Ars Technica: The PS4 Is The Console To Buy Right Now

Two years in, it’s hard to go wrong with either the Xbox One or the PS4. The systems now have identical prices, comparable features, and overwhelmingly overlapping lists of games. The differences come at the margins—the exclusive games and small, one-off features that set the systems apart.

If we had to make a suggestion for the one console you should buy, we’d probably lean toward the PlayStation 4 at this point. Sony’s lineup of exclusive games—ranging from big name titles to interesting indie gems—is just more enticing and seems likely to remain strong going forward. Add in the fact that non-exclusive titles often look better on Sony’s hardware and the potential contained in the upcoming PlayStation VR, and you get a system that seems like a slightly stronger bet.

That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to recommend on the Xbox One. Microsoft’s system is still extremely capable for the price, and the company seems committed to refining the hardware and system-level features in a way that Sony is not. If you’re interested in more integrated media and TV features or committed to exclusive franchises like Halo and Gears of War, the Xbox One will serve you just fine.

Purchasing a Wii U at this point is like taking a turn down a charmingly idyllic, tree-lined street that you can see coming to an abrupt and dark dead end very soon. While the Xbox One and PS4 will continue offering new content for years into the future, Nintendo's quixotic box practically has an expiration date printed on its side these days. If you don’t have one yet, we’d suggest waiting for it to drop a bit more in price and then snapping up some cheap classics secondhand.

Ars Technica wrote a State of the Console Wars article two years into this generation, and according to them, the PS4 is the way to go if you were to purchase a system right now. Their reasons included:

• Superior games library on PS4 (far more indie and Japanese games, better versions of all multiplats, and far more outstanding exclusives)
• A great future for it, on the software side, with more exclusives coming up, as well as multplats likely to be better on it too
• A great future on the hardware side as well, as Sony tries several new things, such as the PlayStation VR

Personally, I think I agree- the Xbox One is a fine console, and Microsoft have done an admirable job of turning it around, but as it stands right now, the PS4 is simply a far superior console to purchase for the money than the Xbox One is.

Call me when the PS4 gets some good racing exclusives then we'll talk, until then for me the PS4 is irrelevant.

At this time the PS4 is the system to own. Sums it up right here:

• Superior games library on PS4 (far more indie and Japanese games, better versions of all multiplats, and far more outstanding exclusives)

Ars Technica are graphic whores, so obviously they will choose the hardware with better graphics. Xbox One is still the superior console with backwards compatibility and upcoming first party games!

• Superior games library on PS4 (far more indie and Japanese games, better versions of all multiplats, and far more outstanding exclusives)
• PS4 Wins Again.

Backwards compatibility makes a console superior?

Xbox has no exclusives releasing in 2016, so I guess Bc is important for people who want to play first party games.

Ps4 has some heavyweight AAAE games in 2016 so is the only console worth considering.

Xbox has a fair few number of great looking first party games in 2016, actually.

Sony just has more.

I'd rather stay in the idyllic short path with Wii U. I can't imagine not being able to play those games.

*Assuming you don't already own a PC

Said no one ever.

It's really not even a competition. Unless you're a big Halo fan, there is no reason to pick up an Xbox One over a PS4 right now. Most of the major games are multiplats and are slightly superior on the PS4, PSN costs a bit less, the PS4 has more exclusives worth playing as of right now, and the PS4's OS is still cleaner and easier to use while still packing in the features gamers actually care about.

Now there are some good looking exclusives coming to the Xbox One in the coming months, but as of right now, the PS4 is the console to get.

Sounds like a borderline decision the way they phrase it, key words "slightly stronger bet". For me it is just a matter of preference, which current and future exclusives do you prefer, where most of your friends play, which controller/online you prefer more.....etc.

For me the quantity of total games is not so important, since both consoles have enough to keep you busy for ages, only one has more than the other...if quantity was so important, PC would be the only choice for gamers as it cleans house in that regard without a sweat.

Its been the console to buy since it was released.

It has none that I will like, so it has none. Those are the SW rules aren't they? :-P

I'm really enjoying Forza 6 and Tomb Raider ;)

@n64dd: Tomb Raider's a timed exclusive, so it's silly to point that one out as a reason to get an Xbone.

So if you're a fan of the classic MSoft trifecta of Gears, Halo, and Forza it's the place to be I guess? Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Gears fan. However, I can't justify purchasing the Bone for one game (maybe two throughout the console's life if they're to make Gears 5 this gen). If multiplats were better than or equal to PS4 I'd go for it and have both, but that's simply not the case.

Oh and Titanfall did intrigue me, but I'm happy I didn't jump the gun knowing that Titanfall 2 is coming to PS4.

If I wanna play it right now and not wait a year, it's a reason to get one. I'm enjoying it now.

In a PC-less world.

@charizard1605: No where in that article did it say far more outstanding exclusives. Your Sony bias always shines through somehow lol.

Ahh another sony jerk off circle

what do they consider to be "far more outstanding exclusives"?

Disagree.

I would recommend any gamer to buy a gaming PC before a console. If you buy just one console you will miss out on more content than if you buy a gaming PC not to mention all the additional games you get on PC and features.

Still under suspension?

Indeed. Especially with the way the future lineup is looking. Wii U is on its last legs and Xbone can't compete with the PS4's superior 1st party, Japanese 3rd party, and indie support.

Uncharted 4 in just 3 months.

you can't get it anywhere right now

Sure. If you don't have a PC and you're not interested in all the games the Xbox One has its a fine choice. That said, I think the Xbox has a much more interesting lineup this year and next.

It's a new generation. BC is last gen. Seriously if you want to play 360 games....buy a 360.

It's on 360, fyi.

I have owned an Xbone since launch, but I'm not into TR games (never was since the first game in the 1990s).

I actually didn't know that. I'd prefer to play it on the xbox one, but glad they included last gen for people.

Decent by jumping in now with the multiplatform games and the couple retail exclusives to play. I haven't played it in quite a number of months though due to its weak library offering. I can't even remember the last time I bought a game for it. Maybe Shadow of Mordor? Hm.

Yep, SE wanted as much revenue they could get under a timed exclusive agreement releasing it on 360/Xbone as the last game released on five platforms (PC, PS3, 360, PS4, Xbone).

Regarding playing a better version of a multiplatform game (360 Rise TR version or buying an Xbone for Rise TR), I can see that. Heck, playing better versions of multiplats are why some people buy PS4. I have some friends that considered buying an Xbone to check out Rise TR early, but opted to save hundreds and bought the game on 360 and are enjoying it.

Most the world knows this. Only the U.S. and UK have been slow to catch on.

The PS4 is still leading in the US and UK, the only difference is that the Xbox One has put up a stronger fight in those countries than it has in the rest of the world.

I know PS4 is leading in those markets as well, but it is really dominating almost everywhere else.

@flyincloud1116: dudums

This is getting pretty old, a bunch of people constantly trying to convince others of something they don't agree with about something they don't find to be nearly all that it's cracked up to be.

You can push topics like this until the end of time, it's not going to change my or anyone elses mind or feelings on the matter, only Sony is capable of doing that and so far it hasn't happened yet. I swear it's like people need to constantly reassure themselves and others that the PlayStation 4 is something great, if you like it then be happy with it, you don't need to constantly try to tell everyone else how great it is.

Historically the only time people, governments or entities have had to exercise talks of this nature is when there is a deficiency and something is lacking, greatness goes without saying, it doesn't need reassurances or convincing discussions. If the PlayStation 4 was everything people make it out to be it wouldn't even need to be brought up in an offensive manner, just like the United States being the strongest military power on Earth doesn't need to be brought up in an offensive manner, it's a well known fact that goes without saying and no one questions it.

People don't have the confidence or love for this product like they will lead you to believe, a lot of deficiency complexes are at work here....

I guess that's a yes.

I like the XBO's current lineup of console exclusives over the PS4's. The main reason I got a PS4 is for their 2016 lineup.

I had to get ps4 first because Bloodborne, none of the xbone games pushed me to get it yet, going to pick it up next year tho with scalebound+quantum break coming!

It was never debatable and it's the reason the PS4 is kicking the Xbone's ass in sales worldwide (even in the Xbone's strongest market, the US).

@flyincloud1116: what the hell you on about

I'm not going to buy a 360! I love my Xbox One!

@FireEmblem_Man: But you're celebrating last gen games....

OMG, why is TC such a cow?! Stop making threads to badmouth the XB1 TC! Where are the threads about how great the Ouya is, huh? We all know the Wii-U was the best console this year!!

#SmearCampaign2015