Why Should Consumers Jump Into The Next Generation of Consoles?
Whether it’s X360 vs Xbox One or PS3 vs PS4: When should consumers make the jump into the 8th generation of gaming?
The Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U have all officially been released. The 8th generation is now in full swing, and consumers can expect that the industry will change as a whole. However, this change is a bit different then the rest. The overall jump is not as big as generations before hand: Therefore, we can expect that it will take a long time for things to truly feel for this change to actually occur.
So, should consumers buy a Playstation 4, Xbox One, or Wii U within 2013?
For people who have decided to stick with the Nintendo Console, I would say go right ahead. The console has been out for a little over a year now, games are available, and Nintendo has pretty much stopped support for their 7th generation console. The Wii U’s drive and destination has been clear for sometime now: So go ahead and enjoy your brand new console.
For people who are choosing a Sony or Microsoft console, you might want to hold onto your money. Sony and Microsoft are frolicking around in a completely different playground then the Wii U: So this article doesn’t pertain to Nintendo as much.
Honestly, there are quite a few things that are holding back the “Gotta Have It” appeal of the PS4 and XONE. I am personally really enjoying my Playstation 4, and I believe that both consoles are meeting consumers expectations for a launch. However, I believe that the everyday consumer will be happier investing money in their current Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, over a Playstation 4 or Xbox One.
Price Point
The next generation consoles are both really expensive, and the initial price point is only the tip of the iceberg. The Playstation 4 is $400 and the Xbox One is $500, and if that seems a bit expensive I would recommend staying with your older consoles. Online for both console will be $50 at it’s cheapest one year subscription. In addition, you will most likely want a new game for you next generation console: So consumers can expect to throw another $60. This would be the bare minimum for a solid experience, and it will cost you $510 for the Playstation 4, and $610 for the Xbox One. Why should consumers pay this amount of money for two consoles that don’t really have a huge selling point as of now? Not only that, but why should consumers invest that money into new hardware, when they can invest in their current hardware.
Games
Games coming out exclusively for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 between the months of November 2013 and March 2014.
- South Park: The Stick of Truth, Dark Souls 2
- Persona 5, Ratchet and Clank: Into The Nexus
- Grand Turismo 6
- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
- Earth Defense Force 2025
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
- Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z
- The Witch and the Hundred Night
- and more
Here is a list of games coming out for the next generation consoles within the same time period of November 2013 to March 2014:
- Lego Movie: Video Game
- Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
- Thief
- Drive Club
- TItanFall
- Dying Light
- InFAMOUS: Second Son
- MLB 14: The Show.
Driveclub and InFAMOUS: Second Son are the only games in that list that remain exclusive to next generation. Meaning, that all of those experience can be played on either a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. Why invest so much money in new hardware when you can get the same games and more out of your current gaming machines?
Is it Worth it?
Are you someone who purchased a next generation console already, or someone who is pursing a purchase of one? If so, your mind is already made up: You want to experience the new hardware as soon as possible. I am one of those people, and I am really enjoying my purchase of the Playstation 4. However, I feel that only people who fit that category are going to truly enjoy a console at launch. I wanted to experience the new hardware at launch, and I wasn’t as concern of the price and small library of games. If those things are important to you, then I would say wait. There are plenty of games to keep you held over, and the consoles won’t fully pickup for awhile. I would fully recommend that consumers save their money until a larger library of games are available, and the price drops.
