When choosing between PC and console gaming, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, just data, preferences, and a rapidly evolving industry. Some gamers are drawn to the high-performance customization of a PC rig, while others prefer the plug-and-play convenience of a console; both platforms offer different gaming experiences that resonate with two different types of gamers, who never agree on which medium is superior, and who are only brought together through crossplay and gaming conventions.

A major factor shaping this debate is exclusivity. Some of the most celebrated titles, like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Starfield, launch first or exclusively on PC, while certain franchises like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. remain console-only. 

Your choice of platform can directly affect the kinds of stories you experience, the communities you join, and even how much you spend. Let’s dive into the numbers and explore the real differences between these two gaming mediums.

PC vs. Console: The State of Modern Gaming

PC and console gaming may sometimes share titles, but the experience is often very different. On PC, players have the freedom to fine-tune their setup, customizing graphics settings, swapping out hardware, and even adding mods that fundamentally reshape games, and that’s in addition to a wealth of titles to choose from, some of which are offered free of charge, a trend that seems prominent among some RPGs on Steam. 

Consoles, on the other hand, offer a streamlined, consistent experience with stable performance out of the box. This in itself isn’t a bad thing. Customization tends to come with a certain level of instability and troubleshooting, and many console players may want to sacrifice customization for a stable experience as designed by the developers. 

While console players typically use a controller, PC gamers can choose between a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad/controller. This gives them more flexibility, especially in competitive genres like FPS or RTS games.

Exclusivity plays a major role in shaping platform preferences. Some of the industry’s most iconic titles are locked to specific ecosystems. PlayStation users get access to games like God of War or Horizon, while PC players can dive into mod-heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. 

PC gamers also benefit from a significantly broader library, bolstered by recurring free titles on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. These platforms contain a wealth of indie games (think games like Stardew Valley) that players can try on a whim. Consoles may offer fewer free games (not counting paid subscriptions), and as pricing trends shift, console gamers are seeing higher game prices across the board. 

Consider this: The global gaming market is projected to grow from $396 billion in 2023 to $503.14 billion in 2025, with Asia Pacific remaining the world’s top-grossing region. This growth means that gaming is bigger than ever across all platforms, but how people play and the reasons why they choose one over another remain deeply personal.

PC Gaming Statistics

PC gaming has always been the home of the tinkerers, the min-maxers, the modders, and those who want total control over how they play, who enjoy the occasional free PC game now and then. It’s not just about frame rates and resolutions (though yeah, that too). It’s about freedom: to build your rig, to dive into massive libraries, to reshape your favorite games with mods, or grab something new for free on Epic. And in 2025, that freedom is drawing more players than ever.

• Roughly 67% of PC playtime in 2024 went to games that are 6+ years old, with just 8% going to new releases​. (NewZoo)
• 80% of developers are currently making games for PC, up from 66% the year before, the largest increase across any platform surveyed. (GDC)
• 53% of U.S. households play on PC, with Gen Alpha and Gen Z leading usage at 54%. (ESA)
• Shooter games were the most popular genre on PC in 2024, making up over 25% of genre playtime. (NewZoo)

Console Gaming Statistics

Console gaming has never been just one thing. For some, it’s the comfort of couch co-op games and exclusives you can’t get anywhere else. For others, it’s a plug-and-play break from the more demanding world of PC specs and settings. In 2025, consoles are holding strong, not just because of new hardware or big-name titles, but because they offer a streamlined, stable way to game that millions still prefer.

• Sports and shooter genres dominate console gaming, with sports surpassing action adventure games as the top genre on Xbox in 2024. (Newzoo)
• Console gaming revenue is projected to reach $53.2 billion in 2025. (Statista)
• Approximately $5 billion was spent on hardware and consoles in 2024. (ESA)
• 37% of developers are focusing on PlayStation for their next projects, 33% are planning to work on Xbox games, and 20% of developers are currently making games for Nintendo Switch. (GDC)

Mobile vs. Console vs PC Gaming Comparison Statistics

Not all platforms are created equal, and how people play across PC, console, and mobile proves it. While PC offers customization and performance, and consoles bring exclusives and plug-and-play ease, mobile has sheer reach on its side. It’s where casual players thrive, but it’s also where microtransactions are most prominent.

• Shooter and Battle Royale games together made up ~40% of total playtime across platforms in 2024. (Newzoo)
• 78% of players reported playing on mobile devices. (ESA)
• 80% of developers are currently making games for PC, 33% for consoles, and 28% for mobile platforms. (GDC)

PC vs Console Gaming Demographics & Spending

Who’s playing, and what they’re spending, can tell you a lot about how each platform fits into people’s lives. Console gaming often leans into family play, big-budget blockbusters, and subscriptions, while PC skews more toward solo players, modders, and those who sink time and money into their setups over time. The spending patterns are different, the age groups vary, and even genre preferences shift depending on who’s holding the controller (or mouse).

• Console revenue is growing faster, projected to increase by +7.0% from 2024 to 2027, compared to +2.6% for PC. (Newzoo)
• Gen Alpha and Gen Z are the heaviest users of both PC (54%) and consoles (58%). (ESA)
• In 2024, the average revenue per paying user (RPPU) for console gamers was $81.68, while for PC gamers, it was $55.47. (MIDiA)
• 72% of parents say they play video games, of which 83% play games with their children. (ESA)

Exclusive Titles: What You Get on PC vs. Console

One of the biggest dividing lines between platforms isn’t specs — it’s access. Whether you’re on PC or console, you’re going to miss out on something. Exclusive titles still shape platform loyalty, and in 2025, that means making a choice: Do you want The Legend of Zelda or Baldur’s Gate 3 with full mod support? Because you might not get both.

Console exclusives are often realistic games, cinematic, polished, and heavily funded, built to showcase hardware and lock you into an ecosystem. Think God of War: Ragnarok (PlayStation), Starfield (Xbox, though now creeping toward PC), or Spider-Man 2 (PlayStation). Meanwhile, PC has its own stronghold of exclusives, not just in AAA titles but in mod-heavy, early access, and strategy-heavy experiences like Dwarf Fortress, Total War: Warhammer III, Escape from Tarkov, and League of Legends. These games thrive in an environment built for tinkering, upgrading, and community-driven content.

	PC vs. Console
Category	PC Gaming	Console Gaming
Hardware	Customizable builds, upgradeable components (GPU, RAM, storage	Fixed hardware, optimized for specific performance
Performance	8Variable performance based on specs; supports ultra-high FPS & resolutions	Stable performance tuned for the hardware
Controls	Mouse and keyboard by default; controller optional	Controller by default; limited keyboard/mouse support
Game Library	Massive, including indie, modded, and early access titles	Curated library; strong first-party exclusives
Modding Support	Extensive modding community and tools (especially via Steam)	Very limited modding options
Exclusives	PC exclusives like Dota 2, Total War, Escape from Tarkov	Console exclusives like Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda, God of War
Upfront Cost	Higher initial investment, long-term savings via game sales	Lower initial cost, but games and accessories can be more expensive
Online Services	Mostly free online play (Steam, Epic)	Subscription required for online play (PS Plus, Xbox Live)

For players, exclusives can be a frustrating but defining part of platform identity, and unless you’re willing to juggle multiple systems, something’s always out of reach.

Explore Immersive Worlds on PC and Console

At the end of the day, both PC and console platforms offer rich, immersive experiences; it just depends on what you’re looking for. If deep modding communities, online action games, and customizable performance draw you in, PC is the way to go. If you’re into cinematic exclusives and plug-and-play ease, consoles will provide exactly that. 

The real takeaway from these pc gaming vs console gaming statistics is that platform choice shapes your experience, spending, and even access to certain genres. It’s important to consider the kind of gaming experience you and your friends want before buying the tech. Explore new games that cater to your taste and your technology needs.