1.
home video game console
A dedicated video-game machine designed to be connected to a television or monitor at home, as opposed to handheld systems, smartphones, arcade cabinets, or PCs. The standard industry term in Japanese for products such as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch (in dock mode), and Xbox.
As a child, I became completely absorbed in my first home game console.
Composed of 家庭 (home; household), 用 (for the use of), the loanword ゲーム (game), and the suffix 機 (machine). The structure parallels other 'for-home-use' product names such as 家庭用プリンター (home printer).
Usage
A standard industry and journalistic term for TV-connected game consoles, contrasting with 携帯ゲーム機 (handheld console) and アーケードゲーム (arcade game). In casual conversation people more often refer to specific brands (PS5, Switch) or simply say ゲーム機. The full form 家庭用ゲーム機 is preferred in industry reports, sales figures, and trade press. Sometimes shortened to 据え置き機 ('stationary console') in gamer slang.
Common collocations
- 家庭用ゲーム機市場: the home console market
- 家庭用ゲーム機ソフト: home console software
- 次世代家庭用ゲーム機: next-generation home console
- 家庭用ゲーム機本体: console hardware itself (as opposed to peripherals)