The best game consoles of 2021: ranking of the best game consoles

Dendy Classic

an absolute classic;
very modest price;

no HDMI support;

Dendy is no longer the same.

Buy

[product-like]

SEGA Master Titan 3

2,500 rubles

A home retro console capable of running games from 8- and 16-bit consoles. 500 classic hits from the times of Dendy and Sega Megadrive are preinstalled in the memory. If this is not enough for you, the library can be expanded using an SD memory card.

The set includes two wired gamepads and an AV cable for connecting to TV. What else is needed for happiness? Unless it supports HDMI.

Sega Genesis Mini

The Sega Genesis Mini launched with 42 classic games running faster than the base Genesis at 60Hz. When the original Genesis was released, some games were region locked.

For example, Dyna Brothers 2 was only available in Japan. The Mini lets you play all versions of games, so you can enjoy classics you may have missed.

The emulation of older games is really good, you can save up to four save states per game, which are easily accessed by holding down the Start button. If you accidentally overwrite your saves, you can lock your save states to prevent this from happening.

However, the Sega Genesis Mini does have some problems, namely the sound effects that are seen in most games. Compared to the base Genesis, the music is of much lower quality.

Key Features:

• 40+ games
• SEGA Genesis Replica
• Exclusive games by region
• State saving function

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Sega
• Operating system: Linux
• Memory: 512 MB
• VR Support: Yes
• Resolution: 720p
• App Store: No
• Wifi: No
• Ports: USB, HDMI
• HDR support: No

Pros:

• There are two wired controllers
• Affordable price
• Original 4:3 aspect ratio or stretched to 16:9 widescreen

Minuses:

• Low quality sound

Denver GMP-240C

Denver GMP-240C

The original game console in snow-white color contains one hundred and fifty exciting games. It weighs 110 grams. It has a digital volume control and one built-in speaker.

Denver and 150 games

The buttons designed to control the game's game options are the D-pad. The diagonal of the liquid crystal display is 6.1 cm (2.4″). Screen resolution: 320 x 240 pixels. A great pocket option for fans of old-school arcade games.

Xbox One X

Xbox One X

Developers from Microsoft have placed the most powerful eight-core Scorpio Engine processor with a frequency of 2.3 GHz into the Xbox One X.

It has an advanced architecture, six teraflops of processing power, and a memory bandwidth of 326 gigabytes per second.

Limited Edition Xbox X

The special power supply technology operates on the personal voltage settings of all chipset processors, which has contributed to increased performance and reduced power consumption by the set-top box.

The size of the hard drive is 1 terabyte, and the RAM is 12 gigabytes. The attachment can be placed both vertically and horizontally.

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch Lite is the ideal console for gamers who enjoy a sleek and convenient portable system and don't need the docking mode that Nintendo Switch offers.

Although the name suggests it, the Nintendo Switch Lite is much lighter than its predecessor and has better battery life than the original console.

It's the perfect combination of size and power, offering all the fun of portable Switch gaming, giving you the ability to play anywhere, anytime.

While the Switch Lite is a great gadget, it is a little disappointing in that you can't play all the games available on the Nintendo Switch. It's not just a smaller, lighter model; There are still differences in compatibility.

Key Features:

• Free 7-day trial of Nintendo Switch Online
• 5.5" touch screen
• Runs all games supported on portable devices
• Choice of colors (yellow, grey, turquoise and coral)

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Nintendo
• Operating System: Nintendo Switch System Software
• Memory: 32 GB
• VR Support: Yes
• Resolution: 720p
• App Store: Nintendo eShop
• Wi-Fi: yes
• Ports: USB-C
• HDR support: No

Pros:

• Lighter and sleeker than Nintendo Switch
• Battery life is longer than Nintendo Switch consoles with XA serial numbers
• Easy to hold and play on the go

Minuses:

• No TV or tabletop mode

New 2DS XL

New 2DS XL

This portable device from Nintendo is made in the form of a folding book. Its dimensions are 160 x 163 x 20 millimeters, and it weighs 260 grams. Each panel has an LCD display.

The game console can be made in different colors, in particular, white and emerald. On the outer edge there are connectors for headphones and a power supply, a volume control function, and two video cameras.

New 2DS XL and Game Store

The duration of offline operation is determined by the type of games. A normal user can play for about ten hours; for games with more demanding settings, charging will last for three to four hours.

FAQ

How to connect a game console to a TV? Modern game consoles are equipped with an HDMI output - through it the console is connected to the TV with just one cable, which transmits both sound and picture.

Is it worth flashing a game console? I think it’s not worth it. And it’s not even about the dubious legality of this event. The fact is that:

1. Not every console can be flashed;
2. No one can guarantee you a successful firmware update, so there is a chance to get a rather expensive plastic brick instead of a console with free games;
3. It will not be possible to play online on a patched console;
4. There is always a chance that the hack will be discovered, and you will rightly be given a permanent ban.

In general, the result, in my opinion, is not worth the effort.

Is it worth buying a portable console if you have a smartphone? Is it worth buying ice cream if you have dumplings at home? A handheld console and a smartphone are different devices with different games, different controls, and different gaming experiences. You will never see either full-fledged “Pokemon” (Pokemon Go! doesn’t count, it’s a completely different game), or hits like Uncharted: Golden Abyss on your smartphone. Basically, the lot of mobile phones is casual runners and brainless clickers, to control which you need to move your finger across the screen. If you play occasionally and don’t consider yourself a hardcore gamer, then a smartphone will be enough for you. If you want full-fledged games and new sensations, take a pocket console.

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch is a powerful handheld console that offers a significant library of third-party games that allows players to enjoy newly released titles and nostalgic classics brought to the Nintendo system.

The console was originally released in 2021 and has since become one of the most popular handheld consoles. Using this gadget, you can play your favorite games on your mobile phone or TV.

The Switch is especially popular among casuals and platformers who like classics like Mario instead of Call of Duty. While replacement Joy-Con controllers aren't cheap, they provide the ability to play couch co-op games like Mario Party that the whole family will love.

The sleep button means you can save power on your Nintendo Switch while you're on the go, then quickly resume where you left off without having to reboot.

Key Features:

• Replacement Joy-Cons in a variety of colors
• TV mode
• Ergonomic design

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Nintendo
• Operating System: Nintendo Switch System Software
• Memory: 32 GB
• VR Support: Yes
• Resolution: 1080p
• App Store: Nintendo eShop
• Wi-Fi: yes
• Ports: USB (x3), HDMI
• HDR support: No

Pros:

• Joy-Cons have a built-in rechargeable battery
• Lightweight and portable
• Parental control

Minuses:

• Known issues with controller stuttering

PlayStation 5

If you have a PlayStation 4 or other console and want to take the step up to the next generation, PlayStation 5 offers advanced graphics technology, faster loading times, and a great collection of exclusive games.

If you've previously used a PS4, you'll no doubt be delighted by the console's backwards compatibility. This will allow you to play many digitally released PlayStation 4 games.

Although the new product can play 4K Blu-ray discs, unfortunately, Dolby Atmos is not supported here. With the PlayStation 5's massive appearance and hefty weight, you'll need to make plenty of room to accommodate it.

Key Features:

• Haptic feedback on the DualSense gamepad
• Tempest sound engine
• Adaptive Triggers

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Sony
• Operating system: Orbis OS
• Memory: 825 GB
• VR Support: Yes
• Resolution: 8K
• App Store: PlayStation Store
• Wi-Fi: yes
• Ports: USB-A (x3), USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI
• HDR support: Yes

Pros:

• PS5 Exclusive Games
• NVME 5.5 GB/s SSD
• Spectacular graphics

Minuses:

• No details on internal memory expansion
• Takes up a lot of space

Game Box 400 in 1

a heavy dose of eight-bit nostalgia;
very modest price;

low quality.

Buy

[product-like]

Dendy Classic

1,500 rubles

A real living classic, just like in the dashing nineties. The same body, the same packaging, even the sly cartoon elephant Dandy is the same. And what difference does it make that the company that once created the Dendy brand has already closed a hundred years ago?

The main feature here is the support for original cartridges, so if you still have them, you can make the immersion in nostalgia as complete as possible. And if there are none left, then 255 built-in games will most likely be enough for you. The only pity is that there is no support for HDMI or SD cards. However, 30 years ago they didn’t exist either: to be nostalgic is so nostalgic!