console game: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal; common in marketing, journalism, and everyday conversation among gamers.
Quick answer
What does “console game” mean?
A video game designed to be played on a specialized electronic device (a console) that connects to a television or monitor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A video game designed to be played on a specialized electronic device (a console) that connects to a television or monitor.
Any game software that is primarily intended for use with a dedicated home video game console, as opposed to a personal computer, arcade machine, or mobile device.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the core term. British English might be more likely to use 'games console' for the hardware, but 'console game' remains standard.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English, particularly within the gaming community and related media.
Grammar
How to Use “console game” in a Sentence
play [a console game]develop [a console game for X]release [a console game on Y][This console game] is exclusive to [the Z console]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “console game” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The console-game market is highly competitive.
- He specialises in console-game development.
American English
- The console game market is highly competitive.
- He specializes in console game development.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market analysis, sales reports, and corporate strategy (e.g., 'Console game revenue saw a 10% increase').
Academic
Used in media studies, game studies, or economics papers analyzing the gaming industry.
Everyday
Common in discussions about hobbies, entertainment, and purchases (e.g., 'I'm looking for a new console game to play').
Technical
Used in game development, hardware specifications, and platform-specific programming contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “console game”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “console game”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “console game”
- Using 'console' as a verb in this context (e.g., 'I consoled a game' is wrong).
- Confusing 'console game' with the hardware itself (the 'console').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, because the Nintendo Switch is a dedicated gaming console, even though it has a hybrid portable mode. Games designed for it are primarily considered console games.
A console game is developed for specific, fixed hardware (a console), ensuring uniform performance. A PC game is developed for a wide range of computer hardware configurations, which can lead to varying performance.
Yes, the term applies to games for any generation of home video game console, from the Atari 2600 to the latest PlayStation and Xbox, regardless of whether they were on cartridge, disc, or digital download.
It's a crucial distinction in the gaming industry and for consumers, indicating the required platform for the software, which affects purchase decisions, development tools, and marketing strategies.
A video game designed to be played on a specialized electronic device (a console) that connects to a television or monitor.
Console game is usually neutral to informal; common in marketing, journalism, and everyday conversation among gamers. in register.
Console game: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.səʊl ɡeɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.soʊl ɡeɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's] not just a console game (implying greater depth or ambition)”
- “a console game generation (referring to a hardware era)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONSOLE (the box) you CONNECT to your TV to play a specific GAME made just for it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSOLE GAME IS A PRODUCT (software product for a hardware appliance).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of a 'console game'?