Editing Video game console (section)

===Distribution===
[[File:BEST-SELLING GAME CONSOLES VIS2.svg|thumb|Visualization of the Best-Selling game consoles from 1977 to 2024.]]
Consoles may be shipped in a variety of configurations, but typically will include one base configuration that include the console, one controller, and sometimes a [[pack-in game]]. Manufacturers may offer alternate [[stock keeping unit]] (SKUs) options that include additional controllers and accessories or different pack-in games. Special console editions may feature unique cases or faceplates with art dedicated to a specific video game or series and are bundled with that game as a special incentive for its fans. Pack-in games are typically first-party games, often featuring the console's primary [[video game mascot|mascot characters]].<ref name="geemu"/>

The more recent console generations have also seen multiple versions of the same base console system either offered at launch or presented as a mid-generation refresh. In some cases, these simply replace some parts of the hardware with cheaper or more efficient parts, or otherwise streamline the console's design for production going forward; the [[PlayStation 3 technical specifications|PlayStation 3]] underwent several such hardware refreshes during its lifetime due to technological improvements such as significant reduction of the [[Semiconductor device fabrication|process node]] size for the CPU and GPU.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.wired.com/2009/08/sony-drops-price-of-playstation-3-unveils-slim-model/ | title = Sony Drops Price of PlayStation 3, Unveils Slim Model | first = Gus | last = Mastrapa | date = August 19, 2009 | access-date = August 15, 2020 | magazine = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | archive-date = April 15, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210415131736/https://www.wired.com/2009/08/sony-drops-price-of-playstation-3-unveils-slim-model/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In these cases, the hardware revision model will be marked on packaging so that consumers can verify which version they are acquiring.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/13/20803700/nintendo-switch-new-model-number-release-date-battery-how-to-find-guide | title = Updated Nintendo Switch with better battery life now in stores | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = August 13, 2019 | access-date = August 15, 2020 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = July 20, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210720055545/https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/13/20803700/nintendo-switch-new-model-number-release-date-battery-how-to-find-guide | url-status = live }}</ref>

In other cases, the hardware changes create multiple lines within the same console family. The base console unit in all revisions share fundamental hardware, but options like internal storage space and RAM size may be different. Those systems with more storage and RAM would be marked as a higher performance variant available at a higher cost, while the original unit would remain as a budget option. For example, within the [[Xbox One]] family, Microsoft released the mid-generation [[Xbox One X]] as a higher performance console, the [[Xbox One S]] as the lower-cost base console, and a special [[Xbox One S All-Digital Edition]] revision that removed the optical drive on the basis that users could download all games digitally, offered at even a lower cost than the Xbox One S. In these cases, developers can often optimize games to work better on the higher-performance console with patches to the retail version of the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/16/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-s-all-digital-edition-console | title = Microsoft Unveils Xbox One S All-Digital Edition Console | first = Brandin | last = Tyrrel | date = April 16, 2019 | access-date = August 15, 2020 | work = [[IGN]] | archive-date = April 19, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210419205637/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/16/microsoft-unveils-xbox-one-s-all-digital-edition-console | url-status = live }}</ref> In the case of the [[Nintendo 3DS]], the [[New Nintendo 3DS]], featured upgraded memory and processors, with new games that could only be run on the upgraded units and cannot be run on an older base unit.<ref name="New N3DS at Polygon">{{cite web |title=Nintendo reveals the New Nintendo 3DS |first=Emily |last=Gera |date=August 29, 2014 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/29/6082241/nintendo-reveals-the-new-nintendo-3ds |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031134231/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/29/6082241/nintendo-reveals-the-new-nintendo-3ds |url-status=live }}</ref> There have also been a number of "slimmed-down" console options with significantly reduced hardware components that significantly reduced the price they could sell the console to the consumer, but either leaving certain features off the console, such as the [[Wii Mini]] that lacked any online components compared to the [[Wii]], or that required the consumer to purchase additional accessories and wiring if they did not already own it, such as the [[New-Style NES]] that was not bundled with the required RF hardware to connect to a television.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/7/11/20690011/nintendo-switch-lite-game-console-redesign-xbox-playstation | title = A Brief History Of Cutdown Game Consoles | first = Sam | last = Byford | date = July 11, 2019 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | work = [[The Verge]] | archive-date = February 25, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210225144433/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/7/11/20690011/nintendo-switch-lite-game-console-redesign-xbox-playstation | url-status = live }}</ref>