1. PS4
The PS4 has had some wild momentum since it released at the tail end of 2013. A steady stream of high-profile exclusives, as well as some intelligent third-party partnerships, have helped to keep Sony’s latest console in the spotlight. But that alone isn’t why you should definitely seek to own this console in 2017. After all, anyone can have a good run then go completely kaput.
Sony has been really broadening the capabilities of their hardware, and last year introduced the PS4 Pro – an upgraded console capable of 4K gaming, 4K media streaming, and improved VR performance – and the PSVR headset. Both have been slowly building up steam as more games that support the hardware release. January saw the launch of Resident Evil 7 which saw nearly 100,000 users playing with a PSVR headset, showing that there’s definitely a market for the hardware. The more forward looking tech offerings show that Sony isn’t content on resting on the success of the PS4 alone, and that’s always a good thing for fans.
The game side of things is looking just as impressive. Right now, Sony is boasting a lineup of over 40 exclusives that you won’t see on either the Switch or the Xbox One, covering a range of genres and age groups. That’s not to mention the strong third-party ties that will be bringing the likes of Mass Effect: Andromeda, Red Dead Redemption 2, Destiny 2, and plenty more to PS4 owners. Red Dead Redemption will have exclusive content, and the Mass Effect will take advantage of the PS4 Pro, offering the best console experience of the game.
With Sony’s PS4 already being well established, they can focus on what really matters — bringing content to players. The competition, on the other hand, will have to split their focus on selling new devices while also coming up with games and other goodies. This gives Sony a large consumer advantage, even if it doesn’t seem like one at first. You get all the blockbuster third-party titles, some solid exclusives (which have already begun rolling out), and the opportunity to dive into VR right now, without having to wait for the holidays. If you don’t want to miss out on a majority of the biggest games coming this year, PS4 is the way to go.
