Is Buying a Next-Gen Console Worth It Right Now?

A lot of debate this week on the state and future of the next-gen consoles got me thinking. In the end, the entire PhenixxGaming team will end up with new Xbox and PlayStation consoles. For the moment, however, I’m without either. Despite the exciting things coming out for both, I don’t feel a huge rush to hop into the new generation of consoles. For the time being, plenty of people want in but can’t find a console to purchase. Even if they could, is it worth it right now?

PS5 clearly has a more compelling lineup of next-gen games at the moment. From the Demon’s Souls remake to the upcoming release of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Sony continues to dominate the console gaming world. Xbox does have Game Pass going for it though, which don’t get me wrong, completely changed how I play games. I’m more willing to try things now than ever before. That said, few console exclusives if any are slated for 2021.

That leaves a lot of potential on the table but little for either Sony or Microsoft to offer at the moment. Sony clearly has more to give gamers this year, but Game Pass is great too. That said, I can’t say that if I end 2021 without an Xbox Series X or PS5 that I’ll feel left out of the experience. Plus, how many times have we seen the initial launch consoles get tweaks that improve things like performance or energy consumption?

It feels like I’m writing this as a sad guy without a new console. It might seem like that to some, but really, I can’t imagine what I’d be doing with a new console right now. The launch of new consoles are traditionally bare until developers can get games onto the new platforms. For now, I think I’ll be comfortable joining the new-gen masses down the road as opposed to any time soon. Heck, I might not even be able to until 2022 regardless of my opinion.