ls PS4 the Best PlayStation?

This week IGN discusses the PS4's fifth birthday, Game of the Year, Streets of Rage, and more.

[NewMonday]

IMOO yes, but that is naturally down to the evolution of the industry.

if it's about the most fond memories then it has to be PS1, nothing like experiencing games like MGS1 and Resident Evil straight after the 2D platforming dominated SNES era.

[chrisx]

the great thing about the PS is that all of them can be argued as being the best for different reasons. all amazing consoles.

[PapaBop]

^^^^ What's mediocre about the PS4? While I agree somewhat regarding the ps3 and personally had a good few gripes with it, the PS4 fixed all of them and then some. Nitpicking aside, it handles almost all of my gaming needs and the only thing I'd personally like added would be proper 1440p support so I could use my gaming monitor properly with my ps4 pro.

[StormLegend]

@hayden you’re a fool if you think the PS3 is terrible the thing came with tons of features!! It also had one of my favorite UI’s the system was quiet and it had BC. Blue ray, HDMI, wireless controllers, and live wall papers for themes.

[StormSnooper]

Yes, I would personally say PS2 for me. But how can I choose one over another. There are so many memories.

[frostypants]

@haydenlake What?! The PS3 was one of the greatest pieces of cobsumer hardware ever made. Got off to a slow start due to devs having a tough time with the architecture, but that thing was a beast for its time. Aldo made a fantastic media center and was the best Bluray player on the market.

[mikeslemonade]

PS2>PS1>PS4>PS3>PS P>VITA

[Kakashi Hatake]

@haydenlake Why does everyone point to the Xbox One reveal as to why Xbox lost to PS4? You'd think that PS4 having a better library and Sony having a better worldwide presence has nothing to do with it. Xbox One is within 80 percent of PS4s US sales so the reveal excuse doesn't hold weight anymore.

[Reckless_Love]

Ps3 IMO is the greatest. The games spoke to me more than any other gen. I've found this gen to be wrought with dissapointment as too many games suddenly became about how big a world they could build. The hardware is good but far from a standout. Paying increasing amounts for psplus with drastic decreases in quality of content offered comparative to ps3 offerings.

Ps3 just had a great evolution. It started in a barebones state, but it increasingly worked to compete and in the end was equal to in most areas and greater than in others (games selection). The exclusives just started to roll through and increase in quality.

[mikeslemonade]

Haha it speaks to the age of you people on here. Kinda like how you guys also think Kobe is almost as good as Jordan.

In the era of multiplatform games the PS3 and PS4 are not that great compared to the PS1 and PS2. The games are too similair and rehashed.

[solideagle]

PS2 is the best console ever or best PlayStation in my humble opinion :)

PS: I wish someone can make Shadow Hearts for new generation!

[galmi]

nothing beats the ps2

[Seraphim]

in terms of sheer amount of software it's hard to argue with PS2. Upon seeing this article PS2 immediately popped into my head but at the same time, PS, PS3 and PS4 are all spectacular and have all come with a ton of great games both first and third party.

side note: I would love to see Shadow Hearts remakes or a completely new title. That game was a Gem. Rather that series.

[hulk_bash1987]

While the PS4 is definitely in contention for top PS console, the PS2 imo is still the best. So many games and quality exclusives.

[PapaBop]

Agreed, I'll never forget the first time I saw a PS in action. Going from my Snes/Amiga to RE 1 and 2 was absolutely mind blowing. MGS, FF, GTA, Tomb Raider, Gran Turismo, Tekken, Soul Blade.. I think that generation really helped lay the foundations for what we enjoy today.

[rainslacker]

PS2 for me. Just because I was really into the Saturn at the time of the PS1 release. But the PS2 gen, you'd walk into a store and have to pick what game you wanted to play next, and it was a hard choice because there were so many good ones to be excited for. This gen, I pretty much know when and what I'll buy, and I don't that excited as much, and most of that excitement has come primarily from 1st party, instead of the industry as a whole like in the PS2 days.

[psuedo]

That and experiencing online gaming. Tribes, Unreal Tournament, Delta Force, etc etc. I have tons of fond memories from online even if they are a sliver :(

[deno]

I agree. Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid were my weekend night games. Good old middle school times.

[DefenderOfDoom2]

Also the PLAYSTATION port of DOOM which i believe came out in December of 1995 . Never played a FPS at 30 fps which was really good for a console back in the 90's . Some other PS1 classic memories DISRUPTER a SONY first party game made by INSOMNIAC which i was shocked was not on the upcoming PS1 classic .

[italiangamer]

Every PlayStation is the best PlayStation.

[Vipre77]

PSP Go was definitely not the best PlayStation.

[thatguyhayat]

I actually forgot about the psp go. Such a terrible idea

[Veneno]

Screw you guys. I LOVE my PSP GO.

[jznrpg]

The only PS device I never owned . I already had 3 PSP’s so I had no interest in a device with no disc drive

[StifflerK]

For me it was PS2 - back then games like Tekken, DMC, MGS Final Fantasy were exclusive, and it came at a time when games were made without DLC , microtransactions and season passes in mind, also a time when gamers didn't obsess over resolution and frames . Games where made primarily for fun - the way it should be.

[chrisx]

back then we had MGS the tanker mission and MGS2(same game) on the same CD....now we have GZ and TPP(same game) sold separately. gaming has Changed...

[SheenuTheLegend]

finally someone with a working brain. Thanks for being here.

[SegaGamer]

I agree. It's a controversial opinion, but I personally think the PS2 was part of the last great console generation. Since then it's been all down hill. Too many things I hate about gaming started with the 360/PS3 era and it's worse than ever today.

[Kashima]

PS2

[CaptainOmega]

PS2 hands down. It had the best games.

[Gazondaily]

PS2

[CyberSentinel]

1) PS4
2) PS2
3) PS1
4) PS3

[Why o why]

Woah an n4g vet in the house.
I'd only swap your 3rd and 4th.

The issue for some I think is nostalgia weighs in heavy on people's choices. . Especially since the majority who played ps 1's and 2's would have probably been teenagers or very close at the time. As we grow older we grow more miserable and appreciate less. Fun factors are replaced with criticisms. I'm really enjoying the ps4 but many of my friends have grown away from gaming. . Arhh well. . . I think I have one more full gen left in me. Hopefully two

[BlackTar187]

Disagree with your rating ps2 is the best imo but that line about age etc. Was perfect

[jznrpg]

I’m in my 40s and I will play until the day I die. But my play time is at it lowest currently because of children . But you better believe when they are all out of the house it’s on !

[Sm00thNinja]

PS3 was more exciting. PS3 never really lived up to the CELL architecture imo. PS4 is the best Playstation console hands down imo. Every Playstation is pretty fantastic

[King_Noctis]

I agree. During the PS2/PS3 era many devs take chances and release many new and exciting games. This gen alot of them had felt back to sequels and familiar territory.

[Sm00thNinja]

Facts Noctis

[DarXyde]

PS2 for me.

The jump from PSOne was legendary and it was truly a device that was for the people. PS4 has shortcomings relevant to it today, but PS2 was pretty bells-and-whistles for its time.

And, of course, you would be a fool to not own one for the games. I think you would miss out big if you skip PS4, but you would REALLY miss out big by skipping PS2. This was also before DLC and patches, developers took risks, experiences were fresh, and both Capcom and Square Enix were in rare form.

PS4 is fantastic, but PS2 was visionary.

[Profchaos]

Every console generation has had something special tied to it but this generation has been unique we've consistently seen games performing at excellent levels across all platforms 30fps games staying locked at near 30 fps with only a few exceptions.

Look at that in comparison to last gen with titles like crysis 2 being the norm and leaving gamers playing in the 15 frame per second arena on everything outside of PC. Ultimately outside of cod it was almost acceptable to have a fps of about 25.

[LOGICWINS]

The PS4 because you can play PS4, PS3, PS2, and PS1 games on it.

[WelkinCole]

Its tough between the PS3 and PS2 imo.

PS4 is great but it really just build on top of the great foundation PS3 built with regards to 1s, 2nd party exclusives.

PS2 its greatness is primarily because of the power of 3rd party exclusives

With PS3 its greatness is primarily from 1st and 2nd party exclusives

[Skankinruby]

Ps3 was definitely the best, best new games and console infrastructure

[Muigi]

Nah the PS5 is.

[Mr Marvel]

IMO... Absolutely!
PS4 > PS3 > PS2 > PS1.

[DanielEndurance]

It's all about the games... PS3, PS2, PS4, PS1
PS3 killed it when it came to exclusives.

[bahabeast]

PS3. Big leap in graphics from sd to hd. Variety of new games in mixed genres and the system itself was always a solid media player. I had lots of fun with my ps3 and I am thinking of buying another to keep around so I can play some games I missed out on that mite have sequels or just highly rated.

[King_Noctis]

That title belong to the PS2, which IMO is the best console of all time.

[marioJP87]

PS2 had more games.
PS2 had better games.
PS2 wasn't filled with games that had lots of DLC to make games feel complete.

[Godmars290]

PS2 was the best system for its time and that time, that blend and balance of games and media, is never going to happen again.

[Segata]

PS1 holds that crown IMO. I will say PS4 is my fave of their systems.

[chiefJohn117]

Nothing will ever top ps2

[Asuka]

No. far from it in my opinion. I will always be partial to PS2 but that's just because I grew up with it.

[SegaSaturn669]

It's a great system, if it had backward compatibility, I'd like it more than ps3.

[Realms]

IMO the PS2 has been their best console for many reasons it ushered in the proliferation of DVD's as a medium and has the largest most comprehensive game libraries followed by the PS4. Sony hasn't really innovated per se but they have refined concepts and hardware to deliver the best consoles experience IMO.

[BlaqMagiq1]

In terms of fun factor that title goes to the PS2. It was just the natural balance of everything. Had a huge library that spanned every genre and taste. It felt like there was a gem coming out every once in a while. And games felt more complete than they do now.

[sampsonon]

yes

[authentic]

PS2.

[Parasyte]

Is it a good console? Absolutely! Is it better than the PS2? I don't know about all that.

[AK91]

To me yes but that’s only cuz I collect all my consoles so I can still go back and play older games and see they weren’t as good as I remembered.

[TheColbertinator]

Playstation 2 was the last good Sony game

[StormLegend]

IMO the PS1 is still my favorite because of the system and the start up sound.

[Vanfernal]

As for console (not talking games) the original fat PS3 was the best imo. I mean, you could play pretty much the whole PS1, PS2 and PS3 library in one console.

[BlackTar187]

No

Ps2 and its not close

[xRacer74x]

Nope. The PSX and PS2 were the best. Its been downhill ever since. The games had so much more variety. Now Sony only pumps out 3rd person games with their AAA titles.

[Bhai]

Bests of Mortal Kombats... Tekkens... MGSs... Silent Hills... Personas (OMG P4)... Burnouts and Gran Turismos... WWEs... FF 10 n' 12... Ico n' Colossi... Jaks n' Ratchets... the breathtaking Dark Cloud 2!!!
...and the sideline SEGA masterpieces like Blood Will Tell(Tezuka Osamu's Dororo) or the underrated Altered Beast remake!

...Only 1 place has held that much awesomeness single-handedly in one place... that is PS2 ;)

[iain04]

For me it’s the PS3. That machine had the most fun 1st party games I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing and it twisted my arm into getting a HDTV.

[ILostMyMind]

If you are now a kid, yes. You will always remember how things were better when you were a child.

[OneEyedSteve]

Imo its one of the worst, yea its sold a lot but thats thanks to Xbox not producing enough exclusives. I've never known a console that's had so many issues.. it took them a very long time just to get the message system and PS store to work properly, it also took them a long time to make the network stable enough where it wasn't frequently going down. The pads are just awful, they are just cheap rubbish. I recently bought a pro and its loud and they buzz.... I've never had a console that buzzes. Other than running games better the pro UI runs a lot worse, it gets slow and sluggish fast. Its taken them years just to put simple features on that everyone wanted, some that the PS3 even had. If you think PS4 is best console ever you need your head testing, yea its had a fair few great exclusives, but its mainly been the generation of issues, disappointments and remasters. PS3 is best imo. And before anyone thinks I'm an xbox fanboy or whatever, the only console I've owned since 2010 are PS3 and PS4.

[bluefox755]

It's certainly close. It's hard to really compare, because you also have to factor in nostalgia. PS4 is most likely objectively the best, but man, I have some really fond memories with PS1.

[PaleMoonDeath]

Dope as it is, that Honour goes to the original Phat PS3. It's a PS1, PS2 & PS3 after all on top of still looking like it's about to release, eternally new.

[Einhander1971]

All amazing certainly don’t get the negativity about ps3. The 360 was shit compared especially with reliability. The PS2 was the best with regards to the sheer amount of games it catered for everyone’s tastes.

[JBlaze226]

to me the PS3 was the best console. free online, Backword Compatible games, Controller life lasted longer, less HD remastered and more great titles, and Playstation Home.

[Doomeduk]

Upto the ps3 I was a pc gamer only but when I bought one for my son I started playing MAG and with 256 players on one map with only 500 mb of memory I was blown away and that's when my console gaming really started so ps3 has a special place in my heart
Sver forever
Atb

[Platformgamer]

there's nothing like a best playstation, every one of them have their pros and little cons.
i put 1, 2, 3 and 4 all in first place

[deno]

That's a tough question. I look at what franchises first came to life on the console. That's how I judge it. Original Playstation spawned Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Crash bandicoot, spyro, Tekken, Dino Crysis, Tomb Raider, Parasite Eve, Twisted Metal, Gran Turismo. Playstation 2 spawned, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Ratched and Clank, Jak and Dexter, Socom, God of War, Killzone, Kingdom Hearts, Onimusha, Devil May Cry. Playstation 3 spawned Uncharted, Resistance, The last of us, Infamous, Pacific Rift, Little Big Planet, Journey, War Hawk. Tough to pick a winner.

[william_cade]

I had PS1 then took almost 20 years off from gaming and came back to the PS4. I think I got in at the right time for both. Aside from the microtransaction bs and always online crap, I would say the PS4 for me. It's just too hard to go a back to the block graphics, but the quality of exclusives in both systems are way better than the competition by a country mile.

[Artemidorus]

It will be remembered as a good console in a timeline.

[Petebloodyonion]

It's hard to pick a favorite PlayStation console because each was quite successful.

But I would agree as the 4th one being the best.
It's been affordable since launch.
Reliable hardware.
Vr is awesome and well supported.
Ps+ and PSN flash sales are awesome on building a cheap and great library.
tons of great games on the console (that apply for all consoles).

[jznrpg]

It’s definitely in the conversation . It’s really hard to rate consoles because each one is released during a different time in our own lifetimes and has different meanings and also different advances in technology. But every PS console has to be in the conversation of the best console imo . My favorite loading sound was PS1 tho no doubt !

[Elda]

Loved all consoles in this order PS4 Pro,PS3,PS2 & the PS1.

[LrryLegend]

PS3 : )

[NeoGamer232]

No, not at all. PS2, then PS1, then PS4, then PS3...

PS4 is a good gaming console but there was next to zero innovation this generation.

[Dreamcatcher45]

I think ps1, ps2, ps3, ps4.

[Silly gameAr]

For me it's either PS2 or PS3. PS3 was trashed pretty hard, but it was an awesome console.

[PhoenixUp]

PS3 is my favorite PlayStation console

[Mroc13]

PS2 no contest. It had the widest selection of games. So many 1st time experiences on ps2. Games looked great too. Remember playing GTA 3 for the first time? PS3 was great for me as it was my first taste of real online play. COD: MW was the awesome. PS4 had great games and graphics but no real wow factor. Everything has been done before. The graphics dont amaze me. The one thing that I'd say the PS4 generation of games had significantly improved upon is the way the stories are told. On ps4 ive found myself playing more single player than the mostly online play on ps3