The 5 best gaming platforms in 2017
2017 may have gone by in the blink of an eye and it’s pretty hard to believe that it’s June already but with the speedy year has brought us some brilliant gaming platforms. E3 may have just finished and saw a major announcement from Microsoft, but the XBox One X is not out until the end of the year, so what do you buy in the meantime? Here are our top five picks.
PS4 Pro
The PS4 Pro supports the fastest Wi-Fi protocols and uses dual-band support so it can use both a 2.4GHz or 5GHz signal. This makes for a gameplay which is both smooth and ultra-quick.
The greatly enhanced bandwidth for Remote Play and Share Play options also allows you to stream gameplay over the internet so you can show off your best skills.
Both modes can share, stream and play at 1080p – a considerable rise on the standard 720p cap.
Xbox One S
The Xbox One X is due out in November, but with a £450 price tag, it’s on the high side of expensive! For a more affordable option, you might want to stick with the Xbox One S. This slick looking console is 40% smaller than the original brick-like model which became so recognisable. Overall, the design is smaller and cleaner, stark white with some suave plastic mouldings flanking the whole of the box.
Without question, this is Microsoft’s most attractive console yet.
Performance wise, it can display 4k video from streaming service, as well as Ultra HD Blu-rays with the ability to support HDR contrast on video and games. In other words, your favourite shows and games are clearer than ever.
And what’s better is that you don’t have to pay upfront…especially if you’re soon due for your next mobile upgrade. Many online retailers now offer the standard console as a sweetener for their smartphone contracts. Some sites like Mobile Phones Direct even stock the 1TB model on their free gifts page giving you significantly more storage space.
It’s worth pointing out too that the control is a lot more streamlined, with better range and textured grips – so no more blaming your controller when you concede a last-minute winner on FIFA!
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is latest video game console from Nintendo since the release of the Wii U back in 2012. The Japanese gaming giants have more than redeemed themselves for their protracted absence in the market.
The entire console is a simple 6.2-inch tablet with small controllers that are attachable to either side of the screen but can also be slid off to form two separate controllers for multiplayer use.
When you place the Switch in its dock, it will automatically switch to TV Mode so you can play your favourite games on the big screen while the console is charging – a nice little feature!
In terms of battery life, the Switch should last anywhere between 2.5 and 6.5 hours depending on which games you play. Needless to say, graphic heavy titles will consume the most battery life.
Nintendo 3DS XL
Another Nintendo name makes the list for the top five gaming platforms of 2017 and it’s easy to see why. The upgraded hardware makes for some much-improved 3D technology, with twice the RAM in addition to a faster processor.
The screen size is slightly increased from its predecessor. Ditto the resolution. Design wise, the console comes in a range of colours well beyond the previous options of black, blue, white or red.
The fact Nintendo now use face-tracking technology makes for more stable 3D images as the front-facing internal camera is able to detect viewing angles. The battery life is phenomenal and the unprecedented range of design options means your console will be completely unique.
PS4 Slim
This PS4 Slim is rounded as opposed to pointed at the end and is astonishingly thin. It runs flawlessly and is one of the smoothest (if not the smoothest) on the market. It also runs remarkably quietly in comparison to the original PS4.
It does warm up somewhat but the heat does not affect its gameplay and the system fans do their job competently. Conveniently, the Slim allows you to swap hard drives with ease, so any 2.5-inch laptop SATA drive up to 6TB should work just fine.
