The year 2023 will be remembered as an absolute banger for games, as instant classic after instant classic dropped and blew our collective minds. 

While we’re getting close to the pointy end of the year now, that doesn’t mean the parade’s slowing down. Today alone, Sony releases Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the sequel to a title that's a legitimate contender for best superhero game of all time, while Nintendo is releasing Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the first properly new 2D platformer featuring the portly plumber in more than 10 years.

All in all, it’s a great time to be a gamer. But what do you do if you want that sweet gaming goodness, but don’t have the setup?

Here’s how you can build the ultimate gaming setup with subscriptions.

Console Cool

The modern console landscape means going for one console over another changes the games you’re able to play. So deciding where you want to play is a big deal.

Sony PlayStation 5

The current leader of the pack, Sony’s PlayStation consoles are also home to some of the best loved gaming franchises in the world. Want to play the Last of Us or God of War? Then you’ll need a PlayStation 5, the company’s top-end console (and the only way to play Spider-Man 2). 

The PS5 sports the technical grunt to output 4K graphics with ray tracing support, while maintaining a strong frame rate for smoother, better looking gameplay. Its solid state drive is so quick that load times are virtually instantaneous – it’s so quick, actually, that Spider-Man 2’s developers had to come out and confirm that they weren’t using trickery to hide load times.

The PS5 Disk Edition is available through a Rentoza subscription from just R890, making it easier than ever to get in the game.

Once you’ve got your PS5, you’ll probably want to add some extras to get the most from it: 

• An extra controller for couch co-op
• The Dual Sense Charging Station, so you never have to worry about batteries
• Sony’s Pulse 3D Wireless headphones – the best way to immerse yourself in the gaming soundscape

You could even turn your PS5 into a full media centre, thanks to the PlayStation Media Remote.

Microsoft Xbox

The Xbox Series X and S are Microsoft’s offerings to the gaming faithful. While they don’t have quite the exclusives catalogue that the PlayStation does, they make up for it in a big way with Game Pass, a subscription that offers access to an enormous library of games. This includes first party games becoming available on release day at no extra cost, so you can get your Halo (or Forza, or Starfield) on at the same time as everyone else.

Xbox also has the benefit of offering two tiers of console: The uber-powerful Xbox Series X, and the smaller, more budget-friendly Xbox Series S.

The Xbox Series X represents the absolute pinnacle of home console tech. Like the PlayStation 5, it offers 4K resolution up to 120fps (frames per second), native ray tracing capabilities, and a solid state drive. However, in raw power, the Xbox manages to squeeze out a bit more juice than Sony’s console.

The Xbox Series S, by contrast, is a comparatively tame option. It hold’s significantly less power than either the Series X or PS5, but what it does bring to the table is compelling: It’s significantly smaller in footprint compared to either of the other two consoles, and much cheaper as well. Besides that, it can still play all the same games as the Series X (albeit at a lower level of performance), making it a great deal for those gaming on a budget. 

Regardless of which console you prefer, you’ll want to add another of Microsoft’s excellent controllers, and a rechargeable battery pack. Otherwise you’ll be emptying your bank account to buy AAs.

The Xbox Series X is available starting at R910 per month through Rentoza, while the Series S can be had for R550.

Nintendo Switch

Current wisdom in the gaming world is that it’s probably not worth picking up a Nintendo Switch right now. The 134-year-old gaming company – yes, really – is widely believed to be putting out a new console over the next 12 months sometime, so most people figure it’s better to wait.

Luckily, with Rentoza there’s a third option.

You can pick up a Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED Edition now, and when the new console comes out just switch (no pun intended) your subscription to the new model.

Because the truth is, the Switch still offers phenomenal value. Not only is the gadget itself pretty neat – the ability to undock and play on the go is genuinely magical – it offers one of the best libraries in gaming. 

Super Mario Odyssey is generally considered so good that it probably would’ve won game of the year if the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, another Nintendo game, hadn’t been released the same year. And Zelda’s sequel is on track to do the same again this year.

That’s not mentioning the excellent Metroid, the couch co-op ideal Super Mario Party and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing and Pokemon… When it comes to the Switch, there are genuinely too many great games to even begin to list. 

The Nintendo Switch is available from Rentoza starting from R600, the Switch Lite (without docking ability, but still great) from R390, and the Switch OLED Edition, with beefed up screen, from just R710.

What About TVs?

Well, yes. If you’re going to get the best from your gaming, you’re going to want a TV that can keep up. Paired with a decent soundbar, they are guaranteed to turn a good gaming experience into a lose-yourself-in-the-moment one.

Amongst gamers in the know, LG is considered one of the best TVs for gaming thanks to their vibrant panels and excellent refresh rates. This means the LG 65 Inch UHD SMART LED TV is just about the perfect companion for your next session. It’s available starting at R1 590 per month.

The Samsung 65 inch UHD Smart 4K TV makes an equally interesting gaming partner, offering a bright picture and astonishing contrast for just R1 140 per month.

Whichever set up you choose, you’ll have everything you need to get lost in the moment.