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Older patient gamers: what is your preferred gaming platform?

I used to be a PC-only gamer but the older I get the more I gravitate toward very ‘simple’ platforms.

Because my gaming time slots can be unpredictable and sometimes short I can’t take too much time setting things up.

I was surprised to find that I use the Nintendo Switch a lot because the games are on cartridges (usually few to no downloading needed) and I can continue playing the game when I am away from home. Really surprising, considering I bought it out of curiosity in 2017 and that it is in some ways underpowered compared to my other devices- I never had a Nintendo ‘home’ console before that.

I thought of adding the PS4 to this mention however recently I’ve been avoiding playing it due to the constant updates. The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update . It really kind of ruined my first session.

What are your experiences and your preferred devices?

misk ,
@misk@sopuli.xyz avatar
  • Xbox Series X for backwards compatibility with enhanced visuals
  • Nintendo Switch for ports from other platforms on the go
  • Analogue Pocket + dock for actual retro stuff
  • DSi, N3DS, Vita for other portable needs

I don’t game on PC since I spend enough time with it at work.

redcalcium ,

Unfortunately, with the current popularity of digital downloads, consoles aren’t great for patient gaming because they rarely give a good discount for older titles on their online stores (especially nintendo).

XTL ,

Playstations that are old enough to become cheap to get but new enough that the local libraries still have a game collection.

Otherwise a Linux pc and gog, flea markets, local used sellers, or other sources.

You can generally avoid big updates simply by keeping the machine offline.

Chadsalot ,

I use a sbc device with emulators now a days. It’s the perfect “pick up and put down” situation for me. I’d really recommend looking into it especially for quality of life things like save states and being able to pick up where you left off exactly.

As for deciding what platforms to play, my biggest advice is looking at how many buttons a controller has. I don’t see people talk about this a lot, but when I’m looking to play a simple game, my first thought is “how many buttons do I feel like using?”

With this thought in my mind I’ve been gravitating towards things like GBA, SNES, N64, and when I want something a little more complex, Ps1 or Dreamcast.

SlapnutsGT ,

Used to be a huge PC guy but lately I like chilling in my recliner with my ps5. I can sit next to the wife this way and won’t catch flak for being on the PC too much. She games too and will move to the PC for those instances

RotatingParts ,

PC running Linux with games purchased via Steam. Nothing extra to set up as the PC is always on and available anyway,

Drinvictus ,

Steam Deck

So PC

SteefLem ,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Console (xbox, ps, switch) because i got tired of buying a new gpu or whatever upgrade for pc every couple of months. Now i dont have to stress for updated drivers or if it crashes because windows wants something done at the most fucked up time. Just sit in my comfy chair turn it on and play. Dont have time for all the other bs.

otp ,

Huh. I built my PC with mid-level specs 3 years ago and haven’t upgraded anything but RAM and storage. Didn’t even need either for gaming…

Echinoderm ,

Why so often? I just updated my almost 10 year old PC that had one gpu upgrade in its life, and was still happily playing the 10 year old games I wanted to play.

Then I got the new PC with decent specs and decided to push its limits with some Stardew Valley.

Subtex ,

I’m the same way but I bought one of those mini pcs that has a laptop cpu/gpu in it, installed ChimeraOS on it which essentially turned it into a steamdeck.

I have that hooked up to my living room tv and it’s my main gaming device. It’s essentially a console. I never upgrade anything. It runs what I play at 1080p with med or high settings.

Suits me just fine. I mainly just want to sit on my couch and game on the TV instead of being at a desk like I did years ago.

SteefLem ,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Oh thats a good idea. I do find that some games i miss out on because there not on console… this is a good idea. What mini pc did you get?

Subtex ,

The Minisforum HX80G. That’s the older model. They have the HX99G, HX100G and others now. They all range in price but Amazon has sales.

I picked mine up for $650.

SteefLem ,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Tnx gonna check that out.

cowfodder ,

Yet another dude in his 40s here using a Steam Deck. I travel a lot for work so something portable and easy to just pick up for a short period is important. It has run pretty much every game I’ve wanted to play flawlessly.

funkless_eck ,

2nd

jaemo ,

Also my axe, additionally.

Gimpydude ,

In my mid 50’s. I use a steam deck and my PC running Linux.

mihnt ,

Early 40s and same.

GrossMargin ,

I’ve been considering switching my PC over to Linux as well. Would you recommend it from your experience? Anything you’d do differently if you could?

AdamBomb ,

I’m not the OP but I just built a gaming PC and switched to Linux. No regrets so far. I picked Mint and it went smoothly. Just had to install more updated graphics drivers.

Gimpydude ,

Similar for me. I went with PopOS this time, and it all just works. I’m thinking of switching to KDE Neon, just because I’m a KDE fan. One piece of advice I have is to have your home directory on it’s own so that if you do switch distros, you just install to the system drive and you don’t affect your data.

AdamBomb ,

Just turned 50, same! Plus a PS5 because previous generations had good exclusives and I expected the same this gen.

kugmo ,
@kugmo@sh.itjust.works avatar

Based Unix coomer

inclementimmigrant ,

Still mainly my PC/steam deck but I mix in the switch in there for specific games and the xbox every once in a while for spider heck.

helenslunch ,
@helenslunch@feddit.nl avatar

The worst example was when my SO bought me Red Dead Redemption 2. I sat down, excited to play it, when suddenly it pormpted me to download a HUGE update

Honestly this is the worst. I get 30+GB updates for Rocket League multiple days/week. Fortunately I have fast internet (300+Mbps) but it must be awful for people with slow internet. I mean WTF are they doing? I didn’t realize PS4 had this problem. I thought they had a dedicated chip to handle this sort of thing. Or maybe that was PS5? That’s what we need though, is a dedicated ARM chip that handles that sort of thing while the device is “off”.

Anyway, if you like the Switch, you’ll love the Steam Deck. It’s kinda the same thing but way more “open” (community tools), way more powerful, games are way less expensive and there are way more of them.

BartyDeCanter ,

My development PC running linux (I don’t use Arch, BTW) + Steam has by far the most games I’m interested in playing. Games that I have played my entire life run great, through DOSBox, Proton, native, or console emulators.

That being said, I still have a huge soft spot from my old 3DS and wish I still had it. Sure the Switch is great, but the 3DS had so many fun little quirky features that it was just fun to use as well as play games on.

steeznson ,

3DS might be my favourite console. The DS library is amazing - and not region locked - then the 3DS JRPG selection is probably the strongest out of any console.

any1th3r3 ,

I used to be like you OP, PC-only gamer for a long while, but as I’m getting older (and got back into gaming a few years ago), I’ve mostly been using consoles or equivalents:

  • PS5 40% of the time
  • Xbox Series X 20%
  • Steam Deck 20%
  • Switch 10%
  • Super Nt / PS3 / Analogue Pocket / Miyoo Mini Plus / 3DS / Vita, remaining 10%
GreenAlex ,
@GreenAlex@kbin.social avatar

As time goes on I lean more and more into PC gaming with emulation for older systems. Resistant to hardware and disks/cartridges failing and there are fewer concerns with online functionality going away completely. There's a lot to like about the Switch but with it being literally their only console that still has any online features, I have serious concerns about longevity.

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