This post reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Mashable as a publication.
We've been waiting months for the next generation Xbox One and PlayStation 4 since their announcement. Now they are both days away from release, and there's big business on getting people to preorder, wait in line, and be first to get theirs.
But consoles aren't cheap. While we love and support gaming here at Mashable, there are definitely reasons to think about not forking over $400, $500 (or close to $1,000 for both) right on the first day.
This isn't a case for not buying the new consoles, but an exploration of the pros and cons of buying them as soon as possible.
This has been the longest generation between console refreshes in a long time, a fact that becomes even more obvious when you look at the span of games that came out for both. Games that came out six or seven years ago — like Gears of War, the first Assassin's Creed, or Halo 3 — don't look nearly as polished as the same stuff coming out on the current consoles now. This summer's The Last of Us is one gorgeous game, because it fully takes advantage of the hardware.
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Sony and Microsoft have both been very clear in their messaging that current consoles will still be supported for a while, probably for the next two years. Microsoft spent the first 15 minutes of its E3 presentation talking about how Xbox 360 was still a priority. There is a huge audience dug in there, especially with games with dedicated online communities.
Counterpoint: While developers have been able to squeeze more out of these aging consoles, the graphics are showing their age when you play the same game on a modern PC.
Each console-maker is trying to release first-party games with wide appeal on launch day. Whether those due out soon actually appeal to you is a matter of opinion. None of the games, on their own, look strong enough to be system sellers. If you're trying to decide between the two systems, it might be worth it see which exclusives appear for each later on down the line.
The case to snap up either next-gen system quickly was hurt when Watch Dogs, Ubisoft's open world game that focused on a futuristic Chicago, was pushed until next spring. The title, which would have come to both PS4 and Xbox One, excited many gamers with its promise of taking advantage of more advanced hardware.
The weak launch lineup shouldn't be a surprise to anyone; traditionally the lineups have always been weak. It doesn't stop players from being excited for the new hardware's potential. One of the most anemic launches in modern memory was the Nintendo 64: it was released in September of 1996 with just two games. One of those games was Super Mario 64 though, which was a groundbreaking title that launched Mario into 3D.
Counterpoint: Both the new consoles are trying to bring smaller, indie titles into the fold faster, and that could lead to some interesting releases as soon as more developers get their hands on both systems. There are also great deals to be had on games available both on current- and next-generation systems, as trading in a current-gen copy can get players a huge discount on the next-gen version.
If we assume this console generation will last as long as the last one, then it means there will be a lot of chances for Sony and Microsoft to improve on the new products. If you look at the history of Xbox 360, the console has had many makeovers and upgrades in its life cycle. Both it and the PS3 became smaller and got bigger hard drives and other peripherals. There are also bundles that include games or special-edition consoles, usually timed with big releases or the holiday season.
Unforeseen hardware problems can arise only after opening up the experience to millions of people over a long stretch of time. Microsoft had to spend a lot of money fixing its "red ring of death" problem — consoles would spontaneously overheat and crash completely. To its credit, the company handled it well by repairing consoles for free for many years out of warranty, and it has spent a lot of time making sure that won't happen on the Xbox One. But problems sometimes arise that can't be planned for, so there's something to be said for letting the other guys be beta-testers for a little while.
Counterpoint: There is definitely a cool factor to being an early adopter, and considering we spend time obsessing over gadgets and new games here at Mashable, it's hard to ignore the seductive nature of the hype. Not only is it fun to try something out as soon as it's available, it's even more fun to do it with a community of passionate gamers. If you are waiting in a line in the cold, you'll make new friends with everyone around you.
If that's the experience you're after, don't let anyone stop you from getting it.
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