PlayStation 4 vs Xbox One

Our take on two of the biggest consoles out there.

Feb 26, 2019

By: Max Cannon

The debate has been raging on before these consoles were even released, PlayStation 4 vs Xbox One. Each console has its own pros and cons, with things getting even more complicated when you throw the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X into the mix. If you're looking to get one console or the other then you'll want to see what separates the two machines.

Which controller do you prefer?

The Pros and Cons of the PS4

Sony's PlayStation 4 is the most popular console currently sitting on store shelves, and for good reason. When the PS4 was first revealed in 2013 it was a notable step up from the PS3 and, best of all, it looked like a console that would really focus on quality video games -- unlike Microsoft's machine. And the games are undoubtedly what makes the PS4 such a great console, specifically the exclusive games. In fact, some of the best games of this entire generation are only playable on a PS4. Bloodborne, Ratchet and Clank, God of War, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man -- the list can go on and on. However, there are a few key places in which the PS4 lags behind the competition.

Cross-Play with PlayStation

Though the PS4 Pro is more powerful than a regular PS4, it doesn't hold a candle to the strength of the Xbox One X, so it's far from the most powerful console you can buy. Also, in certain cases, the PS4 can be insanely loud with a fan often compared to a jet engine -- especially when playing more demanding games. PlayStation also doesn't have the same money-saving services that you can find on Xbox One. While they do have PlayStation Now, the company's game streaming service, it's not even comparable to some of the deals you can find on Xbox.

Spider-Man is a standout PlayStation 4 exclusive.Courtesy of Marvel

The Pros and Cons of the Xbox One

The Xbox One had a rocky start but has slowly won gamers back with some very friendly decisions and deals. Xbox Game Pass, a service that costs $10 a month, gives subscribers access to a ton of awesome Xbox games to be downloaded right to your system. That's also on top of EA Access which sets you back $30 a year but allows you access to a good chunk of older EA titles, deals on upcoming games, and 10 hours of free access to new releases. PlayStation was apparently offered the opportunity to have the service on their system but they turned EA down. Also, as mentioned earlier, Xbox One X is the most powerful console on the market, so you'll get the most bang-for-your-buck when playing on that system.

Xbox Live on the Nintendo Switch?

However, there are some valid reasons why the Xbox One didn't skyrocket to success as the PS4 first did. The system was announced out with some disappointing features like the need to have the Kinect/camera plugged into your system to work and requiring an online connection. Those annoyances went away but the damage was already done. Also, the exclusive games you can only play on Xbox don't really turn as many heads as the PS4-only games do. They have some winners on there, Ori and the Blind Forest, Quantum Break, and Halo 5, but the consistency and quality don't quite feel like it's on par with PlayStation.