I used to be a PC-only gamer but the older I get the more I gravitate toward very ‘simple’ platforms.
Because my gaming time slots can be unpredictable and sometimes short I can’t take too much time setting things up.
I was surprised to find that I use the Nintendo Switch a lot because the games are on cartridges (usually few to no downloading needed) and I can continue playing the game when I am away from home. Really surprising, considering I bought it out of curiosity in 2017 and that it is in some ways underpowered compared to my other devices- I never had a Nintendo ‘home’ console before that.
I thought of adding the PS4 to this mention however recently I’ve been avoiding playing it due to the constant updates. The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update . It really kind of ruined my first session.
What are your experiences and your preferred devices?
PC. Because:
- Better controller support—I’m not limited to what MS or Sony deem as “certified” or “authorized” hardware. Most of the really good hardware (VKB, Virpil, Arduino) will never be available for consoles and what little is available is bad at best.
- Best sims are PC only (DCS, Il-2, E:D, X series, Hunternet etc)
- Sims support 3rd party auxiliary software (TacView, EDDiscovery, OMH, EDMC etc) for better experience and that’s simply not going to be possible on consoles, ever.
- For other games, modding experience on PC is simply better. SKSE and ENB is what keeps Skyrim going and makes it still relevant 13 years later. Can’t have this kind of code injection and wrappers on consoles.
- If I ever get into retrogaming, emulation is the way, especially since actually acquiring retro console games in their original physical format is bound to become a very expensive collector’s hobby if you don’t have your own collection from childhood already or don’t have local second-hand options.
My laptop is pretty portable, I just carry my hdmi and controllers with me and can hook it up anywhere to play some games. Want to watch some movies too? I gotchu. Pc all the way man.
I have a gaming desktop, personally, with a relatively light laptop I picked primarily for repairability and battery life.
My laptop can’t really game, but it can run Moonlight like a champ. I have a Raspberry Pi setup as a VPN and the gaming desktop has Wake On LAN, so I can have Baldur’s Gate 3 up and running in a couple minutes from anywhere with internet.
In my mid 50’s. I use a steam deck and my PC running Linux.
Just turned 50, same! Plus a PS5 because previous generations had good exclusives and I expected the same this gen.
I’ve been considering switching my PC over to Linux as well. Would you recommend it from your experience? Anything you’d do differently if you could?
I’m not the OP but I just built a gaming PC and switched to Linux. No regrets so far. I picked Mint and it went smoothly. Just had to install more updated graphics drivers.
Similar for me. I went with PopOS this time, and it all just works. I’m thinking of switching to KDE Neon, just because I’m a KDE fan. One piece of advice I have is to have your home directory on it’s own so that if you do switch distros, you just install to the system drive and you don’t affect your data.
Early 40s and same.
Based Unix coomer
I’m not sure what your definition of “older” is, but I’m past my 20s so I probably qualify.
I really like my Steam Deck. I have a Switch as well, but I only use it for exclusives. The Deck is great because it lives next to my bed and I can easily pick it up and play pretty much anything on it.
I used to love my desktop PC, but I keep feeling like I should be productive instead of playing games when I’m on it, and it’s just not as comfy as laying in bed.
Then again, I’m a grumpy Linux user since 15-ish years, so using locked down consoles is offensive to me.
Same here. I have a gaming laptop that sees the majority of my play time but the Steam Deck is perfect for picking up where I left off in bed or chilling on the couch with my partner instead of being shut away in my office.
Steam Deck
So PC
Yet another dude in his 40s here using a Steam Deck. I travel a lot for work so something portable and easy to just pick up for a short period is important. It has run pretty much every game I’ve wanted to play flawlessly.
2nd
Also my axe, additionally.
I guess I’m in the older segment as I’m in my 40’s, and still basically exclusively a pc-guy, making a slow but somewhat sure transition over to penguin themed os from windows.
I do play some older console games (via emulation), adventure games (scummvm <3) and quite a bit of modern pc singleplayer/coop titles. My go-to launchers are Steam and GOG.
Sure, pc maintenance can be a lot at times, but I’m a nerd and tinker on my pc a lot anyway, so it just happens.
Steam Deck (so technically PC).
I can lay down on the couch while my SO watches some show on the TV I am not interested in but depending on the game, I can still follow the general story so we can discuss and react to things together. Enabled me to finally do some more gaming (~1 hour per evening) again (compared to a few hour per month previously).
I’ve got some young kids and the Steam Deck makes it a lot easier to take them places and keep myself (or them) entertained. It also means I can get some game time in while they watch their shows.
Best part was taking it in vacation, plugging it into a TV, and using it like a console we all play together. It felt like I was sitting on the floor playing N64 with my siblings again lol.
I’ve loved having this thing. I still do more gaming on my PC but I’m glad I bought it.
Glad to hear thay! Can you give some examples of the games you played with the kids? I’m trying to find titles like that
The kids really like the beat em ups like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Streets of Rage. They also like Wobbly Life and Wobbledogs (though you will probably want a mouse for that one). N+ was a hit too.
Of course I’ve got some emulated stuff too and you can’t go wrong with Super Mario World, Golden Axe, or Gauntlet Legends.
It is honestly the best “pick up and play” platform. I love how everything just pauses when you lock the screen.
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I grew up with SNES and N64 era, so maybe I’m old enough?
PC. Consoles are too much to deal with. Cartridges are probably better than discs, but either having to change games in either is probably gonna make me choose to just not play instead. With PC, everything is just a few clicks away.
You can use digital downloads with consoles too. I don’t see how PCs are easier than consoles.
First you have to switch devices from the PC to the console to use it.
Our computers can play games from what, 20, 30 consoles?
PC. I only touched my series X lately to clean the dust off.
I like modding games and just a few games support mods on Xbox. I bought it when graphic card prices went up astronomically. After I got me an 6750XT haven’t played on the Xbox. Also older games run @30FPS or some half assed resolution on Xbox. Meh.
I used to game a lot on a desktop, but now that I work at home, I kinda hate sitting in front of a PC. I wasnt playing a lot, but then got a steam deck at launch, and now I’m gaming a ton again.
I like the switch, but I really like how backwards compatible PC gaming is.
Console (xbox, ps, switch) because i got tired of buying a new gpu or whatever upgrade for pc every couple of months. Now i dont have to stress for updated drivers or if it crashes because windows wants something done at the most fucked up time. Just sit in my comfy chair turn it on and play. Dont have time for all the other bs.
Huh. I built my PC with mid-level specs 3 years ago and haven’t upgraded anything but RAM and storage. Didn’t even need either for gaming…
Why so often? I just updated my almost 10 year old PC that had one gpu upgrade in its life, and was still happily playing the 10 year old games I wanted to play.
Then I got the new PC with decent specs and decided to push its limits with some Stardew Valley.
I’m the same way but I bought one of those mini pcs that has a laptop cpu/gpu in it, installed ChimeraOS on it which essentially turned it into a steamdeck.
I have that hooked up to my living room tv and it’s my main gaming device. It’s essentially a console. I never upgrade anything. It runs what I play at 1080p with med or high settings.
Suits me just fine. I mainly just want to sit on my couch and game on the TV instead of being at a desk like I did years ago.
Oh thats a good idea. I do find that some games i miss out on because there not on console… this is a good idea. What mini pc did you get?
The Minisforum HX80G. That’s the older model. They have the HX99G, HX100G and others now. They all range in price but Amazon has sales.
I picked mine up for $650.
Tnx gonna check that out.
Unfortunately, with the current popularity of digital downloads, consoles aren’t great for patient gaming because they rarely give a good discount for older titles on their online stores (especially nintendo).
As time goes on I lean more and more into PC gaming with emulation for older systems. Resistant to hardware and disks/cartridges failing and there are fewer concerns with online functionality going away completely. There’s a lot to like about the Switch but with it being literally their only console that still has any online features, I have serious concerns about longevity.
