Gaming Console Store: Find the System You’ll Actually Want to Play

Choosing a gaming console used to be fairly straightforward. Today, there are multiple versions of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems, different storage capacities, digital and disc-based models, portable options, and substantial differences in the types of games each platform does best.

That makes shopping at a gaming console store about more than finding whichever system has the lowest price.

At Oro Express Mesa Pawn & Gold, our pre-owned gaming inventory may include Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch, handheld gaming systems, controllers, games, and accessories. Because our merchandise comes to us individually rather than through a distributor, the selection can include different generations, editions, and configurations at the same time.

That can make shopping pre-owned particularly useful.

You might be comparing a PlayStation 5 Disc Edition with a Digital Edition. You may be deciding between an Xbox Series X and Series S. Nintendo shoppers might have several versions of the Switch to consider. Sometimes the better purchase isn’t the newest or most expensive system—it’s the console that gives you access to the games and features you actually care about.

If you’re shopping for a gaming console, start there:

What do you want to play, and how do you want to play it?

Once you answer those questions, choosing the right console becomes considerably easier.

PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch?

The three major console families overlap, but they’re not interchangeable.

Each has its own approach to gaming.

Some customers already know exactly what they want because their favorite games, existing library, or friends are on a particular platform. Others are purchasing their first modern console or replacing a much older system and aren’t sure where to begin.

Instead of starting with specifications, think about the experience you want.

Do you primarily play major action and sports titles?

Are particular exclusive games important?

Will you play mostly online with friends?

Do you want physical game discs?

Is the console going into a living room for the entire family?

Would you rather have something you can take with you?

Do you already own games or accessories for one platform?

Those questions can quickly point you toward the right system.

PlayStation 5: Sony’s Current Gaming Experience

The PlayStation 5 is a natural choice for customers who already enjoy the PlayStation ecosystem or want access to games associated with Sony’s platform.

But “PS5” doesn’t necessarily identify the exact console you’re looking at.

Sony has produced different PS5 configurations and revisions, including systems designed around physical discs and others centered on digital games.

That distinction can matter considerably when shopping pre-owned.

PS5 Disc or Digital?

If you already own physical PlayStation games or like purchasing used games, a console capable of using compatible discs may be important.

Physical games can also give you flexibility. You can shop for pre-owned titles, lend compatible games to someone else, or build a physical collection.

A digital-focused system takes a different approach.

Your games are purchased and downloaded electronically, eliminating the need to store discs. For customers who already purchase most of their games digitally, that may be perfectly convenient.

Neither approach is automatically better.

The right choice depends on how you buy and keep your games.

Our dedicated Buy PlayStation 5 page goes deeper into the differences worth considering when you’re specifically shopping for a PS5.

Xbox Series X and Series S: Similar Names, Different Systems

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S belong to the same console generation, but shoppers shouldn’t treat them as two sizes of the same machine.

There are meaningful differences.

The Series X is generally positioned as the higher-performance system, while the Series S was designed as a more compact and accessible way into the current Xbox ecosystem.

The right choice depends on what matters to you.

A customer with a large television who cares about performance and wants a higher-end Xbox experience may lean toward the Series X.

Another customer who primarily wants access to current Xbox games and digital gaming may find the Series S does exactly what they need at a lower cost.

Storage can also be an important consideration because modern games can consume substantial space.

Before buying either system, look beyond the words Xbox Series and make sure you understand exactly which console and configuration you’re considering.

For a more detailed comparison, see our Buy Xbox Series X|S guide.

Nintendo Switch: Gaming That Doesn’t Have to Stay in the Living Room

Nintendo approaches gaming differently.

The Switch became popular partly because it doesn’t force customers to choose between a traditional television console and portable gaming.

Depending on the model, you can have both.

That makes Nintendo Switch particularly attractive for:

• Families
• Younger gamers
• Travelers
• Nintendo fans
• Portable gaming
• Multiplayer gaming
• Customers interested in Nintendo’s game franchises

But there’s more than one type of Switch.

Standard Switch, Switch Lite and Other Switch Models

If you’re shopping pre-owned, identifying the particular Nintendo Switch model is important.

A traditional Switch is designed around flexible play, allowing compatible games to move between handheld use and a television setup with the appropriate dock and equipment.

The Switch Lite takes a more portable-focused approach.

Other Switch versions can offer different displays, storage, design features, and configurations depending on the model.

The important point isn’t memorizing every specification before you shop.

It’s understanding that “Nintendo Switch” isn’t enough information to compare two systems properly.

If you’re specifically interested in Nintendo, our Buy Nintendo Switch page explains the differences in greater detail.

Start With the Games, Not the Hardware

This may be the most useful advice on this page.

A console is only valuable if it plays the games you want.

Customers can spend a great deal of time comparing processors, storage, graphics capabilities, and other specifications while overlooking the most basic question:

What am I going to play?

If there’s a particular game or franchise you care about, check which platforms support it before buying a console.

The same applies to multiplayer.

If most of the people you want to play with use one platform, that can influence your decision. Some games support cross-platform multiplayer, while others may have limitations.

Don’t assume every game works on every system or that every multiplayer experience is identical across platforms.

Choose the games first.

Then choose the machine.

Physical Games or Digital Downloads?

This decision has become increasingly important.

Physical games still appeal to many customers because they can be collected, stored, purchased pre-owned, and used without building an entirely digital library.

Digital games offer convenience. There is no disc to insert, store, lose, or damage.

But your preference can influence which console configuration makes sense.

If you enjoy browsing used games or already have a collection of compatible discs, purchasing a console without the ability to use those discs could be disappointing.

If you’ve been purchasing games digitally for years and have little interest in physical media, a digital-oriented console may fit your habits perfectly.

Think about how you purchase games—not just how you play them.

Storage Can Disappear Faster Than You Expect

Modern games can be large.

That makes storage a practical consideration rather than simply another specification on the box.

A customer who plays only a few games regularly may have very different storage needs from someone who likes keeping a large library installed and ready to play.

When comparing consoles, consider:

• Internal storage capacity
• How much usable storage is available
• Typical size of the games you play
• Compatible storage expansion options
• Cost of adding storage later

Don’t automatically pay more for storage you won’t use.

But don’t ignore storage if you already know you’re the type of player who keeps numerous large games installed.

Buying a Console for a Child

Parents and grandparents often walk into a gaming store with a request that sounds something like:

“I need a PlayStation for my grandson.”

The next question is: which one?

If the console is a gift, getting a little information beforehand can prevent an expensive mistake.

Try to find out which system the child actually wants, which games they play, and what their friends use.

If they asked specifically for a PS5, an Xbox isn’t necessarily an equivalent substitute simply because both play video games.

Likewise, a Nintendo Switch offers an entirely different gaming experience.

It can also help to know whether the household already owns controllers, games, subscriptions, or other accessories for a particular platform.

Buying a Console for the Family

The best family console isn’t necessarily the same as the best console for a dedicated gamer.

Think about who will actually use it.

Will younger children play?

Will adults use it?

Do you want games everyone can play together?

Will you need additional controllers?

Will it stay connected to one television?

Does portability matter?

Nintendo can be particularly appealing for certain family-oriented experiences, while PlayStation and Xbox offer their own extensive libraries.

The right answer depends more on your household than on which console has the most impressive specification sheet.

Controllers Matter

A console without the right controller isn’t particularly useful.

When you’re looking at a pre-owned system, ask what’s actually included.

Depending on the individual console, that might include a controller, cables, dock, power supply, or other accessories.

Don’t assume everything originally packaged with a new console is automatically included with a pre-owned one.

Additional controllers can also become a meaningful part of your budget if several people will play locally.

If you’re buying a console for multiplayer use, factor that into your decision before leaving the store.

Previous-Generation Consoles Can Still Make Sense

Not every customer needs the newest gaming hardware.

Depending on availability and what you want to play, a previous-generation PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo system, or other console may still offer plenty of entertainment.

This can be particularly attractive for:

• Casual gamers
• Younger children
• Secondary rooms
• Customers interested in older game libraries
• Budget-conscious shoppers
• Someone replacing a failed console
• Collectors

But older doesn’t automatically mean better value.

Software support, online services, game availability, controller availability, and the age of the hardware should all be considered.

The purchase should make sense because of what the system still allows you to do—not simply because the price is lower.

Gaming Consoles Are Individual Pieces of Pre-Owned Electronics

When you purchase a brand-new console from a large retailer, every unopened unit of the same configuration should essentially be identical.

Pre-owned systems are different.

Two consoles from the same generation can vary in:

• Physical condition
• Storage
• Revision or configuration
• Included controller
• Included cables
• Included accessories
• Packaging
• Previous use

That’s why the individual console matters.

Before we purchase a gaming system for resale, we identify what it is and consider its condition, functionality, configuration, included equipment, and current market.

When you’re shopping, look at the actual system you’re purchasing and ask what comes with it.

Buying Pre-Owned Can Open Up More Choices

Buying new usually means shopping from whatever configurations manufacturers and major retailers are currently promoting.

A pre-owned gaming console store can look very different.

On the same visit, you might encounter systems from multiple manufacturers and generations.

That gives you an opportunity to compare based on value rather than simply release date.

Perhaps you planned to purchase the least expensive current console but discover that a different pre-owned system offers more of what you want.

Or you may realize that you don’t need the more expensive option at all.

That’s where understanding your own gaming priorities pays off.

Don’t Forget the Television

Your gaming experience also depends on the screen connected to the console.

A newer gaming system can support capabilities that an older television may not fully take advantage of.

That doesn’t mean you need to replace a perfectly good TV just because you’re buying a console.

It does mean that customers particularly interested in resolution, refresh rate, HDR, or other gaming-oriented display features should consider the entire setup rather than evaluating the console alone.

If the television is also part of your upgrade, browse our Used TV Store inventory to see what’s currently available.

Gaming Isn’t Limited to Consoles

Some customers walk in thinking they want an Xbox or PlayStation and eventually realize that a gaming computer better fits what they want to play.

PC gaming provides access to a different ecosystem of games, hardware, peripherals, and upgrade possibilities.

It also tends to require more decisions.

If you’re considering both, our Used Computers page explains what to look for in pre-owned computers, including gaming PCs when available.

A console generally offers a more standardized experience.

A gaming PC provides greater flexibility.

Neither is universally better.

What Should You Compare in the Store?

When several consoles are available, compare the actual systems rather than just the prices printed beside them.

Look at the exact model and generation. Determine whether it supports physical games or is digital-only. Compare storage capacity. Ask which controller and cables are included. Consider the physical condition and any included accessories.

Then put all of that against the price.

A cheaper console that requires you to immediately purchase several missing accessories may not be the less expensive option after all.

Likewise, don’t automatically pay more for a bundle of accessories you don’t need.

Compare the complete purchase.

Our Gaming Inventory Changes With What Comes Through the Door

We don’t order dozens of identical consoles and keep them stacked in a warehouse.

Our pre-owned inventory is built from individual systems we choose to purchase.

That means we may have multiple PlayStation 5 consoles available at one point and none later. Xbox or Nintendo inventory can change just as quickly.

Accessories and games vary as well.

If you’re making a special trip for a specific console, model, or configuration, call ahead.

If you’re more flexible, visiting the store can give you an opportunity to compare whatever gaming systems are available that day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Gaming Console Store

Do you sell used gaming consoles?

Yes. Depending on current inventory, we may have pre-owned PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and other gaming systems available.

Do you sell PlayStation 5 consoles?

Yes, when available. Our PS5 inventory can vary by model and configuration. See our Buy PlayStation 5 page for more information about shopping specifically for a PS5.

Do you sell Xbox Series X and Series S?

We may have both Xbox Series X and Series S consoles depending on current inventory. Our Buy Xbox Series X|S guide goes deeper into choosing between them.

Do you sell Nintendo Switch consoles?

Yes, when available. Inventory may include different Switch models and configurations. Visit our Buy Nintendo Switch page if Nintendo is specifically what you’re looking for.

Do your consoles come with controllers?

Included equipment varies with the individual console. Ask what controller, cables, power supply, dock, or other accessories are included with the system you’re considering.

Do you sell physical video games?

Games may be available depending on current inventory. Selection can vary by platform and title.

Should I buy a digital or disc-based console?

It depends on how you purchase games. If you already own compatible physical games or enjoy purchasing pre-owned discs, disc capability may be valuable. If you purchase virtually everything digitally, a digital-focused system may fit your habits.

Is a used console a good choice for a child?

It can be. Before purchasing, find out which console the child wants and which games they intend to play. Buying the wrong platform because it has a lower price may not be much of a bargain.

Can I call to see whether a specific console is available?

Yes. If you’re looking for a particular PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, storage configuration, or edition, call before making a special trip and ask about current inventory.

Visit Our Gaming Console Store and Find the Right System

The best gaming console isn’t determined by which company has the newest hardware or which system costs the most.

It’s the console that lets you play the games you want, in the way you want to play them.

For one customer, that’s a PlayStation 5 with a disc drive and a collection of physical games. Another may prefer the value and digital focus of an Xbox Series S. A family might choose a Nintendo Switch, while a more serious Xbox shopper may specifically want a Series X.

At Oro Express Mesa Pawn & Gold, you can shop pre-owned gaming consoles and compare the systems we currently have available. Look at the actual console, understand its configuration and included equipment, and choose the system that makes sense for your games, your household, and your budget.