It can feel like tech companies release new game consoles every few months. You’ve got portable game consoles on the rise, plus the traditional ones for your TV - like the PlayStation or Xbox. A few years may have passed since you bought your last console, in which time there’s probably been a slimmer version, a pro version or a completely new version brought out.
It makes you wonder, is it time for an upgrade? But you don’t want to get caught in the spiral of buying a new console every year (or even every two years). That’s an expensive habit, so it’s usually best to replace your old game console if any of these signs are clear:
It Keeps Overheating
When a game console gets old, it stops performing as it once did. This happens when games get a lot bigger and more advanced, meaning your poor console has to work three times as hard as it used to. In turn, you tend to experience frequent overheating issues where the console gets so hot that it turns off.
If this keeps happening to you, then you may be able to fix it with a game console repair service. Get your console checked out by an expert and they can tell you if it’s overheating because it’s dirty or a part needs replacing - or if it’s just too old to handle new games.
Overheating can sometimes be fixed, giving your console a couple more years of life. However, if it keeps happening and is beyond repair, then you need to replace it, ideally with a new one.
There’s no more support for the console
There will come a time in every game console’s lifespan when support for it ends. Essentially, the manufacturer no longer does these two key things:
Provides software updates
Releases new games
It’s heavily rumoured that the PS4 will lose support in 2026, which means your old console could soon become derelict. Hardly any new games come out with PS4 compatibility these days anyway, which means it may be time to wave goodbye and get a new PS5. The same goes for other consoles; if you can no longer get software downloads (which are important for security and efficiency) or games aren’t being made for it anymore, then it’s time to switch.
It struggles to reach max performance
You know when companies bring out “Pro” versions of game consoles, or they launch a completely new version of the product? The big allure with these upgrades is that they come with more processing power. The newer consoles are capable of playing games in 4K without lagging or causing performance issues. Older consoles struggle to keep up, especially when newer and bigger games come out.
So, if your console keeps lagging or you’re unable to play new games at the best performance rates, then it could be time to replace it with something newer and more powerful.
A lot of people can hold onto a game console for 5+ years without needing to replace it, especially if they look after it. To be honest, it’s possible to keep a console for 10 years or more in some cases. It depends on how often you use it and the games you play - but if you want an upgrade, then here are three signs that prove it's worth the money.