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For a little while, I used to believe that console gaming was better than PC gaming. However, after getting back into the world of mouse and keyboard, my consoles have been left to collect dust. So, here’s why I prefer PC gaming over console games.
1Modding Brings New Content and Helpful Tweaks to Games
When I was mainly a console gamer, I got a PS4 to play Monster Hunter World. At the time, it was a no-brainer: the game hadn’t been released on PC, and when it did finally arrive, the console version was ahead in content. PC gamers had to sit on the sidelines and watch as console gamers got all the shiny new stuff early.
However, I was always envious of the mods that PC gamers could use. This ranged from cosmetic mods to ease-of-access mods that helped people play the game. And once the PC version’s content caught up with the PS4 version, I felt like I had the inferior copy of Monster Hunter World.
Modding brings a ton of benefits to games. For some, it adds a new lick of paint to a game they’ve played many times before. For others, it helps patch out any bugs and graphical issues, a benefit that console games can’t achieve. And for others with disabilities, a mod may turn a game from an unplayable experience into something they can enjoy.
2Backward Compatibility Is Much Easier to Achieve on PC
I also prefer using a PC to replay old classics over console gaming. Admittedly, the Xbox has had some stellar backward compatibility and is by far the easiest system to replay your old library. But if you want to, say, bust out a classic PS1 or Game Boy Advance game, you’re going to need a console from around that period to play it.
PCs, on the other hand, have it a lot better. Sure, you can’t take a disk designed to run on Windows 95 and whack it into your Windows 11 PC, but there are plenty of workarounds you can perform to get it running. For example, if you check out our guide onhow to use DOSBox to play retro PC games on any device, you’ll learn how you can play really old games on your PC using physical media.
Here’s the real kicker, though; if you have old CD-based console games but the console you used to play them has gone kaput, you can run them on your PC instead! A lot of emulators let you read a game in the CD drive, so you can pop the old game in and boot it up through your PC using emulation.
3Free and Cheap Games Are Plentiful on PC
Want to game for less? Good news—there are plenty of ways to play games for cheap or even free.
For free games, you’ll want to check out my prior guide onhow I find good, free games on Steam. The methods I cover in there let you quickly and easily pick out highly-rated games without a price tag, which makes for a great way to game when you don’t want to spend money.
If you don’t mind spending some money, PC gamers can find games for very cheap if they know where to look. We cover a ton of methods in our guide onhow to get the best deals on Steam games, and once you get into the rhythm of wishlisting, checking for bundles, and planning for Steam sales, you may save some serious cash when purchasing games.
4The Current Console Exclusives Don’t Catch My Eye
Back when I played on my PS4 and Switch, there were a lot of good console exclusives that kept me tied to the platform. The Nintendo Switch had amazing games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate, while my PS4 had Bloodborne, Monster Hunter World, and the Kingdom Hearts series.
However, these days, I’m not really excited about the current console exclusives. I’m sure that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is great, but after Breath of the Wild, I feel like I’ve had my fill of open-world Zelda. Bloodborne was amazing, but I beat it, so I don’t feel inclined to keep a PS4 around to play it. And games like Monster Hunter World and Kingdom Hearts have made the jump to PC, so I’ve grabbed both of them on Steam.
I’ve been keeping up with gaming events since then and I’m still not feeling the desire to plug in my consoles again to play the current exclusives. My PC catalog is keeping me plenty involved.
5I Can Choose My Preferred Controller
My favorite controller is the Xbox Series X controller. I love the way it feels, it has withstood a lot of play, and I don’t want to use any others.
When I was making the jump to PC, it felt off going back to the PS4 and Switch. I really don’t like the PS4 and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller versus the Xbox Series X model, and I wish I could use my preferred controller for all console games. But of course, I can’t.
It’s a whole different story on PC, though. I can use any controller I like on there, especially withSteam’s powerful Controller Configurator tool. We have a guide onusing console controllers on Steam, so check it out if you want to use those.
6The Indie Scene Thrives on Websites Like Itch.io
Getting an indie game on consoles can be pretty tricky. There’s a lot of vetting, a lot of work, and some management to get an indie game onto a console marketplace. For PC, it’s a totally different story.
If you’re not using itch.io, you’re really missing out. The platform allows indie developers to upload their work for everyone to try without any of the hassle, and they can even offer their games for free. While it’s a great site to visit while you’re bored, it’s also a fantastic way for indie developers to get feedback on their games in the alpha or beta phase before releasing a paid version.
I’ve had a fantastic time with the gameVoices of the Void, but I don’t think it could have raised the attention that it has if it wasn’t for the free alpha version on itch.io. As such, I always hold the PC as the superior medium for indie gaming, both for developers and gamers.
While I was on the console train for a little while, PC gaming struck a few chords with me that have gotten me to stick around. And as my PS4 and Switch now collect dust, I can’t really bring myself to pick them up again. And that’s why I prefer gaming on PCs over consoles.
