PlayStation or Xbox

[Oortjies95]

Right then, chaps and chapesses!
Yours truly has finally managed to squirrel away enough dosh to dive into the glorious world of console gaming.

Now, my two closest (and only) tjommies are keen PlayStation fans, and most of my online gaming has been with them. Naturally, my first thought was to simply follow suit and get a PS.

However, after giving it some proper thought and doing a bit of digging, I find myself a tad undecided as the big day approaches. You see, my gaming tastes are rather varied – I enjoy a bit of everything online. And, being a somewhat frugal fellow, getting good value for money is definitely on my mind.

So, I humbly ask for the collective wisdom of this esteemed forum:
Considering my fondness for a wide variety of online games, the fact that I don't have a particular favorite, and the importance of cost-effectiveness, what console might you advise I consider?
I'm keen to hear your thoughts, any personal experiences you've had, and perhaps even some of those less obvious things one should think about. Cheers!

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

There is no real reason to buy Xbox consoles anymore unless you want to play older backwards compatible 360 games.

Microsoft is releasing their titles on PS5 now so if you have a PS5 you can play the Sony exclusives along with the released MS titles.

 

[Lupus]

There is no real reason to buy Xbox consoles anymore unless you want to play older backwards compatible 360 games.

Microsoft is releasing their titles on PS5 now so if you have a PS5 you can play the Sony exclusives along with the released MS titles.

Well besides game pass, which gives you access to a vast library of games for that monthly fee.

 

[AlphaJohn]

According to above, I failed cause I got all 3.

 

[Sepeng]

My view? Get the ones your mates have. Just means it's easier and quicker to connect with them and all that.
Me for example, not big into random online gaming. But playing with mates, now that I enjoy. Preferably side by side in the same room but failing that, online.
Else just go with your gut, cos most of us will tell you to get the same one we have.

 

[AlphaJohn]

My view? Get the ones your mates have. Just means it's easier and quicker to connect with them and all that.
Me for example, not big into random online gaming. But playing with mates, now that I enjoy. Preferably side by side in the same room but failing that, online.
Else just go with your gut, cos most of us will tell you to get the same one we have.

Since Sony stopped actively blocking cross-play, more and more games have it, so it has become a non-issue for current gen.
Lack of cross-play is still active in smaller PS4 titles so it depends on what you're playing. So if you friends have PS4, get a PS5.

For @Oortjies95
Note that right now Xbox cost more than PS5 cause of last weeks price hike so:
Xbox Series X = R15000
Xbox Series S = R9000
PS5 Digital = R11700
PS5 Disc = R13500
PS5 Pro = R19500

Disclaimer: I use Xbox as my primary cause of GamePass and Quicklaunch and other features.

 

[Lupus]

Since Sony stopped actively blocking cross-play, more and more games have it, so it has become a non-issue for current gen.
Lack of cross-play is still active in smaller PS4 titles so it depends on what you're playing. So if you friends have PS4, get a PS5.

For @Oortjies95
Note that right now Xbox cost more than PS5 cause of last weeks price hike so:
Xbox Series X = R15000
Xbox Series S = R9000
PS5 Digital = R11700
PS5 Disc = R13500
PS5 Pro = R19500

Yup rather silly 4 1/2 years into the life cycle, the Series X should be 10k and the Series S 5k.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

As mentioned, there's no point in getting an Xbox anymore. Their games are coming to PS anyway. The only difference is you would have to pay for it, instead of being able to play it on Game Pass.

Well besides game pass, which gives you access to a vast library of games for that monthly fee.

There's PS+, and while you don't get first party games on day 1, it's still decent enough to keep you busy...

 

[SauRoNZA]

Value for money = Xbox for sure, the PlayStation is very expensive to run and unless you know the offering on PS+ is exactly for you it’s rather expensive.

PlayStation is however where your friends are so you would need to ask yourself how much you would really play online with them and if those games are multiplatform anyway you can more than likely still play with them.

I have both and really only use the PS5 for first party exclusive games and almost never play online there. Oh and VR of course if that may interest you down the line.

The PS5 controller is both better and worse at the same time. Better for the haptic feedback and triggers, worse for battery life and those stupid sticks right next to each other which also wear down and become mushy very quickly.

I find the variety of games on Game Pass far more appealing over the PS+ offering.

Game Sharing is also far better on the Xbox, especially if you’ll have more than just yourself using the console in your household…but of course that requires another friend with an Xbox.

My advise would be look at the Game Pass and PS+ offerings and decide based on that library what appeals to you more.

Now if Game Pass was on the PS5 it would have been a slam dunk for that console.

Some extra food for thought is the Xbox handheld options on the horizon if you had any interest in that kind of thing it may very well extend your investment.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Value for money = Xbox for sure, the PlayStation is very expensive to run and unless you know the offering on PS+ is exactly for you it’s rather expensive.

PlayStation is however where your friends are so you would need to ask yourself how much you would really play online with them and if those games are multiplatform anyway you can more than likely still play with them.

I have both and really only use the PS5 for first party exclusive games and almost never play online there. Oh and VR of course if that may interest you down the line.

The PS5 controller is both better and worse at the same time. Better for the haptic feedback and triggers, worse for battery life and those stupid sticks right next to each other which also wear down and become mushy very quickly.

I find the variety of games on Game Pass far more appealing over the PS+ offering.

Game Sharing is also far better on the Xbox, especially if you’ll have more than just yourself using the console in your household…but of course that requires another friend with an Xbox.

My advise would be look at the Game Pass and PS+ offerings and decide based on that library what appeals to you more.

Now if Game Pass was on the PS5 it would have been a slam dunk for that console.

Some extra food for thought is the Xbox handheld options on the horizon if you had any interest in that kind of thing it may very well extend your investment.

On that note for comparison see:

GamePassport — Maintenance

VS

PS Plus Extra Game List — 262 Games

The full PlayStation Plus Extra game list — 262 PS4 & PS5 titles included with PS Plus Extra at no extra cost. Trophy difficulty, time to platinum and PSN price for every game, sortable and updated daily.

platprices.com

PS Plus Premium Game List — 99 Games

The full PlayStation Plus Premium game list — classic and streaming games included with PS Plus Premium, on top of everything in Extra. Trophy difficulty, time to platinum and PSN prices.

platprices.com

 

[SauRoNZA]

On that not for comparison see:

GamePassport — Maintenance

VS

PS Plus Extra Game List — 262 Games

The full PlayStation Plus Extra game list — 262 PS4 & PS5 titles included with PS Plus Extra at no extra cost. Trophy difficulty, time to platinum and PSN price for every game, sortable and updated daily.

platprices.com

PS Plus Premium Game List — 99 Games

The full PlayStation Plus Premium game list — classic and streaming games included with PS Plus Premium, on top of everything in Extra. Trophy difficulty, time to platinum and PSN prices.

platprices.com

Further to that I also feel Xbox games see deeper and more regular discounts as well, probably because we have a real Microsoft presence in SA.

https://xbdeals.net/za-store is worth a look for OP to see historic pricing on things he likes that isn’t on GP.

Also default storage goes a lot further on the Xbox and using external backup drives on the PS5 is truly an abomination of anti-consumer logic.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Further to that I also feel Xbox games see deeper and more regular discounts as well, probably because we have a real Microsoft presence in SA.

https://xbdeals.net/za-store is worth a look for OP to see historic pricing on things he likes that isn’t on GP.

Also default storage goes a lot further on the Xbox and using external backup drives on the PS5 is truly an abomination of anti-consumer logic.

Seeing that I have all 3 I prefer

Deku Deals - Nintendo Switch price tracking and wishlist notifications

Find the deepest discounts on Switch, Playstation, or Xbox. Get alerted for the next big sale. From physical games to digital codes, never miss a deal with Deku Deals.

www.dekudeals.com

As you can see comparrison across all including Steam EG:

 

[Lupus]

As mentioned, there's no point in getting an Xbox anymore. Their games are coming to PS anyway. The only difference is you would have to pay for it, instead of being able to play it on Game Pass.


There's PS+, and while you don't get first party games on day 1, it's still decent enough to keep you busy...

Game pass is really really good, plus the Series X is whisper quiet compared to the PS5, I mean that thing sounds like an aircraft taking off. The controller is designed for tiny hands .
For me the PS hasn't really offered any games that really tickle my fancy. I tried them and eh, honestly the best was God of War and even that was hecticly repetitive. Though Microsoft hasn't offered any exclusives for the last couple of years either.
Problem with consoles is the cost and time for development of games is so long and consoles lifespans aren't. So you get a shiny new Xbox but the games are still previous gen, by the time you start to get new games, its almost time for the new console.

 

[DarkStarMonday]

Xbox with game pass ultimate for console and PC gaming.

If you really need to play PlayStation exclusives then go bloom by your tjoomas house and play on their PS5.

Today’s gaming is all about eco system and maximising that eco system for your own personal gain. For me Xbox / PC and the occasional Nintendo switch game.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Game pass is really really good, plus the Series X is whisper quiet compared to the PS5, I mean that thing sounds like an aircraft taking off. The controller is designed for tiny hands .
For me the PS hasn't really offered any games that really tickle my fancy. I tried them and eh, honestly the best was God of War and even that was hecticly repetitive. Though Microsoft hasn't offered any exclusives for the last couple of years either.
Problem with consoles is the cost and time for development of games is so long and consoles lifespans aren't. So you get a shiny new Xbox but the games are still previous gen, by the time you start to get new games, its almost time for the new console.

Oh hell no, never hear mine and I had both launch and now 30th anniversary edition dont hear them at all.

PS4 sounds like jet sure, not the PS5.

On that note: I see Switch 2 Dock now includes a fan, sure as hell hope it's quiet else Imma force the Mrs to move it out the bedroom.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Game pass is really really good, plus the Series X is whisper quiet compared to the PS5, I mean that thing sounds like an aircraft taking off. The controller is designed for tiny hands .
For me the PS hasn't really offered any games that really tickle my fancy. I tried them and eh, honestly the best was God of War and even that was hecticly repetitive. Though Microsoft hasn't offered any exclusives for the last couple of years either.
Problem with consoles is the cost and time for development of games is so long and consoles lifespans aren't. So you get a shiny new Xbox but the games are still previous gen, by the time you start to get new games, its almost time for the new console.

Yeah there's no question that GP is better. Whether it's good enough to base your console decision on is questionable.

As for the issue with games, that's a general thing with this console generation. Given how long it takes for anything decent to come out. I mean we're still playing a 4 year old Cyberpunk which highlights the problem...

 

[Lupus]

Oh hell no, never hear mine and I had both launch and now 30th anniversary edition dont hear them at all.

PS4 sounds like jet sure, not the PS5.

Sure think you've gotten used to the mecer fans but in comparison to the Series X which you barely know is on, the PS5 is loud.
But I am moving away from consoles again, after almost 20 years of having them. This generation has literally lead me to go eh.

 

[Lupus]

Yeah there's no question that GP is better. Whether it's good enough to base your console decision on is questionable.

As for the issue with games, that's a general thing with this console generation. Given how long it takes for anything decent to come out. I mean we're still playing a 4 year old Cyberpunk which highlights the problem...

Yeah but Cyberpunk had some really good updates that made it a great game to play. Saying that I'm technically playing a 9 year old game now that still makes modern systems cry.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Sure think you've gotten used to the mecer fans but in comparison to the Series X which you barely know is on, the PS5 is loud.
But I am moving away from consoles again, after almost 20 years of having them. This generation has literally lead me to go eh.

I find it all depends on age and placement and then certain games ramp up fans more than others.

My Xbox was quiet for years inside my cabinet but then Indiana Jones came out and I had to move it back into free air to make it even bearable to play.

PS5 is generally quieter in the here and now, but also winds it up with the odd game while standing vertically, but even then it’s peak is not as bad as the Xbox which obviously due to the design is full of dust from the top.

More than likely will be sorted if I open it up and clean it out.

 

[Lupus]

I find it all depends on age and placement and then certain games ramp up fans more than others.

My Xbox was quiet for years inside my cabinet but then Indiana Jones came out and I had to move it back into free air to make it even bearable to play.

PS5 is generally quieter in the here and now, but also winds it up with the odd game while standing vertically, but even then it’s peak is not as bad as the Xbox which obviously due to the design is full of dust from the top.

More than likely will be sorted if I open it up and clean it out.

Odd the Series X out in the open, whisper quiet. Though perhaps I am going deaf with years and years of server rooms, tape libraries, inverters