Rating of the best game consoles for children: which portable consoles are cheaper

1 Nintendo Switch

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The best portable gaming console for kids and adults in 2021 is, naturally, the Nintendo Switch.

Specialized devices are better than universal ones in their field. Nintendo Switch is no exception. Smartphones, tablets and similar devices are inferior to portable consoles in terms of ease of play and functionality. Also, on mobile platforms you cannot find many interesting and popular games that are present in Nintendo eShop. For the “co-op” mode (playing together) you do not need to purchase anything additional. The device was equipped with a pair of Joy-Con - one of the best controllers for controlling the console. If you want to play with a friend, you can always give one of these to him and enjoy the game together. A special docking station is used to transmit the signal to the TV. This method ensures that there are no delays in the media signal than with wireless transmission. And it’s also much more comfortable to play this way.

To summarize, if you or your child needs a powerful and specialized device for playing at home/on the go, the Nintendo Switch will do the job perfectly. It has convenient controllers for control and a well-thought-out co-op system. Among the disadvantages are the high price and prices for games in the Nintendo store - for simple 2D games that are considered “classics” they ask for 3,000 rubles.

Of course, the device is good, but it is more suitable for major players.

Plus:

• Functional
• Can be used for both single and co-op play
• Power and performance
• No need to buy anything

Minuses:

• Small battery capacity
• Joy-cons will be uncomfortable for people with large hands
• Charges only from the docking station
• High price for console and games

Price – 27,000 rubles.

SEGA Genesis Gopher 2

A simple device from the SEGA game consoles that have returned to the market, the Genesis Gopher 2 takes second place in the ranking of the best portable consoles of 2021. The device is designed for retro games and is more suitable for lovers of the classics or those who “want to remember their childhood.” Although children may also like the model. The device won't run AAA products, but instead there are five hundred pre-installed retro games. The quality of graphics is no worse than some of the latest projects. Moreover, they even have their own “physics”. By the way, because of this, the device has a lower price tag than models from leading brands. The average cost of the unit is 4,500 rubles (6 times less than the same Nintendo Switch). Additionally, it is worth noting the ability to emulate other consoles - you can run games from other consoles - and the manual saving function, which the first generation of SEGA Genesis was deprived of. If you get bored with the pre-installed games, you can expand their number using a memory card.

Pros:

• No advertising
• 500 pre-installed games
• Convenient form
• Low price
• Ability to emulate the operation of other consoles

Minuses:

• It’s inconvenient to choose a specific game
• Strange button placement
• Does not support AAA games

Price – 4,500 rubles.

3 Nintendo Switch Lite

The light version of the previously reviewed Nintendo Switch, as one could understand from the name. After surveys, Nintendo realized that users were spending more time outside the dock. Therefore, this console is more designed for portable games, unlike its “big brother”. The version has been made more compact - now it fits in your pocket. Also, smaller dimensions provide greater ergonomics and ease of control, especially in fighting games. The point is the presence of the usual cross. But you have to pay for everything, so the model cannot be connected to an external monitor to display the picture, there are no joy-cons, since the controllers are connected to the body and are a one-piece design. There is also no board game mode, and the controllers have lost the ability to vibrate. Instead, the device’s price tag was reduced by almost half – to 15,000 rubles.

Pros:

• Compact (fits in your pocket)
• Ergonomic
• Weighs less
• Presence of a cross
• Large number of games

Minuses:

• If the controller breaks, you will have to take the entire console to the service
• No vibration
• Difficult to connect wireless headphones
• Little autonomy

Price – 15,500 rubles.

4 Palmexx SUP Game Box

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One of the Nintendo Game Boy fakes – Palmexx SUP Game Box – closes the top of portable consoles. At a time when consoles with a wolf that catches eggs were popular in Russia, the famous Nintendo Game Boy was in demand in the West. Because of its popularity, there were many fakes, some of good quality and some not so good. Among them were Retro Game 300, BittBoy and a member of our top – Palmexx SUP Game Box. The first two were quite difficult to get in Russia, so Game Box eventually captured the empty market. In appearance, the console was almost identical to the original.The model has a good selection of games for Dendy and NES. The disadvantages are that there are no saves, you can only play built-in games, and the screen is small. But the price is 700 rubles. A console from the “playable” segment – ​​suitable for entertainment for several evenings.

Pros:

• Can be connected to TV
• Compact and lightweight
• Acceptable battery capacity
• Low price

Minuses:

• Can't install your own games
• Small screen
• No saves
• Build quality

Price – 700 rubles.