What do I need?
So you wanna get into gaming but you're not sure how? Find out about consoles, mobile games, & more below!
Gaming Platforms
Before you can start playing games, you'll need something to play them on, called a gaming platform. Some games are exclusive to one platform, while many others have been released on multiple platforms. Here are the options you have, plus some tips for keeping the cost relatively low.
Note: Many local libraries have gaming platforms that are free to use!
Consoles
Home consoles:
The 3 major ones currently available: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
Each costs about $300
Each has slightly different features & a few exclusive games
Generally more powerful hardware & higher cost compared to other gaming platforms
Handheld:
Nintendo 3DS line are currently the only handheld consoles being produced
Costs around $100-150, depending on the model
Less high-tech than home consoles, but portable, convenient, & cheaper
PC
Games are usually purchased and downloaded directly from services like Steam, Epic Games, or GoG, which don't have any additional cost to use
These services often hold sales
Games you can play are limited by your personal computer's hardware capabilities
Games with highly detailed graphics usually need a more expensive gaming PC to run properly
PCs usually have more games available than Macs
Don't have a computer at home? Not a problem! Here are some resources if you want to get a low-cost computer:
PCs for People:
Website: https://www.pcsforpeople.org/
Call: (651) 354-2552
Email: info@pcsforpeople.org
Visit in person: 1481 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104 (hours: M-F 10AM-4PM & Saturdays 9AM-4PM)
Minnesota Computers for Schools:
Website: https://mncfs.org/
(612) 383-2400
Visit in person: 504 Malcolm Ave SE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (hours: M-F 7AM-3:15PM)
Mobile
Games often range from free to $5
"Free" games often have hidden, optional costs - some have characters or items that you pay to unlock, others are essentially demos that let you try out the 1st chapter for free
App Store for iPhones generally has better quality control than the Google Play Store for Androids
Some popular games have mobile versions, though often with limitations
Mobile-exclusive games are often simple in design & geared for more casual play
TL;DR on costs:
Home consoles: Around $300
Nintendo 3DS: $100 to $150
PC: No additional cost, but possible technical limitations
Mobile games: "Free" to about $5, plus cost of the phone itself
Gaming Platforms & Games can be free to use at your local library!
Game Prices - AAA vs. Indie
Beyond the platform you use, games themselves also vary in price. Most games fall into one of two categories based on how they were developed: AAA (pronounced triple-A) and indie.
AAA Games
Made by huge studios with big budgets and hundreds of people working on a game at once. As a result, they tend to have a ton of content, long playtimes, and highly polished, detailed graphics.
On the flip side, they usually cost $60 each and need a home console or a really fancy PC to be able to run properly.
The main exception to this rule is AAA 3DS games, which tend to run at around $20 to $40 and have more simplistic graphics due to hardware limitations.
Indie Games
Smaller development teams, smaller budgets, and more stylized or simplistic graphics. However, this also means there's a bit more room for innovation and creative freedom.
A lot of popular indie games tend to run between $5 and $30, though the prices can vary outside of that range.
One well known exception to this is Minecraft, which started out indie but later got picked up by Microsoft. It kept the simplified art style, but it's also got a AAA budget.
TL;DR: If you want to keep the price tag low, indie and handheld games are going to be your best friend.