Ninth generation of video game consoles#Comparison

The duration from the eighth generation until the start of the ninth was one of the longest in history, having started in 2012 with the release of Nintendo's Wii U. Past generations typically had five-year windows as a result of Moore's law,{{cite report | url = https://www.pitt.edu/~ckemerer/Video%20Game%20Reexamination%2020170216-submitted.pdf | title = Winners-Take-Some Dynamics in Digital Platform Markets: A Reexamination of the Video Game Console Wars | first1 = Chris F. | last1 = Kemerer | first2 = Brian Kimball | last2 = Dunn | first3 = Shadi | last3 = Janansefat | date = February 2017 | access-date = July 23, 2020 | publisher = University of Pittsburgh | archive-date = July 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210708164333/https://www.pitt.edu/~ckemerer/Video%20Game%20Reexamination%2020170216-submitted.pdf | url-status = live }} but Microsoft and Sony instead launched mid-console redesigns, the Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-10-softly-softly-the-xbox-one-x-launch | title = Softly, softly: The Xbox One X Launch | first = Rob | last = Fahey | date = November 10, 2017 | access-date = January 28, 2021 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025148/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-11-10-softly-softly-the-xbox-one-x-launch | url-status = live }} Microsoft also launched a monthly console lease program, with the option to buy or upgrade.{{Cite web | url = https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/xbox-all-access-confirmed-1202917439/ | title = Microsoft Launching Xbox All-Access Financing Program | first = Stefanie | last = Fogel | date = August 27, 2018 | access-date = August 27, 2018 | work = Variety | archive-date = August 27, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180827170931/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/xbox-all-access-confirmed-1202917439/ | url-status = live }} Some analysts believed these factors signaled the first major shift away from the idea of console generations because the potential technical gains of new hardware had become nominal.{{cite web | url = https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/rejoice-console-generations-are-dead/ | title = Rejoice: Console generations are dead | first = Seth | last = Barton | date = March 10, 2020 | access-date = January 28, 2021 | work = MCVUK | archive-date = March 1, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210301165442/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/rejoice-console-generations-are-dead/ | url-status = live }}

Microsoft and Sony had announced their new consoles in 2019 for release by the end of 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-sony-next-gen-console/ | title = Exclusive: What to Expect From Sony's Next-Gen PlayStation | first = Peter | last = Rubin | date = April 16, 2019 | access-date = April 16, 2019 | magazine = Wired | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190421080115/https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-sony-next-gen-console/ | archive-date = April 21, 2019 | url-status = live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/8/18658147/microsoft-xbox-scarlet-teaser-e3-2019 |title=Microsoft hints at next-generation Xbox 'Scarlet' in E3 teasers |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=June 8, 2019 |website=The Verge|access-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609004254/https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/8/18658147/microsoft-xbox-scarlet-teaser-e3-2019|archive-date=June 9, 2019|url-status=live}} When the pandemic struck in March 2020, it impacted both marketing and production of the consoles. The cancelled E3 2020 had been planned as a major venue to premiere the consoles, and instead both Microsoft and Sony turned to online showcases to highlight the systems and launch games. Both companies acknowledged that the pandemic had strained their production supplies due to hardware manufacturing slowdowns starting in March 2020, but would not impact their console release windows, and they set consumer expectations that console supplies would likely be limited in the launch window and would slowly become more relaxed as the pandemic waned.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-52851506 | title = PlayStation 5: Sony confident coronavirus won't change release plans | first = Steffan | last = Powell | date = May 29, 2020 | access-date = January 28, 2021 | work = BBC News | archive-date = June 13, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200613005043/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-52851506/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21363787/microsoft-xbox-series-x-launch-release-date-month | title = Microsoft to launch Xbox Series X in NovemberMicrosoft to launch Xbox Series X in November | first = Tom | last = Warren | date = August 11, 2020 | access-date = August 11, 2020 | work = The Verge | archive-date = August 11, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200811201004/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21363787/microsoft-xbox-series-x-launch-release-date-month | url-status = live }} This created a wave of scalping through online stores, which was countered by manufacturers and vendors.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ps5-and-xbox-series-x-scalpers-are-currently-seeking-upwards-of-5000-on-ebay/ | title = PS5 and Xbox Series X scalpers are currently seeking upwards of $5,000 on eBay | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = November 12, 2020 | access-date = November 16, 2020 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = November 17, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201117030454/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ps5-and-xbox-series-x-scalpers-are-currently-seeking-upwards-of-5000-on-ebay/ | url-status = live }} The ongoing global chip shortage continued to affect console shipments through the end of 2021, with Sony warning of lower production numbers during the final calendar quarter of the year and into 2022; this also affected Nintendo's Switch console production rates and Valve's plans to release the portable Steam Deck handheld gaming computer, from its planned December 2021 release date to February 2022.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/22777216/global-chip-supply-chain-shortage-holidays-christmas-shopping | title = The global chip shortage is a nightmare before Christmas | first = Jay | last = Peters | date = November 11, 2021 | access-date = November 11, 2021 | work = The Verge | archive-date = August 19, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220819095034/https://www.theverge.com/22777216/global-chip-supply-chain-shortage-holidays-christmas-shopping | url-status = live }}

{{Main|PlayStation 5}}

The PlayStation 5 was developed by Sony as the successor to the PlayStation 4 and was first released on November 12, 2020.{{Cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2020-09-16|title=PlayStation 5 launches Nov. 12 for $499.99|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21323105/ps5-price-playstation-5-release-date-pre-orders|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Polygon|language=en|archive-date=September 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917082957/https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/16/21323105/ps5-price-playstation-5-release-date-pre-orders|url-status=live}} The primary goal of the PlayStation 5's development was to reduce loading times in games, particularly those that use in-game streaming such as when the player moves across an open world. Sony developed a custom solid-state drive (SSD) architecture based on a 12-channel, 825 GB SSD along with a fast software decompression method that enables an input/output speed of up to 8 to 9 GB/s. In most early development tests, this virtually eliminated loading screens and masking loading times for open world games.{{cite web|last=Goslin|first=Austen|date=November 6, 2020|title=PS5's SSD only has 667 GB of free storage|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/6/21552741/ps5-storage-space-ssd-hard-drive-size|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106173619/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/6/21552741/ps5-storage-space-ssd-hard-drive-size|archive-date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020|work=Polygon}} The main system is backed by an AMD Zen 2 system on a chip running at a variable frequency capped at 3.5 GHz, and a RDNA 2 GPU also running at a variable frequency capped at 2.23 GHz. The GPU has a total potential processing power of 10.28 teraflops. The system comes with 16 GB of memory.{{cite web | url = https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/03/18/unveiling-new-details-of-playstation-5-hardware-technical-specs/ | title = Unveiling New Details of PlayStation 5: Hardware Technical Specs | first = Hideaki | last = Nishino | date = March 18, 2020 | access-date = March 20, 2020 | work = PlayStation Blog | archive-date = April 4, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200404061743/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/03/18/unveiling-new-details-of-playstation-5-hardware-technical-specs/ | url-status = live }}

The PlayStation 5 was launched with two models. The base model includes an optical disc reader for most disc formats including Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray, and retail PlayStation 5 games. A cheaper Digital model lacks the disc reader, but otherwise is equivalent to the base model. Both models support expanded memory options to store games and other data onto external drives, thus allowing players to obtain and store games through online distribution via the PlayStation Store. The PlayStation 5 has mostly complete backward compatibility with PlayStation 4 games, with only a limited number of games not currently supported on the console,{{cite web | url = https://blog.playstation.com/2020/10/09/ps4-games-on-ps5-your-top-questions-answered/ | title = PS4 games on PS5: Your top questions answered | first = Hideaki | last= Nishino | date = October 9, 2020 | access-date = October 9, 2020 |work = PlayStation Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111011233/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/10/09/ps4-games-on-ps5-your-top-questions-answered/ |archive-date=November 11, 2020}} while the PlayStation Now cloud service is available for users to play games from the older PlayStation consoles.{{cite web | url = https://www.siliconera.com/jim-ryan-ps5-no-backwards-compatibility-with-ps3-and-older-games/ | title = Jim Ryan Confirmed PS5 Won't Have Compatibility With PS3 and Older Games | first = Kite | last = Stenbuck | date = September 17, 2020 | access-date = September 17, 2020 | work = Siliconera | archive-date = September 17, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917150047/https://www.siliconera.com/jim-ryan-ps5-no-backwards-compatibility-with-ps3-and-older-games/ | url-status = live }}

Mid-generation revision of both PlayStation 5 models were announced in late 2023, both unofficially considered the PlayStation 5 Slim. The units are to replace the two original PlayStation 5 models; both will have a slimmer design as well as 1 TB of internal storage and additional USB ports. The more expensive model includes an optical disc drive, while the second model, the Digital Edition, will not ship with a drive, though a drive expansion kit will be available to users.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2023-10-10 |title=Sony Confirms PS5 Slim for This Holiday Season |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-confirms-ps5-slim-for-this-holiday-season |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-10-10 |title=PS5 Slim is real and out in November |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ps5-slim-release-date/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}

{{Main|Xbox Series X and Series S}}

The Xbox Series X/S is the successor to the Xbox One and was released on November 10, 2020, in select regions.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-playstation-5/|title=Exclusive: A Deeper Look at the PlayStation 5—Haptics, UI Facelift, and More|magazine=Wired|access-date=2019-10-09|language=en|issn=1059-1028|archive-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008121717/https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-playstation-5/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2020-08-11|title=Microsoft to launch Xbox Series X in November|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21363787/microsoft-xbox-series-x-launch-release-date-month|access-date=2020-12-14|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811201004/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/11/21363787/microsoft-xbox-series-x-launch-release-date-month|url-status=live}} Microsoft followed the Xbox One's dual console models: a high-end line (the Series X comparable to the Xbox One X), and a cheaper model (the Series S comparable to the Xbox One S).{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtJWIxt3-M|title=Inside the Xbox Series S|date=September 9, 2020|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=September 10, 2020|via=YouTube|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909225506/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtJWIxt3-M&app=desktop|url-status=live}} The performance goal for the Xbox Series X was about four times that of the Xbox One X,{{cite web|last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=March 28, 2020|title=Building Xbox Series X: why Microsoft redefined the console form factor|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-constructing-xbox-series-x-a-revolution-in-console-design|access-date=March 29, 2020|work=Eurogamer|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328232225/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-constructing-xbox-series-x-a-revolution-in-console-design|url-status=live}} but without sacrificing game development for the lower-end Xbox Series S.

Both the Xbox Series X and Series S use an AMD Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU but with different frequencies and compute units. The Series S has lower frequencies with reduced performance, and the Series X has graphics performance estimated at 12.155 teraflops compared to the Series S's 4.006 teraflops.{{cite web|last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=March 16, 2020|title=Inside Xbox Series X: the full specs|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-inside-xbox-series-x-full-specs|access-date=March 16, 2020|work=Eurogamer|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819083150/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-inside-xbox-series-x-full-specs|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=March 16, 2020|title=Xbox Series X: just how big is it – and how does it compare to Xbox One X?|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-just-how-big-is-xbox-series-x-really|access-date=March 16, 2020|work=Eurogamer|archive-date=March 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316135856/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-just-how-big-is-xbox-series-x-really|url-status=live}} Microsoft developed a Velocity Architecture, which includes an internal SSD system (1 TB on the Series X, 500 GB on the Series S) used for storing games and new DirectX interfaces with improved input/output and in-game texture streaming and rendering. The Series X includes an optical disc reader supporting Blu-ray and UHD media, which is absent in the Series S.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-series-x-velocity-architecture-explained-loading-times-file-sizes |title=Xbox Series X Velocity Architecture Should Mean Smaller Game File Sizes, Less Loading, and More |first=Joe |last=Skrebels |date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=IGN |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715102807/https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-series-x-velocity-architecture-explained-loading-times-file-sizes |url-status=live }} Both consoles support external game storage media and online distribution via Xbox Live. Full backward compatibility was announced for all Xbox One games, including previously supported Xbox and Xbox 360 games but excluding Kinect games.{{Cite web|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=July 16, 2020|title=Xbox Series X won't support Kinect hardware, games|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/07/xbox-series-x-wont-support-kinect-hardware-games/|access-date=July 17, 2020|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717053550/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/07/xbox-series-x-wont-support-kinect-hardware-games/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-series-x-to-launch-with-thousands-of-games |title=Xbox Series X To Launch With 'Thousands' of Games |first=Ryan |last=McCaffery |date=May 28, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |work=IGN |archive-date=May 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528231000/https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-series-x-to-launch-with-thousands-of-games |url-status=live }} Microsoft encouraged third-party developers and publishers to use its Smart Delivery approach to give Xbox One games free performance upgrade patches for Xbox Series X/S.{{Cite web|title=Xbox Series X Will Have A New Feature Called Smart Delivery, But How Does It Work?|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-will-have-a-new-feature-called-smart/1100-6474023/|access-date=February 25, 2020|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225152810/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-will-have-a-new-feature-called-smart/1100-6474023/|url-status=live}}

The following table includes only named released models, and does not include minor hardware revisions or redesigns, such as the "slim" model of the PlayStation 5.

{{Main|Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2}}{{Multiple image

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Despite being a holdover from the eighth-generation, the Nintendo Switch has been positioned by sources as a primary competitor to other ninth-generation consoles, due to its continued hardware and software support as of 2024.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/when-is-the-ps6-release-date-speculation | title = When the PlayStation 6 Might Be Released | first = Matt | last = Kim | date = February 17, 2024 | accessdate = February 17, 2024 | work =IGN }} The financial failure of Nintendo's first eighth-gen console, the Wii U, resulted in the Switch's relatively late release in the eighth-generation, being released in March 2017.{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2021/01/30/reggie-switch-switch-wii-u/ | title = Reggie: Switch was a "make or break product" for Nintendo that "luckily was a hit" | date = January 30, 2021 | access-date= January 30, 2021 | work = VG247 }}{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/nintendo-completely-bailed-on-console-generations-and-1845719633 | title = Nintendo Completely Bailed On Console Generations, And Nobody Gave A Shit | first = Luke | last = Plunkett | date = November 24, 2020 | access-date = January 28, 2021 | work = Kotaku | archive-date = January 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210127231333/https://kotaku.com/nintendo-completely-bailed-on-console-generations-and-1845719633 | url-status = live }} An "OLED Model" revision was released on October 8, 2021, introducing an updated design and improved display, though it did not introduce any performance improvements.{{cite web |last1=Beckwith |first1=Michael |title=Nintendo Switch OLED can't do 4K but its dock can |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/08/nintendo-switch-oled-cant-do-4k-but-its-dock-can-15387888/ |website=Metro |access-date=October 11, 2021 |date=October 8, 2021 |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011012455/https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/08/nintendo-switch-oled-cant-do-4k-but-its-dock-can-15387888/ |url-status=live }} Additionally, commercial performance of Switch-exclusive titles have remained high during the ninth-generation, with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) both achieving 10 million units sold in their first three days after release.{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Rupesh |title=Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Breaks Records by Selling 10 Million Copies in 3 Days; Fans Unveil Africa-Based Adaptation |url=https://in.ign.com/pokemon-scarlet/176850/news/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-breaks-records-by-selling-10-million-copies-in-3-days-fans-unveil-africa#:~:text=In%20a%20press%20release%20from,the%20company%27s%20fastest%20selling%20title. |website=IGN India |access-date=23 September 2023 |language=en-in |date=29 November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Parrish |first1=Ash |title=Tears of the Kingdom sold 10 million copies in just three days |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/17/23726845/tears-of-the-kingdom-zelda-nintendo-switch-sales-best-seller |website=The Verge |access-date=23 September 2023 |date=17 May 2023}} Nintendo announced a successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, on January 16, 2025, with it releasing on June 5 in the same year.{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 and new "Mario Kart World" game to be released in June |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nintendo-switch-2-price-release-date-mario-kart-world/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Steam Deck}}

{{See also|Asus ROG Ally|Lenovo Legion Go|MSI Claw A1M|Razer Edge}}

File:Steam Deck (front).png

On February 25, 2022, Valve released the Steam Deck, a handheld gaming PC that runs SteamOS 3.0, a Linux distribution developed by Valve. The Deck includes Valve's own Proton compatibility layer, allowing nearly all Windows-based games to run on the Deck without modification. The handheld also allows users to install Windows or other software on the device. The Steam Deck was the first handheld to use an RDNA 2 GPU, which is also used on both the home consoles of the ninth generation.{{Cite web |last=Alderson |first=Alex |title=Valve and AMD working to bring Windows 11 to the Steam Deck as handheld impresses in initial hands-on videos |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Valve-and-AMD-working-to-bring-Windows-11-to-the-Steam-Deck-as-handheld-impresses-in-initial-hands-on-videos.554373.0.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Notebookcheck |date=August 10, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111145834/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Valve-and-AMD-working-to-bring-Windows-11-to-the-Steam-Deck-as-handheld-impresses-in-initial-hands-on-videos.554373.0.html |url-status=live }} The handheld was well received by many outlets, with an overall praising of its extensive game compatibility and portability.{{Cite web |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=2021-07-15 |title=How does Valve's Steam Deck compare to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5? |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/15/22578917/valve-steam-deck-nintendo-switch-xbox-series-x-ps5-spec-comparison |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116152129/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/15/22578917/valve-steam-deck-nintendo-switch-xbox-series-x-ps5-spec-comparison |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Matt Hanson last |date=2022-02-25 |title=Steam Deck review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/steam-deck |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111165432/https://www.techradar.com/reviews/steam-deck |url-status=live }}

The success of the Steam Deck led to the growth of the handheld gaming PC market and to the creation of direct competitors, such as the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw A1M, and the Ayaneo running Microsoft Windows.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221036/microsoft-xbox-handheld-pc-gaming-valve-steamos | title = Microsoft is now in a handheld gaming PC race | first = Tom | last = Warren | date = August 15, 2024 | accessdate = October 13, 2024 | work = The Verge }}

{{Main|Amazon Luna|GeForce Now|Google Stadia}}

File:Stadia-controller-and-Chromecast-Ultra-from-Premiere-Edition.jpg

Cloud gaming has become part of the gaming landscape with Stadia and Amazon Luna being introduced in November 2019 and October 2020, respectively, as well as GeForce Now coming out of its four years of beta in February 2020. None of these systems have had any financial breakthrough as home video game consoles, but they are viable for multi platform ninth generation games.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/21575100/google-stadia-one-year-anniversary-cloud-gaming-cyberpunk-2077-launch-test | title = Google Stadia Survived A Year, But Its Future Depends On Games Like Cyberpunk 2077 | first = Nick | last = Statt | date = November 19, 2020 | access-date = January 21, 2021 | work = The Verge | archive-date = January 12, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220112063926/https://www.theverge.com/21575100/google-stadia-one-year-anniversary-cloud-gaming-cyberpunk-2077-launch-test | url-status = live }} Google, having failed to find a large player base, shut down Stadia on January 19, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Hillister |first=Sean |date=19 January 2023 |title=Google Stadia is how you shut down a service right |url=https://www.theverge.com/23561541/google-stadia-shutdown-precedent-editorial |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=theverge}}

Cloud gaming has also been used by Microsoft as part of its gaming subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. This gave Microsoft a head start in what analysts expected to be a major complementary service, supplementing the unprofitable console business and appealing to more entry-level players with better accessibility at a lower price.{{Cite web |last1=Weldon |first1=Taylor |date=2021-07-18 |title=How Xbox Game Pass Ended the Console War |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/07/18/how-xbox-game-pass-ended-the-console-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125161310/https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/07/18/how-xbox-game-pass-ended-the-console-war/ |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=2021-07-19 |work=The Motley Fool |language=en |df=mdy-all}} Microsoft's Phil Spencer said that they believed that they could not compete on the console hardware space as much as Sony or Nintendo, and shifted their strategy towards Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming.{{cite web |last=Nunneley-Jackson |first=Stephany |date=May 6, 2023 |title=Microsoft's Phil Spencer candidly admits the company lost the console wars to competitors |url=https://www.vg247.com/microsofts-phil-spencer-candidly-admits-the-company-lost-the-console-wars-to-competitors |access-date=May 6, 2023 |work=VG247}} Sony in turn revamped its PlayStation Plus subscription in mid-2022 by merging in PlayStation Now, its cloud-based service for games of past PlayStation generations, as a feature in a higher subscription tier.{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Austin |date=April 22, 2022 |title=PS Plus release date confirms US launch 3 weeks after Asia rollout |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ps-plus-premium-release-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520075514/https://www.gamesradar.com/ps-plus-premium-release-date/ |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=April 22, 2022 |work=GamesRadar}}

The continued growth of cloud gaming services has inspired the development of handhelds like the Logitech G CLOUD Gaming Handheld{{Cite web |last=Greenwald |first=Will |date=2022-09-21 |title=Logitech G Cloud Is a Steam Deck-Style Handheld With a Streaming Focus |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/logitech-g-cloud-is-a-steam-deck-style-handheld-with-a-streaming-focus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921211127/https://www.pcmag.com/news/logitech-g-cloud-is-a-steam-deck-style-handheld-with-a-streaming-focus |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-21 |work=PC Magazine |language=en-US}} and Razer Edge,{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=2022-10-15 |title=Razer Edge is a Dedicated Handheld With 5G Connectivity |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/razer-edge-g5g-gaming-handheld-specs-price-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831214007/https://www.ign.com/articles/razer-edge-g5g-gaming-handheld-specs-price-release-date |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-31 |work=IGN |language=en-US}} which advertise cloud streaming as a key selling point.

{{Main|Apple Vision Pro|HTC Vive XR Elite|Quest 2|Meta Quest 3|Meta Quest 3S|Meta Quest Pro|PICO 4}}

{{See also|PlayStation VR2}}

File:Meta Quest 3 display unit.jpg

The ninth generation continued the trend of virtual reality. The previous generation mainly consisted of VR accessories made for mobile games (such as Google's Cardboard/Daydream and Samsung's Gear VR) or computers (HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift).{{Cite web |title=Samsung Gear VR v Google Daydream View: Which headset is best for you? |url=https://www.wareable.com/vr/samsung-gear-vr-v-google-daydream-view-555 |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Wareable |date=May 17, 2017 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive: Which Virtual Reality Headset Is Best? |url=https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/oculus-rift-vs-htc-vive-which-virtual-reality-headset-is-best |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=PCMAG |language=en}} This generation has started to offer standalone headsets dedicated to virtual reality games. The Meta Quest Pro was released in 2022.{{Cite web |first=Taylor |last=Lyles |date=2022-10-11 |title=Meta Officially Announces the Quest Pro VR Headset |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/meta-quest-pro-revealed-specs-price-release-date |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=IGN |language=en}} Additions in 2023 included the PlayStation VR2 (a PS5 accessory serving as a successor to 2016's PlayStation VR) and the Meta Quest 3.{{Cite web |first=Taylor |last=Lyles |date=2023-06-01 |title=Meta Officially Announces the Quest 3 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/meta-quest-3-announced-price |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=IGN |language=en}} 2024 also saw Apple's entry into the market with the release of the Apple Vision Pro.{{Cite web |title=What does the Apple Vision Pro do? Here's everything you need to know after WWDC reveal. |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/shopping/what-does-the-apple-vision-pro-do-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-after-wwdc-reveal/ar-AA1cfFoz |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=Apple Vision Pro release date: When is Apple's AR-VR headset coming out? |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-vision-pro-release-date-3333188/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Android Authority |language=en}}

File:Atari Vcs Oynx.jpg

Polymega{{Cite web |first=Damien |last=McFerran |date=2024-01-16 |title=Polymega - Now With N64 Support, But Is It Still Worth A Look In 2024? |url=https://www.timeextension.com/reviews/polymega-now-with-n64-support-but-is-it-still-worth-a-look-in-2024 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Time Extension |language=en}} and Atari 2600+{{Cite web |first=Giovanni |last=Colantonio |date=2023-11-15 |title=The Atari 2600+ is a retro console blueprint that everyone should follow |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/atari-2600-plus-hands-on/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}} are examples of game consoles released during the timespan of this generation, which focus on retro gaming and re-releases of older games.

While not directly focused on re-releases, Atari VCS is a Linux-based console that is pre-loaded with the compilation, Atari VCS Vault: Vol 1.{{Cite web |first=Scott |last=Tharler |date=2021-10-15 |title=New Atari VCS Review: Retro Tech Meets Geek Chic |url=https://www.newsweek.com/new-atari-vcs-review-retro-tech-meets-geek-chic-1638846 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} Additional titles, including a selection of indie games and remakes of classic Atari games, can be purchased from the console's digital storefront.{{Cite web |first=Michael |last=Vane |date=2022-02-04 |title=Atari VCS Review: Retro Gaming Console with Style |url=https://manofmany.com/entertainment/gaming/atari-vcs-review |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Man of Many |language=en}}

{{Portal|2020s|Video games}}

• 2020s in video games
• List of video game consoles
• List of home video game consoles
• List of handheld game consoles
• List of dedicated video game consoles
• List of virtual reality headsets

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Ninth generation game consoles|state=expanded}}

{{History of Video Games}}

09

.Consoles09

Video game consoles09

Category:2020s video games