With the advent of PC gaming becoming the norm for individuals to spend their free time, there is no lack in the number of gimmicky tools and products that are designed to “boost performance” of the users and their gaming setups. Drinks, supplements, eyewear, peripherals, gaming-centric software, and so forth.
In some regards, Opera GX, a web browser touted as the first-ever “dedicated gaming browser” could be categorized as yet another gimmick, however that would be a gross oversimplification of what it does. Yes, the GX browser is outfitted with several bits and bobs whose overall usefulness is questionable, but it is also a functional and versatile alternative browser that is perfect for individuals with lower-end computers.
Opera GX browser may not be tantalizing enough to pull you away from your current favourite but its clean form factor and purpose-built functionality are at least worth checking out if you consider yourself a gamer.
Ticking All The Boxes
Image from Opera GX
One of the first few things that impressed us about the Opera GX browser is how easy it was to install and set up. The browser takes small digital footprint means that you can download and have the browser installed and running faster in a blink of an eye.
Once installed, you can quickly import your settings from another browser (cookies, history bookmarks, passwords, language settings, preferences, etc) and tweak other settings as needed. Since the GX browser imports your site-specific login credentials and passwords, you don’t have to waste more time than you need to when you want to find your favourite website and re-logging into them.
For users who like to visually customize their programs, Opera GX has a handy ‘Easy Setup’ tab which includes several UI color options (gotta love RGB customization). The browser also automatically detects any local wallpaper images on your system so you can easily use them as full-page menu screen backgrounds for another layer of personalization.
Opera GX’s functionality and privacy options are pretty cookie-cutter, but their presence is appreciated nonetheless. Much like similar browsers such as Google Chrome and Brave, Opera GX has built-in privacy features including an ad blocker, VPN support, and proxy configuration. If you’re using Opera GX on a laptop, the browser has a unique ‘battery saver’ mode which monitors your laptop’s remaining battery charge and lowers resource usage as needed. There’s even a ‘Crypto Wallet’ feature so that Opera GX users who also dabble in cryptocurrency can easily make direct transactions.
Gaming-Centric Tools
Image from Opera GX
The gaming-centric functionality that the Opera GX browser offers is mostly geared towards hardcore gamers who are already into Twitch streaming and maximizing their computer’s performance. The browser’s built-in Twitch widget allows users to view live feeds of their followed channels and receive channel notifications even if they’re not on the Twitch webpage. It’s a handy widget to have if you want to monitor multiple streams without having multiple web pages open.
Even if you’re not into game streaming, the Opera GX browser can still benefit your gaming rig thanks to its GX Control widget. GX Control allows a user to set how much RAM and CPU power the browser uses while you’re surfing the web. By throttling the browser’s total RAM and CPU usage, a gamer can keep utilizing the Opera GX browser even when they’re playing a resource-intensive game. The GX Control widget is also a handy feature for lower-end systems which don’t have a lot of RAM and/or CPU to spare.
Other than the GX Control and Twitch widgets, the Opera GX browser can still offer some value to more casual gamers. The browser’s default ‘GX Corner’ homepage includes two curated game lists which update in real-time. The first list displays a series of ‘featured’ games pulled from platform-specific curated categories. If you’re looking for a new game to play or you’re curious about what games are coming soon to your preferred platform (PC, console, etc.) Opera GX can quickly show you the stats you’re looking for.
Lastly, if you’re the sort of gamer who enjoys a good deal, the GX Corner’s second ‘Deals Aggregator’ list is something that may interest you. The Deals Aggregator displays a real-time list of discounts and deals for popular PC games. The deals are mostly drawn from Steam data, but there are also offers from third-party sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical. The GX Corner also includes a running list of aggregated news topics pulled from the entertainment, gaming, and tech industries so you can see a quick snapshot of what’s trending.
Conclusion
Image from Opera GX
Unless you’re a dedicated gamer who’s unhappy with their current web browser’s performance, there’s little reason to migrate over to Opera GX from a more established browser. However, if you were interested in making the switch, Opera GX makes one heck of a good first impression. Installing the browser and migrating your settings is quick and easy, you can customize the browser’s visuals and performance features to your exact specifications, and if you’re a gamer you can easily stay up to date on the latest news and deals.
Perhaps most importantly, though, everything within the Opera GX browser works flawlessly despite Opera’s disclaimer that it’s technically not a finished product. Even if you’re not a big gamer, Opera GX’s clean interface and low resource usage are perfect for users who want a browser that’s functional and pleasing to the eye. If Opera can keep expanding the browser’s functionality and marketing it to the right audience (i.e. gamers), the GX browser might just be the first and only gaming browser you ever need.
