Deciding Between a PS4 and an XBO - the Pros and Cons

Jacob S. from Link-Cable writes: "Earlier this year, I made clear my intentions to branch out onto different consoles. My choice to play primarily on Nintendo devices has left me missing out on some of the bigger releases in recent years. I have since picked up a PC that makes up the bulk of my gaming library at the moment, and I committed to purchasing a Nintendo Switch, but I am still wanting to experience what the other two major consoles have to offer.

[lipton101]

Huh... 3 years too late

[OB1Biker]

Haha that's what I thought too.
Nobody needs that sort of article now.

[darthv72]

Took me 3 years to jump in and I did with both feet. Got the PS4 in November and the xb1 in December. There are still plenty that have yet to even dip a toe into the 8th gen pool.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

why wouldn't you get the Pro if you waited so long? And why wouldn't you just wait and get the Scorpio?

[darthv72]

It was a hell of a deal on both so I jumped. A guy i knew, he upgraded to the Pro and sold me his original for $100. Then a few weeks later I saw a CL ad from a guy selling a day one edition xb1 with two controllers for $160 so I had to get that.

Like i said, the deal was just to good to pass up.

[Christopher]

If you're just jumping in and haven't played this gen games in general, your backlog is ridiculous compared to mine.

[darthv72]

Its not to bad. I only have like 10 games for each.

Funny someone disagrees that i got both systems for a steal.

[Cmv38]

No cons for the ps4pro.

[Phill-Spencer]

Ps4: pro: broad selection of existing and
future exclusives. Guaranteed
support with games until the end
of the gen.
con: you might risks becoming broke
buying all the great games playstation has to offer

X1: pro: elite controller, uhd discs on x1 s
con: no exclusives, sparse releases of
ms multiplatform games in general,
lack of variety and quality in games
ms record of dropping support for
consoles early.

In my undoubtful totally unbiased opinion, ps4 is the clear winner.

[dsammy04]

Considering PS3 and 360 roughly sold 84 Million a piece meaning in total 168 Million consoles were purchased for last gen consoles, I can see the point of this article. Since PS4 is around 54 Million and X1 is at somewhere around 26 Million (but who really knows since Microsoft stop sharing that data) Only about 80 Million consoles have been sold this gen so there is a lil bit over 50% of last gen owners that haven't upgraded. In other words there is still a lot of money left on the table.

My ultimate solution is to get every system. Since I came into adulthood and I love gaming, I buy every console now. But if you can't I suggest you buy the console that has the diversity and genre of games you like. Also if you like playing online get the system your friends have. Its fine going to LFG sites and making new friends, but nothing compares to playing with friends that you can put a face to and catch up with while playing a good game.

[darthv72]

your figures imply that the number of 360 owners and ps3 owners were segregated while it is very possible the majority of that 80+ million number owned both.

We don't really know the total of single platform owners from last gen so there is no real way to gauge what the outcome of this gen could be. PS2 sold 150+ million units but what was the ratio of single to multiple unit consumers? not that it really matters anyway. I have 5 PS2's myself and even though each unit counts as a unit sold, I am but one consumer. I also have 4 360's and 3 PS3's (I am into hardware variants).

Already we have many who have double dipped with both the xb1 and the ps4 by way of getting the xb1s and the pro after having already had an xb1 and ps4 unit.

but you get the idea.

[dsammy04]

Yea I guess I was just speaking more so on units sold, but you are right there is a lot of variables to take into account. Would love to see numbers on who are double/triple console owners. Even still PS4 has roughly 30 million units to catch up to last gen, so they got more selling/convincing to do and Microsoft definitely has to do the same. So still a lot of money on the table. Especially with people like yourself who are into hardware variants their buying habits should be the same for this gen as it was for last gen I would assume. I myself am guilty of doubling dipping with buying my girlfriend a Xbox and giving my nephew my ps4 once i purchased the pro.

[rainslacker]

The majority?

No, the multi-console owner is actually only a small fraction of the overall market.

[Gamist2dot0]

Since he games on PC, he can play Xbox games on it. So go with the PS4 unless he needs an UHD player or wants to experience Kinect.

[ludicrous]

Ps4:
Pro:
- if you like more single player only game
- if you want additional Japan centric games on top
- a very solid gaming machine (prioritize as gaming console), lots of variety of genra.
Cons:
- less focus on multimedia support (less audio format support than ps3, doesn't have 4k blue-ray player, less multimedia apps support)
- it only support PSVR, so if you want more choice for VR, ps4 isn't ideal for that.
- lack of backward compatible (PS3, PS2, PS1) support (BC), unless you want PSnow (streaming) which isn't a good alternative
- lack of optional gaming services support

Xbox:
Pro:
- if you like multiplayer (MP) focus game
- if you want more PC games but couldn't afford one (though I think you already have a capable one I assume)
- if you like a more well rounded multimedia entertainment systems (4k blue-ray, 3d Dolby Atmos sound support like in theater, more multimedia apps support such as kodi, vlc, more media files type support, etc...)
- if you like more options in regard to gaming services (EA access, xbox game pass)
- support all other VR devices except PSVR (pertain to scorpio only).
- support 360 BC (possible support for original xbox and retro PC games through UWP)
Cons:
- lack of sp only games
- lack Japanese centric games

[SpaceRanger]

Two cons for the Xbox? Someone is living in a fantasy world lol

[ludicrous]

then perhaps you should list them since you live in the real world (I don't even know what that is so perhaps you can enlighten me oh wise one :), I know I could have miss a few. I do welcome constructive opinion and things that you think I miss :D. Be as objective as possible.

[nitus10]

May I ask what has a 4K Bluray player to do with games?

The only PS4 that does not have audio optical out is the PS4slim. All other PS4's have it.

If you are interested in movies then you pay a premium for 4K movies compared to HD movies although to be fair providing you have a decent (read expensive) UHDTV the display will be better but you are only watching a show not playing a game. But no matter which way you look at it, Sony will like you anyway since you do pay the royalty which is associated with all Blurays and Sony do own a Movie studio.

Backward compatibility is a great value added feature and a console seller but only at the start of the console launch. Microsoft took two years to bring out BC for selected games and that has not had much impact on the XB1 sales. Even with BC you still need to the original disk to play the game and let's be honest here, how many XB1 owners kept their original XBox360 games?

BTW. I do have VLC as well as media transcoders on my PC and it does not run a Microsoft operating system. I don't have "kodi" but it is open source and will run on practically all operating systems including mine. Again I purchased a PS4 for playing games not for watching movies.

[TheXgamerLive]

Yep, no bias here on N4G huh guys, tsk tsk. Sad.

[ludicrous]

though if you own both consoles (without a capable PC to play newer xbox games) and don't want to pay for both online services (PSN, LIVE) just so you can play MP (3rd party), then just pay for xlive instead (practically all of xbox games have MP) because most PS4 1st party games are sp only. :D

[medman]

The people have already decided.....and overwhelmingly.

[SynestheticRoar]

Damn. Your late to the show.