With both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One coming out next month, it might be tempting for some of you to buy the console on day-one. New hardware is always exciting, and new consoles definitely are since they only appear every 6 to 8 years. And how much I would like it to have both a PlayStation 4 and a Xbox One sitting under my TV in a month, there is a list of reasons I (and you) shouldn’t buy the next-gen consoles on launch. I have listed the 4 most important reasons that might make you think twice about getting a new console on day-one.
Which console is more powerful?
The rumours that we have heard so far have always said that the PlayStation 4 is more powerful than the Xbox 360, and the latest comparisons are only validating this. It would also be nice to know what console runs its games in 1080p and what the framerates are for these games. The new consoles are new systems that have a new architecture that developers haven’t had years of experience with yet, and this is also why most launch games don’t look that impressive.
You’re buying version 1.0
Brand new products don’t oftenly ship Not to mention the size of the HDD that comes with the early versions of the consoles, which will be 500GB for both new consoles. This may sound like a lot for now, but with some games becoming around 40GB for an install, it won’t leave space for a lot of games. The PlayStation 4 HDD will be replaceable, but the Xbox One won't and will only support external HDD’s. The first run of the next-gen consoles won't have what future versions of the consoles may have, such as bigger HDDs and fixed bugs in the system itself (RROD anyone?).
They don't come cheap
Purchasing a new console on day-one means that you will be paying top dollar: the console will only get cheaper (and better) after it has been launched. The PlayStation 3 launched with an incredible high price of $599, and a few years later you could pick it up for around $350. While $399 for the PlayStation 4 doesn’t sound like that much, you will also have to add the costs for a game and a PlayStation Plus membership if you want to play online. It’s just something you should think about when you want to buy a day-one console.
Where are the games?
The next-gen consoles don’t come with a lot of new games and most of the games that are available can also be played on the older consoles. The Xbox One has a better lineup for launch games, but to be honest neither the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One have an impressive lineup. The biggest AAA titles this year will also be playable on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. So if game titles are your biggest reason to buy a next-gen console, there isn’t really a need to buy a next-gen console: most games will be playable on older consoles and PC.
Of course, in the end it is totally up to you if you decide if you’ll buy a next-gen console or not. Getting a new console on day-one isn’t a bad thing, but most of the time it definitely isn’t necessary and waiting for a few months is a smart thing. But my advice is: wait a bit, soft- and hardware will have been patched out or replaced and there will be a bigger library of games available, and it will probably be cheaper as well!
