Hey guys,

I'm considering picking myself up a new next-gen console this holiday.  I would like them both at some point, and I already own a Wii U, but for now I'm looking for a PS4 or an XBone.  Upon their initial announcements, the PS4 had my attention by a mile with its hundred-dollar-cheaper price point and lack of DRM on disc-based games.  However, as you all know, things have changed a lot since then, and the contest is a lot closer to me.

Both systems:

• Play Blu-Ray and DVD movies
• Require a paid subscription for online play and various other services
• Offer free games with said subscription, both retail and download-only (Slightly delayed on Xbox One)
• Same story with Twitch streaming, though XBone will need a Live subscription for that

PS4:

Pros:

• $100 cheaper
• More powerful (launch games only look a little better, but I think the difference will be more apparent when the big first-party games start coming out)
• Automatically records the last fifteen minutes without needing to have a PS+ subscription
• InFamous (out early next year)
• Uncharted
• Kinda want Knack despite reviews
• Never cared for Killzone much, but it looks like a good launch game
• The touchpad on the controller seems like a good interface for navigating maps and menus, similar to how you would on a laptop.

Cons: 

• The second-screen functionality they're pushing so much is mostly centered on the Vita, which I don't plan on getting in the near future
• Kingdom Hearts 3 not an exclusive (Not really a con, but when I assumed it was a PS4 exclusive this game was going to be the overwhelming system seller, so since it's multiplatform the PS4 lost that as an advantage)

XBone:

Pros:

• Dead Rising 3 looks really sweet
• Zoo Tycoon (Screw the haters, I love this series)
• Project Spark looks quite cool
• Game DVR records the last five minutes of gameplay (but see related con below)
• The new Kinect seems really impressive (didn't like the original one, but that was due to its accuracy issues, which are much improved this time).  I like all the little things, like how it recognizes you when you pick up the controller and automatically signs you in, placing your section of the split screen in relation to where you're sitting, etc.
• I love Halo and Gears
• The cable box functionality and Snap features seem handy, especially the ease with which you can Skype someone on your TV.

Cons:

• Game DVR requires an XBox Live subscription
• I'm not sure I trust Microsoft not to sneakily introduce new kids of anti-consumer BS once a lot of people have already heavily invested in the console
• $100 more expensive
• Less powerful, which, as stated above we're already seeing in the difference between multiplatform games.

Not sure what you mean by this. The second-screen functionality also works from the Playstation App on iOS and Andriod.

Toss a coin

I see from your profile that you live in Canada. I'm not 100% sure of this, but the cable box functionality may not be supported yet in Canada by the cable/satellite TV companies. You may want to do some research on this if it is a big Pro for you.

My advice is wait.

But if you absolutely HAVE to buy one: I think the systems are so similar, you won't be disappointed by either. Really it comes down to: does 100 dollars make a difference to you. 2. Do you care about the disparity in resolution for a few launch titles.

Otherwise-- just flip a coin and buy whichever is available. Honestly if you hype yourself up too much, you'll only be disappointed.

Fair point--I'd forgotten about the Playstation App.  Although, presumably the Off-TV play feature in most of the games would still only work on Vita.  Still, that's just the kind of feedback I'm looking for, so thanks.

Based on your pros and cons for both systems, it sounds like you want the Xbox One more than the PS4.

ps4 for me.

...and your con about the second screen isn't really acurate. the ps mobile app (android/IOs) does everything the vita version does with the exception of remote play. as xbox's mobile app doesn't do remote play either it's really a wash.

ps4's camera can auto recognize and log you in as well, btw. kinect is more feature rich but ps4 can do a lot of the big ones. skype is supposed to come to ps4 as well.


..but in the end it's the games for me. naughty dog, sucker punch, media molecule, GG, and santa montica are better developers (imo) than turn10, rare, and lionhead. maybe MS will get better this gen but all of their new developers are untested and it's really a craps shoot if the games are amazing or terrible. i'd rather go with the studios i love than the studios i know nothing about.

That's correct. The Off-TV play feature is unique to the Vita, but any second screen features can be used on the Vita or a smartphone/tablet.

On the one hand I thinkt he PS4 also has the game DVR.

But one big pro you missed, IMO, is Titanfall. That's the game that makes me willing to Jump In this generation.