Choosing a Next Gen Console

TL;DR: should I get the next Xbox X or PS5?

I’ve been compelled to have gaming systems most of my life. First system was an Atari (don’t remember which model number), then an original Game Boy (first run with the display failure, SNES, bought an NES off a friend (yes, it was that order), N64, PS.

Since then, I’ve owned every console for each generation, however I don’t want to own them all this time around. Obviously whatever Nintendo system is out, I’ll get that because it’s a) usually not a direct competitor, b) they’ve got a lot of exclusives, and c) I have a daughter who loves it. That’ll be my secondary console.

PS2/Xbox - I loved PS2 for the Metal Gear Solid games that came out, but except for that, I was almost exclusively Xbox. Key features I liked was the hard drive (that was unique to them at the time) and the S-Type controller has always felt great in my hands. I think the wisdom is larger hands favor the PS controllers, smaller the Xbox, yes?

PS3/X360 - Again I went with Xbox here. PS3 controllers failed here with the poorly designed triggers, and the six-axis that was a gimmick. PS3 was mainly for MGS 4. If I recall, the installs were odd too. 360 was mainly everything I liked in the first one, just a little better.

PS4/Xbox One - Got both, decided to try playing the PS4 for my main system, and stuck with it. My XB1 has probably collected dust for three years. I did like the easy to upgrade hard drive on the PS4, I used VR for a while, but it’s collected dust for a year or so, and other than that it’s... fine. Loved Horizon: Zero Dawn and Spiderman exclusives (I do tend to like open world games, as they are time flexible). With XB1, I played some Forza Horizon early on, then got bored. I think I remember hating the interface when it had the Windows 8 style blocks.

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So, what do y’all think for this time around? I don’t want both. Maybe, it’s possible I’ll get one, then halfway through the life cycle when they release the PS5.5 and the Series XX or whatever I might get the other one then, since I’ve never owned a midcycle console.

I do tend to enjoy RPGs, Adventures (especially open world), and some light racing, like Forza Horizon. Games to play with my daughter can be nice, and I’m concerned over PS5’s garish new controller. Controllers haven’t really changed since the PS2/Xbox era (not talking about Nintendo obviously; they generally just throw some controller parts in a blender then reinvent it next time) for a reason, so I’m not really sure why they’re doing it now.

 

Is this a sad state of affairs when Nintendo has the best looking exterior, or what?

That’s why I put an NES decal on my PS4.

 

I very much appreciate your opinion on the exclusives. Sony has done a decent job with them.

I will have to respectfully disagree on the look. And maybe it’s because I’m almost 40 now (), but I would like a system that blends in with my entertainment center, not one that screams, (I know you can’t stand the sight of me, but you can’t look away either!). Also, the less symmetrical an object is, the more likely it is to bother me.

 

I do still keep a PC for gaming, but in recent years, companies have pushed harder to optimize games for consoles.

 

I read an in depth article about this a while back. It appears the big AAA companies walked themselves into a corner. Today’s blockbuster games are a multi million dollar production, on par with major Hollywood movies. The last time game prices were raised from $50USD to $60USD was back around 2008 when the PS3 and XBox 360 came out. Costs went up, prices stayed the same since then, and until the XB1/PS4 era, used game companies like Gamestop really cut into sales for the companies. They did research and found that people didn’t want to spend $70USD per title. I don’t blame them necessarily. So they looked at ways to get the value another way. The problem is all the IAPs are baked in now, and they are charging $90-$100USD per game when you include the IAPs, though it’s still not what they would like.

But let’s be honest, how much better are games like remakes of CoD:MW, Madden version what 25, where all they change is the rosters and sell it to you again new, or I hate to say it but every recycled Nintendo title that’s had more resurrections than a Dark Souls player versus creative Indie titles like Among Us? I refuse to buy from EA, am generally skeptical of Activision, and avoid early access like the COVID because I want my money to go to worthy pieces of electronic art, not microwaved crud.