Editing Video game console (section)

==Form factor==
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Black and white Playstation 5 base edition with controller.png
| caption1 = The [[PlayStation 5]] home console
| image2 = Psp-1000.jpg
| caption2 = An example of a handheld console, the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
| image3 = Nintendo-Switch-Console-Docked-wJoyConRB.jpg
| caption3 = The [[Nintendo Switch]] hybrid console in its dock (right)
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===Home video game console===
[[Home video game console]]s are meant to be connected to a [[television set|television]] or other type of monitor, with power supplied through an outlet. This requires the unit to be used in a fixed location, typically at home in one's living room. Separate game controllers, connected through wired or wireless connections, are used to provide input to the game. Early examples include the [[Atari 2600]], the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], and the [[Sega Genesis]]; newer examples include the [[Wii U]], the [[PlayStation 5]], and the [[Xbox Series X]].

===Microconsole===
A [[microconsole]] is a home video game console that is typically powered by low-cost computing hardware, making the console lower-priced compared to other home consoles on the market. The majority of microconsoles, with a few exceptions such as the [[PlayStation TV]] and [[OnLive|OnLive Game System]], are [[Android (operating system)|Android]]-based digital media players that are bundled with gamepads and marketed as gaming devices. Such microconsoles can be connected to the television to play video games downloaded from an application store such as [[Google Play]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=How Microconsoles Transformed TVs into Giant Computers for Cheap |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a39817148/microconsoles-history/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Handheld game console===
{{See also|List of handheld game consoles}}

[[Handheld game console]]s are devices that typically include a built-in screen and game controller in their case, and contain a rechargeable battery or battery compartment. This allows the unit to be carried around and played anywhere, in contrast to a home game console. Examples include the [[Game Boy]], the [[PlayStation Portable]], and the [[Nintendo 3DS]].

===Hybrid video game console===
Hybrid video game consoles are devices that can be used either as a handheld or as a home console. They have either a wired connection or [[docking station]] that connects the console unit to a television screen and fixed power source, and the potential to use a separate controller. However, they can also be used as a handheld. While prior handhelds like the [[Sega Nomad]] and [[PlayStation Portable]], or home consoles such as the [[Wii U]], have had these features, some consider the [[Nintendo Switch]] to be the first true hybrid console.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.museumofplay.org/about/icheg/video-game-history/timeline | title = Video Game History Timeline | publisher = Strong Museum of Play | access-date = August 16, 2020 | archive-date = September 6, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210906173502/https://www.museumofplay.org/about/icheg/video-game-history/timeline | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2018-retro-revisiting-sega-nomad-the-original-switch | title = DF Retro: Revisiting Sega's Nomad - the original Switch? | first = John | last = Linneman | date = May 13, 2018 | access-date = October 21, 2020 | work = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = July 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190709124753/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2018-retro-revisiting-sega-nomad-the-original-switch | url-status = live }}</ref>