Welcome, fellow gamers to an adventurous journey through the pixelated and chunky wonderland of the latest gaming gadgets of 2024.
The gaming hardware industry is moving so fast it has become quite hard to keep up with its pace. In November alone we saw the release of Legion Go, Steam Deck OLED, Atari 2600+, and a new PlayStation 5 model. Major industry players are in a race for innovation and delivering the latest technology experience to their hard core fanbase.
Now, with so many options to choose from, picking up the perfect gaming companions can be a daunting task for most people. For this purpose, we have prepared a handy guide that outlines the best choices of the year while delivering some helpful tips that will go a long way in enhancing your gaming experience.
So, buckle up as we dive into high-performance consoles and cutting-edge hardware that will make your gaming heart skip a beat or maybe even deliver some ‘wow’ moments.
But before we reveal all the secrets to you, here is a sneak peek into the world of lag-free and low-ping gaming experience. We have all traveled this road before, working hard to reach a crucial point in a game or winning an online battle, where we are often left at the mercy of an unreliable internet that ultimately fails to deliver the necessary goods for a satisfying win.
So, for the ultimate gaming experience, we would suggest you look into Xfinity. With its fiber coaxial network and lightning-fast speeds, lag and ping rate would be a thing of the past. Now, without further delay. Let’s get moving.
The Hottest Consoles in 2024
The most popular gaming consoles have been nothing but a big disappointment this year. The likes of the PS5, and Xbox Series X/S have been around for years but their new iterations offer little in terms of real value. However, there are a handful of niche alternatives that outshine legacy consoles and might just be something that you might be looking for.
PlayStation 5 Slim
Termed the biggest disappointment of the year by both fan and critical circles, the PS5 slim undoubtedly a huge step down for Sony. The huge success of its predecessor (PS4), compelled Sony to go down the same road as last time. It has been more than three years and PS5 users are stuck on the same hardware with the release of a potential PS5 Pro stuck somewhere in the distant future.
However, all is not rotten in the state of Japan. The new PS5 might be a big letdown for existing users if you switch to the Play Station from another console. The disc version would be a great value proposition, especially if you are residing in the US. Who wouldn’t mind additional storage and less volume at the same price? But if you are an existing user, our advice would be to hold on to your console until the release of the pro model.
Xbox Series X
With a similar visual experience and hardware as PS5 and that too at a $350 price tag, the Xbox Series X is the best value proposition available in the market. There was a time when people hesitated to opt for Xbox because of its limited library but the latest acquisitions by Microsoft has helped solidify its position in console gaming circles.
If you are considering an Xbox, our advice would be to for the cheaper version and enjoy the ongoing discounts on Game Pass at half the price of PS Plus with an extensive library that will be bringing more games your way than ever before.
The Hottest Handhelds in 2024
The handheld scene has gone crazy this year with the release of a new and improved Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally and if you want to go up a notch from the Nintendo Switch experience then you should definitely check them out.
Steam Deck OLED
The initial device launched in 2022 and was a great idea with poor execution but with each passing day, it grew on an audience that preferred the PC experience. The new device is not something on the cusp of greatness but does well to keep up with the growing list of competitors by improving the screen, poor battery, and many critical small fixes that bring it right back to the top.
The only concern is that it still has the same design and chunky feel to it which is quite irritating. Thankfully, the newer model is a touch lighter than its predecessor. However, the Linux browser is still jittery as ever and still might not be able to run heavy-duty new releases like Alan Wake 2. Still, with Steam Deck 2 in the pipeline, it is one of the best options to go for if you wish to hop on the portable PC gaming bandwagon.
Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
A mediocre offering when it first launched, Asus ROG Ally has come a long way since its initial release. With a spur of updates and tweaks, the device is looking as impressive as ever. On hardware, it’s still a sheer monstrosity when compared to other products in the market. However, coming at $700 the device is not for everyone.
But if you want the best handheld gaming experience money can buy then this is it. Hell, if the software can be improved it can even compete with PS5. It might seem laughable now but the hardware is closer than you think. For instance, the theoretical performance of ROG Ally APU is 8.6 TFLOPs while the theoretical performance of PS5 is 10.3 TFLOPs. So, with a software and price fix it can become a fan favorite in the long run.
However, the best part about this device is its long-term utility as you will be able to run heavy-duty new releases on the device for quite some time. According to our estimate, at least three years. So, if you don’t want to update your hand-held every year, we suggest that you look into Asus ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme).
Notable Mentions
- Lenovo’s Legion GO
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- Atari 2600+
- Meta Quest 3
Final Thoughts
Finally, whatever device you are using, embrace the magic, level up, and let the adventures unfold in pixels and polygons! May your frame rates be high, and your victories even higher!
