There has always been competition between the major game consoles. In the 1990s, you either loved Nintendo or were a SEGA fan.
Today, the major players are Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, and there have been several generations of each. For gamers, deciding which to choose can be tricky. Both have pros and cons, so choose carefully what you want from your gaming experience.
The Big Console Battle
Xbox arrived seven years after the first PlayStation, and the two brands were immediately pitted against each other. The first Xbox console was directly in competition with the PS2. The debate about which was better-sparked for years.
The PS2 was the best-selling console ever since it was discontinued in 2013. As of March 2012, PS2 sales exceeded 155 million. But the Xbox had its advantages. One of these was Halo. The Halo series was a game that proved popular thanks to its split-screen mode and connectivity for up to 16 players.
Then, in November 2020, PlayStation and Xbox were in direct competition again. The fourth generation Xbox Series X and Series S were released in the same month as the PS5.
Choose Your Console
With so much history, how can you choose between the two big game console brands? Here is a look at what the PS5 and Xbox Series X have to offer:
- Online services
Online gaming has become the go-to option for many gamers. Once you’d have to buy a disc, subscription services mean you can easily download digital games.
There’s Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Benefits include free games and access to many titles that you can stream. Xbox Game Pass offers discounts and upgrade opportunities. PlayStation Plus offers incentives like cloud storage and different subscription tiers.
As with any online network, security is essential. You can enhance yours by introducing something like a VPN for your Xbox. Also, protect your data by not sharing anything with anyone you play against.
- Hardware and performance
When directly compared, the PS5 and Xbox Series X are like-for-like in terms of graphics. Both also deliver robust solid-state drives and enhanced processors. This means that gamers can expect significantly improved loading times. Other features include 4k resolution and ray tracing.
- Exclusive titles
Titles designed exclusively for certain brands hope to introduce customer loyalty. For example, gamers who played Halo on the original Xbox will likely want to play the latest version, Halo Infinite.
However, PlayStation has a substantial list of exclusive games. These include Final Fantasy XVI and Horizon: Forbidden West.
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