2019’S BEST CONSOLE GAMES AND THE BEST HEADSETS TO PLAY THEM WITH
There was no shortage of amazing console games for players to experience this year.
November 5, 2019
It’s hard to believe we’re already getting close to the end of 2019. It seems only yesterday the year had just begun, with everyone looking forward to months full of new game releases and updates to enjoy. 2019 definitely did not disappoint with an awe-inspiring array of high-quality gaming experiences released throughout the year.
But before we know it, holiday season 2019 will be upon us, ushering in a whole new year of highly anticipated video game releases and expansions. However, this is the perfect time for players to experience the best offerings of 2019 they may have missed out on during these past months. With this in mind, we have gathered together our top picks for the best console games from 2019 that should no doubt be on your to-play list, along with our recommendations for the best headsets to play them with!
To see our full list of headset recommendations for 2019’s best console games, click here.
Fortnite (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile)
Fortnite Battle Royale has been around for a substantial amount of time but saw some of its most high-profile changes take place in 2019. The highlight of these changes was, no doubt, the transition of the title to Fortnite Chapter 2. Players were treated to the debut of a completely new map to explore, a whole host of gameplay changes, updated visuals, and of course, plenty of new cosmetic items to customize their playing experience with.
It is now a superb time for individuals who have been wanting to dive into the exciting world of Fortnite to do so. Chapter 2 has brought a revamped version of Fortnite to the world that is much friendlier to newer players who are getting their feet wet when it comes to everything the popular game has to offer. We can already hear your triumphant cheering from getting your first Victory Royale of Fortnite Chapter 2.
Recommended headsets: The Recon 70 (available for Xbox One, PS4, and Switch) is the perfect tool for you to drop in and get building straight away. The Recon Spark is another great choice if the svelte white and lavender colorway is more your speed. And of course, our ultra-portable Battle Buds are the ideal accessory for when you’re on-the-go playing Fortnite on your Switch or mobile phone.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Released in October, the 16th entry (!!!) in the annual franchise is more than just a reboot of the Modern Warfare story, it’s also a pivot point for the entire series itself. The gameplay is now more grounded and tactical than ever, and the stakes have been raised to their highest with a visceral and dramatic single-player campaign. Taking place in a modern, realistic setting, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare brings everything you could ask for in a boots-on-the-ground, military first-person shooter.
Though this is the first Call of Duty title since 2013’s Ghosts to not feature a Zombies mode, the new Modern Warfare does include the co-op Spec Ops mode, and all-new new multiplayer modes, including the immense “Ground War” and the 2v2 “Gunfight.” And, for the first time in franchise history, Modern Warfare supports full cross-platform multiplayer between PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Not to mention this time around Activision has done everyone a solid, removing the season pass and loot box systems traditionally found in the series, enabling free post-launch content to be distributed to all players equally. No reason not to dive right in.
Recommended headsets: You’ll want the pro-level performance of the Elite Atlas to help rack up those killstreaks. For an even greater edge, pick up the Elite Pro 2 + SuperAmp and crank up that surround sound-boosted audio. If wireless is your preference to keep clutter to a minimum, then the Stealth 600 is your go-to weapon of choice. To top it off, all of these models are glasses-friendly as well for you bespectacled warriors out there.
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep & New Light (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
At this point, you may already know how you feel about Destiny. Two games and a ton of expansions in, your’re either not interested at all… or you’re all about that grind. And boy, the grind we got in the latest expansion, Shadowkeep, is a good one. A spooky return to Earth’s moon (moon’s haunted, you know) and a jaunt through its Darkness infested caverns and tunnels are not all that await you in this heavily nostalgia-reliant story addition. You’ll also get access to a new raid, strike, weapons, armor, exotic gear, and even a nightmarish new dungeon.
Bungie also made big changes to vanilla Destiny 2 itself with “New Light,” the new free-to-play version of the base game. No experience with Destiny at all yet? Haven’t tried since Destiny 1 first launched? Jump in for free on any platform and check out all the game has to offer now, including some of the best gunplay in the genre. New Light includes an all new starting mission, the first two DLC expansions, Curse of Osiris and Warmind, and even the hybrid PvE/PvP game mode, Gambit. There is a ton of stuff to do, and even more precious loot to grind for!
Recommended headsets: The comfy, glasses-friendly ear cushions on the wireless Stealth 600 headset will keep you focused on the mission at hand as you plow through raids and strikes for that sweet exotic gear. If you’re on a more limited budget, the wired Stealth 300 nets you a similar experience to its older sibling, sans the wireless freedom.
The Outer Worlds (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Ready for an immersive RPG adventure on the edge of the galaxy? The Outer Worlds from Obsidian has delivered just as expected. After waking up from your cryo-sleep pod decades later than expected, you find yourself struggling to adjust and cope with your new life in space, all while getting wrapped up in the midst of a deep corporate conspiracy threatening to destroy the entire colony.
Want to be a savage marauder, crushing foes with the strength of your impact hammer? A quick, rogue-ish scout, stealthily taking out outlaws with long range sniper shots? Or prefer to deceive your enemies instead, running away with the cash before anyone’s the wiser? The Outer Worlds is full of character options and tough choices, the real standout of the show is Obsidian’s stellar writing (as usual), which helps flesh out the the worlds you explore and characters you meet. Prosperity awaits you in Halcyon!
Recommended headsets: Comms may not be a factor when it comes to single-player experiences like The Outer Worlds, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp out on a great sounding headset, either. The sound designers poured their hearts into making sure the audio experience pulls you into their quirky sci-fi universe. Grab the Elite Atlas for long-lasting comfort and premium-tuned sound for full immersion in Obsidian’s newest RPG offering. You can also find a noteworthy alternative with the amplified, but more moderately priced, Recon 200.
Kingdom Hearts III (PS4, Xbox One)
You would have been hard-pressed to not hear about the massive levels of excitement many players had when it came to the release of Kingdom Hearts III this year. A sequel years in the making, Kingdom Hearts III delivered the continuation of one of gaming’s most beloved stories through a truly entertaining gameplay experience. The long-awaited sequel is a Disney and Pixar fan’s ultimate dream that brings a wide range of high-profile characters and worlds together for fans to enjoy in what is the best example of an epic crossover.
It would be an understatement to say that Kingdom Hearts III was one of the biggest releases in 2019. Anyone who has ever had the slightest interest in experiencing the Kingdom Hearts universe should not end this year without seeing and hearing the lovable cast of heroes band together to stop an evil force that threatens all of existence.
Recommended headsets: Colorful games deserve colorful peripherals, and you’ll get that in spades with our Recon Spark headset. Comfort-driven performance with powerful sound let you enjoy the sprawling epic as it plays out on your PS4 or Xbox One. If white and lavender isn’t your style, check out our Recon 70 lineup for a number of other slick color options to choose from.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Nintendo Switch)
Remastered games are always a great way for older players to relive fond memories from their past while giving younger players their first taste of classic titles. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for the Nintendo Switch is a perfect example of 2019 delivering one of the best remastered games in recent memory. This fan-favorite game was able to keep true to its roots and provide the entertaining nature of its predecessor for the modern video game world.
Any player who has ever been a fan of the Zelda universe would be doing themselves a disservice if they did not jump into the updated world of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. There is no doubt that you will be nodding your head to the game’s classic soundtrack with a smile on your face to round out 2019.
Recommended headsets: A no-brainer here: the Recon 70 for Nintendo Switch is the perfect companion for this charming remake of a classic. The rest of the Recon 70 lineup are also fantastic options if you’re searching for alternative colors that more suit your style. And again, the wonderfully-portable Battle Buds are a compelling choice if you need something more low-profile.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Nintendo Switch)
Every year has one or two games that arrive and completely take over. This was clearly evident with the release of Fire Emblem: Three Houses in 2019. The blockbuster title brought forth a story that grasped the attention of players across the world to this very day. Fire Emblem: Three Houses brought us one of gaming’s most extensive experiences thanks to an array of content that would have any completionist busy for months on end.
There is no denying that the most durable parts of Fire Emblem: Three Houses were the vast cast of characters and exciting battles that had players coming back for more and more. Nintendo Switch owners would only be guaranteeing themselves an experience they would never forget by listening to everything that the massive world of Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers to those who take it head-on.
Recommended headsets: Recon 70 for Nintendo Switch or Battle Buds. Notice a trend, yet?
Apex Legends (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Another free-to-play battle royale that needs to be included is this year’s list is Apex Legends, which is already in its third season since launching in February. Though similar to Fortnite Battle Royale, this title ditches the third-person camera and building mechanics for a first-person perspective and a diverse cast of “Legends,” each with their own unique set of abilities.
Apex Legends comes from Respawn Entertainment, founded by ex-Infinity Ward folks, and known for making the criminally underrated Titanfall series. Drop in, grab a Mozambique, and start counting those wins!
Recommended headsets: Strong communication is a must to accompany detailed enemy-finding audio for battle royale-style games like Apex Legends. We strongly recommend the Elite Atlas due to its esports-focused design – it’s the headset of choice for top CS:GO pro team Astralis after all!
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Ah, FromSoft. The genius minds who gave us the infamously difficult Dark Souls series and the devilishly Lovecraft-ian (and also hard as hell) Bloodborne. Either you’re a glutton for their specific brand of video game masochism, or you can’t help but avoid it at all cost. If you’re one of the former, a fan of their methodical approach to combat, their dark and morbid imagery, and their incredibly subtle-yet-poignant story beats, then look no further than Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Sekiro takes all the beloved staples from the “SoulsBorne” games and cranks them up to max – intense and precise combat, huge head-to-desktop-slamming boss battles – except this time with a supernatural twist on feudal Japan unlike anything we’ve seen, and a story you can follow even without requiring an hour long explanation video from VaatiVidya. We’re still wondering how we can ever go back to Dark Souls now after Sekiro…
Recommended headsets: Sekiro is as hard a game as they come, no surprise from the devilish minds at FromSoftware. The audio cues are just as important as the visuals in this grueling ninja epic – you’ll want to crank up the sound with the extra amplified “oomph” of our Stealth 300 and Recon 200 headsets. Once you execute and hear your first deathblow, you’ll definitely be craving more.
There were plenty of home runs when it comes to the video game experiences that were made available in 2019. Next year will undoubtedly have its highlights. However, there’s still plenty of time to get caught up on the best that this year had to offer when it came to console games.
To see our full list of headset recommendations for 2019’s best console games, click here!
