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How to choose a game console in 2026

The Mars Score for consoles weights graphics performance (30%), library + exclusives (25%), storage + IO (20%) and ergonomics + features (25%). The current generation — PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Switch 2 — separates more clearly on library than on raw silicon.

Library is the decision, not the hardware

PS5 and PS5 Pro own Spider-Man, God of War, Demon's Souls, Returnal, FFXVI / FFVII Rebirth, and Bloodborne. Xbox owns Halo, Forza, Starfield, and the entire Game Pass back catalog at no extra cost. Switch 2 owns Mario, Zelda, Smash, Pokémon, and the entire portable Nintendo library. Buy the console whose exclusives you actually play; the hardware difference is real but secondary.

PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X

PS5 Pro pulls ahead in GPU performance (gpu, max_resolution) and adds PSSR upscaling. Xbox Series X has more raw CPU clock and a slight memory bandwidth edge. Real-world: PS5 Pro hits stable 4K-60 in more titles, Xbox Series X loads textures slightly faster. Both ship HDMI 2.1 with VRR (has_vrr).

Switch 2: docked vs handheld

Switch 2 pairs Nvidia Ampere-class silicon with DLSS for docked 4K, handheld 1080p / 120 Hz. The library bridges the original Switch catalog plus exclusives — and the form factor is uniquely flexible.

Disc drive: optional and increasingly rare

PS5 Pro ships disc-less by default; the slim PS5 has an optional add-on drive. Xbox Series X retains a disc drive; Series S is digital-only. If you buy used games, value the disc drive accordingly (has_disc_drive).

Storage: expandable matters

Console SSDs fill up fast. PS5 uses M.2 NVMe with strict speed minimums; Xbox uses proprietary expansion cards. Both are expensive per GB. Plan for expandable_storage from day one (storage_gb).

How vsMars scores game consoles

Graphics performance and library are nearly equally weighted because either alone is a deal-breaker. See the formula on the methodology page and curated picks on best game consoles. For deeper context on console + TV pairings, see our TVs category.