I'm thinking about getting a Next Gen Console this year (PS4 or Xone).
I've always been an Xbox guy, but when the new systems were announced I said I would switch to Sony after Xbox tried to make all those dumb changes (like having to always be online and no used games, before backtracking due to the backlash they got…
I like the feel of the xbox controllers (do PS4 controllers feel normal after a while?) and am comfortable with their system, which I mostly use just for games. But like I said I was planning on getting a PS4 and just want to make the right decision.
I mostly play sports games (NBA 2K being my favorite game, and then Madden) and usually get some racing game. Other than that I play Mario games on my Wii U. I don't play online against others (just use it to download updates and rosters and stuff like that). Are there any extra fees for either system on things?
So which system would you suggest from someone that has maybe owned each system (not looking for responses from fanboys of a system)?
I've owned both since launch day, I'll give you my thoughts based on what you've outlined above.
1) The controller: I like both. I think the PS4 controller melts into my hands better but I can use the Xb1 controller equally well. I do think the PS4 has a better d-pad but there's not much use for that these days. You should go to gamestop or bestbuy etc and handle both and see what you think.
2) Sports games are the same on both. There is no visual difference between the games on either console. The PS4 does have a baseball game in MLB The Show. There is no real baseball game on Xbox One. If you subscribe to EA Access for $30 a year you get a back catalogue of sports titles. For example right now I have Madden 15, Fifa 15, and NHL 15 from them. You get the full game available to download as long as you're a subscriber. Also have Battlefield 4, Titanfall, UFC, Need for Speed. They put the legacy sports titles up just before the new one is announced/released. Not too bad if you're only a casual fan of them. Another bonus is when EA has a new game releasing, they put up a full game trial for you. For example when the new Madden is going to release, maybe a few days ahead of launch EA Access subscribers will be able to download the full game and try it for a couple hours(there's a time limit). It's the full game and if you decide to buy the game, you can transfer your progress over. The thing is, EA Access is only available on Xbox One. It is not available on PS4.
3) If you don't plan to play online, both the PS4 and Xbox One are free for updates, downloads, video on demand services etc. However if you subscribe to Xbox Live Gold or PSN+ you get 2 free games to download each month. Some of them are pretty good. If you want to play online in the future you will have to subscribe to XBL Gold or PSN+. The exception I believe is free to play games and some MMO games.
4) Racing games are flat out better on Xbox One at this time. Forza is a very good title and the other games that appear on both don't have an advantage on either console IMO. Sony doesn't have anything to compete with Forza right now and hasn't made any announcements regarding a Gran Turismo game. Forza 6 is coming this September on XB1.
Both do pretty much the same things minus a couple features here or there. I think the XB1 is a better value at this time though because for $400 you get the console, a 1TB HDD, and a copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Or they offer the 500GB system for $350. Sony right now only offers a 500GB PS4 for $400, but you can change the HDD yourself on a PS4 if you wanted to. I think you'll be happy either way, but if you like sports games and don't mind playing last years game you can get a lot of value from EA Access on the XB1.
My PS3 died 5 days ago and since the PS4 did not support DLNA and same with the Xbox One i bought a new PS3 for $150. Then 1 day ago DLNA support was announced by Sony on the PS4, doh!
The XB1 also supports DLNA. I can browse my NAS drive via the Media Player.
Neither of them plays all formats though.