Ultimate Game Console Singapore Price Comparison: Xbox One vs PS4 vs Nintendo Switch

It appears everyone I know is playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game even appeared on the front page of the Financial Times recently.

As countries around the world implemented lockdowns and Singapore implemented the Circuit Breaker measures, gaming has seen a surge in popularity.

People are turning to gaming as a reliable source of entertainment and are using online multiplayer games to connect with their friends and family.

According to Statista, overall worldwide sales for the Xbox One family of consoles grew from 46.36 to 46.84 million from Jan 2020 to March 2020.

In the same timeframe, sales for the Nintendo Switch family of consoles grew from 50.51 to 55.77 million.

Similarly, sales for the PS4 family consoles went up from 100.4 to 108.27 million from Sep 2019 to March 2020.

Granted the prices of these consoles are still rather expensive ranging from $299 to $689.

But with all the real-world stores and entertainment venues closed, and with not much being said about when they will reopen, our options are limited.

If you can afford it, gaming consoles can provide endless hours of quality entertainment for you and your family.

Just remember to check back into the real world once in a while.

Plus, think about all the money you will save not going out.

TL;DR: Guide to Gaming Console Prices in Singapore: Xbox One vs PS4 vs Nintendo Switch

This guide will be a compilation of the new and used prices of all the popular game consoles in Singapore and solid game recommendations to get with your console.

Do note that with used consoles, you are taking a risk as there might be some problem with the hardware or software you might not know about.

It is best to look for a used console with an existing warranty as getting it fixed might be more expensive and not worth the hassle.

*Information accurate from the time (19 May 2020) of writing this article.

Xbox One Price in Singapore

First up we the Xbox One family of gaming consoles. We will be comparing it more with the PS4 family of gaming consoles as they are more similar in nature.

Currently, Microsoft offers two different models: the older Xbox One S (2013 release) and the newer Xbox One X (2017 release).

When comparing these two models the main difference between them is that with the Xbox One X plays games in true 4K with native support.

The Xbox One X also supports four times the resolution and 60 frames per second gaming performance.

This means that the amount of detail you see while playing on the Xbox One X will be better than the Xbox One S. Games will run more smoothly too.

With the new next-generation Xbox Series X set to launch somewhere from Oct to Dec 2020, these two consoles will get even cheaper.

Xbox One S Price in Singapore

If you compare the retail prices, the Xbox One S is the most affordable of these consoles.

The Xbox One S is a great affordable option as a used set can cost as low as $270 on Carousell.

Microsoft also sells an Xbox One S All-Digital Edition (1TB) which is a completely digital version which lacks a Blu-ray disc player. If are fine with having everything online and having to download games, this is a great option at $368.

You can also get the normal Xbox One S (1TB) on the popular online shopping platforms in Singapore from $365 with 1-year local warranty.

In comparison, the Xbox One S is a better multimedia device in comparison to the PS4 slim as it plays 4K Blu-Rays, streams 4K HDR content from Netflix, Amazon Video and other content providers.

In addition, the Xbox One S has backward compatibility; allowing you to play Xbox 360 games.

However, there is no option of VR on the Xbox One S and it can only upscale 1080p games to 4K which means that it cannot truly play games in 4K.

Xbox One X Price in Singapore

To get the full Xbox experience, you might want to get the Xbox One X.

You will get one of the fastest game consoles ever made that will be future proof for years to come.

This is Microsoft’s mid-generational update that is graphically more powerful than the PS4 Pro as it can deliver a true 4K gaming experience.

However, you pay a premium for this as the Xbox One X goes for $559. The official retail price is lower than the competing PS4 Pro which goes for $619.

Unfortunately, the price of the Xbox One X is not that much cheaper when you get it from third-party retailers. The same goes for its used price which is only slightly cheaper at $500.

Thus, you should get this if you are invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and the idea of having the most powerful console that can work well with your 4K TV appeals to you.

Xbox One Games

In terms of game libraries, the Xbox One series lags behind the PS4.

In terms of exclusives, the Xbox series only has games like:

• Blind Forest
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Forza Motorsport 7
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
• Gears 5
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Sea of Thieves
• Sunset Overdrive

However, Xbox makes up for it with its Xbox Game Pass which allows you to play and download over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games for just $14.90 a month.

In terms of backwards compatibility, more than 400 Xbox 360 games like the Mass Effect, Gears of War Series, Splinter Cell: Conviction can be played on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X.

There is also Microsoft’s Play Anywhere program which has two key features.

First, buying any under this program allows you to play with your friends on Windows 10 PCs.

Secondly, games bought under this program can be played on both your Windows 10 PC and Xbox at no added cost.

With the new next-generation Xbox Series X set to launch somewhere from October to December 2020, these two consoles will get even cheaper.

Sony Playstation 4 (PS4) Price in Singapore

Next on this list is the Sony PlayStation 4 series, which the best selling console out of the three.

Currently, Sony offers two different models: the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro.

PS4 Slim Price in Singapore

Released in 2013, the PS4 slim is comparable to the Xbox One S. The console is rather old but still performs rather well.

However, the PS4 slim is not perfect. The console does not support 4K gaming, does not play 4K UHD Blu-rays and their controllers have average battery life.

Despite its flaws, the PS4 slim is a great option for those who do not want to spend too much money on a game console and do not own a 4K TV.

PS4 Pro Price in Singapore

Released in 2017, the PS4 Pro is the mid-generational refresh of the PS4. This console is comparable to the Xbox One X but falls behind ever so slightly in terms of graphical performance.

If budget is not a big concern, you can consider getting a PS4 Pro as the device is more future proof as it can play upscaled 4K games and support Playstation VR better.

The console retails at these prices.

The price retail price for the Sony PS4 Pro and the price from third-party retailers is quite comparable as it is a newer and more in demand device.

Getting it used can potentially save you quite a bit but do proceed with caution.

The PS4 Pro can play games in 4K. This is achieved through an upscaling process called checkerboard rendering, which is technically not true 4K.

However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find the difference when viewing it side by side with an Xbox One X.

If you chose to get the Pro, it will also provide a smoother PlayStation VR experience as well.

PS4 Games

This is where the PS4 family of consoles trumps Xbox.

PS4 is winning the exclusive titles race by quite a distance. Although the Xbox series are graphically more capable, a lot of gamers still prefer the PS4 series due to the many exclusive titles.

These titles are some of the best rated AAA games of this generation, with games like:

• Bloodborne
• God of War
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Marvel’s Spiderman
• Persona 5
• Shadow of The Colossus (Remastered)
• The Last Guardian
• The Last of Us (Remastered)
• Uncharted 4

There’s a reason why the PS4 series is the best selling game console of this generation.

The PS4 plays PS3 games via PlayStation Now, which allows you to stream hundreds of PS3 games (and a few PS4 games) from the cloud for about $14.99 a month.

What differentiates Sony apart from Microsoft and Nintendo is it’s PlayStation VR system which allows you to access VR games and content.

Retailing for about $449, this VR system add-on is a more affordable way to get into VR.

When the next generation PS5 drops (estimated release date Oct to Dec 2020), the price of the PS4 series will more than likely drop further.

Nintendo Switch Price in Singapore

Last but not least we have the Nintendo Switch Series.

Demand for the console has skyrocketed in no small part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is due to a combination of production shortages, the runaway success of Animal Crossing: New Horizon and many people stuck at home — it is next to impossible to get a Nintendo Switch at retail price.

It was so popular that two youths were scamming people on Carousell by promising a preorder Switch console.

They would then ask for a deposit and become uncountable after the ‘customer’ transferred the money.

As far as game consoles go, few can match the Nintendo Switch in terms of innovation.

Launched in March 2017, the Switch can be hooked up to a TV in its docked mode in Full HD (1080p) or can be brought on the go in its portable mode on HD (720p).

Instead of going down the realistic AAA title route, the Switch banks on nostalgia and creative gameplay.

Although it is nowhere near as powerful as the base models for the Xbox One X and the PS4 Pro and does not support 4K; the Switch still holds its own.

Nintendo offers up two different models of the switch: the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.

Nintendo Switch Lite Price in Singapore

Launched in 2019, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a barebones version of the original Nintendo Switch.

Unlike the Switch, the Switch Lite is a handheld device that cannot be connected to a monitor or TV.

You also cannot remove the controllers from the Switch Lite and play it on the table with the wireless controllers.

This is the device to get if you want to play games handheld on your own; kind of like a Nintendo 3DS.

The prices in Singapore are as follows:

The prices are still pretty nuts as you have to pay above retail price to get a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Nintendo Switch Price in Singapore

$499 gets you the Nintendo console without any games but it is next to impossible to get the Nintendo Switch at the official retail price.

Be sure to look for the NS GEN-2 second-generation version as it has better battery life.

Although it is in stock, retailers and resellers have raised the prices way above its official retail price. The cheapest one I found was on Lazada.

Even then the cost was $189 above the official retail price.

Personally, as much as I would like a Nintendo Switch, I cannot accept the price gouging.

If you really want the device, an option will be to get it used. However, this option comes with it pitfalls as you are paying quite a bit for something used.

If your mind is set on getting it to make sure to look for a device with warranty and be careful of those scams going around.

Nintendo Switch Games

Games are where the Nintendo Switch shines.

Apart from the smash hit Animal Crossing: New Horizon which according to Nintendo, sold 13.41 million units since it launched on Mar 2020, making it the all-time best selling game on the Switch.

Aside from Animal Crossing, there are stellar titles like:

• Fire Emblem: Three Houses
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Splatoon 2
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Super Smash Bros Ultimate
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2

For the Nintendo Switch series, CEO Shuntaro Furukawa has said that there are “no plans to launch a new Nintendo Switch model during 2020.”

This means that it would be likely that the price will remain high throughout the year.