Gaming Systems: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Whether you prefer a powerhouse gaming PC, a living-room console, or a portable handheld, today’s game systems offer more ways to play than ever before. PCMag's expert-tested reviews break down performance, game libraries, features, and value across the latest hardware, helping you choose the gaming platform that best fits your style and budget.
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Steam Deck and Beyond: Our Favorite Handheld Gaming PCsYou don't need a desktop or laptop to play the top PC titles. The top handheld SteamOS and Windows gaming PCs we've tested give you the power of a full-size computer in a highly portable package.
By Jordan Minor
Latest Gaming System Stories
We want to hear your thoughts on the consoles, handhelds, controllers, and more that you use for serious video game time. One lucky survey taker will win $250 to spend at Amazon.
The Switch 2 is a fantastic game system that's better than the original Switch in nearly every respect, but it's also a lot more expensive. I tell you if it's worth the upgrade ahead of the $50 price increase.
The ModRetro Chromatic is a beautifully built, hyper-focused handheld that offers the purest possible experience for hard-core Game Boy purists.
$199.99
Want to play retro Nintendo, Sega, and Sony games? You can build your own classic game system with a Raspberry Pi board—it's easier than you might think.
Though it won't support vintage cartridges, Ayaneo's Android handheld will emulate classic console titles while retaining the general look and feel of the 2001 Nintendo handheld.
For $200, you can build your own 1,367-piece Lego version of the original Donkey Kong arcade game, which was Nintendo's first big hit in the West in the early 1980s.
In the face of rising prices for everything from game consoles to physical discs, I've discovered that the updated PlayStation Portal is the best way to enjoy PS5 titles without draining my wallet.
The 512GB version will cost $1,049, while the 2TB version is $1,349. You can sign up now to join a waiting list, with orders opening up next week.
Order screens, joysticks, batteries, motherboards, and buttons to repair your handheld.
The hybrid handheld console that stole our hearts last year is on sale right now with this special code, so jump on this deal before the price goes up on us in September!
Arriving on July 28 with a throwback aesthetic, the ModRetro 64 plays classic N64 games in 4K. I fired up a pre-production model to relive childhood favorites—did it give me the warm fuzzies?
Whether you have sight, hearing, motor, or vocal difficulties, the Switch 2 has features to help accommodate you. Here's how to access and use them.
Over the past few months, Valve has shipped over 100 tons of hardware from overseas.
The longtime nemesis of gamers everywhere has finally fallen.
The PlayStation 5 Pro now costs at least $250 more than the base PS5—but does the enhanced ray tracing, upscaling, and frame rates make it the superior console and value? I break down the notable differences between the Sony systems to help you make a purchase that fits your budget.
The original Nintendo Switch is still an impressive home console and handheld, but you can expand its functionality with these cool accessories and peripherals.
This bundle includes the console, dock, and Joy-Cons, basically everything needed to start playing right away. Plus, it's now marked down by 33% off the MSRP.
The next time you have a problem with a game install, it's possible a chatbot will help you solve it.
SteamOS and incoming Steam Machines are only likely to accelerate the trend.
The PS5 Pro is going up to $899. It's the second price increase for the PlayStation consoles after an initial price bump in August.
