The Consoles You Need to Own This Year, Ranked By Importance

3. Xbox One

The Xbox One lands at the bottom of our ranking, though let’s make one thing clear: the Xbox One is far from a terrible console. It’s a strong piece of hardware with an extensive library of games thanks to major third-party support, a lineup of first-party exclusives, and its growing list of backwards compatible games, allowing the Xbox One to play some of the best 360 games ever released. However, 2017 isn’t looking to kind to Microsoft’s console at the moment.

Right now the PS4 is doing really well thanks to new success surrounding the PS4 Pro and the PSVR, and January was full of exclusive’s for Sony’s Platform. Also during January, Nintendo started rolling out details on its next console, the Switch, including game lineups and release dates. Meanwhile, the Xbox One has a paltry exclusive lineup for the rest of the year, with most titles releasing on PC as well. This puts the machine at a disadvantage, creating a less pressing need to own one. Ultimately, if you really want to play the games the Xbox One offers, there are other ways to do so.

The holiday season may change things up, though, as the release of the mysterious Project Scorpio is slated for that period. This upgraded console is being touted as the most powerful ever created, and on paper it stands above the competition. Unfortunately, we don’t know much else about the box. If it’s to share a library with the Xbox One, then the same lackluster lineup already planned is in effect, leaving little to desire. When you pair that with the fact that so much doesn’t even have a locked in release date, other platforms become a whole lot more appealing.

If you already own the competition, then sure, go pick up an Xbox One to experience its unique lineup. But, if you’re looking for something new and haven’t picked up anything since the Wii days, you’ll definitely want to shop around for something a bit more exciting in 2017.

2. Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is still a bit of an enigma. Nintendo understands the need to change in order to compete in the current console market, yet the Switch – aside from its amazing ability to go from home console to being a completely portable handheld – doesn’t seem to have changed all that much. You still have the colorful offerings, weaker hardware, and lack of meaningful third-party support, yet there’s something about the Switch that’s just so damn intriguing.

Nintendo has one major advantage over the competition, and that’s its uniqueness. When you get down to brass tacks, the PS4 and the Xbox One are pretty much the same thing, with their exclusive libraries being the main difference. The games tend to be in the same vein, and their target audience is shared for the most part as well. The Switch is positioned either as a main console for fans of Nintendo’s work, or a perfect supplement to either the PS4 or Xbox One, meaning no matter which way you go you should definitely consider owning one.

Of course, we have to consider the lineup. So far, Nintendo hasn’t wowed anyone with third-party support. The biggest game on that front so far has been Skyrim, an adventure that has made its way to countless platforms already. In terms of software, it’s been business as usual for the house that Mario built, and that can be a bit worrisome.

However, the exclusive lineup is looking impressive. You have The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which has RPG fans foaming at the mouth in anticipation, Fire Emblem Warriors, Super Mario Odyssey (a guaranteed seller), Splatoon 2, and more that you just can’t experience anywhere else.

The Switch will be the freshest thing on the market, there’s no doubt about that, and there are some games that look to be just as stellar as Nintendo has provided in the past, making the upcoming console a solid option. Heck, even if you decide on picking up a PS4 or Xbox One, you may still want to consider this just to keep on the side. 

1. PS4

The PS4 has had some wild momentum since it released at the tail end of 2013. A steady stream of high-profile exclusives, as well as some intelligent third-party partnerships, have helped to keep Sony’s latest console in the spotlight. But that alone isn’t why you should definitely seek to own this console in 2017. After all, anyone can have a good run then go completely kaput.

Sony has been really broadening the capabilities of their hardware, and last year introduced the PS4 Pro – an upgraded console capable of 4K gaming, 4K media streaming, and improved VR performance – and the PSVR headset. Both have been slowly building up steam as more games that support the hardware release. January saw the launch of Resident Evil 7 which saw nearly 100,000 users playing with a PSVR headset, showing that there’s definitely a market for the hardware. The more forward looking tech offerings show that Sony isn’t content on resting on the success of the PS4 alone, and that’s always a good thing for fans.

The game side of things is looking just as impressive. Right now, Sony is boasting a lineup of over 40 exclusives that you won’t see on either the Switch or the Xbox One, covering a range of genres and age groups. That’s not to mention the strong third-party ties that will be bringing the likes of Mass Effect: Andromeda, Red Dead Redemption 2, Destiny 2, and plenty more to PS4 owners. Red Dead Redemption will have exclusive content, and the Mass Effect will take advantage of the PS4 Pro, offering the best console experience of the game.

With Sony’s PS4 already being well established, they can focus on what really matters — bringing content to players. The competition, on the other hand, will have to split their focus on selling new devices while also coming up with games and other goodies. This gives Sony a large consumer advantage, even if it doesn’t seem like one at first. You get all the blockbuster third-party titles, some solid exclusives (which have already begun rolling out), and the opportunity to dive into VR right now, without having to wait for the holidays. If you don’t want to miss out on a majority of the biggest games coming this year, PS4 is the way to go.