I'm getting back into video games and mostly want to play old shit. My options are:
>Series X
>PS4
>Steam Deck
Privacy/offline capability is an important factor for me, and the PS4 can play most games from disc, even if it has no backwards compatibility. The Series X is a DRM nightmare and I don't want to make a microsoft account. The Steam Deck is probably the worst value for money, as I don't care for the portable meme, and the only one that has been in stock for weeks is the £569 model. Currently, I want to play LA Noire (available on all 3 systems) and MGS 2 and 3 (available on Series X and Steam Deck, the new rerelease isn't coming to PS4 which is stupid). Any help in deciding is appreciated.
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How important are PC features? (Mods, controller support, sourceports, etc.)
for new games, are you more indie or AAA?
And for older games, PC games scale better, games that have backwards compatibility on series X, would be considered worse than the PC version on a weaker PC.
Some factors to look at.
>How important are PC features? (Mods, controller support, sourceports, etc.)
Not very: I'm a casual. I haven't played games properly in several years.
>for new games, are you more indie or AAA?
Hmm. I haven't been interested in any recent release, possibly Disco Elysium, but probably more indie, given that crap AAA titles were the main reason I took a break.
>And for older games, PC games scale better, games that have backwards compatibility on series X, would be considered worse than the PC version on a weaker PC.
Thanks- just to note, I can't actually get a PC where I'm currently living, for lack of room: I can still get a deck, and possibly dock it when I move house, as I won't be playing anything demanding. Maybe Euro Truck Simulator 2, which I didn't mention.
However, xbox back compat just werks. Steam Deck apparently needs a lot of fiddling on a game-by-game basis, and requires extra forum browsing to find presets etc. I'm not sure I want to have to deal with that when my time is so limited.
Just get a PS4 then in that case.
I'd miss MGS Sons of Liberty, but I suppose it's not worth paying an additional £200 for that convenience.
That's fine.
And it's hard cause for older games and indies, a deck is probably alot better, but im not sure you really want a PC, which although the deck does have alot of console-like comforts, is still a PC, just customized.
>Thanks- just to note, I can't actually get a PC where I'm currently living, for lack of room
Why not buy a gaming laptop then? There is a decent chance, it's going to be superior performance-wise to recent consoles and if you have the room for a PS4 + TV, you have the room for a laptop.
or a small office PC. or a nucbox.
Buy an XSX unless you care about any PS exclusives as it is cheaper than a PS5 in most countries.
bros I have a massive exam on Friday but after that, I'm finally free!
I got Rare Replay for a good price recently and can't wait to replay B&T (without the lag). I replayed and beat B&K a few months back but dropped B&T at Grunty Industries due to the lag and and annoying load times/traversal etc. The dino level was already quite painful but I'm always excited to go back to my faves.
Also OP; if I were you - budget allowing - I would build a gaming PC (~1000$), which gets you Series X level performance + free games, + unlimited backwards compatibility, + free games (piracy), + best deals if youre a buygay, + mods & fixes and will last easily last you into the next generation.
If thats not an option - I would unironically get a PS4 Pro and install CFW - which lets you play almost all new releases and even PS5 games (barring what, Ratchet and Demons Souls?) for free and pretty much right after release.
That's what I keep recommending my normie/noob friends but no one is listening.
All they talk about is
>dude PS5, dude
So yeah, PS4 with CFW is the way to go
yea just wait 5 hours to install a game !
save some money and build a pc
Honestly, this. Even a mid-tier desktop has access to most console games, and can play everything from old gens too, as well as all PC games, obviously.
And would be cheap, if you bought some of the older parts.
if you want to go the super cheapo option, like I did for my "legacy gaming" PC, just check around thrift stores or second hand shops, of facebook marketplace. Offices throw old PCs every year, and all you really have to do is still an old-ish graphics card in them, and you're good to go.
That will last you a few years. Your issue is your ancient cpu that will bottleneck your pc. It's better to invest into a pc with a great cpu and a midrange gpu than a pc that will become useless.
I think you misunderstand. Offices get rid of PCs every year or so. That "ancient CPU" will be around a year or two old.
>invest
it really annoys me when morons say this
For older games, a gaming PC with retroarch is simply going to be much better than any other system. You will not only be able to play the game but also make it more authentic with things like crt royale.
Other than that, the PS4 is the best option.
Buy Switch or Steam Deck
PC is the obvious choice here, there is nothing better for playing both old and new games.
You can emulate all console games up to and including PS3 games with a PC.
Why PS4 and not PS5? There's no reason to buy an old-gen console at this point.
As for PS5 vs. Series X, they are roughly the same. They share 99.9% of the library.
>I don't care for the portable meme
No reason to get Steam Deck then. You can build a much faster PC for the same amount of money.
Nintendo Switch if you want actual games
PC so you can emulate GC and PS2 as well
Get a gaming laptop + a gamepad.
The best choice.
Failing that, the Deck.
Consoles became 100% obsolete and turbo-jewy scammy a decade ago, and they're only cranking up the scam shit while cranking up the prices. Not to mention ALL console games are now coming to PC by default.
>Consoles became 100% obsolete and turbo-jew
Fair point, but I can buy one from a store, and unless it's an xbox series s/x, I can play it without trace. Steam, OTOH, collects a shit ton of data about you like facebook does, I know there is offline mode but it still collects and takes your play data when you inevitably reconnect to the internet to install a patch or whatever. I know there is piracy and you don't have to use steam, but that sort of defeats the point of the ease of use.
And no, I don't have a GMAIL account, or whatever: I jump through hoops to maintain as much digital privacy as possible, before the encroachment on convenience becomes too much to bare. I think this is a fair concern with steam, and is certainly more talmudic than the consoles in this regard. They can be used permanently offline, without ever connecting to the internet, and MOST games come complete on the disc.
>mostly want to play old shit
>My options are (current consoles)
Lmao just get a PS3 (slim) for $50, they're trivial to softmod and the games you want to play are all on there.
PS4 will get you most of the modern games and a library of PS4 exclusives -despite being a tad small- as well as access to most of Sony's recent games and continued 3rd party support for a low price. You might even be able to grab software cheap used and in bargain bins. If your laptop is okay or your PC, you could probably get the M collection. I'd recommend the Legacy Collection on PS3 if you have one- though MGS1 is a digital code, so that might not work.
*also this anon
is correct in providing the Switch as an option. Look into it. Classic games and indies that don't need major power that are ported to it get you portability. First party games- if they're to your taste- are fantastic and plentiful. Those are expensive and stick to MSRP, but that also applies in the used market. Nintendo games tend to be the only ones that consistently keep value, making it rather good for people who sell off games to buy their next batch.
Modd PS3/modded x360/modded wii
a steam deck will let you emulate pretty much anything and will play shit like Cyberpunk so it's not a horrible option.