The PlayStation 5 vs. the Xbox Series X: Which Upcoming Console is Right For You?

Nicholas Paragano
October 7, 2020

The PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. Image courtesy of CNET.

For the past twenty years, Sony and Microsoft have been fierce competitors in the gaming industry. This November, both companies will be releasing the next generation of gaming consoles: the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S. Let’s compare both systems for their hardware, games, features, and accessories. This article is not biased towards one system or another, but rather is an objective comparison of the two systems to help you decide which is right for you.

The two PS5 models, from left to right: digital edition, standard edition. Image courtesy of Push Square.

 

Sony will be releasing their PS5 console on November 12th, 2020. There will be two models: the standard model and the cheaper, digital-only version. The standard model will cost $499 and the digital-only model will cost $399. Besides the lack of an optical disc drive of the latter, both models are the same spec-wise. According to the PlayStation website, the system will harness lighting-fast loading times never seen before on a gaming console. The PS5 will utilize ray-tracing, which will “immerse yourself in worlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games”. The console will support 4K resolution out of the box, so it will work on your 4K TV to utilize the best picture quality possible. The PS5 is capable of a maximum 8K resolution. The system can support up to 120 frames per second gaming. The system’s controller, the DualSense, utilizes improved rumble to create new effects. PS4 controllers can be used on the PS5, but only with PS4 games that are backwards compatible. The PS5 will be backwards compatible with 99% of PS4 games. It is not compatible with PS3, PS2, and PS1 discs. Instead, a new service launching with the PS5 is the PlayStation Plus Col

A screenshot from Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, showcasing the titular character. Image courtesy of Sony.

lection. This is a streaming service that allows you to not only play PS5 and PS4 games, but PS3 and PS2 games as well.

On November 12, the PS5 will launch with some exclusive games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a spin-off of the popular 2018 PS4-exclusive game, Marvel’s Spider-Man. (A PS5 remaster of the latter game will be included with copies of Miles Morales.) Other exclusive titles that will release on launch day include Astro’s Playroom (which will be pre-installed on the console), Demon’s Souls (a remake of a PS3 game), Destruction All Stars, and Sackboy A Big Adventure. Of course, many popular games that are available on other platforms will be available on the PS5, such as Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Black Ops- Cold War and much more. On launch and throughout the holiday season, PS5 owners will have a lot to play.)

 

 

The new Xbox consoles, from left to right: The Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. Image courtesy of Early Game.

 

Microsoft will be getting a slight head start when they release their Xbox Series X/S consoles on November 10, 2020. There are two models: the Series X and the Series S. The Series X will cost $499, and is the larger, more powerful model, sporting a disc drive. The Series S will cost $299, and is the smaller, slightly less powerful, digital-only model. Like the PS5, both new Xbox models will support 4k with a maximum resolution of 8K, and 120 FPS gaming. The controller is essentially an upgraded Xbox One controller, with a new share button. Xbox One controllers will work on the Series X/S for every game. The Xbox Series X/S is backwards compatible with every Xbox One game, as well as the Xbox 360 and original Xbox games that the Xbox One already supports. These will all receive new enhancements on the Series X. Upcoming Xbox games will support “smart delivery”, meaning if you buy a new game for your Xbox One, and later get a Series X, you can play the upgraded Series X version at no additional cost. The Xbox Series X (and the Xbox One/PC) have Game Pass, a service that gives you access to hundreds of games to download, including all Xbox exclusives. Every Xbox exclusive game will be available to download with a Game Pass membership the same day they release.

 

A screenshot from Halo: Infinite, showing the Master Chief in action. Image courtesy of Microsoft.

The Xbox Series X/S will launch with a number of exclusive games, including Dirt 5, Gears Tactics, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Tetris Effect: Connected, and more. The big exclusive game that was supposed to be released with the Series X was Halo: Infinite, an ambitious new entry in the beloved Xbox-exclusive shooter series. It was delayed until next year, partially due to the effect that COVID-19 had on the game’s developer, 343 Industries. The Xbox Series X will be getting the same third-party games as mentioned above with the PS5, like Cyberpunk 2077, the new Call of Duty, etc. The Xbox Series X will have thousands of games immediately available at launch, thanks to backwards compatibility and Game Pass.

 

These are the features, specs, accessories and games of both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X. I hope I helped you make the decision on which console is right for you as we enter the next generation of gaming.