I don't usually like topics that pit one console vs another and incite huge fights, however I have a valid reason for starting such topic. I am looking to buy a new console (I currently own both the PS3 and Xbox 360) and would like opinions on both of them. If you could please list specific reasons why you think one is better than the other and not just say "Xbox is better!". My co-workers are trying to convince me to buy a Xbox One so I can play Destiny with them, however I have heard some great things about PS4. Back when I was more into consoles I used to favor Sony over Microsoft but now that I am primarily a PC person my opinion in consoles is more evened out.

 

And please, let's keep it civilized.

 

EDIT: Also please note that I have already read articles comparing the two consoles so I know all the specs and which ones have features that the other doesn't. I am just looking for opinions from people who have either console and what they enjoy or dislike about the system.

Edited September 9, 201411 yr by l3ubba

Personally, I own a PS4. PS4 for all Sony's internal games (1st party wares) and my PC for all my first-person shooters and GTA needs.

< snip >

Edited June 23, 20241 yr by tobeymaguire

I don't own either of the next-gen consoles. But I have had the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in the past, I quite liked both for different reasons.

 

But I wouldn't pay much attention to the "I had a ____ and it was better because..." comments.

Make your judgement based on the following rather than the style of comments I mentioned. (these are in order of what I think is important)

 

Where does your friend circle lie?

If all of your friends have an Xbox One, and you get a PS4. You're out of the circle. they may well still be your friends and have a laugh and a chat with you about games, but you'll never get to enjoy the random online gaming sessions they have, you won't be able to say "hey you remember that kid that was screaming over the mic? That was funny" or "fancy a few games on ____ later?"

Normally I would say NEVER make your choice on what your friends think. But in this instance, online gaming is becoming more popular, and you don't want to feel left out because you can't play online with your friends.

 

Which were you more comfortable with?

Some people like consoles because they "feel" better. Example, I liked the xbox 360, but the controller was far too heavy and clunky for my liking. Whereas the PS3 controller was smaller and lighter. I preferred that. I also liked the simplicity of the PS3 UI compared to the BOXES EVERYWHERE design of the xbox 360 (even after the "big" update)

So whichever you felt was more pleasing to use is probably a good choice.

 

which did you spend more time and effort on?

If you got all the achievements, in every game you owned on the xbox 360. Are you happy to throw all of that away and start again on the Playstation (or vice versa). One of my friends made his decision based on this. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time getting all the achievements with his 360 account. He didn't want to lose all that because to him it would have felt like a wasted effort.

 

Which do you think is better value? (if money isn't an issue you can ignore this last one)

You say you know about all the specs, which do you think is better for the price they ask?. If they both had identical specs your choice would fall down to the price. Which one is better value (taking into account special bundles with extra storage, multiple games etc)

It's no good buying the one with the cheapest bundle or the most expensive bundle or "this comes with a super-fancy-light-thingy-which-I-don't-know-what-it's-for-but-it's-cool" if 2 months later you hate it or you're missing out on games you want ("exclusives" are a bi***).

 

 

I'll give you an example, and ultimately my decision if I was you.

 

A few of my friends (who still play games) have bought PS4's. So if I wanted to play online with them, I would need a PS4. I'm used to the PS3 controller and the UI, I liked them more than the xbox 360 controller and UI. I also preferred the sleek design to the PS3 and the fact it made less noise than my xbox which sounded like a harrier taking off. The PS4 is cheaper from what I've seen, which plays into my hands nicely. I can't say I have looked at bundles and what not because I've very little interest in console gaming now.

But, if I was to choose one, it would be the PS4.

 

I hope my lengthy advice is helpful to you.

 

TL;DR  Pick whichever you feel is right, not what the community says.

Edited September 10, 201411 yr by LukeD

Both of them are trying to compensate for what PC has, and are both failing equally.

How about neither.

I don't own either of the next-gen consoles. But I have had the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in the past, I quite liked both for different reasons.

 

But I wouldn't pay much attention to the "I had a ____ and it was better because..." comments.

Make your judgement based on the following rather than the style of comments I mentioned. (these are in order of what I think is important)

 

Where does your friend circle lie?

If all of your friends have an Xbox One, and you get a PS4. You're out of the circle. they may well still be your friends and have a laugh and a chat with you about games, but you'll never get to enjoy the random online gaming sessions they have, you won't be able to say "hey you remember that kid that was screaming over the mic? That was funny" or "fancy a few games on ____ later?"

Normally I would say NEVER make your choice on what your friends think. But in this instance, online gaming is becoming more popular, and you don't want to feel left out because you can't play online with your friends.

 

Which were you more comfortable with?

Some people like consoles because they "feel" better. Example, I liked the xbox 360, but the controller was far too heavy and clunky for my liking. Whereas the PS3 controller was smaller and lighter. I preferred that. I also liked the simplicity of the PS3 UI compared to the BOXES EVERYWHERE design of the xbox 360 (even after the "big" update)

So whichever you felt was more pleasing to use is probably a good choice.

 

which did you spend more time and effort on?

If you got all the achievements, in every game you owned on the xbox 360. Are you happy to throw all of that away and start again on the Playstation (or vice versa). One of my friends made his decision based on this. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time getting all the achievements with his 360 account. He didn't want to lose all that because to him it would have felt like a wasted effort.

 

Which do you think is better value? (if money isn't an issue you can ignore this last one)

You say you know about all the specs, which do you think is better for the price they ask?. If they both had identical specs your choice would fall down to the price. Which one is better value (taking into account special bundles with extra storage, multiple games etc)

It's no good buying the one with the cheapest bundle or the most expensive bundle or "this comes with a super-fancy-light-thingy-which-I-don't-know-what-it's-for-but-it's-cool" if 2 months later you hate it or you're missing out on games you want ("exclusives" are a bi***).

 

 

I'll give you an example, and ultimately my decision if I was you.

 

A few of my friends (who still play games) have bought PS4's. So if I wanted to play online with them, I would need a PS4. I'm used to the PS3 controller and the UI, I liked them more than the xbox 360 controller and UI. I also preferred the sleek design to the PS3 and the fact it made less noise than my xbox which sounded like a harrier taking off. The PS4 is cheaper from what I've seen, which plays into my hands nicely. I can't say I have looked at bundles and what not because I've very little interest in console gaming now.

But, if I was to choose one, it would be the PS4.

 

I hope my lengthy advice is helpful to you.

 

TL;DR  Pick whichever you feel is right, not what the community says.

Thanks for the response, however I wanted to get an opinion from users so I can hear what they feel are some downsides to those consoles that they have noticed. You have offered very good advice however the answers to those questions kind of equal out. My co-workers all have Xbox One and really want me to get that but I also have friends from training who are now in other units who have PS4 and I'm sure they would want to play with me as well. As for comfort I kind of like Sony stuff better than Microsoft, I like the controller better and like you said, the UI is laid out much better. I have spent an equal amount of time on Sony and Microsoft so I don't care either way, especially since console gaming is secondary to me. My primary gaming system is my PC that I built. I haven't looked at the bundle but I know Microsoft dropped the price of the Xbox One to match the price of the PS4 so I don't think there is much of a difference there. There are games on both systems that I would really like to play (i.e. Forza 5 on Xbox and Gran Turismo on the PS4). It is a tough choice, I want to go with the PS4 but pretty much all the people I work with are trying to get me to go with the Xbox One. I have a little time to think about it though because I am probably going to wait until late November or December before I buy anything.

PS4. Seems that *most* XBone titles are eventually ported to PC (DR3, Ryse, etc). Whether or not Destiny ever will or not, remains to be seen.

 

However I just don't get the whole "I want to play ONE game, so does that justify me dropping $300 for a console?" discussions. Maybe because I'm such a cynic, but if it's only for one or two games, I just bite the bullet and miss out.... Unless I have the money to spend.