Buying a new game shouldn't have to be a gamble. These are some of the gaming tools, accessories, and resources I use to research games, test what works for me, and make better decisions before spending my money. If you want to know more then check o...
A good way to set a spending limit before browsing new games instead of letting impulse purchases take over.
PlayStation™Store gift cards
Useful for keeping a dedicated Switch gaming budget while leaving your regular spending money alone.
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The Game Catalog and Game Trials available through certain membership tiers can provide another opportunity to experience games before committing to a separate purchase.
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If you're evaluating a Switch game's controls, using the controller you normally play with gives you a much better idea of how the full game will actually feel.
Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch
Testing a PS5 game means more than seeing how it looks. The DualSense lets you experience the actual controls, feedback, and overall feel yourself.
DualSense wireless controller
A game's audio design, music, dialogue, and environmental sound can be part of the experience you're evaluating, too.
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Demos still take up storage. Extra space makes it easier to download and test games without constantly deciding what needs to be deleted first.
microSDXC™ Card for Switch - Hardware
More storage gives you room to keep demos, trials, and games installed while you're deciding what deserves your attention.
How to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5 console
Useful for managing a larger gaming library and reducing some of the storage juggling that comes with researching and trying different games.
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Write down what you actually liked and disliked while playing. Controls, combat, difficulty, exploration, and other observations can tell you much more than simply remembering whether the demo was “fun.”
Gaming Notebooks
The last thing you need during a demo you're seriously evaluating is a dead controller interrupting the experiment.
Controller Charging Station
Lets you keep playing and evaluating a game even when your controller needs power.
Usb C Long Cable
A simple gaming setup essential for protecting the consoles and equipment you're investing your money in.
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Keeping your display clean makes it easier to properly judge a game's visuals instead of trying to evaluate everything through fingerprints and dust.
Screen Cleaner Kit
Research sessions can turn into long gaming sessions once a demo starts clicking. Keep something nearby so you can stay hydrated without constantly leaving the setup.