Ninth generation of video game consoles

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The ninth generation of video game consoles began in November 2020 with the releases of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S console family and Sony's PlayStation 5.[1][2][3]

Compared to the eighth-gen Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the new consoles add faster computation and graphics processors, support for real-time ray tracing graphics,[4] output for 4K resolution, and in some cases, 8K resolution, with rendering speeds targeting 60 frames per second (FPS) or higher.[5] Internally, both console families introduced new internal solid-state drive (SSD) systems to be used as high-throughput memory and storage systems for games to reduce or eliminate loading times and support in-game streaming.[6] The Xbox Series S and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition lack an optical drive while retaining support for online distribution and storing games on external USB devices.

Despite much weaker processing power and already previously competing with eighth-generation consoles, the Nintendo Switch has also been noted as a competitor to ninth-generation consoles, particularly with the introduction of the "OLED Model" revision in 2021.[7][8] Alongside the Switch, new handheld personal computer devices, such as the Steam Deck, introduced means to play Linux games, as well as most Windows games through Proton, on-the-go, further expanding hardware competition in the generation.

  1. ^ Browning, Kellen (September 15, 2020). "Coming This Fall: Return of the Video Game Console Wars". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Lacina, Dia (November 5, 2020). "The Evolution of Game Console Design—and American Gamers". Wired. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "The 8 Generations of Video Game Consoles". BBC News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "What Is Ray Tracing? Here's What It Means For PS5 And Xbox Scarlett – GameSpot". www.gamespot.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Andrew Williams 17 March 2020 (March 17, 2020). "What is frame rate? And how will it change for next-gen consoles?". gamesradar. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Andrew Williams 18 March 2020 (March 18, 2020). "SSD vs HDD – What does switching to SDD mean for next-gen gaming?". gamesradar. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Marshall HonorofContributions from Roland Moore-Colyer (September 30, 2022). "PS5 vs. Xbox Series X vs. Nintendo Switch: Which console is right for you?". Tom's Guide. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Freeman-Mills, Max (September 28, 2022). "PlayStation 5 vs Xbox Series X vs Nintendo Switch: Which console should you pick?". Pocket-lint. Retrieved September 23, 2023.