Quick answer: The five consoles this article first listed, the Nintendo Switch, PS4 Slim, Xbox One S, PS3 12 GB and Xbox One X, are all older hardware now; the PS3 and the Xbox One family are discontinued. The current main consoles are Sony’s PlayStation 5 (released in India on 2 February 2021), Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S (November 2020) and the Nintendo Switch 2 (June 2025). Prices change often, so check the official Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo site or an authorised Indian retailer before you buy.
About this list
This article was first written around 2019, judging by the games it mentioned, as a guide to the most popular gaming devices in India at the time. Gaming hardware moves quickly, so we have kept the original five consoles as a record of that period, marked what has changed for each, and added the consoles that replaced them.
The gaming industry has grown a great deal over the past decade, both worldwide and in India, where most people play on smartphones. An earlier version of this page said the Indian gaming market would reach about USD 945 million “in the next 2 years” and that gaming had “taken over” the music industry. We could not trace the source of those figures, so we have removed them.
The original article also named Pubg as one of the most popular games in India. In India the mobile game is now offered as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a Krafton version released in July 2021. BGMI was blocked by the government in July 2022 and, according to Krafton, the block was lifted on 26 May 2023.
The five devices from the original list
1. Nintendo Switch
The original Nintendo Switch, launched on 3 March 2017, is a hybrid console: you can play it on a TV at home or pick it up and play it as a handheld. Its two detachable Joy-Con controllers can be shared for two-player games. At launch it came in two versions, one with grey Joy-Con and one with neon red and neon blue Joy-Con. Games the original article highlighted included Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Astral Chain.
What changed: Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch 2 on 5 June 2025. The original Switch remains a capable console with a large game library, but the Switch 2 is the current model.
2. Sony PS4 1 TB Slim
The PlayStation 4 Slim, introduced in 2016, is a smaller and lighter redesign of the original PS4. The 1 TB model gives plenty of storage, and it uses the DualShock 4 wireless controller. Virtual reality needed the separately sold PlayStation VR headset. Bloodborne was the popular exclusive the original article mentioned. More details are on Sony India’s PS4 page. The original article also pointed readers to Aliexpress for docks and accessories; that link goes to an Australian cashback site, so Indian buyers may prefer local retailers.
What changed: The PS4 has been succeeded by the PlayStation 5. In Japan, Sony discontinued all PS4 models except the 500 GB Slim in January 2021.
3. Microsoft Xbox One S
The Microsoft Xbox One S, released in 2016, was a slimmer Xbox One with support for HDR and 4K video, a built-in Ultra HD Blu-ray drive, and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. Bundles were sold with up to 1 TB of storage and offers such as a trial of Xbox Game Pass. An earlier version of this article said a “Blu-ray player with motion control” was included; the One S had no built-in motion control, and the Kinect motion sensor needed a separate adapter. The original article also linked to Amazon Australia as a place to buy it; that link goes to an Australian cashback site.
What changed: Microsoft stopped making Xbox One consoles in 2020, ahead of the Xbox Series X and Series S.
4. Sony PS3 12 GB
The 12 GB PlayStation 3 was a “Super Slim” model released in 2012. It used the Cell Broadband Engine processor and RSX graphics chip, played Blu-ray discs, had built-in Wi-Fi and could stream services such as Netflix. The original article said it had a 12 GB hard disk; this low-cost Super Slim model actually used built-in flash storage instead of a hard disk, with the option to install a hard drive later.
What changed: The PS3 is discontinued; Sony ended shipments in Japan in May 2017. It is now of interest mainly to collectors and fans of older games.
5. Microsoft Xbox One X
The Microsoft Xbox One X, released in 2017, was the most powerful console of its generation. Its “Scorpio Engine” combined a 2.3 GHz eight-core custom AMD processor with a GPU rated at 6 teraflops and 12 GB of GDDR5 memory, aimed at 4K gaming. The original article highlighted Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Fallout 76 as games enhanced for it.
What changed: Microsoft discontinued the Xbox One X in July 2020, before the Xbox Series X launched.
Prices quoted in the original article
For the record, the original article (around 2019) gave these approximate Indian prices. They are out of date and should not be used as current prices.
| Console | Price quoted in the original article | Status in November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | ₹21,000 | Succeeded by Switch 2 (June 2025) |
| Sony PS4 1 TB Slim | ₹30,000 | Succeeded by PS5 |
| Microsoft Xbox One S | ₹21,000 | Discontinued (2020) |
| Sony PS3 12 GB | ₹13,500 | Discontinued (2017) |
| Microsoft Xbox One X | ₹40,000 | Discontinued (2020) |
Current consoles to consider
- PlayStation 5: released worldwide in November 2020 and in India on 2 February 2021, after a delay. Sony sells standard and Digital Edition versions, and a more powerful PS5 Pro.
- Xbox Series X and Series S: released on 10 November 2020. The Series X is the higher-performance model; the Series S is a smaller, cheaper, digital-only console.
- Nintendo Switch 2: released on 5 June 2025 as the successor to the Switch, keeping the home-and-handheld design.
Before buying in India, check:
- the current price on the maker’s official Indian page or an authorised retailer, since prices and bundles change;
- whether the unit comes with an official Indian warranty, as imported consoles may not be covered locally;
- whether the games you want are available, and their price, in the console’s online store for your region.
For add-ons, see our guide to must-have gaming accessories. For game ideas, see our look at GTA 5 and, for Minecraft players, how to make your own Minecraft skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PS4 still worth buying?
It can still play a large library of games, but it has been succeeded by the PS5, and new games increasingly come out only for newer consoles. Check whether the games you want still support PS4 before buying.
When did the PS5 launch in India?
On 2 February 2021, later than in most other countries.
Is the Xbox One X still made?
No. Microsoft discontinued the Xbox One X in July 2020. Its successors are the Xbox Series X and Series S.
What is the newest Nintendo console?
The Nintendo Switch 2, released on 5 June 2025.
Is PUBG available in India?
The mobile game is available in India as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), from Krafton. It was blocked in July 2022 and, according to Krafton, the block was lifted in May 2023.
Checked in November 2026 against reference records of each console’s release and discontinuation, Krafton’s statements on BGMI as reported, and the consoles’ official pages. Prices are not given for current consoles because they change; check the official sites before you buy.
