Hardware
Console hardware compatibility: SSDs, controllers, stands and headsets checked on the specifications
Compatibility sheets rather than shopping lists: each tool applies the platform holder's own rules to real products.
PS5 SSD checker
60 M.2 drives against Sony's speed, interface and height rules.
Controller matrix
50 pads, sticks and wheels across PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 and PC.
Storage planner
Pick games, pick a drive, see what fits after the system reserve.
Buying guides and comparisons
Astro Gaming Headsets Compared: A10, A20, A40, and A50A detailed comparison of Astro's A10, A20, A40, and A50 gaming headsets, covering platform compatibility, audio features, connectivity, and included accessories.Nov 16, 2021Turtle Beach Stealth 300 vs. 350VR vs. 600 vs. 700 Headset Features ComparisonA detailed comparison of the features, compatibility, and audio technology in the Turtle Beach Stealth 300, 350VR, 600, and 700 gaming headsets.Nov 16, 2021The Best PS4 Vertical Stand in August 2026 for Original, Slim and Pro Consoles, Plus the PS5 Stand QuestionWhich PS4 and PS5 models may stand upright, which Sony stand fits which model number, what fan stands really do, and how size and weight decide stability.Jan 1, 2020A Buyer's Guide to the Best Racing Wheels for Forza Horizon 4A detailed guide to compatible racing wheels and accessories for Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox One and PC. Covers options from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec.Jan 1, 2020A Buyer's Guide to LAN Adapters for Nintendo SwitchA guide to choosing the best USB LAN adapter for a wired internet connection on the Nintendo Switch for a more stable Nintendo Switch Online experience.Jan 1, 2020PS4 and PS4 Pro Hard Drive Buyer's GuideA guide to the best internal and external hard drive upgrades for the PlayStation 4 and PS4 Pro, including HDD, SSD, and SSHD options to expand storage.Jan 1, 2020A Buyer's Guide to Xbox One Compatible External Hard Drives and SSDsLearn the requirements for adding storage to an Xbox One, S, or X. This guide covers the differences between HDDs and SSDs and lists compatible models.Jan 1, 2020The Best Nintendo Switch Fight Sticks and Pads for Dragon Ball FighterZA guide to the best fight sticks and fighting gamepads for Dragon Ball FighterZ on Nintendo Switch, addressing the limits of standard controllers.Sep 9, 2018PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset vs. Pulse Elite Edition: A ComparisonA detailed comparison of Sony's PlayStation Gold and Pulse Elite wireless headsets for PS4 and PS3, covering BassImpact, battery life, and accessories.Sep 7, 2018PlayStation Gold Headset: A Comparison of the 2018 and Original ModelsA detailed comparison of the 2018 revised PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset and the original model, covering comfort, audio profiles, specs, and contents.Sep 6, 2018Best PS4 Steering Wheels and Racing Accessories for Project CARSA guide to officially supported and compatible steering wheels, pedals, and shifters for Project CARS on PlayStation 4, including models from ThrustmasterNov 3, 2017Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition S+ vs. 2+ ComparedA detailed comparison of the Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition S+ and 2+, covering differences in size, weight, parts, and modding.Nov 3, 2017Recommended Racing Wheels for Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One and PCA buyer's guide to the best racing wheels and accessories for Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One and PC, covering options from Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Fanatec.Sep 24, 2017Seagate PS4 External HDD Comparison: Game Drive vs. Expansion vs. Backup Plus SlimA detailed comparison of Seagate's Game Drive, Expansion, and Backup Plus Slim external hard drives for use with the PlayStation 4, covering specs and design.Sep 8, 2017The Best Arcade Fighting Sticks for Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2, Injustice 2, and Tekken 7A guide to the best arcade fighting sticks available for major 2017 fighting games, covering budget, mid-range, and premium options for PS4 and Xbox One.May 31, 2017Is the Final Fantasy XV Season Pass Worth Buying?A breakdown of the contents included in the Final Fantasy XV Season Pass, including the Holiday Pack+, character episodes, and multiplayer expansion.Jan 10, 2017Are the Watch Dogs 2 Deluxe and Gold Editions Worth Buying?A breakdown of the contents in the Standard, Deluxe, and Gold editions of Watch Dogs 2, including details on the Season Pass and the Zodiac Killer preorderNov 11, 2016Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 vs. Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick Alpha ComparisonA detailed comparison of the Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 and the Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick Alpha, covering features, buttons, and size.Oct 27, 2016A Buyer's Guide to the Uncharted 4 Limited Edition PlayStation Gold Wireless HeadsetA detailed look at the Uncharted 4 Limited Edition PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset, covering its features, design, price, known issues, and collector value.Sep 18, 2016Hori Fighting Commander 4 vs. Fighting Commander 5: A Features ComparisonA detailed comparison of the Hori Fighting Commander 4 and Fighting Commander 5 fight pads, covering ergonomics, D-pad features, and PC compatibility.Aug 12, 2016The Best Fight Pads, Mini Sticks, and Arcade Sticks for Guilty Gear Xrd RevelatorA guide to recommended fighting game controllers for Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator on PS4 and PS3. Covers fight pads, mini sticks, and full-size arcade sticksJun 1, 2016A Guide to Every Edition of Uncharted 4: A Thief's EndDetails on the contents of the Standard, Special, Digital Deluxe, and Libertalia Collector's editions of Uncharted 4, plus the limited edition PS4 console.May 3, 2016Are Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow Worth Buying on the 3DS Virtual Console?A guide to the 3DS Virtual Console versions of Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. Details on gameplay changes, version differences, and wireless trading features.Feb 9, 2016The Best PS4 Fight Pad Controllers for Street Fighter VA guide to the best PS4 fight pads available for Street Fighter V's launch, including the Mad Catz FightPad Pro, Hori Fighting Commander 4, and PDP MKX pad.Feb 8, 2016The Best 7.1 Surround Sound PS4 Gaming HeadsetsA guide to the top PS4 gaming headsets with 7.1 surround sound, including models from Sony, Turtle Beach, and Astro Gaming available in 2015.Nov 11, 2015A Guide to the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Limited Edition 1TB PS4 BundleAn analysis of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Limited Edition 1TB PlayStation 4 bundle, covering its custom design, storage, and included game.Oct 25, 2015Ten Notable Horror Games from 2015A look back at ten of the most significant horror games released in 2015, including Bloodborne, Dying Light, Soma, and Until Dawn for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.Oct 6, 2015Best Rock Band 4 Bundle and Version to Buy at LaunchA complete guide to the launch bundles for Rock Band 4 on PS4 and Xbox One, including details on the Band-in-a-Box, Guitar Bundle, and legacy instrumentOct 1, 2015Destiny: The Taken King Legendary Edition vs. Digital Collector's EditionA breakdown of the contents and value of the Destiny: The Taken King Legendary Edition and Digital Collector's Edition bundles released for new players.Sep 7, 2015Is the Fallout Anthology Worth Buying?A detailed look at the Fallout Anthology for PC, a collection including five games and a mini-nuke case. This guide examines the value and contents.Aug 18, 2015
Hardware on Game Idealist is treated as a compatibility question before a buying question. The SSD checker applies Sony's published M.2 requirements to real drives; the controller matrix records what each manufacturer states about each platform; the stand and headset pieces compare dimensions, weights and specifications rather than ranking products. None of it carries affiliate links, and no manufacturer places products in the tables.
Hardware questions
Which SSDs work in a PS5?
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drives from 250 GB to 8 TB that read at 5,500 MB/s or faster and fit Sony's dimensions with a heatsink: 25 mm wide, 11.25 mm tall in total. The SSD checker lists 60 drives against those rules with a verdict for each.
Do PS4 controllers work on PS5?
The DualShock 4 pairs with a PS5 and works in PS4 games, but PS5 titles require a DualSense or a controller with the PS5 licence. The controller matrix marks which third-party pads carry that licence.
How much space do current games need?
The biggest releases install at 100 to 200 GB on Xbox Series X and PC and somewhat less on PS5. The file-size database lists exact figures per platform and the storage planner adds them up against a drive.
Are the hardware tables sponsored?
No. Products appear because readers ask about them or because they are widely sold for the console in question; specifications come from manufacturer pages and are re-checked when a revision appears.