Ninth generation of video game consoles: Difference between revisions

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media          = [[Blu-ray]], [[compact disc|CD]], [[digital distribution]], [[DVD]], [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD]] [[Blu-ray]], [[SD Card]]|
media          = [[Blu-ray]], [[compact disc|CD]], [[digital distribution]], [[DVD]], [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD]] [[Blu-ray]], [[SD Card]]|
release        = March 3, 2017 - present|
release        = March 3, 2017 - present|
added_to_museum = See below|
added_to_museum = See [[:Category:Ninth-generation video game consoles|Ninth generation console category]]|
}}
}}
The '''Ninth generation of video game consoles''' began with the release of the [[Nintendo Switch]] on March 3, 2017.  
The '''Ninth generation of video game consoles''' began with the release of the [[Nintendo Switch]] on March 3, 2017.  
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===Nintendo Switch===
===Nintendo Switch===
The Switch was released only five years after the release of the [[Wii U]] as that system sold poorly and Nintendo wanted to recover from its losses.  
The Switch was released in 2017, which was only five years after the release of the [[Wii U]]. The latter sold poorly and Nintendo wanted to recover from its losses.  


As with the previous two generations, Microsoft and Sony released consoles with much higher [[CPU|processor]], [[RAM|memory]], and graphics capabilities than the previous generation. Nintendo continued with its plan to release a console with a unique design that only has a modest increase in processor power, memory, and graphics capabilities.  
Nintendo continued with its business model to release a console with a unique design that only has a modest increase in [[CPU|processor]] power, [[RAM|memory]], and graphics capabilities.  


The Switch combined portable and home consoles with a handheld system that can be played on a television set through [[HDMI]] when plugged into a charging dock. Because of this, the Switch was the successor of not just the Wii U, but of the [[New Nintendo 3DS|New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS]] handheld consoles as well
The Switch combined portable and home consoles with a handheld system that can be played on a television set through [[HDMI]] when plugged into a charging dock. Because of this, the Switch was the successor of not just the Wii U, but of the [[New Nintendo 3DS|New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS]] handheld consoles as well.
 
The Nintendo Switch supports playing games on a physical [[Game Card]] and also supports purchasing games over the [[internet]] through [[digital distribution]].
 
===Microsoft Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S===
In 2020, three years after the release of the Nintendo Switch, [[Microsoft]] released its own ninth-generation console as an update to the [[Xbox One]].
 
Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft's offering had much higher processor, memory, and graphics capabilities than the previous generation.
 
Unlike Nintendo's console, Microsoft opted to go strictly for the home market without a portable option. The console line came in two different options, the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S.
 
The Xbox Series X has a built-in [[Blu-ray]] drive and also supports purchasing games over the internet through digital distribution.
 
The Xbox Series S lacks a Blu-ray drive so games can only be purchased over the internet through digital distribution.
 
A Blu-ray drive add-on is not available so the Xbox Series S can not be upgraded to the capabilities of the Xbox Series S.
 
===Sony PlayStation 5===
In 2020, nine days after the release of the Microsoft Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, [[Sony]] released its own ninth-generation console as an update to the [[PlayStation 4]].
 
Like Microsoft, Sony's offering had much higher processor, memory, and graphics capabilities than the previous generation.
 
The PlayStation 5 console line came in two different options, the standard PlayStation 5 and the and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
 
The PlayStation 5 has a built-in Blu-ray drive and also supports purchasing games over the internet through digital distribution.
 
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition lacks a Blu-ray drive so games can only be purchased over the internet through digital distribution.
 
Like Microsoft's offerings, a Blu-ray drive add-on is not available so the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition can not be upgraded to the capabilities of the standard PlayStation 5.


===Sales numbers===
===Sales numbers===
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!| Title
!| Title
!| Release
!| Release
!| Added to museum
!| Notes
!| Notes
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | July 29, 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 6.2-inch [[LCD]] screen.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 6.2-inch [[LCD]] screen.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch Lite]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch Lite]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 5.5 inch-inch [[LCD]] screen. Portable only.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 5.5 inch-inch [[LCD]] screen. Portable only.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S|Xbox Series S]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S|Xbox Series S]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] only.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] only.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S|Xbox Series X]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S|Xbox Series X]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] and [[Blu-ray]].
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] and [[Blu-ray]].
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 5]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 5]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] and [[Blu-ray]].
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] and [[Blu-ray]].
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5 Digital Edition]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5 Digital Edition]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] only.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Digital distribution]] only.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch OLED model]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch OLED model]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 7-inch [[OLED]] screen.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 7-inch [[OLED]] screen.<br />[[Digital distribution]] and [[Game Card]]
|}
|}
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!| Title
!| Title
!| Release
!| Release
!| Added to museum
!| Notes
!| Notes
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Google]] [[Stadia]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Google]] [[Stadia]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | October 9, 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Cloud]]-based gaming service that shut down in 2023.<br />Stadia controllers patched for [[Bluetooth]] connection to other systems.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Cloud]]-based gaming service shut down in 2023.<br />Stadia controllers patched for [[Bluetooth]] connection to other systems.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] [[Luna]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Cloud]]-based gaming service.
|}
|}


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!| Title
!| Title
!| Release
!| Release
!| Added to museum
!| Notes
!| Notes
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade Portable]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Generations II]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | May 1, 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Game Boy]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with games on [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade VS.]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Generations III]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Not yet
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Home console with built-in games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade EXP]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Super Retrocade]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | December 30, 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[NES Classic Edition|Famicom Mini: Shonen Jump Version]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation Classic]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | June 10, 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[PlayStation (video game console)|PlayStation]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] games.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition|SNES Classic Edition]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition|SNES Classic Edition]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | March 16, 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[NES Classic Edition|Famicom Mini: Shonen Jump]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] games.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition|Super Famicom Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition|Super Famicom Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | October 31, 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Generations II]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Generations IV]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | July 4, 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]] and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Game Boy]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro-Bit]] [[Retro-Bit Generations|Super Retrocade]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | June 19, 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] games.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[THEC64|THEC64 Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[THEC64|THEC64 Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | April 24, 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Commodore 64|C64]] and [[VIC-20]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Commodore 64|C64]] and [[VIC-20]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[THEC64]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2019
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Home console with built-in [[Commodore 64|C64]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade Portable]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with games on [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Konami]] [[TurboGrafx-16 Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Arcade CD-ROM²]], [[CD-ROM²]], [[PC Engine]], [[Super CD-ROM²]], [[SuperGrafx]], [[Turbo Duo]], and [[TurboGrafx-16]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in [[Famicom Disk System]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] games plus a [[Game & Watch]] remake.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[THEVIC20]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[THEVIC20]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2020
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | June 2, 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Home console with built-in [[Commodore 64|C64]] and [[VIC-20]] games.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Home console with built-in [[Commodore 64|C64]] and [[VIC-20]] games.
|-
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Sony]] [[PlayStation Classic]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade VS.]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2017
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | December 5, 2018
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Home console with built-in games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[PlayStation]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Nintendo]] [[Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2021
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in [[Game Boy]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] games plus a [[Game & Watch]] remake.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Blaze Entertainment]] [[Evercade|Evercade EXP]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[The A500 Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2022
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Commodore]] [[Amiga]] games.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Hyper Mega Tech!]] [[Super Pocket|Super Pocket Capcom]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2023
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in [[Capcom]] games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Hyper Mega Tech!]] [[Super Pocket|Super Pocket Taito]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2023
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Portable console with built-in [[Taito]] games, [[digital distribution]], and [[ROM Cartridge]]s.
|-
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | [[Retro Games]] [[The 400 Mini]]
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | 2024
| style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center" | Mini console with built-in [[Atari 8-bit computers|Atari 8-bit]] games.
|}
|}


[[Category: Computers and consoles]]
[[Category: Computers and consoles]]
[[Category: Ninth-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category: Ninth-generation video game consoles]]

Latest revision as of 09:53, 24 June 2024

Ninth generation of video game consoles
Designer Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, various
Manufacturer Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, various
CPU various
Graphics various
Memory various
Media Blu-ray, CD, digital distribution, DVD, Ultra HD Blu-ray, SD Card
Released March 3, 2017 - present
Added to Museum See Ninth generation console category

The Ninth generation of video game consoles began with the release of the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017.

The three major console manufacturers

Like the previous two generations, the three main video game console manufacturers are Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony. In this generation, Microsoft released the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, Nintendo released the Switch, and Sony released the PlayStation 5.

Nintendo Switch

The Switch was released in 2017, which was only five years after the release of the Wii U. The latter sold poorly and Nintendo wanted to recover from its losses.

Nintendo continued with its business model to release a console with a unique design that only has a modest increase in processor power, memory, and graphics capabilities.

The Switch combined portable and home consoles with a handheld system that can be played on a television set through HDMI when plugged into a charging dock. Because of this, the Switch was the successor of not just the Wii U, but of the New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS handheld consoles as well.

The Nintendo Switch supports playing games on a physical Game Card and also supports purchasing games over the internet through digital distribution.

Microsoft Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

In 2020, three years after the release of the Nintendo Switch, Microsoft released its own ninth-generation console as an update to the Xbox One.

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft's offering had much higher processor, memory, and graphics capabilities than the previous generation.

Unlike Nintendo's console, Microsoft opted to go strictly for the home market without a portable option. The console line came in two different options, the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S.

The Xbox Series X has a built-in Blu-ray drive and also supports purchasing games over the internet through digital distribution.

The Xbox Series S lacks a Blu-ray drive so games can only be purchased over the internet through digital distribution.

A Blu-ray drive add-on is not available so the Xbox Series S can not be upgraded to the capabilities of the Xbox Series S.

Sony PlayStation 5

In 2020, nine days after the release of the Microsoft Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Sony released its own ninth-generation console as an update to the PlayStation 4.

Like Microsoft, Sony's offering had much higher processor, memory, and graphics capabilities than the previous generation.

The PlayStation 5 console line came in two different options, the standard PlayStation 5 and the and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

The PlayStation 5 has a built-in Blu-ray drive and also supports purchasing games over the internet through digital distribution.

The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition lacks a Blu-ray drive so games can only be purchased over the internet through digital distribution.

Like Microsoft's offerings, a Blu-ray drive add-on is not available so the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition can not be upgraded to the capabilities of the standard PlayStation 5.

Sales numbers

The Switch was the highest-selling console worldwide from 2018 through 2022. Because the Nintendo Switch had a headstart compared to the release of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S systems, it was the only ninth-generation console available on the market until 2020.

From 2020 to 2022, the strong sales of the Nintendo Switch were partly due to the fact that the Microsoft and Sony consoles had persistent stock shortages. The manufacturing process and the supply chain were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Console models

Title Release Notes
Nintendo Switch 2017 6.2-inch LCD screen.
Digital distribution and Game Card
Nintendo Switch Lite 2019 5.5 inch-inch LCD screen. Portable only.
Digital distribution and Game Card
Microsoft Xbox Series S 2020 Digital distribution only.
Microsoft Xbox Series X 2020 Digital distribution and Blu-ray.
Sony PlayStation 5 2020 Digital distribution and Blu-ray.
Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition 2020 Digital distribution only.
Nintendo Switch OLED model 2021 7-inch OLED screen.
Digital distribution and Game Card

Other consoles

Although Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have the highest sales numbers, some companies also released consoles and gaming platforms in the ninth generation.

Title Release Notes
Google Stadia 2019 Cloud-based gaming service that shut down in 2023.
Stadia controllers patched for Bluetooth connection to other systems.
Amazon Luna 2022 Cloud-based gaming service.

Retro consoles

Companies also continued to release consoles for the retro video game market. These consoles ran video games through emulation from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and early 2020s, or newer video games either created on consoles from those time periods or games developed in the style of those games.

Title Release Notes
Retro-Bit Generations II 2017 Mini console with built-in arcade, Famicom, Game Boy, and Super Famicom games.
Retro-Bit Generations III 2017 Mini console with built-in arcade, Famicom, and Super Famicom games.
Retro-Bit Super Retrocade 2017 Mini console with built-in arcade, Famicom, Genesis, and SNES games.
Sony PlayStation Classic 2017 Mini console with built-in PlayStation games.
Nintendo SNES Classic Edition 2017 Mini console with built-in SNES games.
Nintendo Famicom Mini: Shonen Jump 2018 Mini console with built-in Famicom games.
Nintendo Super Famicom Mini 2018 Mini console with built-in Super Famicom games.
Retro-Bit Generations IV 2018 Mini console with built-in arcade and Super Famicom games.
Retro Games THEC64 Mini 2018 Mini console with built-in C64 and VIC-20 games.
Retro Games THEC64 2019 Home console with built-in C64 games.
Blaze Entertainment Evercade Portable 2020 Portable console with games on ROM Cartridges.
Konami TurboGrafx-16 Mini 2020 Mini console with built-in Arcade CD-ROM², CD-ROM², PC Engine, Super CD-ROM², SuperGrafx, Turbo Duo, and TurboGrafx-16 games.
Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. 2020 Portable console with built-in Famicom Disk System and NES games plus a Game & Watch remake.
Retro Games THEVIC20 2020 Home console with built-in C64 and VIC-20 games.
Blaze Entertainment Evercade VS. 2021 Home console with built-in games, digital distribution, and ROM Cartridges.
Nintendo Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda 2021 Portable console with built-in Game Boy and NES games plus a Game & Watch remake.
Blaze Entertainment Evercade EXP 2022 Portable console with built-in games, digital distribution, and ROM Cartridges.
Retro Games The A500 Mini 2022 Mini console with built-in Commodore Amiga games.
Hyper Mega Tech! Super Pocket Capcom 2023 Portable console with built-in Capcom games, digital distribution, and ROM Cartridges.
Hyper Mega Tech! Super Pocket Taito 2023 Portable console with built-in Taito games, digital distribution, and ROM Cartridges.
Retro Games The 400 Mini 2024 Mini console with built-in Atari 8-bit games.
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