PS4 vs XboxOne. Who will win the holiday battle?
A trending topic this month has been seen in the form of “PS4/XboxOne, 1 year later, which one should you get?”. As the two consoles now become a bit more mature, and have had their libraries of games and app growing, it’s interesting to see if there’s a clear winner.
The PS4 has outsold the XboxOne consistently since they both got released. Ars technica have a great article explaining that the PS4 sold about twice as much as the Xbox One so far (read it here).
You probably all remember that the release of the Xbox one was a disaster, with a non satisfying price of $499 (compared to the PS4’s $399), and a focus on “TV entertainment” rather than “gaming” that was shown during the introduction of the console. This made the Xbox One look like a very expensive Set top box, while the PS4 focused on gamers, both Indie and AAA fans.
With a lower price and a more focused product, the PS4 has been the clear winner so far.
But the holiday season this year could potentially reverse the trend.
Yes, people who got a “next gen” console last year were die-hard fans. But a year later, now’s definitely the right time to get one of the 2 consoles, if you don’t own any yet. The question is, which one?
The Xbox One has become much better with time, with a series of software updates that Microsoft has brought to the device. Additionally, it is, after all, a gaming machine, and has its share of exclusives that you won’t find on the PS4 (Forza, Titanfall, Halo Masterchief). PS4 on the other hand, has exclusives such as Infamous, The Last of Us Remastered, Little Big planet 3, etc…
They both have a significant games library today.
In general, unless you’re already in one of the two ecosystems (for example PS Vita owners will definitely want to get a PS4, to leverage cross-buy, remote play, and get more bang for their bucks with playstation plus), or you really want one of the (few) exclusives that one of the 2 consoles has to offer, they’re both a relevant choice today. Kotaku have a great up-to-date comparison if you’re interested (I know, it’s not often that I’ll link to a kotaku article on this blog, given how generic and bland their articles usually are, so savor this one 🙂 ). Engadget readers however, seem to be slightly disappointed with the Xbox One (see here).
Independently of mainstream websites’ reviews, I’m thinking many people will make their decision this year based on the price, or what their friends recommend.
PS4/Xbox One, which one has a better deal for the holiday?
So what do the prices look like today? Microsoft has made a very smart move by removing the kinect and lowering the price of its console. They offer the Xbox One bundle with Assassin’s Creed unity for $349 $329(Update: the offer has been discounted even more to $329 for a limited time!). Console + game for that price, that’s a very good incentive for people who are on the fence.
Sony, on the other hand, have a black Friday deal for the PS4 + two games (good ones: one bundle has Lego Batman 3 + Little Big Planet 3, the other one has GTA V + The Last of Us) for $399.
And that’s the best PS4 offer to be found so far. It’s a great deal with 2 awesome games basically for free, but people might prefer the Xbox One price for the holiday season. Sony are clearly in a “leader” position here, and do not seem to be willing to drop the price lower to compete even more. That could be a dangerous move.
Accessories such as the controllers are roughly the same price ranges for both devices. The cameras are another story. The Kinect is said to be better than the PS4 camera, but this comes at a price. The kinect alone is closer to $150. If you’re thinking of getting an Xbox One with Kinect (which is the cheapest way to get the kinect), then you’ll have to cough $449, making the Xbox One the same price as a PS4+Camera. The PS4 Camera can be found for less than $55, and it was discounted to $40 not so long ago (sadly that deal is gone).
What do customers think of the two consoles?
Both devices get very good reviews in general, with the Xbox One getting an average of 3.8 stars out of 5 (see customer reviews of the Xbox One here), and the PS4 slightly higher with 4.1 stars (see customer reviews of the PS4 here). At that level and given the amount of reviews, the difference might actually be significant, and if you want what appears to be “objectively” the best device, the PS4 might be your choice.
Conclusion
Both consoles have a wide selection of games and app, as well as a few exclusives. In terms of graphics quality, games, and apps, they’re both a good choice, and this year’s holiday is definitely a right time to jump to the new generation.
If you’re looking for a good deal this holiday season, the $349 Xbox one bundle might be your personal choice. If you’re looking for the “best” device, PS4 has been the clear winner of the console wars so far in this generation, with more sales and better customer reviews on average. Eventually though, it might depend on your gaming preferences. My choice today would be to go with the GTA V/Last of US PS4 bundle, but I’m slightly biased, being heavily invested in the Sony ecosystem myself.
Do you own an Xbox One or a PS4? Would you recommend the device? On the other hand, are you planning on getting a next-gen console this year?
wish i had a ps4….
Wish Ps vita will be hacked….
I wish your wish come true… because your wish is now mine too XD….
gather all 7 ballz and make it happen. We’re counting on you guys
— high class here– Seven isnt required. My two will do, McLoven but you cant just “gather”. Its more like… Well, nevermind… I think you of all people know what to do……j/k………. “j/k” makes this okay, right?
gather tons of money and buy Sony
I’ll get neither of the two. I’m just gonna stick with my WiiU. I hardly ever play that too. I’ve purchased a few games within the last 6 months and have yet to play them at all.
Another note… Why doesn’t Microsoft make a portable system that can run new gen graphics and offer original Xbox downloadable games?
There is. It’s called a laptop with a xbox emulator.
Except there are absolutely no good commercial Xbox emulators that can play any games at all. So, besides that, yeah, definitely a great choice.
Probably cause they can’t even figure out the tablet/phone ecosystem. Getting involved in another division, competing partially with those same phones on a “game” level along with the 3DS(N3DS) and PSVITA is a dangerous ground for success. It’s such a hard sell for the general use markets.
The Wiiu will probably be the big winner this holiday season. It really is the best choice of the three
😆
totally bs
Vita will rise out of its ashes
Ermm… You listed Titanfall as an Xbone exclusive? Dude, its not an exclusive if it exists on another platform!
It is “exclusive” compared to the PS4, as in “the ps4 doesn’t have it, so if you want to play that game, you either get a PC, or, in the context of this article, an Xbox One”. I am aware that it is available on other platforms
oh well pc is fine, who needs xbone anyway?
…And I am still having trouble choosing between N64 and PSOne.
Fu(k the new-gen systems. I’m sticking with my Sega Medadrive/Genesis!
You should have got a SNES…. I jest, I’m a Sega man myself.
Obligatory link to the greatest thing Sega ever produced:
Segata Sanshiro!! Dem commercials!! Damn awesome!!
I totally agree with this statement… SEGA MegaDrive master race!!
WHO CARES ABOUT WHO WILL WIN…. GIVE ME THE BUBBLES NOW!
You sir are the biggest troll I’ve ever seen.
hahahahahaha +1×10^9999
Blah blah blah bubbles!! I don’t want to do any of the work and want to reap the benefits now and demand it! I’m a whiny B***h! Waaaaah! Gimme gimme gimme!
(Not representing my views, because personally I’m fine with TN-V as it is without need of bubbles. Just impersonating others.)
What about share play wololo?? That’s a pretty strong feature for families and friends.
So far, the libraries for both are still -very- lackluster..Nothing superb on either side that’s power enough to pull me away from PC and make me spend that much. I’m the kinda guy who’ll buy a system solely for one game (Wii i had bought, initially, for Fatal Frame IV, only to find out it didn’t come to the US, Vita i bought for P4G and Soul Sacrifice), but thus far they’ve got jack diddly.
I’m an RPG player, mostly. I enjoy games that will eat hundreds of hours of my time, especially since i’m paying $60 friggin dollars for a game. Wii U has a fantastic lineup, i will say. I’m just waiting to see if they announce a Xenoblade Chonicles X bundle and i’ll be on that trolly so damn fast. Smash bros, Hyrule warriors, Pikmin, XCX..Verses what on the PS/xbone? Shooter. Shooter. Racing game. Third person shooter. Decent game that i don’t care to rebuy. Poor man’s pikmin.
Meh.
This
What about the Wii U as Nintendo have their trump card to play as Smash Bros is coming out this Friday so that should shift some consoles.
And I keep wondering about Wii U
Honestly, I have a ps4, psvita, 3ds xl and wii u, and the ones I keep playing the most are Nintendo consoles
Psvita: Tales of Hearts R
PS4: free games (psn plus promotion) the first game I will buy is Guilty Gear Xrd
Wii U: Currently playing smash, bayonetta 2, hyrule warriors and Mario kart… 4 games
3DS XL: Currently playing smash, pokemon OR/AS and cooking mama… 3 games..
Not to mention, it is cheap, and has some unique features… honestly? I think wii u would be a better choice.. for now… since most of the big games will come on 2015 (for all consoles)
Most big games are not going to be all consoles. VERY little is coming to the U… When a console misses a call of duty game completely, you should consider that a sign. Id like the wii U to do well, but I would rather see mario, sonic and and sackboy in a legit game.
mario kart – not interested
bayonetta 2 – not interested
hyrule warriors – i hate zelda stuff
smash bruh – nope
You also forgot to mention aony has been plagued with errors. Semi bricks and online discrepencies. Remember people. Sony is a hardware company. Msoft a software company…..being the insides of both machines are almost identical. Better software always wins
Also ive read windows 10 rumours. Plus The app integration of smart glass and flawless windows 8 streaming..xbox one plays every movie file in existence. Sony cant even play mkvs.. my cbox automatically setup with my dlna server and i stream everything to my box….i set. Nothing….up… xbox. For the win….
I am jelous of this… Someday ps4 will get its update…..
The problem is that MS has been considerably lacking in the ‘better software’ department so far as well.
And no, better software doesn’t always win, in fact it rarely does; otherwise there wouldn’t be so much software around with security flaws. “Good enough” software wins, and both of the platforms at the moment have software that is ‘good enough’.
Honestly the Vita’s software stack is better featured and implemented then both XB1 and PS4 at the moment.
Well I own both consoles and all i can say is that you have to chose the one with the exclusive games that you want to play thats the only thing that you have to consider.
I have seen the ps4 at Costco for $380 with a second contoller and a one year of ps plus.They offer this deal in store have not checked online.
Only reason to buy xbone is if your friends have it otherwise its all ps4 and as more ps4 in wild more likely your friend will have ps4 and do not forget better hardware
Wii U Master Race!! Better variety of games and nice lineup! Have had no need for P$4 out X80x 0n3. Got a gaming laptop for other games, exclusives are not that tempting (except for Wii U).
***FYI: Personal opinion, and I don’t care if others don’t agree.
yeah whatever, i don’t care about your opinion, but i’m total opposite of yours
The Wii U will win. All thanks to Super Smash Bros for Wii U.
I hope the PS4 wins, i own both consoles and a wiiu. But I hate the fact that Microsoft tried to screw its fanbase with all that bullcrap with and the whole brodude attitude it introduced.
I also hope that the vita gets some much needed love from aaa games.
the xbone is ugly as heck XD
i don’t want that as my next gen console … i want my PS4 next ? yr when FFXV has a limited edition
Dreamcast is going to make a surprise comeback!!!!
I wish there was DC emu for Vita. That would be awesome 🙂
playstation always since birth lol xbox is 4 my loving pc…
I’m having a hard time to think about my best choice.. I want to buy XBOX .. but then this news said ps4 is better. And when i scroll down to read the comment, the WiiU is better .. bAahh ! I can’t decide 🙁
i have a PS4 and love it but am buying an X1 some time early next year, in January
You didn’t mention the bazillion advantages the DS4 has over the XB1 controller. And also Share Play, Share Factory, Play Room, etc…
both systems are very expensive, I wish psvita hacked cooming soon
lmao $400 is cheap…….
I accidentally my wallet.
Is this dangerous?
The Xbox will either match the PS4 sales or marginally beat it. But it would have achieved that with 2 price drops in the same year on top of free bundled games. A loss making victory isn’t what Microsoft had in mind, especially since the PS4 hasn’t once teased the prospect of any price drop at all.
no, no way, not gonna happen
do you mean lifetime to date or merely for the month of november? the sales gap is so big that ms has zero chance of matching LTD by year’s end.
if you mean november sales, that will actually be an interesting thing to see. the ps4 is definitely the better system, but the x1 is being practically given away at fire-sale pricing.
also worth mentioning, the $330/$350 pricing isn’t permanent. when the discount was announced, ms made it very clear that it was a limited time deal and set a very clear end date in early january. once the price goes back up, there is no reason to expect the x1’s resurgence to continue.