Mike Siebenaler:
1. I already have it; the PS4. Aside from the hacks and security issues. Sony puts price point, future expansions and customer value at the forefront while still offering physical disc choices — for now.
2. Why is it better than Xbox Live? less expensive, more streaming options (also more user-friendly), innovative controller (touchpad, headphone jack for convenient mobile sound options when my kids are asleep, etc.) and better game library
3. What does Xbox One have that your recommendation doesn’t have? better launch/exclusives thought “The Order” and other spring titles will even that out.
4. Is your recommendation a gaming console that a beginner would feel comfortable with, too? Definitely. More exclusive all-age games. Xbox One relies on 3rd party too much.
5. What is your favorite gaming controller (and why)? Nintendo GamePad – the biggest second screen option. PSVita is a close second
6. What are your favorite gaming headphones (and why)? TRITTON Kunai Stereo Headset – I love that they are minimal and affordable…and universal. Best option for my girls on the go and Nintendo consoles are definitely their first choice.
Personally I think it can be a little simpler, and you can take personal bias out of the equation mostly.
First do you have friends who play games that you want to play with? In today’s world that is becoming even more important than it ever was in the past. If they are all, or mostly on one console, that is the one you need to get.
Have some deep roots with Nintendo properties,(Mario, Zelda, Metroid etc.) and do not really care about having the best available graphics, Wii U that one is easy.
Is this taking the role as an entertainment machine? Right now the Xbox One would have a slight edge. It already supports DLNA for home network streaming, and if you have a cable/satellite box it can run through the system for dual control as well. Also if they can pull off the forthcoming Windows 10 updates this will be even better. PS4 should get DLNA support sometime, so it’s close, but the Wii U is terrible in this aspect, no blu-ray, not going to ever be able to network stream, and it is solely designed for gaming, for better or worse.
Game’s is mostly a tossup. They all have some impressive first party stuff, with Xbox One probably being slightly ahead of PS4 as of now. One big caveat though is Japanese RPGS. Playstation is way ahead here and that won’t likely change soon.
Controller is probably more personal preference than anything, although it is hard to argue that the control stick layout on the Xbox controllers isn’t better than the PS4.
Going back to my first statement though, if you are a social gamer, and all of your friends are on one console, that is going to be where you want to be, regardless of the other qualities of the competing systems.
GREAT points, thanks! So … which one do you have? =)
I am betting XBONE due to the controller comment … I am more familiar with it as well so it feels more natural to me, but I find that is one of those ‘what you know’ things.
But I love all of his points!
Personally I do have an Xbone, and have been an Xbox guy since Halo 2 or thereabouts. The main reason at the time was Xbox Live. To put it simply, it just worked. Playstation guys always cried about it costing money, but it also never went down and was very very well supported.
Now it is kind of a wash in that department. They are both pay services, and both have so many little outages it can be frustrating. These new systems seem to have some pretty big growing pains that have come with the package, even though the hardware is more computer-like then ever. I was not an early adopter last time though and I am sure there were hiccups then as well. Eventually I will get a PS4, but it probably wont be until Gran Turismo 7 as that is the only title I even own the PS3 that I bought over the holidays.