These Are My Favorite Genres for Console Gaming
I enjoy the sound of a gaming keyboard as much as anyone, but I\’ll be the first to admit how relaxing it is to play games on a console. When I was most comfortable, I found that certain genres appealed to me a lot and became my favorites to play on a console rather than a PC.
Sports
Sports fans – where do you like to watch the big game? On your couch and on a big screen. Maybe you watch the highlights on your phone. Naturally, the best way to play sports games is also on a big screen, where it will enhance the experience.
And if you have a competitive spirit, you\’ll be part of a noticeably larger player group, making it much easier to join matches. Cross-play between PC and console isn\’t always a sure thing, even though it\’s very common nowadays.
Party Games
Whenever you can get together with your friends or family, playing party games makes a good time even more fun. I\’m always down for Mario Kart and Super Mario Party. In fact, we recommend that everyone should play a party game at least once. They’re not too serious, so there’s no need to compete or get upset when you lose.
You don’t have to stop at traditional party games. It’s such a wide net that I would argue that any game with multiplayer, especially couch co-op, would fall under the category of party game. For me, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is as much a party game as Super Mario Party.
Action-Adventure
The kind of action-adventure games I like often put the story first, and that particular inclination gives it a movie-like quality. And when I watch movies, it’s always on the couch. The visual, mechanical, and musical treat that God of War is, requires great speakers and a big screen.
Personally, action-adventure games make for a better palate. When I get bored of Elden Ring; I run to action-adventure. There\’s just enough challenge to keep me busy, but I can still relax. I\’ve never had any difficulty changing my experience if I want something that leans more towards adventure than action and vice versa.
Platformer
Out of all genres of gaming, platformers are practically made for console gaming. Even if you play them on PC, I\’m sure you\’ll be using a controller. Who wouldn\’t? It\’s a genre that\’s frustrating on a mouse and keyboard. It seems like I have to put more of an emphasis on muscle memory.
I also noticed that platformers are perfect for sharing the experience. There are plenty of challenges, so it\’s easy to pass the controller to another person if you die. I did this with my kids when we played Spyro and Crash Bandicoot and had a lot of fun!
Horror
The horror genre benefits from consoles in many ways similar to action-adventure, such as emphasizing the cinematic experience. Most importantly, any horror fan will tell you that audio is one of the pillars of the genre. Using a pair of good headphones can really add to the tension, as your sense of spatial awareness is heightened.
What\’s particularly unique to consoles is the haptic feedback, even if it\’s a little muffled. The DualSense\’s adaptive triggers and haptics are particularly fantastic in a horror setting. I\’ve played the Dead Space remake and the feedback I\’ve received really makes it hard to go back to the original.