In this day and age, consoles are basically computers. Assuming all things are equal, there is no reason a game should run better on a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One than on a decent PC. Even if someone prefers using a controller over a mouse and keyboard, Microsoft's recent peripherals take almost no effort to set up on a computer. Ultimately, exclusives provide the biggest incentive for picking up a home console.
Rare as it might be, multi-platform titles that are superior on consoles do exist, especially since not all PC ports are born equal. Here are 10 examples of games that are better on consoles than computers. Fan patches will not be taken into consideration, as the focus will be on the retail versions.
10 Sports Games
Unless someone is solely interested in single-player or their only console is a Nintendo Switch, then it is generally advised to prioritize console releases of sports games over their PC counterparts as they tend to have more dedicated and bigger player bases. This is especially the case when it comes to Fifa, which seems to treat the PC version as an afterthought.
Cheaters are also an issue on PC. While cheating is not so rampant on PC that it becomes impossible to enjoy a fair match, it is basically a non-issue on consoles.
9 Fighting Games
A decade ago, console gaming was the only option for anyone looking to play fighting games competitively. Not only did they have more players, but tournaments typically used the console versions. Therefore, it only made sense to practice on the same platform. Outside of Street Fighter, it was also not unusual for fighting franchises to simply skip PC.
While the PlayStation 4 is the definitive platform for fighters, the PC scene has improved considerably in recent years and has become a viable alternative to Sony's system.
8 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 (PS4)
Even though things have improved somewhat, Musou games have a long history of inconsistent PC ports. Along with some titles offering little in the way of customizable settings, games like Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada are also poorly optimized.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is actually among the better Musou games on PC; however, the port holds more in common with the PlayStation 3Â version than the PlayStation 4 release, making it automatically worse than the latter.
7 Tales Of Symphonia (GameCube)
Despite being ported to the PlayStation 3 in 2013 and Windows in 2016, Tales of Symphonia is still at its best on the Nintendo GameCube. While the latter offered 60 fps, the PlayStation 3 and Windows ports lock their frame rate at 30.
That is already disappointing, but the PC version launched in an especially messy state and did not even attempt to take advantage of the benefits afforded by being on a less restrictive platform. The game's localization was also poor, a frustrating issue considering Tales of Symphonia was near perfect on the GameCube.
6 NieR: Automata (PS4)
With a bit of luck and the unofficial FAR mod, it might just be possible to play through NieR: Automata on PC. Launching (and remaining) in a notoriously broken state, NieR: Automata would crash frequently, lock players in missions forcing them to reload an earlier save, and came with a myriad of frustrating visual and technical issues.
NieR: Automata is not perfect on any system, but the PS4 version offers the smoothest and best-looking experience right out of the gate. The FAR mod transforms the PC port into something truly special, but the official iteration is a trainwreck.
5 Devil May Cry 3:Â Special Edition
Poor PC ports were a dime a dozen during the late 2000s, and Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition was one of the most notorious cases. Sometimes ports disappoint because they fail to make the most of being on a computer, but Devil May Cry 3 plays noticeably worse on PC than it does on the PlayStation 2.
Due to a lower frame rate, Devil May Cry's fluid gameplay loses a lot of its rhythm and speed. The controls are also terrible, be it with a keyboard or controller.
4 Saints Row 2 & The Third
Certain PC ports would be unplayable without dedicated modders who are willing to step up to the plate and fix issues that should have never been present. Saints Row 2 and Saints Row: The Third are great games on consoles but inconsistent on PC, as their poor optimization means they could work fine on one system and barely run on another.
If nothing else, consoles are generally more predictable, which is why it is better to pick up these two games on those platforms.
3 So Many Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games create ambitious projects designed to push consoles to their limits. Consequently, their titles are generally built with Sony and Microsoft's systems in mind, and it is not unusual for PC players to be left waiting months for a game.
Unfortunately, Rockstar does not have a particularly great track record when it comes to PC ports. L.A. Noire, Bully, Red Dead Redemption II, and many of the GTAs have their own issues that can make them infuriating to play on PC, assuming Windows 10 even manages to run them.
2 Dark Souls
Following the release of 2018's remastered version, Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition can no longer be purchased on Steam. As PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 physical copies of Dark Souls can still be found, the fantastic action RPG is naturally superior on consoles.
Putting aside FromSoftware's business practices, Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition was also a mess on PC and, frustratingly, its issues were never properly addressed by the publisher. Installing the right mods could turn this shoddy port into the best version of Dark Souls; however, taken on its own, Dark Souls was better on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The remastered game is solid on PC, though.
1 Batman: Arkham Knight
Now, in all fairness, Batman: Arkham Knight has been generally playable on PC for a number of years, even if certain systems might still struggle to get the game running smoothly. At launch, the PC port felt rushed and did not work for a lot of people. The console versions were considerably better and, for quite a while, were the only reliable ways to experience Arkham Knight.
Like with most bad PC ports, a series of patches (official and otherwise) finally got Arkham Knight to an acceptable state. Even then, the console games are good enough that there is little reason to prioritize the PC release.
