PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is often touted as the pioneer among all battle royale video games these days as it popularized one of the most popular modes of gameplay in gaming history: proving you're better than everyone else by killing them. Such an experience couldn't be contained in just one gaming platform and thankfully, PUBG branched out to the consoles and even the mobile gaming scene.
The PC still remains the most definitive PUBG battle royale experience but plenty of love is being given to both the console and the mobile version. Of the two objectively lesser versions of PUBG though, which one is better to play? For people with limited time and capacity for commitments, it's better to know which of the two versions of PUBG is worth their time. Are chicken dinners more enjoyable on mobile or on console? Let's find out.
11 Why Mobile: It's Free
PUBG costs around $20 on both the PS4 and Xbox One. For many players, this can be quite a hurdle. That's why the mobile version of PUBG is already looking more interesting in such a case.
It's free since it has to compete with other free derivatives on the mobile market, but it still comes with the full battle royale experience. If you live in a country with decent internet then chances are you have a phone already that can play PUBG.
10 Why Console: Better Graphics
Sure, having a battle royale experience at the palm of your hand feels great but then you actually get to see the game's graphics. Those who have experienced PUBG on the PC will surely find something wanting with the mobile version's visuals.
If you're picky with your graphics, then the gameplay might feel a little suboptimal since it can be harder to see enemies or play optimally with lower-resolution and fidelity graphics. Console versions offer similar or even near-identical graphics to the PC version.
9 Why Mobile: Play Anywhere
Then again, you might get so hooked up in the battle royale experience offered by PUBG that you dream about it every waking moment. In that case, you can always indulge yourself in some mobile Hunger Games.
PUBG Mobile does a good job with this. You can play while on a bus or train ride to school or work (or even play in those places, just don't get caught). Good luck trying to do this on a PS4 or Xbox One.
8 Why Console: Similar To The PC Version
Play the PC and then the mobile version of PUBG and it's easy to see where the development strayed off too far. Since the mobile version is a free game, it has tons of cosmetic features and other annoying advertisements to make up for the price tag.
This can be detrimental to some since mobile games tend to feel cheap or bloated. You'll find none of that in the PC version nor in the console versions since they're not free. The console versions follow the PC closely both in gameplay and features.
7 Why Mobile: More Affordable Hardware
Well sure, the cost of PS4s and Xbox Ones went down significantly in the advent of next-gen but even so, smartphones remain more affordable. That is after taking into account the need for a television or monitor for the consoles.
There are also some power bill additions in owning a console as it needs to be plugged in constantly during play. All of these elements make the mobile version a tempting option. Even a sub-200 USD smartphone is enough to run PUBG Mobile.
6 Why Console: More Intense Gameplay
As always in gaming, keeping your eyes glued to a big screen where your fingers don't block some of the view and your neck isn't straining from your head looking down produces a more comfortable experience. The more comfortable players are, the more they can focus on the game.
That leads to better competition and skill development. That's also why console PUBG gamers tend to be more competitive and serious compared to the PUBG Mobile players. The result is more tense and rewarding victories.
5 Why Mobile: More Accessible
Still, shooting games on consoles are not for everyone. In PUBG Mobile, having pinpoint precision is rather crucial as it can cost you some victories if you're not good enough. The PC version already has a high skill ceiling.
The consoles are a bit lower due to the less optimal controls but it's still intimidating enough. PUBG Mobile, however, welcomes everyone with open arms and is easier to play because some of the players are not that serious or are just out to have fun. The game also sometimes uses bots to boost your confidence.
4 Why Console: Bigger Screen
The most obvious reason why PUBG on consoles is a better experience is like comparing DVDs to the cinema. The screen is bigger for the console and while this might not seem like a big deal, it actually helps with immersion.
Besides, it's easier to see opponents from afar when looking at a big screen as compared to just squinting your eyeballs dry at your phone. Surely most households by now have a serviceable big flatscreen that's viable for console gaming.
3 Why Mobile: Easier To Play With Friends
Sadly, not everyone has the time or financial capacity to commit to console gaming or even gaming in general. Some of your friends might only have smartphones and can't play with you on the console, but that's enough for PUBG Mobile.
Queueing in-game and then forming a squad or even clan in PUBG Mobile is easy. It's only a matter of a few minutes before you and your friends are fighting over silencers or blaming each other for missing the safe zone. It's still fun.
2 Why Console: Better Controls
One of the reasons why PUBG Mobile is so casual and easy for everyone is that the smartphone controls are simple but lack precision and room for agility.
The controls in the console version are tighter and more cohesive. Plus, they don't clutter up a third of the screen or sometimes miss inputs because of sweaty fingertips. It's just more comfortable to play on a controller, which is why some PUBG Mobile players even purchase third party controllers for smartphones.
1 Winner: Console
The price tag of PUBG Mobile can't be beaten but when it comes to PUBG, you get what you pay for. For a more definitive battle royale experience, the console version pulls ahead compared to the mobile release as it's the closest to the PC version and what Brendan "PlayerUnkown" Greene had in mind.