By Lisa Cole, our British writer on the latest technology. She is the best in her field. This is her latest edition for ahembeauty.com.
I’ve been passionate about gaming consoles since the early 1990s. While I appreciate the raw power and customization of my own gaming PC, I often find myself preferring to unwind on the couch with some truly outstanding PlayStation 5 titles rather than sitting at my desk. Right now, the PS5 Slim is the model I tend to suggest most often. It delivers a more impressive collection of exclusive games compared to the Xbox Series X, which offers similar performance, and it’s Sony’s first-party releases that currently give PlayStation the clear advantage. Read more
The PS5 Pro, which boasts even greater power, is harder to justify at its $699/£699 price point unless you’re a dedicated PlayStation enthusiast—especially since it lacks a disc drive. If you’re working within a tighter budget, the Nintendo Switch Lite remains an excellent option. This compact handheld console is affordable, generally available for less than $200, and offers a great way to enjoy gaming while on the move.
Whether you’re aiming to play visually spectacular games on a premium OLED television paired with the PS5 Pro, or you prefer the flexibility of portable gaming with devices like the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 or Valve’s Steam Deck, this overview of top consoles spans a range of price points and styles. No matter what kind of player you are or what your budget looks like, you’ll be able to find a gaming system that suits your preferences perfectly.
🎮 PlayStation 5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle
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If you’re looking for a game console that delivers speed, style, and some of the coolest games right out of the box, the PlayStation 5 with the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 bundle is a solid pick. This console feels powerful and modern, and having that Spider-Man game included just makes it even sweeter. You get to swing around New York as Peter Parker and Miles Morales, and honestly, it feels like you’re really there. For 2025, this setup is definitely one of the best game consoles you can grab.
- It’s powered by a custom AMD 8-core processor running at 3.5GHz.
- The graphics card is also custom-made and super strong, handling 4K visuals with ease.
- There’s 16GB of fast memory to keep everything smooth.
- Storage is 825GB SSD, so games load really fast.
- It supports output up to 8K, but most games run at beautiful 4K resolution.
- And of course, you get the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 game included digitally.
| What’s Good ✅ | What Could Be Better ❌ |
|---|---|
| Crisp 4K graphics and ray tracing | The storage can fill up quickly |
| Loads games super fast thanks to SSD | It’s a bit big, so might need space |
| The DualSense controller feels amazing | Price is on the higher side |
| Comes with a top-tier Spider-Man game | Sometimes hard to find in stock |
If you want a console that feels fast and looks sharp, plus comes with a fantastic exclusive game, this bundle is a great choice. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys action-packed stories and smooth gameplay.
The PS5’s look is unique — white panels with black accents and a soft glow make it stand out. Honestly, it’s more than just a console; it’s almost like a piece of modern art on your shelf.
You get plenty of options here: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI 2.1 for the latest TVs, Ethernet for wired internet, and of course the power plug.
Sony’s system interface is simple to use and neat. While it doesn’t have a feature like Xbox’s Quick Resume, the loading times are so fast it doesn’t really matter.
Everything runs smoothly — games load almost instantly, and frame rates stay stable even in intense scenes. Moving through the city or diving into combat moments feels natural and uninterrupted.
The highlight is definitely Spider-Man 2. You switch between two heroes with their own cool powers, exploring a lively, detailed city. Beyond that, PlayStation’s library has tons of games to keep you busy for years.
Sony’s PlayStation Plus Extra subscription gives you a huge library of games for a monthly fee, which is a nice alternative to Xbox Game Pass.
Nearly all PS4 titles play great on the PS5, often loading quicker and sometimes benefiting from upgraded visuals.
The DualSense controller is something else. Its triggers change resistance depending on the game, and the vibrations are so detailed that you feel like you’re actually in the game world.
🛒 Return Policy
When you buy through our Amazon link, your order is protected by Amazon’s standard return policy:
- You have 30 days from delivery to return most unopened items.
- Make sure to return products in original packaging with all accessories.
- Refunds are sent back to your original payment method after Amazon processes the return.
- Start a return by visiting your Amazon Orders page and following the steps.
- Some items, like digital codes or opened games, may not be eligible for return unless defective.
For full details, check out Amazon’s official Returns & Refunds Policy.
🎮 Nintendo Switch OLED Model – Super Mario World Bundle
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The Nintendo Switch OLED Model bundled with Super Mario World is a versatile and fun-packed gaming console perfect for players of all ages. Whether you want to enjoy gaming on the go or on your big screen, this bundle delivers vibrant visuals, responsive controls, and a fantastic library of games. Including Super Mario World brings a wave of nostalgia and countless hours of engaging, classic platform gameplay. For anyone searching for the best handheld console or a flexible hybrid experience, this Nintendo Switch bundle is definitely worth considering.
- Display: 7-inch OLED touchscreen with vivid colors and better contrast
- CPU/GPU: Custom NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor
- Memory: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 64GB internal, expandable via microSD card
- Battery Life: Approximately 4.5 to 9 hours depending on usage
- Video Output: Up to 1080p on TV via dock, 720p handheld
- Included Game: Super Mario World (digital download)
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Vivid colors and deep contrasts on the OLED screen make every game look stunning | While it doesn’t match the power of the newest generation consoles, it still delivers smooth gameplay for Nintendo titles |
| Portable and dockable for TV play | Limited internal storage |
| Joy-Con controllers fit well in your hands and respond quickly to every move | Battery duration changes depending on how demanding the game is |
This Switch OLED bundle is an excellent choice for gamers wanting the flexibility of playing anywhere without sacrificing screen quality. The included Super Mario World brings both nostalgia and fresh gameplay. It may not match the raw power of premium consoles, but its hybrid design and exclusive games make it one of the best games console overall for many.
This Switch model sports a modern look with narrower edges around its bigger, more vibrant display. Its dock is small and elegant, blending easily into your home entertainment area.
It includes USB-C charging, HDMI output through the dock, headphone jack, and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Navigating through Nintendo’s simple and clean interface makes it easy to jump straight into your favorite games and tweak settings fast. Unlike Xbox, it does not support Quick Resume, but loading times are reasonable.
The console handles games smoothly, with vibrant visuals especially on the OLED screen. While it can’t compete with PS5 or Xbox Series X in raw power, it runs Nintendo titles and indie games flawlessly.
This bundle’s highlight is Super Mario World, a beloved classic rebooted for the Switch. Plus, the Nintendo Switch library includes exclusive hits like Zelda, Animal Crossing, and many great indie titles.
Nintendo offers no direct Xbox Game Pass equivalent, but their eShop and Nintendo Switch Online service provide access to a growing library of classic and indie games.
Games from the original Switch and most digital titles work seamlessly on the OLED model.
The Joy-Con controllers are versatile and comfortable, offering motion controls, HD rumble, and can be used separately or attached to the console.
🛒 Refund Policy
When purchasing through our Amazon affiliate link, your order is protected by Amazon’s standard return policy:
- Most unopened items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
- Products must be returned in original packaging with all included accessories.
- Refunds are processed back to your original payment method after Amazon approves the return.
- You can initiate returns easily through your Amazon orders page.
- Some items, including opened software or digital content, may not be eligible for return unless defective.
For full details, visit Amazon’s official Returns & Refunds Policy.
🎮 Valve Steam Deck 256GB Model
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If you love PC gaming but want the freedom to play your favorite titles anywhere, the Valve Steam Deck is a game-changer. This handheld console brings your entire Steam library to your fingertips in a compact and powerful device. The 256GB SSD version offers quick load times and enough space for many games, making it one of the best handheld consoles on the market today. For gamers looking for flexibility and performance, the Steam Deck combines the power of a gaming PC with the convenience of portability.
- Custom AMD chip designed for portable gaming
- 7-inch touchscreen LCD, 1280×800 resolution
- 16GB RAM and 256GB NVMe SSD
- Battery life ranges from 2 to 8 hours based on usage
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C port for charging and accessories
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Play your entire Steam library anywhere | Heavy games drain battery faster |
| Fast SSD storage | Bulkier than traditional handhelds |
| High-quality controls with thumbsticks and trackpads | Some games need tweaking to run perfectly |
| Runs PC games natively | Expensive compared to other handhelds |
Ideal for gamers who want their PC games on the go. The Steam Deck is powerful and versatile, though a bit bulkier than a Nintendo Switch. Perfect for the best value games console that doubles as a portable PC.
Designed for comfortable long gaming sessions with sturdy build and thoughtfully placed controls.
USB-C port supports charging, display output, and accessories. Includes headphone jack, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Runs SteamOS, easy to navigate. No dedicated Quick Resume but SSD ensures fast loading times.
Powered by AMD chip with fast SSD, delivers smooth PC gaming experiences. Settings can be tweaked for graphics vs battery life balance.
Access thousands of Steam games from indie hits to big AAA titles.
Not natively available but can be accessed by installing Windows on the device.
Supports almost all Steam and other PC games when configured.