We’re finally here, the last few years of a console generation. PlayStation 5 details have been officially announced, Microsoft has teased out their next-gen plans through carefully curated comments, Google is formally entering the fray with a new streaming console called Stadia, and rumors have swirled around for a while now about an updated Switch hardware.
Whenever a new generation of consoles starts to appear on the horizon it’s a bittersweet moment.
On one hand, new consoles are always exciting, but it’s marks the turning point where your investment in the current-gen starts to depreciate.
That is, of course, assuming you have actually bought a current-gen console already. If you haven’t, the end of a console generation is the best time to buy a current-gen console. Prices start to come way down and regardless of your platform choice, there are a ton of great games to play.
Choosing which console to buy in 2019, though, is totally different than the experience back in 2014. The circumstances and status of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are very different but defined at this point, and well, the Wii U doesn’t even exist and has since been replaced (successfully) by the Nintendo Switch.
Let’s run down the most common questions and concerns a prospective 2019 console buyer would have and provide our best recommendation for what console you should buy: A PlayStation 4, an Xbox One, or a Nintendo Switch. Let’s go in alphabetical order, shall we?
Reasons to Buy a Nintendo Switch
“I want flexibility with where and how I play”
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is arguably the most versatile gaming device ever created. It doubles as a home console that you can dock and play on your TV in 1080p, but it also can be removed from the dock and played on the go with in a tablet or handheld mode.
In addition to the literal versatility of the console, owning the Switch gives you access to all of the great first-party exclusives available on the platform such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
“My console choice is more about entertaining guests and friends”
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch has the best collection of games that are easily accessible for non-gamers, and also is arguably the console for party games.
Not only that, it can also be easily brought to external locations due to its portability so you can bring a gaming party with you wherever you want.
The only catch is that if you’re using this as your only home console, and you care about entertainment apps, it’s worth noting that the Nintendo Switch does not have access to Netflix, only Hulu and YouTube.
“I want familiar games from my childhood”
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch has an incredibly impressive collection of retro games and modern takes on classic Nintendo franchises. First off, if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, you’ll receive a free collection of NES Classics that have been updated with new titles quite frequently since release.
You’ll have access to a lot of retro NES games such as Super Mario Bros. 1-3 (and the Lost Levels), Tecmo Bowl, Excitebike, Ice Climber, StarTropics, Kirby’s Adventure and lots more. Then if you want to double down, go pick up SEGA Genesis Collection for $29.99 and now you can add 50 more classic SEGA Genesis titles onto the retro gaming pile.
Plus, in addition to all that, the Switch is the best place (obviously) for new editions in classic Nintendo franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Pokemon, Kirby, Yoshi and more. TLOZ: Breath of the Wild & Super Mario Odyssey are among the best games of this generation, and a brand new generation of Pokemon games will be out later this year.
Reasons to Buy a PlayStation 4
“I want to play multiplayer games with my friends”
PlayStation 4
If you’re interested in keeping up with the latest and best multiplayer games from this generation, then the regular ol’ PlayStation 4 is the best option here.
Not only does it have access to most every major multiplayer, live game, MMORPG, whatever you can think of etc., available on home consoles, the PS4 also usually has the highest player base because of how much more popular the console as a whole is.
Plus if there are any exclusive or timed exclusive deals tied to a version of a game, it’s usually on PS4.
“I want to play the best games from this gen that I’ve been missing out on”
PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Pro
While one can certainly make the argument for the Switch in this case, overall the PlayStation 4 has the best collection of games from this generation.
The PlayStation 4 rarely misses out on a big third-party AAA game, and it has its own stable of incredible first-party efforts including games like Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, Bloodborne, Uncharted 4 and more; with even more such as The Last of Us and Ghost of Tsushima on the way.
It’s worth mentioning that a lot of these games from Sony are among the prettiest that this generation has to offer. While the Xbox One X is more powerful, the PlayStation 4 Pro is no slouch.
If you have a 4K TV ready to roll, and don’t mind shelling out a bit extra for a PS4 Pro, it’s worth the investment in this scenario.
“I want whatever is most popular”
PlayStation 4
If all you really care about is buying whatever the majority owns, then the answer is simple: get a PlayStation 4. The PS4 has lapped the Xbox One this generation, and although the Nintendo Switch is off to a great start, it doesn’t yet have the install base of the PS4.
A botched launch by the Xbox One combined with better, and more frequent and exclusive games for Sony’s home console wrapped up this console generation “war” quite early.
That said, The Xbox One has improved greatly since launch and it has Xbox One Game Pass which we’ll sing the praises of shortly; while the Nintendo Switch offers unique first-party exclusives and portable.
“I want a low barrier to entry VR headset”
PlayStation 4 & PSVR
While the PSVR isn’t the most powerful VR headset on the market, it’s the most accessible, and arguably among the best supported headsets you can buy right now.
If you’re dying to try VR, you can pick up a PSVR headset for around $250 with a few choice games included usually. Plus. we learned recently that the PlayStation 5, or whatever it will be called, will support current PSVR headsets so you don’t need to worry about it becoming obsolete.
Reasons to Buy an Xbox One
“I’m on a budget and I want to game for as cheaply as possible”
Xbox One S with Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass is one of the best values in gaming right now. A $9.99 month subscription will give you access to the majority of Xbox One exclusives available, lots of classic 360 games, and a sizable handful of third-party AAA games that will keep you busy for a long time as long as you have an open mind about what to play and aren’t looking for something really specific.
There are over a hundred games to choose from and a lot of them are great, and you can easily just cancel when you’ve had your fill.
If you’re only interested in single-player games, of which there are plenty of on Xbox Game Pass, you can even skip buying a Xbox Live Gold subscription ($59.99/year).
With that said though, Xbox Live Gold will also provide you with free games monthly, and some of the better recent Xbox One exclusive games like Sea of Thieves, will require a subscription.
“I want to get bang for my buck for non-gaming entertainment”
Xbox One X
If you want to have access to most major games, but also want to consider other factors such as 4K video, streaming, blu-ray playing, and integration with live TV, there’s nothing that you couldn’t do with the Xbox One X.
In an odd turn of events, the PS4 Pro cannot play 4K blu-ray discs. So it comes down to how much the PS4 exclusives and being able to play 4K blu-rays are to you.
We’d recommend the Xbox One X as being a more versatile home entertainment device, but our points above about the PS4 having the better collection of games still stand. Consider all of those factors before choosing.
“I want the most graphically impressive home console I can get”
Xbox One X
The Xbox One X right now, put simply, is the most powerful home console on the market. As the generation begins to come to an end though, that title might end up getting usurped in a year or two if newer, more powerful consoles start rolling out.
Also, if you don’t have a 4K television, the power of the Xbox One X is diminished greatly, and at that point you might as well reconsider the other two major home consoles.
Still, if you just want to get in on this generation before it’s over, have a 4K TV, don’t mind missing out on some big exclusives and care about how pretty your games are, Xbox One X is the way to go in this regard.
Published: Apr 17, 2019 12:39 pm