PS4 Vs. Xbox One: 5 Comparisons Before The Xbox One Release Date

It’s that time. The Xbox One release date is only two days away; the Playstation 4 saw its release last Friday. As the holidays approach, buyers will have to decide which system to purchase. Which console superpower will prevail? We break down the basic facts for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Price: The Xbox One will set you back $499, while the PS4 is priced at $399. Though the PS4 is $100 cheaper than Microsoft’s console, the Xbox One comes already equipped with the Kinect, while players will have to shell out an additional $60 for PS4’s 3D camera.

Availability: The Playstation 4 sold more than 1 million units within the first 24 hours of its launch. The system is sold out at places like Wal-mart and GameStop. Though the console is available for up to $1,000 through individual sellers on Amazon and eBay, finding the system for its retail price of $399 is currently nearly impossible if you want it immediately. The Xbox One launch date is this Friday, but you can pre-order it now on sites like Wal-mart and it could ship as early as December 11.

Games: Both systems have access to certain exclusive titles. Sony recently announced the development of “Uncharted 4” from Naughty Dog studios. The company also released a vague trailer about the upcoming game’s premise. Gamers are also looking forward to “Dead Rising 3” on the Xbox One, even though its predecessor “Dead Rising 2” was available for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The Xbox One will also be the exclusive console for upcoming fighting game “Killer Instinct” and third person shooter “Quantum Break.”

Entertainment: The Xbox One Kinect will allow users to play games while watching movies and pausing television shows. If you’re looking for a system that efficiently multi-tasks, the Xbox One will not disappoint. Though some reviewers have criticized the Xbox Kinect’s voice command ability, most agree that it works about 80 percent of the time. You can also stream services like Hulu and Netflix through the Playstation 4. The PS4 controller also comes equipped with a share button that allows gameplay to be streamed live and viewed by friends.

Controller: Both controllers are receiving generally favorable reviews. TechCrunch called the Xbox One controller “absolutely superb” and “essentially a 360 controller refined, scrubbed of its flaws.” The Xbox One controller runs on AA batteries instead of being chargeable like the PS4 controller. Gaming site Polygon stated that the PS4 Dualshock controller is the “best controller Sony has ever made.” The PS4 controller has a swipe pad interface, along with a share button. However, the battery life, which seemed to be around seven to eight hours, was decidedly too short for long gaming sessions. If you choose to purchase additional controllers, they will not come with their own charging cord.

Which system will you purchase this season? Are you on team Microsoft or team Sony? Leave a comment below.