, fitting easily into tight spaces.
Backward Compatibility: Play Xbox One games and a selection of Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles.

Cons

Lower Storage: Comes with only 512GB of internal storage, which is quite limiting with modern game sizes.
Graphics Limitations: While it runs at 1440p, it’s not as powerful as the Series X or PS5, making it less ideal for those seeking 4k gameplay.
Digital-Only: No disc drive, so all games must be downloaded.

4. Steam Deck- Gaming

Why it’s Great for Beginners

Portable PC Gaming: Perfect for those who want to explore PC gaming without the complexity of building a gaming rig.
Indie-Friendly: Access to countless affordable indie games on Steam.
Customizable: Offers flexibility to tweak settings as you grow more experienced.

Features:

Runs most PC games seamlessly on a handheld device.
Multiple models with varying storage capacities (64GB, 256GB, 512GB).
Can be connected to a monitor or TV for a console-like experience.

Price: Starting at $399

Pros

Gaming: The steam deck offers a full PC gaming experience in a portable handheld form.
Customizable: You can tweak settings, install mods, or even install other software like Windows.
Huge Game Library: Access to all the games available on Steam, including indie games and AAA titles.
Multifunctional: Can be connected to a TV or monitor, transforming it into a console-like experience.

Cons

Price: Starting at $399, it’s not as affordable as other beginner-friendly consoles.
Battery Life: Heavy games can drain the battery quickly, limiting portable gaming sessions.
Size: It’s bigger and bulkier than a Nintendo Switch, making it less portable in certain situations.
Complexity: While beginner-friendly for casual PC gamers, it may be overwhelming for those new to the world of PC gaming.

5. Xbox Series X- Gaming Console

Why it’s Great for Beginners

All-in-One Entertainment: Functions as a powerful gaming console and media center.
Game Pass Ultimate: Provides access to hundreds of games, including beginner-friendly titles like Minecraft and Forza Horizon 5.
Backward Compatibility: Play games from all previous Xbox generations.

Features

4k gaming and Blu-ray support for stunning graphics.
Robust ecosystem for online gaming and cross-platform play.
Ideal for those who want a high-end experience with room to grow as a gamer.

Price:$499.99

Pros

Powerful Hardware: The Xbox series X is one of the most powerful consoles, delivering stunning 4k gaming at up to 120ps
Game Pass Ultimate: Includes Xbox Game Pass, which gives you access to hundreds of games.
Backward Compatibility: Supports games from all previous Xbox generations.
Great for Media: Plays 4k Blu-ray discs and supports various media apps for entertainment.

Cons

Price: At $499.99, it’s significantly more expensive than the Xbox Series S, making it less budget-friendly.
Size: The console is large and may be difficult to fit in smaller spaces.
Limited Exclusives: Xbox is known for strong third-party games but lacks the quantity and prestige of Play Station’s exclusives.

How to Choose the Right Console for You?

Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend. The Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch are great for lower budgets.
Gaming Preferences: If you prefer casual or family-friendly games, go for the Switch. For immersive, high-quality experiences, choose the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Portability: The Switch and Steam Deck are ideal for gaming on the go.
Subscription Services: Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus offer excellent value for beginners looking to explore a variety of games.

Conclusion

Each console offers a different entry point into gaming, and choosing the best one depends on your preferences, budget, and the type of gaming experience you’re after. The Nintendo Switch OLED and Xbox Series S are great for beginners on a budget, while the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series X provide high-end performance.

If you’re new to gaming, consider what feature matter most to you whether it’s portability, exclusive games, or affordability and choose accordingly.