Gamers are currently hyped up for the next generation, and the verdict is still out on which one will take the crown. PlayStation 5 is releasing on November 12, 2020, with a small handful of exclusives and the PlayStation Plus Collection, while Xbox Series X and Series S will hit stories a few days earlier on November 10, with Game Pass and a decent catalog boosted by the extensive backward compatibility.
Few are still on the fence, but as a way to celebrate both consoles and the upcoming releases, it's worth taking a look at the major differences and similarities between the two brands.
10 Different: Backwards Compatibility
While Sony's PlayStation 5 plays most PlayStation 4 games, the buck stops at the last generation hardware. Microsoft's new machine plays thousands of games from Xbox's past spanning all the consoles. It is a solid enough feature on its own, but most games will see huge enhancements when running on Series X and S. Most games with wonky frame rates will now play smoother than ever.
9 Same: Cross Generation
Not everyone will jump into the next generation as soon as it launches. Either they see no need to purchase one or they cannot afford it. Fortunately, neither company is leaving the current generation in the dust. Numerous games launching alongside Xbox and PlayStation 5 will also be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Only PlayStation 5 has a few games not coming to PlayStation 4 at the same time, like the Demon's Souls remake.
8 Different: Series S
This generation saw the advent of enhanced consoles like Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro. Microsoft is coming out of the gate with this format in mind, giving buyers two distinct console choices.
The Xbox Series X is a 4K machine all the way, while the less powerful Series S plays all the same games with less power and lower resolution. While the PlayStation 5 has two models, inside they are equally as powerful.
7 Same: Price
Consumers were fearful this generation would have one of the steepest prices for entry of any launch. Fortunately, these worries were assuaged when the most expensive versions of these machines turned out to cost $500. It is not nothing, but it is entirely reasonable. Different models vary in cost, but gamers looking for the most out of their respective console will pay the same whether they go with Xbox or PlayStation.
6 Different: The Way Exclusives Work
For the foreseeable future, Xbox will never have true exclusives, with every game releasing on an Xbox machine also coming to PC. PlayStation 5 is still banking on its exclusive properties, forcing those who want to play the newest Sony brands to pony up the cash for the machine. A few years ago one would have scoffed at Microsoft's list of exclusives, but they have been buying up studios with a fervor over the past few years, with Bethesda by far being their biggest acquisition.
5 Same: Solid State Drive
The Solid State Drive, or SSD, is the real leap this generation is taking from the current hardware. While games will look significantly better, gamers will truly be floored by how fast titles load. Both machines have this new SSD, but the PlayStation 5 is said to have the edge in terms of load times, with certain games like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart taking advantage of the feature in gameplay.
4 Different: Controllers
Because of its dedication to backwards compatibility, Microsoft is taking few liberties with their new controller. Enhancements are coming, but it is not a complete overhaul. Meanwhile, Sony is introducing the DualSense for the PlayStation 5. Though the shape is similar, various changes make it a whole different beast, justifying removing the DualShock name. The triggers will use haptic feedback, which may make them harder to pull depending on the situation within the game.
3 Same: 4K
15 years ago, high-definition gaming was all the rage and gamers were looking forward to experiencing the new consoles with the increased resolution. Upon playing, it seemed like this was the absolute limit of how good an image could look. Fast forward to today and 4K is taking over living rooms. Fortunately, both consoles support this resolution out of the box, though one will have to go for the Series X if they are siding with Microsoft this generation.
2 Different: Game Pass
Microsoft is counting on Xbox Game Pass as their secret weapon this generation. With a subscription to the service, all first-party titles will become available on the service day.
Currently, Sony has no competing service. The PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus collections are great, but they are not trying the same thing as Game Pass becoming the Netflix of gaming. One wonders how Game Pass will look a decade from now.
1 Same: Graphics
While the conversation around these machines has been more about the UI, system features, and the actual hardware than games, people are still psyched about how titles will look in the future. On paper, Xbox Series X has a slight upper hand in terms of graphical power. Ultimately, the games will look similarly beautiful on both consoles. The leap from this generation to the next will not be as drastic as other generations, but it is still something fans should anticipate with excitement.