Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • PS5 State of Play
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Battlefield 6
  • New Games for 2025
Don't miss these
Nintendo Switch 2 sitting in centre with Steam Deck OLED above on left, Anbernic RG Cube aboveon right, Anbernic RG28XX directly left, Modretro Chromatic on right, and MSI Claw 8 AI+ below on woodgrain desk.
Handhelds Best gaming handheld 2025: I'd hit these portable PCs and emulation consoles first
Evercade Alpha closeup with Ryu from Street Fighter on screen
Retro Best retro game consoles 2025: my favorite ways to play classic capers
Acer Predator Orion X review of the PC next to another ITX chassis
Desktop PCs The best gaming PC 2025: Find your perfect pre-built powerhouse
Asus ROG Flow Z13 running Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on battery power
Mobile Gaming The best gaming tablets in 2025
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro with Call of Duty Mobile main menu on screen
Mobile Gaming The best gaming phones 2025
Best PC controller buying guide hero image showing the Victrix Pro BFG controller and its suite of components
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2025
Dying Light The Beast tips
Survival Horror Games 11 Dying Light The Beast tips to help you smack zombies with a shovel
Fighting a Domination Engine in Borderlands 4
Borderlands 8 Borderlands 4 tips and tricks to help you survive Kairos
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 review
Action Games 8 Hellblade 2 tips to help you get through Senua's saga
Psychonauts 2 double fine image Raz fighting bad idea
Puzzle Games 9 Psychonauts 2 tips to help you on your mental journey
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater snake holding pistol and knife
Metal Gear 10 Metal Gear Solid Delta tips for new MGS players
Cronos tips
Survival Horror Games 9 Cronos the New Dawn tips to help you stay alive in this time travelling survival horror
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a squad of four Helldiver soldiers firing guns
Third Person Shooters 10 Helldivers 2 tips and tricks to help you spread Managed Democracy
Hades 2 Melinoe accepting boon
Hades 12 Hades 2 tips and tricks to get you started in the Underworld
Fortnite Season 4 in Chapter 6
Fortnite How to play Fortnite advice for absolute beginners
  1. Games

8 great gaming tips for anyone not going next-gen

Features
By Ben Tyrer published 4 December 2013

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Old is the new 'new'

Old is the new 'new'

So, after all the hullabaloo of next-generation console launches, arguments about 1080p, and massive online outages, it's time to get on with the important stuff like murdering zombies in Dead Rising 3, or Helghast in Killzone: Shadow Fall, right? Maybe its time for some browsing of menus using your voice, or sharing videos of you being a tool in COD: Ghosts? Right? Well for many, it might not be time to enter the future just yet. Some can't afford to make the jump into the land of ultra-shiny graphics and bountiful micro transactions. Some didn't order a console in time. Some just don't see the point just yet.

But that doesn't need to stop you having a next-gen experience. Just because your PS3 or 360 is considered 'old' now, that doesn't mean they're incapable of some amazing feats. With plenty of games and ways to emulate the latest consoles, there's no need to rush out or start harvesting your vital organs to upgrade. Here are just some of the ways that you can have a great gaming experience without going next-gen.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Finish what you started

Finish what you started

Answer this as honestly--or dishonestly, I won't judge--as possible. How many of the games on your shelf have you actually, fully completed? If you're anything like me, the answer will probably be between 20-30%. Okay maybe 40%, there are only so many hours in the day after all. But thanks to a combination of sales and clambering aboard the hype train every few months, it's hard to avoid amassing a sizeable library of games that never get fully finished.

Add in Playstation Plus and er... Games On Gold, I guess... adding quality games to your hard drive, and the nagging desire to play Battlefield 4 on new kit doesn't seem so appealing. So what better way to spend your time before entering the next generation than properly finishing this one? Working through all the games you forgot to finish is going to take a while, and it gives you a chance to give that Gamerscore or Trophy count a nice massage before you join the next-gen party.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Carry on catching up

Carry on catching up

As we've been told mercilessly throughout the past few weeks, the Xbox One is not just a games console: it's a multimedia hub. It's designed to let you watch live TV through it, using the Snap system to flip between TV and games as you please. Because, y'know, the future. Of course, who actually cares about live TV when Parks and Recreation, Archer and Breaking Bad are just waiting for you on Netflix?

So while your current gen console isn't going to let you flip between apps like the Xbox One does, when it comes to consuming other--non-gamey media--the PS3, 360 and Wii U have got your back. You've got Spotify-like services in Music Unlimited as well as Xbox Music and so many options for video streaming that youll be forgetting all those games you could/should be playing before you can say Oh, I have to catch up on that.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Integrate yourself, socially

Integrate yourself, socially

Social media may be the buzziest of buzz terms, but over the next few years, were going to be seeing a lot more of Facebook and Twitter interaction from our consoles. For starters, PS4 uses the connection with Facebook to allow you to share game clips and link your PSN account to Zuckerbergs brainchild. This is great if youre into that sort of over-sharing thing, which the world has decided that it is very much in to.

But, if youre desperate for everyone to know what youre doing at that exact moments, then youre in luck, because the genesis for social media integration--thats buzzword bingo, folks--began with this round of consoles. Some games, like Uncharted 2, already have Twitter integration in them, so when you earn a Trophy for mass murder with a cheeky grin, your entire online following will know... and almost certainly tweet back to congratulate you, and not chastise you for spamming them with constant updates from a four year old game.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Second-screen yourself silly

Second-screen yourself silly

Dont worry, I havent forgotten about the Wii U. When Ninty squeezed itself awkwardly between generations, it brought along second screen functionality, and now Sony and Microsoft have joined their party. Remote Play and Smartglass are nifty features of the next-gen consoles, but they're certainly not new ideas, and they're easily replicated on whatever hardware you're running.

But now Ive sold you the second screen future, you understandably want it now. Admittedly youll need a Vita for this, but if youre lucky enough to own Sonys handheld and the PS3, you already have a scaled back remote play experience. Sync the two together using voodoo and the internet; before you know it youll be able to play certain games via the glossy Vita touchscreen. If you dont own a Vita, then just get back to using GTA 5s iFruit app and enjoying your new found canine companion in Chop. Or playing Angry Birds on your iPad while you wait for Gran Turismo 6 to load.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Experiment with streaming

Experiment with streaming

Share and Upload. Two words youre going to see a lot of over the next few years as PS4 and Xbox One expect you to stream and share your favourite gameplay clips. Its the sort of feature that means we'll never miss a hilarious, game crippling bug again, or forget that magic moment when our 30 hour save files are deleted by the latest gameplay patch. For now though, its being used to showcase the launch line-up of the consoles on sites like Twitch, giving you the opportunity to bore people silly as you camp for hours in Battlefield 4.

Of course, why let something like a next-gen console stop you from showing the world your gaming prowess? Capture cards will help you record all your gaming exploits to show off to your friends, although they upload in a slightly more convoluted way than clicking the share button on a Dualshock 4. If that doesnt do it for you, theres always the mega cheap option of just getting someone to record the TV screen with their iPhone camera. Just make sure they hold it still, even when their arms 'really, really hurt'.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Go indie

Go indie

As all the console makers have pointed out, its not all about the big explosions and rat-a-tat bass rumbles of blockbuster gaming anymore. Indie developers have been courted and wooed to the point where theyre arguably just as big a deal at launch as Battlefield or FIFA, which is great thing for all the early adopters, but not so great for the rest of us. What can I do when it comes to staunchly avoiding the mainstream releases like the gaming hipster I am?

The simple answer? I'll probably just keep catching up on the indie classics in exactly the same way as before. If you are yet to dip your toes into these waters, youve missed out on classics like Hotline Miami, Limbo, Bastion and critical darling Braid. The sheer volume of classic indie games youve got to play on last generation is staggering and when you think that some of the launch indies--howdy, Contrast--are also available on the older consoles, then it makes more sense to put that loan for a new console on hold. And speaking of PS4 games on PS3

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Get next-gen games on current-gen

Get next-gen games on current-gen

Have you seen the launch line-up for the Xbox One and PS4? Of course Im being silly, chances are youve memorized it and can conjure up the full list in less than 7 seconds. Now, how many of those games are genuine exclusives for the new breed of consoles? Hmm, not many. For those of you who kept your money in your wallets, nows the time to start crowing about what you wont be missing out on.

Because Assassins Creed 4, Battlefield 4, COD: Ghosts and FIFA 14 are all games that made their debuts last-gen. Sure, a few last gen games making the jump across generations is to be expected, but when you also factor in future heavyweights like Destiny and Watch Dogs also getting run-outs on the PS3 and 360, then the best part of any console--that would be the games--is going to be on both generations for a while.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Get annoyed with your original Kinect

Get annoyed with your original Kinect

Kinect and Move might not have been the most popular of innovations during 360 and PS3's lifetime, but Microsoft has doubled down on their tech and now youre getting a Kinect with your Xbox One whether you want it or not. So when you can afford to make the jump, get ready for voice commands.

But hang on... are you one of the people who actually got an original Kinect? I know youre out there. Because youve already have been playing around with voice commands for quite a while. The Xbox 360 might not have the same advanced commands, but you can practice your new Kinect friendly voice by dusting it off and getting impatient when it doesnt pick up your accent. It's JUST LIKE NEXT-GEN!

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Time is on your side

Time is on your side

With all these reasons for not giving up on your current consoles just yet, you can now forget about the latest hardware. Or, if this list made you desperate to make the jump over, thats what Christmas lists, emotional blackmail, and eBay listings are for. Let us know whether your going next-gen or sticking with current-gen in the comments below.

Maybe this feature has made you hungry for more information about the new consoles. Well, here's our Review Of PlayStation 4. And here's our Review Of Xbox One.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Ben Tyrer
Ben Tyrer
Contributor

Ben Tyrer is a freelance games journalist with over ten years experience of writing about games. After graduating from Bournemouth University with a degree in multimedia journalism he's worked for Official PlayStation Magazine as a staff writer and games editor, as well as GamesRadar+ (hey, that's this website!) as a news editor. He's also contributed to Official Xbox Magazine, Edge, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, PC Games N, and more. His game of the year - no matter the year - is Rocket League.

See more Games Features
Read more
Dying Light The Beast tips
11 Dying Light The Beast tips to help you smack zombies with a shovel
 
 
Fighting a Domination Engine in Borderlands 4
8 Borderlands 4 tips and tricks to help you survive Kairos
 
 
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 review
8 Hellblade 2 tips to help you get through Senua's saga
 
 
Psychonauts 2 double fine image Raz fighting bad idea
9 Psychonauts 2 tips to help you on your mental journey
 
 
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater snake holding pistol and knife
10 Metal Gear Solid Delta tips for new MGS players
 
 
Cronos tips
9 Cronos the New Dawn tips to help you stay alive in this time travelling survival horror
 
 
Latest in Games
Crashout Crew
After one of 2025's biggest surprise hits, Peak devs announce a new co-op online game: "Peak is still being worked on internally but now it's time to glaze Crashout Crew"
 
 
Star Wars The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace game for PS1 was a "nightmare" to make: The PS2 was delayed, the devs got unintelligible blue screen shots from George Lucas, and they "could not compete" with Jedi Knight
 
 
Metis from Persona 3 Reload hitting a weak spot
Persona studio has "several projects in development" beyond Persona 4 Revival, Atlus wants the JRPG series' 30th anniversary next year to let fans "enjoy the series even more" – and what better time to finally announce Persona 6?
 
 
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
Xbox has a problematic "lack of memory," but Final Fantasy 7 Remake director says Square Enix's "multiplatform approach" doesn't hurt Part 3 development "whatsoever"
 
 
Fable
Fable lead Peter Molyneux was so excited about selling his first game that he cut a hole in his mailbox so all the orders would fit – it sold 2 copies and "one was almost certainly from my mum"
 
 
Borderlands 4 screenshot of grinning enemy from Amon trailer
The Borderlands 4 buff patch is here: Gearbox juices Amon and boosts "underperforming skills," says it's now targeting "unintended interactions" that "trivialize content"
 
 
Latest in Features
Super Mario Galaxy screenshot of Mario in his bee form, standing on a purple flower
18 years after it initially released, I finally played Super Mario Galaxy for the first time on Switch 2, and I'm completely obsessed with one power up
 
 
Leatherface holding a chainsaw above his head during the ending of the horror movie, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Can you guess the iconic horror movie from just one frame?
 
 
Susan Heyward as Sister Sage in The Boys season 4
Gen V season 2 episode 5: What are Marie's powers? How does that major cameo from The Boys change the entire show?
 
 
Hades 2
I'm begging you not to sleep on the Hades 2 boon that single-handedly carried me all the way to the top of Mount Olympus
 
 
Cadence sings on stage with a pink background and a star design in People of Note
The "JRPG renaissance" has empowered this musical game about using sick beats in battle: "I love musicals, and I'm a massive fan of Hamilton"
 
 
The protagonist from Fallout 76 speaking to Walton Goggins character The Ghoul in a bar, while a stack of bounty posters sits on the table
"Not much has been done in that region in Fallout lore… So why not?": Fallout 76 is heading to Ohio for its biggest expansion in 5 years, and it's bringing Walton Goggins' The Ghoul along
 
 
  1. Playing Ghost of Yotei and riding through an autumnal forest with red leaves
    1
    Ghost of Yotei review: "One of the first PS5 games to feel truly boundary-pushing, this hyper violent samurai revenge quest truly hooked me"
  2. 2
    Hades 2 review: "Impeccable combat and flawless characterization across a huge roster make for a follow-up that surpasses even its excellent roguelike predecessor"
  3. 3
    EA FC 26 review: "Ultimate Team's huge, divisive changes have me torn – FIFA's successor has moved away from serving football purists"
  4. 4
    Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles review: "Fantastic tweaks elevate a classic while leaving its spirit intact – this seminal tactical RPG has never been better"
  5. 5
    Baby Steps review: "If you craved a tougher hiking challenge than Death Stranding, this is for you – though prepare to get dropped from many great heights"
  1. Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob in One Battle After Another
    1
    One Battle After Another review: "One of the best studio movies in years and an instant classic"
  2. 2
    The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
  3. 3
    Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle review: "Roars past Mugen Train as Demon Slayer's best adventure yet"
  4. 4
    The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"
  5. 5
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  1. Yelena Belova, Kamala Khan and Blade Knight in Marvel Zombies
    1
    Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"
  2. 2
    Gen V season 2 review: "As strong as the first season, if not stronger"
  3. 3
    Wednesday season 2 part 2 review: "Ortega shines, but it's a zombie who steals the entire show"
  4. 4
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  5. 5
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...