The ninth console generation launched in November 2020 with the release of Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X. These new consoles continued the trend of improved graphical output and better overall performance, along with some new games to show off what the new hardware is capable of. While no console launch is without its share of issues though, the PS5 and Xbox Series X did a lot for some fans to address the pain points of previous generations and make the transition a bit smoother. The PlayStation 5 is Sony's biggest launch ever and the Xbox Series X/S outsold its competitors in the UK, making these releases extremely successful despite some issues.
The stock issues have been widely reported and there is no sign of this being resolved soon, with PS5 and Xbox shortages set to continue through 2021. Despite all the new platforms selling excellently, there are ongoing issues with scalpers, COVID-19 delaying the construction of console parts, and trade issues between America and China. Additionally, there have been reports of some issues with the hardware, such as the Xbox Series X shutting down or the PS5 emitting loud noises too. Regardless of some of these issues players have encountered, there is a lot to be happy about with the platforms in the ninth console generation.
A Smoother Transition
For some players, one of the biggest advantages of this set of new consoles has been the ease with which existing data can transfer over. PlayStation gamers finally get to enjoy backward compatibility, with most PS4 titles being usable on PlayStation 5, meaning that the majority of PS4 games fans have accumulated won't go to waste. It's also simple to migrate from PS4 to PS5, where it's possible to connect both consoles and transfer data over or make use of PlayStation Plus to upload and re-download data on the new machine. Additionally, Sony has offered the PlayStation Plus Collection to PS5 owners, which features some big titles from the PS4 era including Fallout 4, Batman: Arkham Knight, and Persona 5, providing an incentive to some players to make the switch to experience missed games.
Xbox owners can enjoy similar ease of transition, with data being transferable using an external storage device or over a network as well. An extra boon for Xbox players is Xbox Game Pass which has great value and allows players to access games from across all Xbox generations. This service didn't exist when the Xbox One launched and has now been widely adopted, making a large number of games accessible to players on their new consoles, in the same manner as the Xbox One platforms. What's more, is that game discs are supported for all generations of Xbox on the Series X. While not every single game is supported, this provides an advantage to players transitioning to the new consoles regardless of which Xbox console it is.
Solid Hardware and Software Accessibility
No console launch is without its issues, and the new consoles kicking off the ninth generation are no exception. PlayStation 5 owners reported problems with the fan, data transfer, and even using rest mode. Microsoft's Xbox Series X had launch issues related to controllers disconnecting and the console randomly shutting down, among other problems. While these issues can be frustrating for early adopters, the issues reported have been overall a combination of seemingly minor issues rather than major faults. Xbox 360 owners, unfortunately, faced the dreaded Red Ring of Death, where the ring of light on the console would change to red in different segments, depending on the nature of the hardware failure.
The PlayStation 5 launch lineup of games has been derided as quite sparse by some fans, due to there being a lack of PS5 exclusive games and a majority of cross-generation titles, and this is true of Xbox as well. The key difference is how PlayStation has dominated the exclusive discussion for years, while Xbox is just getting to where it seemingly wants to be with recent acquisition. While this is true, Sony has given players the ability to use the vast majority of PS4 games on the new machine, with some titles receiving free PS5 upgrades too. The PlayStation 2 launch games were lackluster to a lot of Sony fans, yet the console went on to become a largely adored console. The advantage Sony has this time around is its ability to deliver on upgrades to older games to breathe new life into them for a new generation.
Supply issues and hardware problems notwithstanding, it's easy to see that the launches of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have been relatively smooth when compared to their predecessors. Once the stock issues are resolved for both companies, the new machines could go on to become beloved consoles that are looked back on fondly. For current owners of the new home consoles, the initial launch period has been smoother than past generations due to sound hardware, an easy transition, and a wide range of games to choose from.