Complex sentence: In home console games, continues are not typically available at the player's leisure; he must earn them, either by collecting an item, reaching specific point totals, or performing certain tasks.
Split into simpler sentences: In home console games, continues are not typically available at the player's leisure. While he may start with a preset number of continues, to earn additional continues he must earn them; either by collecting an item, reaching specific point totals, or performing certain tasks.