As you know if you read my articles, I have been wrestling with online checkouts for almost a year now, all in a desperate collective attempt to snag a PlayStation 5. Today will be another one of those stressful days where much of it is spent in some of those dreaded online checkouts, because the PS5 is getting restocked today! The restocks are happening both at GameStop and PlayStation Direct, so read below for more details and some helpful videos!
GameStop
GameStop restocks quite often, but keep in mind that PS5 consoles by themselves are not being sold, and you need to have a Pro Membership to get early access to the drop and increase your chances of being able to grab one. Most of the PS5 bundles at GameStop will cost you about $700, with a game or two and an extra controller among the extras included included. In order to get access to the drop at the scheduled time, you must be a Pro Member, which costs $15.
The restock happens at 11am ET today, with Pro Members getting first crack at the consoles and the public getting their shot shortly after, if enough stock is leftover (which, keep in mind, there pretty much never is). However, this means that, if you’re willing to let go of over $700 and drop $15 on a GameStop Pro Membership if you don’t already have one, your chances at GameStop are pretty good. Watch the video above for more tips, and if you can’t snag one here, check at PS Direct later in the
PlayStation Direct
With a public queue opening at 5pm ET, PlayStation Direct restocks can be a bit trickier than your average restock, mostly because before you enter the website you’ll be put into a queue of other buyers. However, if you can manage to get into the site early, you’ll be all alone with only a few other buyers attempting to snag a PS5 – it’s almost a sure thing! Don’t get your hopes up too much though; it’s tough to project when you’ll actually be allowed in, even you show up at minute 1. As such, I have to recommend you get there early, before it starts at 2pm PT/5pm ET. Watch the above video for more tips.
So, in conclusion, I wish you luck if you try to snag one today! I know they’re hard to get; no one I know, including myself, has been able to snag a next-gen console yet. Regardless, thanks for reading Genesis Gaming! If hope you liked the article, please follow me for brand new gaming content and news updates all the time!
Throughout my relatively young gamer life, I have strived to remain in contact with past generations of game consoles and to explore a diverse collection of genres. Typecasting oneself into an “Xbox gamer” or a “PlayStation gamer” just becomes stale after a while, and while the next generation of gaming looks stellar and groundbreaking, it never hurts to look back with nostalgic fondness on generations past. And that’s what I intend to do today.
While I don’t own every console known to man and have taken years to “procure” my collection (I’m not made of money after all), I do own a relatively large number of past consoles and play them all frequently. So without further ado, here it is: a comprehensive ranking of my console collection!
14: Game Boy Color
Image credit: Polygon
Released in 1998 as a follow-up to the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Color finally added color graphics to the world of handhelds. With a variety of amazing titles released for the console, such as The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Pokémon Gold and Silver, and Mario Golf, the GBC sold like hotcakes in it day, and for good reason: there was nothing else like it. It improved upon its predecessor in almost every way and carved out a much larger space in the gaming industry for handheld as a result of its innovation.
However, here is where we diverge onto a more critical path, as this console is surely not without its flaws. I apologize to anyone I offend by ranking this so low, but it’s due primarily to one huge flaw in the console’s design: the lack of a backlight. I’m sure this console was a blast to play back in the 90s when there was nothing better, but today it’s hard to stomach when I can play some of the console’s best games on my backlit Nintendo 3DS. There’s no denying that the system’s games were second-to-none, but playing them on their original device can be quite difficult, which isn’t knocking the experience of the games, it’s knocking the console itself.
This may be a hot take, but I think we can all agree that if the GBC just had a backlight, the console would be legendary, and certainly better than what we got.
13: Nintendo DS
Image credit: Polygon
While still low on the list, the Nintendo DS is quite the handheld, with its library packing a punch, mostly because it wasn’t just Pokemon this time around. While Nintendo handhelds prior were mostly considered Pokemon machines, the DS featured quite a few new IPs that brought new life to Nintendo and created a new, casual audience for the brand, such as Brain Age, Electroplankton, Drawn to Life, and Scribblenauts.
The Nintendo DS was actually my first gaming console, and it forever cemented my role as a gamer. However, after getting my hands on a 3DS later on in life, I can’t help but to see the shortcomings of the console when I look back on it, something that the 3DS now suffers from post-Nintendo Switch. The graphics, even though they are 3D, are often quite ugly and drab in comparison to other handheld consoles released around the same time, like the PSP, which boasted near home console level graphics.
However, the lineup of games is stellar, with handheld Nintendo staples from the Game Boy era returning (e.g. Pokémon) and new IPs popping up everywhere featuring touchscreen support, something that truly did push the handheld gaming scene forward in a new, innovative direction. More JRPG titles were popping up for the DS, and unique genres like puzzlers (e.g. Professor Layton) and visual novel-based courtroom dramas (here’s looking at you Phoenix Wright) made an appearance that would make them lasting handheld staple series.
In short, while the DS certainly pushed the handheld gaming format forward in a new direction, it has a few flaws that hold it back from being legendary.
12: Sega Genesis
Image credit: Wikipedia
The Sega Genesis, in its day, was essentially the “Xbox” of the console world; it had its die-hard fans, but it was constantly on the losing end of an over a decade long fight against its main competitor, in this case Nintendo. Nintendo, as we all know, won the fight in the end, and for good reason: Sega didn’t really know what they were doing with their own console. Over the years, Sega botched several console releases, and decided it would be best to market underused, add-on peripherals to the Genesis, like the Sega CD and Sega 32X, which had limited use and didn’t really change the formula enough to be of any interest to consumers. But, that doesn’t mean Sega didn’t do some things right.
The lineup of games for the Genesis is very well-loved, and every game had a very unique visual and audial style that Nintendo couldn’t really match. Sega just screams “80s” with its vector based, 16-bit graphics and its loud, punchy music, and the console featured some of the best games of the era in their best versions. Everyone knows that the original Mortal Kombat only had blood – it’s main selling point – on the Sega Genesis! Vector Man and Ecco the Dolphin were highlights of the system, and the Genesis had far more sports-centric titles than than the Super Nintendo. And who can forget Sonic the Hedgehog!
So, the Genesis, while it was ultimately defeated, poorly supported by Sega and had a tenure that was overlong, is truly an amazing system that was very reflective of its era (this website is even named after it!). As such, it’s great if you love retro time-pieces and even better if studying gaming history is up your alley.
11: Nintendo Entertainment System
Image credit: Amazon
Many love the Nintendo Entertainment System, and some herald it as the greatest console of all time. While I can understand that nostalgic sentiment, as I certainly have my own, I simply don’t agree. I know it ruled the relatively niche gaming world of the 80s, but you can’t get around acknowledging the console’s many faults, something Nintendo themselves did when they released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which you will see later on this list. And I’m not blaming the fact that the NES had some quality-of-life issues, such as the lack of saves on some games and the limited storage capacity of cartridges that limited the scope of games – those are understandable and expected; after all, the NES practically invented the modern video game medium.
What I’m talking about is the lack of variety in games for the console, and the insane difficulty of most titles that was utilized to artificially increase the length of each game. While the medium was quite limited in its day, most games were either platformers, RPGs, or action games, with only a few games really breaking the mold and innovating with the medium (the first Metal Gear comes to mind). Furthermore, every time I’ve booted up my NES to try and play Battletoads or Bubble Bobble, I walk away a few hours later feeling an odd combination of confusion and frustration. That may just be my spoiled, modern-day gamer brain talking as I’m sure NES purists would claim, but I think it is a deeper issue with the console itself, brought on by its limitations and the lack of developer knowledge back then.
Nevertheless, it was the best console of its day and invented the game console as we know, so it has to receive credit for that. A lot of games that we love today got their start there as well, namely Super Mario Bros. and Final Fantasy.
10: Nintendo Wii
Image credit: ITIGIC
The Nintendo Wii was my first ever home console, an upgrade from the Nintendo DS, and is therefore one of those nostalgic attachments that I myself have. The console was great if you loved Nintendo games, and the Wii Shop Channel was innovative as all hell. The ability to buy retro and new titles and download them to your console? Yes, please!
But the Wii had far too many fatal flaws to be considered a “home-run success,” and was probably the worst console of its generation, even though it outsold all of its competitors. The reason for this is that Nintendo decided it would begin to target a new market, casual gamers (kids, their parents, and their grandparents), making the Wii marketable to literally everyone with enough money to buy one; and boy did a lot of people buy one. Over 100 million Wiis were sold during its generation, about 20 million more than the Xbox 360 and about 10 million more than the PlayStation 3. Games like Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess brought people into the Nintendo ecosystem, and groundbreaking features like the Wii Shop Channel, Photo Channel, Mii Maker and constantly updating weather and news apps kept people interested and amazed.
But third-party support for the console was absolutely terrible, with copy-cat games and absolute garbage being released for the console and marketed to Nintendo’s audience of parents and grandparents, who didn’t know any better. First-party Nintendo games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit were mimicked and shamelessly released by noncreative third parties who were looking for easy cash-ins, and for that the Wii suffered greatly. It also didn’t help that the Wii alienated an entire audience of gamers that wanted to see an actual generational update for Nintendo, who opted for low processing power, AV cables only and odd, somewhat gimmicky motion-based control schemes to save money on console production.
So while the Wii was a good business move for Nintendo, it was ultimately a step backwards for them that continues to affect them to this day, with their newest console, the Nintendo Switch, also being a bit of an underpowered mess. But, like the Switch, the Wii was an underpowered mess with some great Nintendo games, so if you’re a Nintendo fan, you couldn’t go wrong with this one.
9: Super NintendoEntertainment System
Image credit: Lukie Games
If you love to watch gaming console rankings and opinion videos like I do, you’ll know that the popular consensus among most gamers is that the king of all consoles is the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Now, you can tell by its place in this ranking that I disagree with that sentiment, but I’ll give them credit, this is a great system.
Alongside it’s main competitor Sega, Nintendo revolutionized gaming by releasing its new, 16-bit followup to NES, and it blew everyone away back in 1991. Titles like Super Mario World, Star Fox and Pilotwings whet gamers’ appetites, then Nintendo drove it home with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Metroid. Third-party support from developers like SqareSoft and Capcom made games like Secret of Mana and Mega Man X possible, and they carved out a space for the JRPG genre. As such, there is no doubt that the console was and is legendary. The problem is that the SNES retains the same issue the NES had: a lack of variety in games.
Again, most games for the console were platformers, RPGs and action games, and while a few new genres were thrown into the mix and crude 3D experimentation was tried, the SNES is largely the same as its predecessor, albeit with prettier visuals. If the SNES is your thing, go for it, I completely understand why you love it. It’s just not for me.
8: PlayStation
Image credit: Polygon
The first PlayStation was one of my earliest introductions to the gaming medium, and while I never played the PS greats back then (I didn’t have the greatest collection), the experience stuck with me as a highlight of gaming history. And while revisiting it is rough due to the jagged graphics and low resolution, I remember why I loved it so much: it’s just fun to sit down and spend some time with the console.
The console is a matte grey color, exuding no standout visual qualities, and yet possesses an undeniable aesthetic that is, quite literally, the 90s defined. PlayStation adopted CDs as their storage medium and, as such, set an industry standard until the revelation of Blu-ray, which Sony also pioneered. Sony bought and partnered with studios, beginning a decades-long monopoly on exclusive games and stealing the spotlight from Sega and Nintendo, becoming synonymous with gaming and innovation. And, speaking of innovation, PlayStation practically reinvented the wheel with their new dual-analog stick “DualShock” controller.
Games for the system included Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and countless other classics. There’s just nothing quite like playing on the original PlayStation, and while future Sony consoles are certainly better tech-wise and game-wise, nothing really competes with the sheer joy one feels when playing the PS1.
7: Nintendo 64
Image credit: Venture Beat
That’s right, I went there: I ranked the Nintendo 64 above the PlayStation. Why? Because the graphics of the console were better, the titles were more memorable, and the first-party output for this console crafted legendary games that will be remade and re-released in perpetuity until the end of time or Nintendo, whichever comes first. Also, this is one nostalgic attachment I have that I just cannot let go of – playing Ocarina of Time and Wave Race 64 as a kid blew my mind and left me a lifelong 90s retro fanatic.
While I’ll admit the third-party support was not great for the console, some notable second-parties did exist to make the console worthwhile for more than just typical Nintendo games. Rare comes to mind as one of the console’s best developers, and it was a second-party of Nintendo for the entirety of the N64’s life, producing amazing titles like Banjo-Kazooie, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, and Killer Instinct Gold. Nintendo’s games made history by breaking convention and setting new standards for the medium, with games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, Super Mario 64, Wave Race 64, and more.
While, I’ll admit, the controller is an odd 90s experiment that received mixed feedback and the cartridge medium of the day was already outdated when the console launched back in 1996, the console is quite amazing and it is astonishing how many of its games still hold up to this day. An amazing console to be sure, and one of the 90’s best.
6: Xbox 360
Image credit: GameStop
While many consider the Xbox 360 to be Microsoft’s best console, a sentiment which I fully understand and almost agree with (which I’ll explain later when we get to the Xbox One), the 360 had some issues at launch and throughout its life that sets it back from being the best. As everyone knows, the 360 launched with some really bad, console-breaking issues due to a rushed launch in an attempt to beat the PS3 to market. While that definitely paid off (the 360 is the best-selling Xbox console of all time), it wasn’t without one huge tradeoff: most of consoles were broken within a year. The original line of 360s had a critical flaw known as the “Red Ring of Death,” during which the system would overheat and case a red ring to replace the typically green power button’s light. As such, while Microsoft got a pretty big market share to start, they had to institute a multi-billion dollar warranty plan to save face in the wake of their own botched launch at the hands of the Red Ring of Death, a setback that would make many leery of the brand.
Other than that, the 360 was practically flawless, bringing about a number of positive changes to the world of gaming. For instance, the idiotic nature of the original Xbox’s “Duke” controller was changed to a much more refined, sensible wireless version that was comfortable to hold and play with for extended play sessions. Graphics were now in full HD, and Microsoft, like Nintendo did with their Wii, made their own digital store where brand new games could be purchased and downloaded to the console. The 360 also boasted a massive library of amazing games, including 4 Halo games, Gears of War, Forza Motorsport and more, exclusive IP that even today remain exclusive to the brand.
Back in 2012, a year before the Xbox One, Microsoft looked set to become a true superpower in the world of video games. But 2013 proved challenging to the brand and quite damaging to their name. Alas, we will always have the Xbox 360 to look back on with fondness – well, at least until they all red ring.
5: Nintendo Switch
Image credit: Pocket Lint
A lot of people absolutely love the Switch, and so do I. After all it is in my top 5, and while I do have some serious issues with it, I absolutely love it. Many games stand out as some of the best: Breath of the Wild is one of the highlights of the system for me, with all of its Zelda charm packed into a giant open world that I am honestly shocked can even run on a handheld system like the Switch; Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the greatest Smash game ever made, and has occupied me for hundreds of hours, remaining entertaining to this day; Pokemon Sword did a superb job of reinventing the series without losing its original charm; and Super Mario Maker 2 is the best thing to happen to the Mario franchise since the very first one. In short, I have a lot of love for this little console, and it has been one of my go-to systems for games of all kinds since I got it. However, that doesn’t stop me from disliking a few things about it.
The Switch was designed with many flaws, a few I’d like to detail here. For being so new (it released in 2017), it has a criminally low power level (far under 9000, if you’re asking) and can barely run some games, with The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, which came out two years before the system, looking very blurry and glitchy at times. Sometimes games will dip well below 20 FPS, something that should never happen in games priced at $60. The console also launched with an obscenely low amount of storage, with only 32 GB on the console. MicroSD cards were therefore required if you planned to own more than 5 games, which are an added expense.
Speaking of added expenses, Joy-Cons are $80 for some reason, and they tend to break very quickly due to their cheap construction. On launch, the dock scratched the screen of the device, which means you’ll need a screen protector, which is another added expense. If you want to carry it around with you and use it as a portable system, you’ll need a protective case, which yet another added expense. In short, $299 is the asking price, but it’s not what you’ll pay to own a Switch. When you add up necessary things like a case, a screen protector, a microSD card, an extra controller and a game, you’re going to pay somewhere between $420 and $500, plus or minus the extra set of Joy Cons.
So while the console has an excellent library of games and is very versatile given its portability, the price of admission may not be worth it depending on what kind of gamer you are. A PS4 or an Xbox One X has the same starting price, and unlike the Switch, there aren’t any hidden fees (except maybe a game or two, but you knew that when you bought it) and they are very powerful, with the ability to play far more groundbreaking games.
4: Xbox One
Image credit: The Verge
The Xbox One was a flawed console from the very beginning, what with its aggressive DRM strategies, forced online connectivity, and lack of exclusive titles alongside an emphasis on streaming media. While two of those things were cancelled before the system launched, the latter of the three was omnipresent throughout the console’s life. As a result, the Xbox One was notorious for its lack of a real reason to buy it – after all, how many times can one play Halo? While, looking back, there were several hidden gems you could only find on Xbox (Ryse: Son of Rome and Quantum Break just to name a few), this statement largely still holds true, even after the release of the Series X last year.
But enough of the bad, what makes the console deserve a top 5 spot? Easy: simplicity. The user interface is simple and easy-to-navigate, every streaming app you have can be easily pinned to and accessed on the home menu, and games can too. It’s quite similar on PS4, but there are no extra frills here. No themes, folders or anything – just your games and apps, where you want them to be. And there are quite a few games and apps to be found! Some streaming apps are only on Xbox consoles (such as Sling TV), and while the Xbox One lacked many exclusive titles, save Halo, Forza and Gears of War, third-party supported came to the rescue, with many great games like Devil May Cry V, Resident Evil VII and more launching on the console.
As such, it’s a great, albeit hugely flawed, console, and was my first introduction to the eighth generation. As such, I have a nostalgic attachment to it, even though I have grown to resent it somewhat because of its current over-reliance on subscription-based services. Game Pass has simultaneously made gaming easy and far more user-accessible, but also devalued the medium in a way I have trouble finding the words to explain. More on that in an article soon! Regardless, Microsoft seems to be learning from its mistakes with the Xbox One and making it and its successor in the Series X far better as consoles.
3: Nintendo 3DS
Image credit: PCMag
The Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo’s last true handheld gaming machine, is the greatest handheld console ever made. It is versatile, easy-to-use, and has what is arguably the greatest lineup of games ever to grace a handheld console, featuring genres formerly never seen on handhelds, with many games being of an absolutely massive scope (think Monster Hunter and giant 3D Pokémon worlds).
While the console did get off to a rocky start because Nintendo confused people with their naming schemes – many thought the 3DS was a new and improved DS, and thus didn’t buy one because they thought it unnecessary – this was Nintendo in their prime. Featuring a circle pad for thumb stick functionality, the 3DS brought full 3D worlds into the Nintendo handheld ecosystem and allowed the player to comfortably explore them in 8 or more directions. The console featured backwards compatibility with all Nintendo DS games and allowed use of said circle pad, making even older titles more comfortable and modern to play. The 3DS also opted into adding online functionality in a web browser, friends list, and an eShop, making buying brand new games digitally possible, making handheld gaming even more convenient.
Featured games included three generations of Pokémon, Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fire Emblem Awakening, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, and more. In short, the gaming lineup is so diverse in both genre and gameplay that there is no end to the entertainment. That’s why it is my favorite handheld console ever, and my favorite Nintendo console.
2: PlayStation 2
Image credit: Engadget
The PlayStation 2 is often cited by gaming journalists and gamers in general as the greatest console of all time, and that’s a concept I can totally get behind. While on my list it is ranked as second, the PS2 absolutely deserves the top spot, and the only reason it isn’t number one is because of the greatness of the console I have slotted there, which we’ll obviously get to in a minute. But first, let’s talk about the pros of the PS2.
For starters, the PS2 has one of the greatest, most varied game libraries ever created, featuring stellar racing games, action games, JRPGs, platformers, and more you could only find on the PS2. World-renowned series like Devil May Cry and God of War got their start there, and series from the PS1 like Resident Evil and Gran Turismo came back with a vengeance in Gran Turismo 3 and Resident Evil 4. The graphical capabilities of the PS2 were some of the best of the era, breaking convention and making next-gen experiences never thought possible…well, possible!
Other notable aspects of the console are the revised DualShock controller, called the “DualShock 2,” now featuring adaptive, pressure-sensitive buttons and a more comfortable design, with only a few other minor changes made. While the console still used memory cards, the game discs themselves pioneered the physical medium this time around, using DVDs instead of the previous generation’s CDs. Speaking of which, the console could still read both, meaning it functioned as an all-in-one physical media hub with the ability to read music CDs, DVD movies, PS2 games, and every PS1 game ever made, making it a console with hard-to-beat value – which, ironically, no one was able to beat. The PS2 remains the bestselling console of all time, selling over 150 million units worldwide, as compared to Sega, Xbox, and Nintendo’s combined 54 million – a mere third of the PS2’s sales!
In short, the PS2 is a legendary console with such a varied library and diverse amount of uses that every gamer should own one sometime in their life. It’s a retro throwback that always delivers a unique experience, and it’s just amazing to see how great gaming was in the 2000s and just how far we’ve come from there. Speaking of how far we’ve come. . .
1: PlayStation 4
Image credit: PCMag
. . .the PS4 is the best console of all time. I know that many people will put the PS2 on the top of their list of gaming consoles because of its diverse library and their nostalgic attachment, we’ve already been over that; but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Yes, I love my PlayStation 2, but I can’t argue that it is better than the best console ever made, the PlayStation 4. The PS4 isn’t better because it has newer, better graphics or because it has a new controller with a fancy touchpad (which was severely underused as a matter of fact), it simply had the best games of its generation and was the only console of the era that bothered to innovate the gaming medium and craft a library of amazing games that will last forever.
With a unique gaming atmosphere set up by an easy-to-understand, user-customizable, welcoming user interface and specializing in well-written and engaging story-driven gaming experiences, the PS4 will go down in history as the best console ever made. It’s not flawless, but most of its flaws stem from things that were not included in the package, such as backwards compatibility with the PS1, 2 and 3 or the lack of an optical audio port on the console itself. Other than small complaints that are somewhat mediated by PS2 re-releases, Sony-made wireless studio headphones, and the presence of PS3 titles on PlayStation Now, the PS4 is for the most part without issue. And, while this may be opinion, the best games of all time released exclusively for the system. With The Last of Us, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, Gran Turismo Sport, Bloodborne, Horizon Zero Dawn, Days Gone, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Persona 5, and more, Sony simply can’t be beat in the games department, and that’s why we buy consoles, isn’t it?
I’m sure the PS5 will be similarly stellar, but I don’t actually own one yet and am locked in a seemingly eternal battle with online checkouts at the moment. Check back soon (hopefully) for an updated list featuring the PS5 to see where it places!
What’s your favorite console, and do you agree with my list? Come back soon for more articles right here on Genesis Gaming!
PlayStation recently announced that Housemarque, developers of the recent PS5 exclusive Returnal, have joined the PlayStation Studios label. While I think that this particular bit of news should come as no surprise, as Housemarque has always been a majority PlayStation developer, it is still quite a big acquisition by Sony. This addition expands their blockbuster lineup of studios to include another potential system-selling franchise in Returnal and more exclusive and exciting games in the future.
But what I really wanted to talk about today is the fact that the actual PlayStation Japan Twitter account accidentally tweeted out on their Twitter page the wrong picture, and tweeted one that welcomed BluePoint Games, developers of the Shadow of Colossus and Demon’s Souls remakes, and replaced Returnal’s slot with an image of Demon’s Souls. Now, I’ve seen a lot of news sites talk about this in the past few days since this happened, but most of them have repeated the same narrative: “is it real?” Well, of course it’s real, and I would say I am 80% certain it’s actually happening. Why else on earth would the PlayStation Japan post something so official, hastily remove it moments later, and repost something else that is 100% official?
Image credit: PlayStation Japan
Besides, the acquisition just makes sense regardless, as BluePoint, like Housemarque, was already developing games exclusively for PlayStation hardware. I think that cementing that relationship and incorporating them into PS Studios only makes sense as a business deal for both parties involved. The only fact dissuading me from being 100% certain that the acquisition will actually happen is the fact that BluePoint games’ Twitter page was recently updated after the PS Japan leak, now saying in its bio that BluePoint games is a “fully independent self-funded studio.” While it is not clear whether or not this is directly related to the rumors, it seems too convicted and insistent to be coincidental.
Do with this info what you will, but it certainly is a very interesting development that I very much hope happens! BluePoint has made two of my favorite games of all time, Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus, better than ever before, and seeing them join the PS Studios label would be something special indeed.
What do you think of Sony’s latest confirmed acquisition and latest kinda-confirmed acquisition? Let me know if you enjoyed the article by leaving a like down below and come back tomorrow for more from Genesis Gaming!
Before I actually start comparing and contrasting these two, I think it is worth it to preface this article by saying that both consoles are absolutely amazing pieces of technology, and you’ll be quite happy with either one. They are both extremely powerful, state-of-the-art machines that are well-worth the purchase price and will pay for themselves with the entertainment you’ll receive. Near-equivalent in power, the only real difference are the available games. As such, your taste in games will absolutely decide which one of these consoles you’ll get.
I know these consoles have been on the market for quite a while now, but many people have not been able to get one yet and may still be on the fence about which one to purchase. Hopefully this article will help you with that decision! So, without further ado, let’s talk consoles!
Pricing and Technical Specs
PS5
Xbox Series X
Price
$399 (Digital), $499 (Disc)
$499 (Series X)
CPU
8-core, 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2
8-core, 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2
GPU
10.3 teraflop AMD RDNA 2
12.0 teraflop AMD RDNA 2
RAM
16 GB GDDR6
16 GB GDDR6
Resolution
8KMaximum
8KMaximum
Storage
825 GB Custom Sony SSD
1 TB Custom NVMe SSD
Frame Rate
120 FPSMaximum
120 FPS Maximum
A quick spec comparison of the PS5 and Series X
Spec-wise, both consoles are pretty much the same, with only a few slight differences that are for the most part unnoticeable in practice. The Xbox Series X has a slight edge in power over the PS5 with a slightly better CPU and almost 2 teraflops more graphical processing capability (fancy words for “a bit more powerful”). The Series X also has a bigger SSD for games storage, which, while it seems small on paper, is probably the biggest technical difference and the only one you’ll notice, as that extra 175 GB of space means several more games on your console. Other than these differences that lean towards the Series X’s favor, the two consoles are essentially equal.
Regardless, if power and performance are your thing and you won’t be able to live without having the “fastest console,” get a Series X. While I think the majority of people aren’t like that and won’t care about losing a little bit of power, the Series X is a great choice of console anyway and will serve its intended purpose.
The Series X’s CPU Image credit: Microsoft
However, a console’s power is not really the true test of its greatness. Last generation, the most powerful console was the Xbox One X, but the Xbox platform still lacked in exclusive titles and games in general, making it a questionable console purchase at best. Regardless, the next generation of consoles are quite similar. Except for their controllers; those are really different.
The Controllers
While on previous consoles the controller seemed irrelevant as a criteria for the purchase of the console, such is not so this time around, with one of the console’s selling points being its revolutionary controller. Which one? The PS5.
Image credit: Video Games Chronicle
The PS5’s controller, dubbed the “DualSense” by Sony, has changed the game by revolutionizing what controllers can do with its new haptic feedback system. The vibrations and sensations the controller produce are now far more detailed and feel far more immersive during gameplay. Also new is is the force feedback of the triggers, which will resist against pressure depending on in-game situations. For instance, when firing a gun in a game like Call of Duty, the player will feel resistance when shooting, making for an unforgettable experience. The only downside of the trigger feedback is that it is spring-loaded and has a tendency to be quite loud. Luckily, the feature can be turned off if you’re playing at night and don’t want to be annoying.
Image credit: Xbox Wire
The Xbox controller is not-so-revolutionary, adopting a mantra of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” A few quality of life changes were made, however, with the d-pad now having 8 directions and triggers and bumpers now being textured. A share button, much like the PS4 controller’s share button, has been added for easily taking quick screenshots and game clips. Other than this, nothing is different, and there are certainly no groundbreaking updates like haptic feedback and adaptive trigger resistance.
Games – Where the Battle is Truly Waged
Demon’s Souls, one of the PlayStation 5’s most anticipated and critically acclaimed exclusive games. Image credit: PlayStation
If you’re a PlayStation fan already, you know where this is going. The PlayStation platform has always been best known for one thing: having amazing exclusive games that you simply can’t play anywhere else. It’s how PlayStation manages to consistently be the best-selling console brand, regardless of generation. In fact, every single PlayStation released so far except the PS3 has exceeded 100 million units in sales, with the PS3 still winning its respective generation with over 87 million consoles sold and featuring groundbreaking exclusive games that helped it achieve those sales.
The teaser image for Bethesda’s upcoming game, Starfield, a now-confirmed Xbox exclusive title Image credit: Bethesda
However, the Xbox Series X is certainly not lacking in the games department, as can be seen from this year’s Xbox/Bethesda E3 showcase. In fact, it can be argued that this is the biggest year for Xbox when it comes to exclusives ever, with there barely being any time to breathe in between exclusive announcements during that show. Some notable announcements from that show include Halo Infinite, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Psychonauts 2. Trailers for all of these titles can be viewed by following each of their links.
Also, one simply can’t not talk about Xbox and not mention Xbox Game Pass, which is by far the greatest subscription service in all of gaming at the moment. All Xbox Game Studios titles will launch on both Xbox and PC on Game Pass, which is quite a value considering you it only costs $14.99 a month, only a dollar more than the most popular Netfilx plan. Game Pass’s value simply cannot be denied, with over 100 Xbox games already on the service and even more to be added every month and whenever a new Xbox exclusive releases.
Final Verdict
Image credit: PlayStation
While the power of the Series X and the value of the Game Pass service cannot be denied, the PS5 still wins this fight, albeit by a slim margin. The main reasons for this verdict are the PS5’s absolutely amazing controller and the exclusive games you can only play on the PS platform. While the choice is really all yours and the Series X is an amazing choice if its games appeal to you, as a gamer and a fan of the groundbreaking experiences that the PS5 has the potential to offer, I have to formally recommend the PlayStation 5.
So, which console do you like more, and are you going to purchase one? Leave a like below if you enjoyed the article and check soon for another article from Genesis Gaming!
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