Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are both just around the corner. If you're readying this site, chances are well above zero that you're interested in one or both of them. After all, a new console launch is always exciting.
Hype around pre-orders has been pretty crazy this time around – so much so that people are more obsessed with how soon they can order a new console than whether or not they should at all. Here are a few reasons you may not want to jump on these new consoles right away.
1. Launch Games Usually Aren't That Great
You know what was a great launch game? Super Mario World for the SNES. Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 was pretty good too. The original Xbox had Halo. That's about it. We haven't had great launch games in quite a long time.
The Xbox 360 had Kameo. The PlayStation 4 had Knack and Killzone Shadow Fall. None of those are unplayable or terrible games, but they're certainly not the types of games you buy systems for.
The Xbox Series X was supposed to launch with Halo Infinite, but that's no longer happening. The PlayStation 5 is getting Godfall, while both systems are getting Assassin's Creed Valhalla, so yeah, you'll have stuff to play, but is it worth grabbing a system on day one?
2. Early Hardware Isn't Known For Being Stable
Four words: Red Ring Of Death. Not everyone who bought a launch day Xbox 360 was affected by this, but enough people were that I probably didn't need to say which system was infamously plagued by this problem.
Warranty programs usually cover this sort of thing, so it's not like there's a huge risk. That said, if you decide to wait until there is a second hardware revision, in the vast majority of cases, you're getting improved hardware, at least when it comes to stability.
3. Save Yourself Some Money
Prices this time around aren't looking as bad as the good, not by a long shot. $500 is a lot of money to spend on a console, but it's not as bad as $600 for the PlayStation 3 back in 2006. Not to mention, Microsoft and Sony have cheaper models with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition at $400 and the Xbox Series S at $300.
Still, if you're not in a rush, you'll probably be able to pay at least $50 less for either of them if you wait six months to a year. Not to mention at that point, prices will have dropped on quite a few games, saving you even more.
4. Which One Gets Better Versions of Third-Party Games?
When it comes to consoles, we've always seen one clear lead console when it comes to third-party development. This console almost always gets the better version of games available on multiple consoles. Last generation it was the Xbox 360, while this time around it was the PlayStation 4.
While the Xbox Series X has the most power, at least on paper, that rarely matters. Just look at how the PlayStation 2 was the lead console of its generation, despite being weaker than both the Nintendo GameCube and the original Xbox. In a year, which console developers target first will be much more clear.
5. Think About Your Backlog of Unplayed Games
If you're anything like me, you've got a large backlog of games you have yet to finish. I blame sales, bundles, and services like PlayStation Plus or Games With Gold.
Yes, you'll be able to play those games on the new consoles, but if you're only going to be playing old games anyway, while upgrade now? Clear out your backlog a bit, see which platform has the most games you care about, then move on from there.
Still Thinking About Upgrading?
We get it. Even after going over the reasons above why you may want to cool your jets on the new consoles, they're plenty alluring. Still, buying a new console or two isn't exactly a cheap exercise.
If you're still on the fence about whether to upgrade, why not get a second option, but you know, still from us. Specifically, take a look at our pros and cons of buying one of these new consoles.