The console wars have waged for eons, with the current-generation choices consisting of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5. Each has their pros and cons. And there’s even whispers of mid-gen console refreshes with some upgraded specs. Of course, there’s plenty of other consoles to select (Nintendo Switch, Valve’s Steam Deck, and plenty of other gaming platforms, etc.) but we’ll focus on current-gen consoles today.
Both consoles bring cutting-edge technology and exclusive titles to the table, but they also come with their own set of pros and cons. We’ll dive into the comparison between the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 to help you make an informed decision should you be on the hunt to upgrade or maybe want to switch sides. We’ll show our personal preferences in each category as well as our recommendations with as little bias as possible.
Note to reader: We do acknowledge that Microsoft has both the Series X and Series S. For the purposes of comparing the most similar consoles, our article will focus on only the Series X.
Technical Specs and Power:
When it comes to raw power, both the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 deliver impressive performance.
The Xbox Series X boasts slightly better specs, with 12 teraflops of GPU power compared to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. This means the Xbox Series X might have a slight edge in graphical fidelity and performance, especially in multi-platform games.
However, the PlayStation 5’s custom SSD offers speedy load times and near seamless transitions between game environments, thanks to it’s innovative architecture. While both consoles support ray tracing and 4K gaming, the PS5’s SSD gives it a noticeable advantage in terms of overall system responsiveness.
Winner: PlayStation 5
Exclusive Games:
Exclusive titles often play a a large part in why one console is chosen over another. Sony has a history of delivering high-quality exclusive titles, and the PlayStation 5 continues this tradition with games like Spider-Man 2, God of War: Ragnarok, and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. These titles showcase the power of the PS5 and can be found only on Sony’s platform.
On the other hand, Xbox Series X also boasts an impressive lineup of exclusive games, including Halo Infinite, Forza Motorsport and (at some point to be revealed in detail) the next Fable entry. Microsoft has also expanded it’s library through acquisitions like Bethesda, and most recently shaking the gaming world with acquiring Activision-Blizzard This ensures a steady stream of exclusive titles in the future and having the ability to add these games to their GamePass service.
Ultimately, the choice of exclusive games comes down to personal preference and gaming tastes. Sony historically has been a stronger choice in this category in years past; however, these recent acquisitions for Microsoft may shake things up in the next few years.
Winner (for now): PlayStation 5
Backward Compatibility:
Both Microsoft and Sony have placed a strong emphasis on backward compatibility with the current iterations of their consoles.
The Xbox Series X offers backward compatibility with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games, allowing players to revisit their favorite titles from previous generations with improved performance and graphics.
Similarly, the PlayStation 5 is backward compatible with most PlayStation 4 titles, ensuring gamers can continue to enjoy their existing game libraries on the new console. However, the PS5’s backward compatibility is not as extensive as the Xbox Series X, as it does not support native backward compatibility with PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation games. The way for PlayStation users to play select games from that era would be to subscribe to the Plus Premium tier of PlayStation’s PS Plus membership.
Winner: Xbox Series X
User Interface and Features:
The user interface and additional features can greatly enhance the overall gaming experience.
The Xbox Series X features a clean and intuitive interface, with seamless integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem of services such as Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live. As with many modern electronics, Xbox Series X has access to third-party apps for entertainment, such as Hulu and Twitch. The inclusion of features like Quick Resume, which allows players to switch between multiple games seamlessly, is a notable highlight of the Xbox Series X. Adding in the xCloud feature, allowing players to stream a vast library of games nearly anywhere, and there’s a very competitive list of pros for XSX.
On the other hand, the PlayStation 5 introduces a fresh and futuristic user interface that takes advantage of the console’s powerful hardware. The DualSense controller offers innovative features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, immersing players in the gaming experience like never before. It was a step away from the traditional PlayStation controllers (literally copy/paste year after year), but it was a massive payoff.
Like the Xbox Series X, the PlayStation 5 includes built-in support for streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, making it versatile entertainment hub for the whole family. PlayStation allows for some remote services through the Remote App; however, the con is it’s limited to only mirroring the console from a home network over either WiFi or cellular services.
Winner: Xbox Series X
Price and Availability:
Price and availability are crucial factors to consider when choosing a next-gen console.
The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are priced similarly as of February 2024. Per the direct Xbox site, the Series X is currently at $449.99, a $50.00 saving right now per the usual price. Microsoft does offer the lowered spec’s Series S for a much cheaper $299.99; which is a great entry point for newer gamers or individuals who don’t mind a slightly lesser resolution; however, this fact will not play into our decision.
The PlayStation 5, per the direct PlayStation site, ranges between $449.99-499.99, depending if you purchase the digital or disc-based version of the console. Sony does offer some bundles that come with a free $60-$70 game as well when larger release come out, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
Winner: Tie
Summary of Pros and Cons:
Xbox Series X:
- Better UI and Features available
- More streamlined Backwards Compatibility program
- More versatile game streaming platform and GamePass
- Higher price point for entry (unless Series S is included)
PlayStation 5:
- More optimized SSD for seamless load times on games
- High-quality single player games exclusive to the platform
- Similarly high price point for entry
- Expanded backlog of games locked behind tiers of subscriptions
Both the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 offer fun gaming experiences, no question about that. Whether you want additional features or user experience or exclusive titles, the choice ultimately depends on your own preferences.
For the purposes of choosing a winner, I would give the win to the PlayStation 5 for the sheer number of great exclusives. Additionally, the ability to cycle between a handful of games without force quitting them is a fantastic feature.
Overall Winner: PlayStation 5
Whichever console you choose, you’re in for an exciting journey into this generation of gaming. Surely, in the next year, we’ll be throwing in Nintendo’s Switch 2 (which we posit that the Super Switch is a much cooler name). Might even throw in the Steam Deck next time, too! Happy gaming!
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