Think a PC isn't a viable gaming platform? Well think again. Here's 15 reasons why a PC is the best device to play games on.
I, like many others, have on occasions belittled the PC as a serious gaming platform. However, while it may have had its problems and serious-lack of good games, it still beats an console every time. Here's 15 reasons why the PC is the best gaming platform available.
1. PCs are scalable
Sure, it's a glass half-full or half-empty proposition, because component upgrades often vandalise (and scandalise) your wallet. Question is, would you rather have a platform that can play nearly anything, past to present, contingent on do-it-yourself propensity? Or be locked into a restrictively governed molding that's changed out only once every half-decade or so?
2. PC games can be endlessly manipulated
Another 'your mileage may vary' point, because tinkering's not for everyone, and plenty of people just want something that works. On the other hand, if you've played Far Cry 2 only on a console, you've been prowling around in visuals that only shadow the game's tricked-out PC sibling.
And while stuff like nVidia's PhysX is accessible on nVidia-derivative consoles, don't expect Mirror's Edge to ever look as gleefully dissolvable on a PS3 or Xbox 360 as its physics-enhanced PC version. Also: Two words = mod scene.
3. PCs ape consoles in emulation
Here's a point often missed. PCs can be nearly any past-tense console, by hook or by crook. Miss stuff like Rare's Wizards & Warriors? The original tag-team Mario Bros? Mega Man? Berzerk?
No need to track down a mouldering Atari 2600 or original NES, or Edward Stratton III's original Tempest arcade box. Just find an emulator and a stack of ROMs, or a Flash or Java site such as PlayNES.net running scads of these in ostensibly legal emulation (including save-state options!) and you're golden.
4. PCs can be anywhere
If you're living in the 1970s, you think computers still hunker in lightless basements, or converted linen closets, or musty-carpeted lofts. I've never parked my PC anywhere other than a desk/armoire/piped-and-fluted-hybrid in a living room within cabling distance of my Dolby-fied flat-screened piece-de-resistance.
Swapping between a desktop LCD and your larger living room variety is a snap, not to mention that doing so offers more audio/video playback options than any of the console manufacturers.
5. Keyboard and mouse beats all
We've yet to see an interface as intuitive and broadly commanding (and that's including Nintendo's vaunted Wiimote and nunchuk).
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Comments
Choice said: Its a matter of time then until you pick up a nasty virus
Choice said: OH DEAR You can download full pcs games for nothing Beat that Yeah its illegal but so is downloading MP3s and who can tell me they dont do that
Oh Dear said: Is this a joke Really How about this Are PCs portable can you take them over to a friends house and all a game No Games are cheaper sure but that is because no one is buying them Console owners can buy used games off ebay craigslist or even gamestop without worrying about any CD keys Next item no installing games ever You buy a game stick it in your machine and you are playing Also not DRM And the list goes on but Im just going to end it with this next snippet An Xbox 360 300 with HDD Wii250 and PS3400 A PC with the same capabilities as a PS3 or 360 is going to cost AT LEAST 800 more like 1000 and newer graphics cards seem to come out every month
Captain Kermit said: I have been a PC-gamer for a long time but I recently bought a PS3 just because I simply got fed up with upgrading tweaking downloading drivers etc for my PC Sure you can buy a powerful graphics card that costs more than a entire PS3 but the minute you install it the timer starts ticking both on the card itself but also on other components It consumes more power generates more heat perhaps you need a new motherboard to support it etc A console is built to last for several years A PC isnt When you play a high-end PC-game it will have graphical settings made for the next generation of hardware or perhaps for several graphic cards working in tandem or something similar I just got fed up with this andbelieve it or not Im perfectly happy with my console
Alex said: securom may be about to hurt the pc for gaming i stopped buying games recently cause of just thiswill save me alot of money
Si_L said: Agree with some of the points made here but it is a foolish person who doesnt take into account the many advantages a console has over a PC- Match the game to the console and it will work same cant be said for the PC I have bought many games that simply refuse to work either too old or my hardware isnt up to scratch or something else- Console games dont come riddled with DRM - All the recent titles Ive bought have been packed with the stuff and it makes some of the games unplayable so much so that I have had to boycott DRM games not out of principle but because they are just a waste of money
Si_L said: - Consoles are portable try dragging your desktop to a mates house a PS3 or Xbox will fit in a backback And dont use laptop gaming as an excuse because you have to spend a small fortune to get a decent gaming laptop and then when you do the screen is far too small- Consoles do better multiplayer online and offline All you need is a 2nd controller and away you go Try doing that with a keyboard and mouse- Consoles are cheaper - 160 for an XBox 360 try getting a good game to play on a 160 PC It aint gonna happen- Games come out faster for consoles - Take GTAIV arguably the best game to come out last year and PC gamers had to wait another 6 months for it and when it eventually came full of DRM- Try finding a place which will let you rent a PC game- There are different consoles to suit the type of gamer you are The PS3 and Xbox are for the more serious gamers but the Wii has made gaming accessible to everyone with its motion technology
I wish said: A 200 pc is more powerful than any consoleevery time you buy a new console you are upgarding your consolesPc s get used alot more if your not using your console your just wasting your moneythis generation of consoles is over new consoles are coming next year
Yeaser said: No consoles beat PC
Dee said: Nope Doesnt cut it PCs are expensive PCs are outdated the minute you get it home and games companies will always make the best game for the latest hardware - which you probably dont have The PC is designed to do many things while a console is designed just for games Every game that comes out for consoles can be played on them no upgrading of graphics cards or memory and hence more money Recent games have even proved that you DONT need a keyboard and mouse for all games Want to check your email Get a PC Want to play games Get a console