The two biggest gaming consoles on the market are about to delve into the next generation of their products, with Microsoft debuting the Xbox Series X and Sony launching the aptly titled PlayStation 5.
Despite the uninspired and/or bizarre naming conventions, fans are struggling to resign themselves to the higher price tags these consoles will command. As such, Microsoft and Sony respectively have numerous plans to make sure fans view their consoles as better than others. But for gamers, it’s a bit more complicated than just a coin flip.
Updated by Juliet Childers on August 25th, 2020: It’s usually tough to decide which console you want to commit yourself to (especially with price tags ranging from $500 - $900 USD) unless you already have loyalty to one brand, so a bit of extra information never hurts when it comes to rendering a verdict. To that end, we’ve added a few more pros to picking up either option when it comes to the next generation of consoles.
14 PS5: Backwards Compatability With The PS4
More exclusives are underway, but what is a great feat for the PlayStation 5 is that it will be able to run games of the previous generation. This was sort of possible with specific PlayStation 3’s but not widely available, and it hasn’t been done in full since the PlayStation 2.
This means that you can sell your old PS4 or Pro model to help with funding for the brand new Sony platform. You can still delve into Bloodborne, Ratchet & Clank, God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted 4, and many others. Maybe they’ll even look or play better.
13 Xbox Series X: Most Powerful Hardware
If you’re more about graphics, FPS, and more bang for your buck, then the Xbox Series X is going to be your go-to platform, unless you can fork out enough for a beefy gaming rig. It has better tech than the PlayStation 5, all neatly packed into a small-ish tower.
Microsoft has boasted that it will be able to handle 12o FPS, which is double the current standard, and it will have ray-tracing, along with some other tidbits such as a 2GB SSD.
12 PS5: Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Sony knocked it out of the park with the PlayStation 4 in terms of exclusivity, with a plethora of hits that didn’t stop coming from beginning to end, whether it was swinging through New York City or surviving in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by robots.
But after the smashing success of the film Into the Spiderverse, many fans were elated to see Miles Morales get his own dedicated game in the Spiderman franchise. It’s a PS5 launch title, so Sony must expect strong performance and sales numbers from this game.
11 Xbox Series X: Game Pass
The game pass is the reel that keeps many on the Xbox, with a total of 200 games available to play so long as you fork out monthly. This is something that Microsoft plans to continue with Series X.
It’s been dubbed by many as Microsoft’s own gaming Netflix, as it gives players an entire library of titles to delve into with a regular payment, rather than having to buy each one individually. If you don’t like something, no hard feelings, as you didn’t buy it anyway.
10 PS5: PSVR
Microsoft has no intention of pushing for VR as they don’t see the point when consumers haven’t taken to it. Luckily, Sony is in a different boat, as they appreciate the niche enthusiast community that Valve and many others are trying to grow.
The PlayStation 5 will be compatible with existing PSVR tech, meaning that you won’t have to empty your wallet to continue enjoying the experience. However, they are going to be bringing out a brand new one, with updated tech.
9 Xbox Series X: Fable 4
Another trip down memory lane for Gen X and Millennial gamers, the Fable series was some people’s first foray into an RPG series. Though the original game is now a bit rough to play through, the sequels remain standards amongst RPG fans.
Microsoft billed the release as a “new beginning” for the beloved franchise with the announcement trailer sparking theories and questions. Since the last game came out a full decade ago in 2010, most fans are rabid to get their hands on new Fable content. Microsoft is undoubtedly counting on that to boost Xbox Series X sales.
Fable 4 will also be available on PC.
8 PS5: Slick Design
The official PlayStation 5 design relieved some gamers and enraged others. Though initial developer kits or prototypes had gamers more concerned, the final product launching for consumers should look more like the image above.
With that in mind, it has a lot more going for it visually than the Xbox Series X, which is an oblong box about twice the height of a controller that resembles a small PC almost. As such, it’ll likely look more appealing on a shelf, which isn’t a good reason to choose it but rather a nice sprinkle on top.
7 Xbox Series X: Faster Loading Screens
As previously mentioned, the Xbox Series X is going to have some groundbreaking console technology and with that comes a 2GB SSD which will allow for much faster loading screens. Gone are the days of Bloodborne’s launch where you could pop on a movie as you waited for the game to load.
With faster loading comes jumping into the action at a much faster pace, meaning that it will cut out unnecessary waiting times for players. That’s a big selling point if you’re not entirely patient.
6 PS5: Gran Turismo 7
Millennials and Gen X’ers everywhere have to be pouring one out for their teenage and prepubescent selves. For many, apart from arcade classics like Cruisin’ World or Hydro Thunder, the Gran Turismo series remains one of the most beloved racing games in the history of video games.
With the most recent game released in 2017, many fans turned to competitors like Forza for their virtual car fixes. Despite the new game not yet having a release date, it will be a PS5 exclusive which may sway some gamers toward purchasing the PS5 over the Xbox Series X.
5 Xbox Series X: Complete Backwards Compatibility
Rumors and reports seem to suggest that the Xbox Series X will either have complete backward compatibility in the traditional sense or it will continue its current line of backward compatibility in which the console emulates the 360 whilst also downloading games from a library after reading the disc.
This means that either all games from the 360, Xbox One, and original Xbox will be available, or it means that all the games from the Xbox One and a constantly updating library of downloadable games will be available for 360 and the original. Either way, it keeps Microsoft’s exclusives and old generation titles in one neat package.
4 PS5: 3D Audio
One of the lead developers of the PS5, Mark Cerny, was a little disappointed with the lack of focus on audio in previous gens. Graphics are a natural progression as is performance but the audio is just as important.
As such, they are implementing 3D audio which means that you will be able to hear sound from all around you. This will be much more complex than current 3D audio headsets and it will allow for better immersion and, likely, more competitive gameplay.
3 Xbox Series X: Game Scaling
In the early stages of new generations, games tend to span over multiple consoles, as to not completely alienate gamers who don’t have the money to get the newest tech. Microsoft has assured that their new console will have ‘game scaling.’
This means that a title will improve in graphics and performance when played on a later model whereas it will appear somewhat downgraded with previous models, as to ensure that the Series X gets the best visuals without harming the performance of other Xbox platforms and vice-versa.
2 PS5: Horizon Forbidden West
Guerilla Games’ unprecedented success with Horizon Zero Dawn has rocked the world of open-world game development. With consistent sales, rave reviews, and epic cosplays galore, the fact that the game was a PlayStation exclusive was a huge deal for Sony.
The eagerly awaited full sequel features new gameplay mechanics like swimming and epic new machines both friendly and aggressive. Of course, PC gamers recently gained access to Horizon Zero Dawn, albeit a less than stellar port version. Perhaps the sequel will start out as an exclusive and eventually make its way to PC just like its predecessor.
1 Xbox Series X: Halo Infinite
Every person who ever played games in the early 2000s probably knows at least a little something about the Halo series. Though many hoped that Bungie’s Destiny entries would fill the void, Halo remains its own unique addiction.
Despite the fact that fans blistered at supposedly lackluster graphics, many fans remain vehemently hyped for the release (now pushed to 2021 some time). As they prepare for a new story around everyone’s favorite Spartan, fans can revisit The Master Chief Collection for a trip down memory lane.
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