Xbox One Vs PS4! Which is the Best Console?

PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One

Now that these two behemoths have been on the market for three years and we've had time to get comfortable with what they have to offer, it's finally time to decide, once and for all, which one is king. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and in today's versus, we're pitting the two leaders in the console market, PS4 and Xbox One, against each other to decide which console is the superior piece of machinery.

In order to make our decision, we'll be putting the consoles against each other in five rounds, each with a distinct topic. The console with the most points at the end wins. Let's get it on.

Round 1: Specs

Now because Xbox Project Scorpio hasn’t been revealed yet to match up to the PS4 Pro, for the sake of a fair comparison we decided to focus on the two original models.

Let's start with the PS4. Sony equipped its console with an AMD 8-core CPU which clocks at 1.6GHz. It also boasts a 1.84 teraflop GPU, which is based on AMD Radeon technology. The GPU has 18 compute units with an 800MHz clock speed. Confused yet? What we're trying to say is that these specs make the PS4 look damn good. Graphics are clear and crisp, and some games are able to run at a sweet 1080p. In short, it's a powerful console.

That's not to say that Microsoft didn't come to the table. Their Xbox One has a near identical CPU, except that it runs at 1.75GHz rather than Sony’s 1.6. However, this makes a negligible difference to the games’ performances. Where the Xbox One falls short is in the GPU department, as it only has 12 compute units with a clock speed of 853MHz.

So what does this all mean? While the differences are slight, there's no denying the PS4’s advantage in the specs department. On paper, Sony's GPU is 50% more powerful than Microsoft's, giving it an advantage in graphics power, rendering, and appearance; games on the PS4 look better (if only slightly) virtually every time.

WINNER: PS4

PS4 1 / Xbox One 0

Round 2: Extra Features

So, what kind of other game related goodies do the consoles bring?

The PS4’s single greatest draw has to be PlayStation VR. Released in October 2016, the PSVR is arguably the best virtual reality experience you can have at the moment due to its fun games and accessible cost. Rather than needing a high end PC that few can afford, PSVR hooks up directly to your PS4 and still gives you a great VR experience, complete with some fun games like “RIGS” and “Until Dawn: Rush of Blood.”

The Xbox One comes equipped with two large gaming-related draws that the PS4 doesn't have: Kinect and PC crossplay. Well, let's just say PC crossplay, because honestly, does anyone even care about the Kinect anymore? Even Microsoft seems to have abandoned that ship. However, the Xbox Play Anywhere program is a HUGE draw. Allowing crossplay between Windows 10 and Xbox Live, gamers who purchase a game either through the Windows Store or Xbox Store will see it appear both on their consoles and their PCs, complete with full synchronization. You can even play competitively with friends who aren't on the same device, meaning PC players can finally game with console players. Some games released with the tech include “Forza Horizon 3” and “Gears of War 4.”

As cool as Play Anywhere is, we still have to give this round to the PSVR. The PSVR is easily the most accessible form of virtual reality gaming today, and it provides players with a fantastic sense of immersion and fun games, all at a relatively low cost.

WINNER: PS4

PS4 2 / Xbox One 0

Round 3: Backwards Compatibility

Let's get one thing out of the way: PS Now is arguably the dumbest thing in video gaming history. Except for maybe “E.T.” In order to play older PlayStation games, gamers need to either subscribe to PlayStation Now for $20 a month or $100 for a year. First off, $20 FOR ONE MONTH!? For just PS3 games? Are you kidding me? Also If you don't have a solid internet connection, you're SOL, as the games stream off the Sony Servers rather than download onto the hard drive, so your mileage may vary. There are also some PS2 games you can purchase off the PS Store, but the selection as of time of writing is very limited. And there are no PS1 games available, despite previous Sony Consoles having that option.

On the other hand, the Xbox One allows good old fashioned backwards compatibility via emulator technology. While not EVERY 360 game is available, and there are no original Xbox games (which is a real bummer), nearly 300 fan favourites have made the transition to the new console, including “Red Dead Redemption” and the “Mass Effect” series, with even more coming in the near future, and without input lag that PS Now games can suffer from.

Xbox One wins this round, because PS Now is NOT a viable replacement for genuine backwards compatibility.

WINNER: Xbox One

PS4 2 / Xbox One 1

Round 4: Controllers

Yes, we know controllers are basically just personal preference at this point, but this a versus video, and a winner must be declared!

The PS4’s Dualshock 4 is a fine controller indeed. It comes with a headphone jack which allows gamers to plug headphones or earbuds directly into the controller rather than messing around with wires or Bluetooth. It also comes equipped with some unique tools which helps with interaction, including the speaker and touchpad. The controller speaker pops up in the odd game to act as a phone or similar device, and the touchpad usually serves as a sliding mechanism. The controller also has motion control built in, which is used to great benefit in games like “Until Dawn” where you can't move lest you be eaten. Just don't be the party pooper who places it on a table! The only negative thing we can think of is that the controller charges via USB, and a single charge is only good for just under 8 hours. Sony seriously needs to work on its battery life.

The Xbox controller is also mighty fine, complete with some slight improvements from controllers past, like a tweaked D Pad and a nice rumble in the triggers. Another nice caveat is that it runs either on AA batteries or a proprietary charge kit, which allows it to run for up to 30 hours. The Xbox One also has the added benefit of the Elite Controller, which comes with hair trigger locks, swappable components, button remapping, and a bunch of other great features. While your average, casual player may not care too much about it, the Elite Controller is a great addition to any serious gamers’ collection.

Sorry Dualshock, but your battery life sucks, and we simply can't pass up the beauty that is the Elite Controller.

WINNER: Xbox One

PS4 2 / Xbox One 2

Round 5: Exclusive Games

Ah yes, the games. You know, the actual reason for why we buy these machines in the first place.

Even if you're an Xbox fanboy, there's no denying the beasts that are the PS4 exclusives. We have a very awesome library of games like “Uncharted 4,” “Bloodborne,” “Rachet & Clank” and “The Last Guardian.” What the PS4 may lack in the backwards compatibility department it makes up for in remasters, as the console is also exclusively home to amazing looking remasters of already great looking and playing games like the “Uncharted” trilogy, “The Last of Us,” and “God of War 3.”

That's not to say that the Xbox One doesn't have its fair share of exciting titles. Console exclusives include “Gears of War 4,” which was a great return to form for the series, the “Forza” series of games, which are arguably the leaders of the racing genre, “Sunset Overdrive,” and “Halo 5: Guardians,” another entry in Microsoft's biggest franchise. It also has one of the coolest compilation packs ever with Rare Replay, 30 amazing titles all for a discount price, and Honestly this puts most other game compilation packs to shame.

However, while fun, these games arguably don't even compare to the modern titles for the PS4, both in terms of artistry and sense of enjoyment. Also, many Xbox exclusives can also be found on PC, which, you know, kind of defeats the purpose of an exclusive.

WINNER: PS4

PS4 3 / Xbox One 2

So there you have it! The PS4 just edges out the Xbox One with a score of 3-2. While the Xbox has some fantastic controllers and the welcoming addition of backwards compatibility, the PS4’s exclusive games, superior specs, and its addition of PSVR pushes it over the edge.

Do you agree with the outcome? Which console is your favourite? Be sure to debate in the comments and subscribe to WatchMojo.com.