I want to buy a next-gen console, but I'm stuck at what to get!

[dmoney1980]

First off, I'm not a Sony or MS fanboy, so I don't mean to start a war with this thread. I'm a PC gamer first, but I grew up on the NES / SNES and I'm looking to pick up a console to get games I can't get on PC. What I am mainly interested in:

- Sports games, especially football & baseball
- Racing games are HUGE for me! I prefer arcade over sim
- Exclusives like Uncharted are sweet, but I would lean towards Halo since I loved the first 2.
- which console has the advantage hardware wise?
- demo and free game selections with the online network

So here is where I'm stuck at. I'm not a fan of the kinect, and I don't really need the media sharing features on the ps4. I'm also unsure how Sony is doing on the network these days - are they up to par with MS?

I owned both the 360 and ps3 last gen, so I don't have any bias. I'm just trying to decide what would be a better gap filler to my gaming PC.

Thoughts




I think this was answered in post #2 and #3. Thread has more than run its course since then.

Anandtech Administrator
KeithTalent

 

[purbeast0]

if you want halo, get xbox1. if you want uncharted, get a ps4.

no one can answer this question but yourself. get what console has the games YOU want to play on them, not what random internet strangers tell you to get.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The only baseball games made today are on Playstation so there's that. Football is always on both platforms.

Racing games come to both. This year in the arcade style we have Drive Club for PS4 and Forza Horizon 2 for XB1 coming. You have to look at the info on both and see if either of them are your thing. Need for Speed comes to both.

Exclusives...eh again you have to decide here. I happen to think Sony has better IPs that are more unique and different from what comes to PC but you have to make the decision. There is a Halo Master Chief collection coming later this November. It includes Halo 1-4(excluding ODST and Reach). However to be honest, as much as I like Halo, the games have been played before so it's not exactly a new experience. It's really for fans.

The PS4 is stronger by a bit due to the better GPU specs. That doesn't mean a whole lot but the biggest difference is that the PS4 has 8GB of GDDR5 for a shared memory pool between the CPU and GPU. The XB1 has DDR3 with a small amount of ESRAM so it's harder to get the same performance. The ESRAM is too small to store large amounts of data at a time but it is fast. However since the DDR3 is slow by comparison you have to swap from the slower memory pool to the faster and it makes it more difficult to keep up the resolution or whatnot. You can find more info through a google search. A few developers have talked about it.

Both companies now offer bonus games to subscribers. Both Xbox Live Gold and PSN+ offer a couple games a month to download without buying the game. PSN+ has been doing this longer but on both systems the games are mostly in the $15-$20 range and a lot of indie titles. That's not necessarily bad but that's not really a reason to choose one over the other. Both companies offer day one download games. With the PS4 you can pre-load the game like you do on Steam and it will activate the minute it releases. I think the XB1 is getting this functionality in the future as well. Speaking of the store, I think the XB1's store layout is terrible. It's much easier to browse the PS4 store and find things that interest you IMO.

Sony's PSN network on the PS4 compares well to XBL now. There's nearly no difference. There is party chat and all the other features you expect. Games with good netcode have very minimal lag, matchmaking works well. Both systems have a dedicated network CPU to offload the network tasks from the CPU.

You don't have to buy the XB1 with kinect if you don't want it. There's a $400 option without it.

If it were me I'd go with a PS4 because Sony seems to have some more unique titles and IPs that differentiate itself from what can be found on the PC. Plus you get the extra GPU power so the multiplatform games can look a little bit better. Also I think some of the decisions on the XB1 UI hurt it. Almost everything is an app. When you want to go to settings, it has to open an app, when you want to view your friends it has to open an app. It seems kind of pieced together sometimes, not as fluid. There will be updates I'm sure but I feel the PS4's OS is more streamlined now and feels more intuitive at the moment.

The ultimate solution is to get both and then you never miss out on exclusives.

 

[TeknoBug]

I went with the PS4 despite it being more expensive than the XB1 where I am, the free to play games and playing online without the need for PSN+ is a plus and PS4 has some good exclusives coming out like Destiny. Microsoft's boneheaded decisions on the XB1 last summer put me off from getting that to begin with and the lowered price isn't changing my mind.

Hardware-wise, the PS4 is ahead of the XB1 with a better GPU and beefier memory, also the PS4 is capable of 1080p games, I'm not sure if XB1 is since most of their titles are 720p while PS4's current titles are 900p.

Now to wait for Gran Torismo 7 to hit PS4.

 

[poofyhairguy]

This is a weird generation of consoles. Because they are both x86 we can compare them more easily than any two competing consoles in history, and I think that obvious power disparity is why it looks like the PS4 is going to "win" the battle between the two (because early adopter hard-cores care about that).

With that said, because they are both x86 the Xbone could "lose" but its buyers will still be able to play 90% of the best titles. Why not port when its easy than ever and games cost more than ever? So unlike in the SNES days there is no real fear of buying the wrong thing and missing what you want, unless you judge a game based on side-by-side fps comparisons of the different console ports of the game on Youtube.

So I think this gen you can buy the one with the exclusives you want and feel reasonably safe you will not really miss out on anything else.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I went with the PS4 despite it being more expensive than the XB1 where I am, the free to play games and playing online without the need for PSN+ is a plus and PS4 has some good exclusives coming out like Destiny. Microsoft's boneheaded decisions on the XB1 last summer put me off from getting that to begin with and the lowered price isn't changing my mind.

Hardware-wise, the PS4 is ahead of the XB1 with a better GPU and beefier memory, also the PS4 is capable of 1080p games, I'm not sure if XB1 is since most of their titles are 720p while PS4's current titles are 900p.

Now to wait for Gran Torismo 7 to hit PS4.

PSN+ is required to play games online unless it's a free to play game. Destiny is not exclusive, it will be on XB1 too.

 

[shortylickens]

Get all 3. You wont have to worry.

 

[Bman123]

I have both and the ps4 is the better buy for sure. Most of the Xbox one games will come to pc anyways.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I have both and the ps4 is the better buy for sure. Most of the Xbox one games will come to pc anyways.

I wouldn't go that far. Many multiplatform games make their way to PC. I just think that of the games that don't make it to PC, the PS4 is a little different in variety with it's exclusives.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I would just say, wait a year or 2 before pulling the trigger to see how things pan out. There aren't THAT many exclusives right now or planned any time soon. The only ones that might make a difference is if they are online multiplayer as just like PC those will die quickly unless the game is insanely popular.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I would just say, wait a year or 2 before pulling the trigger to see how things pan out. There aren't THAT many exclusives right now or planned any time soon. The only ones that might make a difference is if they are online multiplayer as just like PC those will die quickly unless the game is insanely popular.

Well, you have a game like Destiny that will be supported for 10 years. It's online only and not on PC. It's not primarily a PvP game though so I think it will have much better longevity.

 

[purbeast0]

I have both and the ps4 is the better buy for sure. Most of the Xbox one games will come to pc anyways.

i have both and have turned my ps4 on for about 2 hours since november 22nd 2013.

neither is "better" it is all opinion based on what games you want to play, which is why threads like this are retarded.

 

[dmoney1980]

i have both and have turned my ps4 on for about 2 hours since november 22nd 2013.

neither is "better" it is all opinion based on what games you want to play, which is why threads like this are retarded.

I was looking for feedback from owners of either console based on the things I outlined in the OP.

 

[mmntech]

For sports games, PS4, especially if you love baseball. MLB The Show is the definitive baseball video game. In fact the only one come to think of it.

Racing? Depends what kind. Xbox One has Forza, though I heard Forza 5 wasn't as good as previous games in the series. It will be a long time before the PS4 gets Gran Turismo. I'd go Xbone in this case. Both platforms have or will end up getting solid arcade racers.

Halo? Xbone. Though Sony does have the better exclusive franchises, and more of them. There is a Halo collection coming out with most of the games on it from the Xbox and Xbox 360.

PS4 has a slight hardware advantage, but I don't think it's going to be really noticeable in the long run. The big advantage it has though is being the primary development system for a lot of big studios. That's something Sony has really been pushing for.

Demos and free games? Sony wins here again with PlayStation Plus. You get two free games every month that are yours to keep as long as you maintain your PS+ subscription. However, Microsoft has just started a similar program. So far, all the free games on PS4 have been indie titles.

So in short, I think you should buy a Wii U. :sneaky:

 

[dmoney1980]

Lol, thanks to everyone for the input. This is more difficult than I expected. Right now I'm leaning towards the ps4, especially if I can grab a used one with a game or two at a decent price.

One thing that sucks about these new consoles is the price of the games. GameStop is horrible when it comes to used game prices. It's almost a no brainer to go craigslist hunting for games.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Lol, thanks to everyone for the input. This is more difficult than I expected. Right now I'm leaning towards the ps4, especially if I can grab a used one with a game or two at a decent price.

One thing that sucks about these new consoles is the price of the games. GameStop is horrible when it comes to used game prices. It's almost a no brainer to go craigslist hunting for games.

There's not many used games out there. The more games that are available used, the lower the price for those titles. Especially when there aren't a huge number of PS4 or XB1 owners yet. They are only 8 months old or so.

 

[futurefields]

You have to get both consoles if you are really into the big budget, super polished games. Because the exclusives are where it's at. Most multiplatform titles, other than sports, will be better on PC this generation.

 

[Arkaign]

Yep get both eventually.

If you're going to buy either soon get the ps4. It won't be under $399 for a while. If you can wait I predict a $349 Halo MCC bundle in November, which is a $110 savings. It may be officially $399 but will have flash sales for $349 or even less during the crazy holiday season.

As to why I predict that, well it has to be said I think they expected the $399 SKU to raise demand for the platform, but it only managed a two day bump before dropping down to standard flat levels deep in the bowels of the charts. Microsoft doesn't want to fall hopelessly behind in the home market, and I think some nice $349 bundles could really move some units.

Next year expect $299 as they get bom down.

 

[Bman123]

You really need to get both to really enjoy all the games. It does depend on what you like tho. I got both because I like the PS exclusive games but my girlfriend likes the xbone better so we got that too.
Sure there aren't many games but the advantage to having both is every month your going to get 4 free games, 2 from each system.

 

[Dumac]

Well, you have a game like Destiny that will be supported for 10 years. It's online only and not on PC. It's not primarily a PvP game though so I think it will have much better longevity.

Destiny will probably come to PC sometime after console release.

At the very least, Destiny 2 is contractually obligated to be on PC, released in two years.

 

[Dumac]

Lol, thanks to everyone for the input. This is more difficult than I expected. Right now I'm leaning towards the ps4, especially if I can grab a used one with a game or two at a decent price.

One thing that sucks about these new consoles is the price of the games. GameStop is horrible when it comes to used game prices. It's almost a no brainer to go craigslist hunting for games.

Based on last gen, Sonyhas a lot more unique console exclusives compared to MS. I haven't seen any inclination of change so far.

 

[mnewsham]

Destiny will probably come to PC sometime after console release.

At the very least, Destiny 2 is contractually obligated to be on PC, released in two years.

yup next one is exclusive by contract to Xbone, PS4, and PC

 

[cmdrdredd]

Destiny will probably come to PC sometime after console release.

At the very least, Destiny 2 is contractually obligated to be on PC, released in two years.

Do you have a link for that?

I have looked and all I see is a lot of beating around the bush as to why they aren't bringing it to PC right now. Nothing close to "we are bringing it to PC". Most of it seems like PR speak to appear to appease the crybabies and elitists who refuse to play FPS games on a console despite them being fantastic games. I also haven't seen anything about releasing a destiny part 2 to be released in two years. For all we know they will release each world you visit in a separate game that tied into the main story and adds new locations, weapons, enemies and PvP areas while your character progress carries over. There may not actually be a part 2 at all...it may be "Destiny: <insert name here>"

 

[sze5003]

Think about what games you want to play and then decide. If you have a pc then a ps4 would be a good choice since its games are a little more unique in variety. Xbox for halo if you are a halo fan. If you prefer the games MS comes out with then Xbox would be a better choice. But most of the games that I like are on pc. So the ps4 gives me the variety I like.

 

[Lil Frier]

I have both and the ps4 is the better buy for sure. Most of the Xbox one games will come to pc anyways.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo 5: Guardians
Killer Instinct
Zoo Tycoon
Future Halo Games
Forza Motorsport 5
Forza Horizon 2
Future Forza Games
Ryse
Sunset Overdrive
Powerstar Golf (really like this game)
Fable Legends
Quantum Break
Crackdown
Scalebound
Future Gears of War Games

Please point me to the articles listing these as PC titles.