With people spending more time indoors right now, Netflix, board games, and reading can only occupy so many hours of the day.
Gaming is booming, and that trend doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Now might be a good time to brush off your old dusty (but still perfectly usable) gaming console or upgrade to something new to keep the kids busy.
We thought we’d take a deeper look into the top-selling video game consoles that were sold on Swappa in February 2020. Whether you’re looking for something to entertain your kids or hoping to find a shiny new toy for yourself, these five consoles should have you covered.
1. Nintendo Switch — average price $259
When the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, it changed the way we think about the difference between mobile and console gaming; its innovative design gives users the best of both worlds. Following Nintendo’s Game Boy, the Switch was designed to replace it and bring both sectors under one console.
In 2018, the Switch became the fastest-selling home video game system of all time — with popular games such as Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You can now find more than 700 games compatible with the Nintendo Switch — with the highly anticipated Animal Crossing: New Horizons set to become available March 20.
Unlike other consoles, the Switch offers three gameplay modes: TV mode, handheld mode, and tabletop mode. You can plug your Nintendo Switch into the TV (similar to most gaming consoles). Or you can pick up the console by hand, and the gaming experience becomes similar to what you’d find on a mobile device. For multiplayer gaming on the go, you can detach controllers from the console and allow the console itself to act as a screen. This unique design makes it versatile and fun for all types of gamers, wherever life takes you.
2. Nintendo Switch Lite — average price $160
If you’re looking for the same on-the-go capabilities that come with a Nintendo Switch at a more affordable price point, look no further than a Nintendo Switch Lite. Released in 2019, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a handheld-only version of the popular Nintendo Switch.
So, before you buy, make sure to check that the games you’re looking forward to playing are compatible. Although most Nintendo Switch games are suitable, games that specifically require Joy-Con controllers — such as 1-2-Switch — will require you to buy Joy-Cons separately.
In addition to the lower price, the Switch Lite is smaller in size and easier to carry than the original Switch. The device promises three to seven hours of battery life, making it a great choice for travel and lounging alike.
3. Xbox One S — average price $155
In 2013, Microsoft released the original Xbox One, with flagship games such as Assassin’s Creed IV, Battlefield 4, and Call of Duty: Ghosts. The console is touted as an “all in one” entertainment system, featuring both gaming and TV. The Xbox One S came out in 2016 delivering improved specs, with the ability to upscale games to 4K resolution — if you have a 4K TV.
The Xbox One S is sleeker and more compact than the original Xbox One yet offers all the same features gamers love from the original. Xbox is also known for its advanced multiplayer network, Xbox Live, in which users can connect and compete with gamers all around the world.
4. PlayStation 4 Slim — average price $205
With the popular PlayStation 3 as its predecessor, Sony launched the PlayStation 4 in 2013 with updated features, such as the share button, which allows players can stream their gameplay online. The console also includes a built-in speaker that serves as a motion controller and boasts nearly 10 times the processing power of the PlayStation 3. In addition to frontrunners like God of War, The Last of Us, and Uncharted, there are thousands of PS4 games to choose from — many of which are great for kids.
And how does the PlayStation 4 Slim compare to the original PlayStation 4? You guessed it: The console is slimmer and more compact in size. Released in 2016, the Playstation 4 Slim is 40% smaller than the original and supports Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi — which means faster download speeds.
5. Oculus Quest — average price $445
Launched in 2018, the Oculus Quest is great for the futuristic gamer. This Virtual Reality (VR) headset is Oculus’ second standalone headset on the market — meaning the device doesn’t need a phone or PC to work. With more than 50 titles, the Oculus Quest promotes games like Beat Saber, VRChat, and Superhot VR. The device includes 64 or 128 GB of storage, touch controllers, and two headphone jacks and uses in-headset cameras to track a user’s movement.
Oculus was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for 2.3 billion, as founder Mark Zuckerberg hopes he could bring a billion headsets into consumers’ hands. So, who knows? Maybe VR really is the future of gaming, and in a few years, every household will have headsets.
Buy and sell used gaming devices with Swappa
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a parent purchasing for the kids, you may be sitting on a pile of cash without even knowing. In addition to upgrading your console, you might want to parse through that video game collection and trade them out for titles on Swappa that you’ll actually play. Perhaps you’ll want to grab the new Doom Eternal, that’ll become available for Nintendo Switch, Windows, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One by March 20.
Swappa is a people-powered marketplace with an active community, which means you’ll always snag a deal. Selling on Swappa is easy and safe, as our support team verifies every listing to ensure it’s legitimate. No matter if you’re buying or selling, your safety comes first. So what are you waiting for? Start selling on Swappa and make some extra cash today.
Want to keep an eye out for the best deal? Remember, you can always subscribe to any individual device to be notified when new listings become available.
