How to Choose a Console
Different consoles have different benefits and drawbacks. In some cases, a user already has a specific console, and does not have the option of choosing which console to get. It is possible to get most adaptive controllers to work on most standard gaming consoles. For example, the Xbox Adaptive Controller can be made to work with the Nintendo Switch Console. However, not all consoles are created equally when it comes to accessibility. Typically, there are three things to consider when choosing a console:
1) How easy it is to get the adaptive controller to work with the console
2) What the built-in accessibility features are on the console
3) Which games are available on the console
Ease of Set Up
Most adaptive controllers can interface with various consoles on the market either through direct connection or by using an adapter. An adapter makes the console recognize the controller as if it were native to that console. If an adaptive controller is not directly compatible with a specific console, an adapter can be used to enable compatibility (e.g., allowing us of the Xbox Adaptive Controller on the Switch 2 console). Although Xbox has a wider range of adaptive controllers that are directly compatible compared to PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, adapters facilitate connection to those consoles easily as well. Therefore, all consoles are generally equal in terms of ease of setup with different adaptive controllers. Refer to the Controller Connect Tool to learn how to set up adaptive controllers on various consoles.
Built In Accessibility
The built-in accessibility features on consoles are really only important if a user needs to use them. In general, Xbox has the most built-in accessibility features. PlayStation has he second most, closely followed by the Nintendo Switch. Currently, the only consoles that have controller assist capabilities, in which two controllers can be linked together to control the same user, are the Xbox and PS5. On the PS5 this feature is called Assist Controller. See below for links to the accessibility features available on each console.
Games
The games that are available to play on a console is a very important factor to consider. This not only includes what type of game the user wants to play but also how easy the game will be to play for the user. Most games, besides a few, that are available on the Xbox are also available to play on the PlayStation. In general, the difficulty and types of games don’t differ much between the Xbox and PlayStation consoles. However, the Nintendo Switch does differ significantly in the types of games that are available. Many games on the Nintendo Switch are much easier to play and have much fewer controls than the games on the other two consoles. Therefore, this might be the better option for individuals who might be better starting with simpler games that have fewer controls.