PS5 vs. Switch vs. XBOXSX - THUNDERDOME Version 2.0

[DownInFlames]

You definitely don’t want to rely on GamePass streaming only. There are often waits to get access and the lag and glitches due to connection issue can make for a poor experience.

It’s a nice bonus if you’re away from home but a console, or PC, is a must.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is an Xbox Series S the cheapest entry point for access to Gamepass/Xbox exclusives?

EDIT: or, alternatively, would streaming via the cloud on a compatible device work well enough?

I stream on our living room tv and I think it’s great but I’m a casual gamer. I put an Xbox X in basement for the projector since it’s also my bluray player (S doesn’t have a disc drive).

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is an Xbox Series S the cheapest entry point for access to Gamepass/Xbox exclusives?

EDIT: or, alternatively, would streaming via the cloud on a compatible device work well enough?

Series S is the cheapest way to install games and get that direct experience. Cloud gaming is okay but not all games are cloud available, there are waiting times, and quality/lag depends on your internet connection.

That said, I use Gamepass cloud on a Macbook, Steamdeck, and in my car. Anything with a browser that you can connect a controller to will work.

[PepsiFree]

Thanks all. Had no idea about the wait times just to start gaming on the cloud (tested it out and got hit with a 20 minute wait which sometimes is half the time I would have to play).

Sounds like the Series S is the move, though maybe it’s worth waiting if those rumours of Microsoft bringing some of their exclusives over to PS5 is true…

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Thanks all. Had no idea about the wait times just to start gaming on the cloud (tested it out and got hit with a 20 minute wait which sometimes is half the time I would have to play).

Sounds like the Series S is the move, though maybe it’s worth waiting if those rumours of Microsoft bringing some of their exclusives over to PS5 is true…

Damn -- what game were you trying to play?

I mean, I usually use Cloud Gaming for little piddly indie games that take nothing for power so I have very little experience on AAA titles, but there have been a couple times I used it for Wreckfest before finally downloading it, and it was reasonably quick.

[PepsiFree]

I was just trying to test out a free game without having to actually buy Gamepass yet, as I wanted to test latency between my controller/air playing to the TV. Fortnite was the first one to pop up, so I selected that, but if popularity of the game itself makes a difference I’m assuming I chose the worst one lol (I’ve never actually played it, but I know it’s popular).

Mostly I want to try out Starfield, Forza Motorsport/Horizons, and Lies of P (which isn’t exclusive but is on Gamepass). I don’t actually know if you can even play all of those on the cloud. MLB The Show would be good, too.

If I go the Series S route, what are some other AAA games on Gamepass that could justify the spend?

[TorqueDog]

I mean I'm sinking (too much?) time into the entire Yakuza / Like a Dragon series myself. But if you wanna see what's on there, check this: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/games

I'm always the worst person to ask since I latch onto a series and get totally hooked, and I'm also not the guy who sinks a ton of time into a lot of big name AAA games.

Game Pass Core only has 38 titles to choose from, but Game Pass for Console and Game Pass Ultimate have 477 console titles and Ultimate has 444 PC titles.

[PepsiFree]

Haha I was actually cruising through some games on there the other day and was considering playing through Yakuza (when I saw them on there) solely because you mentioned you were doing the same.

[TorqueDog]

I played through most of Yakuza Kiwami without doing much of the 'Majima Everywhere' missions to upgrade the 'Dragon' fighting style, and now I'm doing nothing but that before the final mission. The common refrain "Kiiiiiiiryu-chaaaaaaaaan" haunts my dreams at the moment.

I love the humor in those games.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I played through most of Yakuza Kiwami without doing much of the 'Majima Everywhere' missions to upgrade the 'Dragon' fighting style, and now I'm doing nothing but that before the final mission. The common refrain "Kiiiiiiiryu-chaaaaaaaaan" haunts my dreams at the moment.

I love the humor in those games.

That's basically the Yakuza games. You reach the final mission and you realize you are only 20% on the real fighting tree and the real top tier gear lol. I've been on the final mission (without starting it) on Yakuza Isshin for about 4 months now. I just keep doing the dungeons to farm and level up all the grindy stuff to unlock things.

Yakuza Zero is like this too - and there's two main characters in it to do unlocks for + a hidden fighting style you can completely miss. If you like Majima, definitely play Zero next because its "Majima Begins".

I loved the fighting arena under the homeless park in Kiwami.

[chemgear]

Huh.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1754265996049695099

[dino7c]

They bought all the studios and still can't sell consoles, what choice do they have?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They bought all the studios and still can't sell consoles, what choice do they have?

This aligns with Microsoft. Azure, Office 365, Co-Pilot AI, and Gamepass. Everything as a service.

Xbox fanboys are feeling sad though since there is no real reason to actually own Xbox anymore. For what it's worth, I like Xbox but it's just another cheap box into a service for me.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Once MS bought Activision/Blizzard they basically had to get way more subscribers to pay off that 68 billion dollar investment.

How does one do that with a subscription service? Having PC gamers is big, but not that big... I don't think Xbox has ever released the actual number of subscribers have they?

Apparently XBox is having some kind of update next week, so I'd be curious what they say.

[chemgear]

Can't believe they are going to avoid addressing this until next week.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1754598552548904973

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Can't believe they are going to avoid addressing this until next week.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1754598552548904973

I think a lot of people are taking their non-answer as confirmation, at least, of some kind of multi-platform strategy.

Playstation is releasing older games on PC, so it should not be a huge surprise...

Publishers whose valuation was based on selling multiplatform game (Bethesda, AKB) are basically cutting out 35% of their marketcap by going exclusively to XBox Live....

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They bought all the studios and still can't sell consoles, what choice do they have?

I guess the X/S sales are behind even the xbox one. Crazy given how bad the reception was for that console. Can see how they need to do something different and to not follow the same path as the previous generation and monetize things.

[Mr.Coffee]

I think the price point is too high. I’d like to buy an Xbox for my son but at $550 it’s a bit like hmmm… really?

My kid just wants to play NHL 24. I haven’t read through this entire thread and outside of a little bit of research comparing the systems hoping some knowledgeable folks here can help me. Do I need to worry about the Series X vs S if all we wanna do is okay NHL?

Sucks so bad the Switch doesn’t have it…

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I think the price point is too high. I’d like to buy an Xbox for my son but at $550 it’s a bit like hmmm… really?

My kid just wants to play NHL 24. I haven’t read through this entire thread and outside of a little bit of research comparing the systems hoping some knowledgeable folks here can help me. Do I need to worry about the Series X vs S if all we wanna do is okay NHL?

Sucks so bad the Switch doesn’t have it…

The Series S only does 1080p but it looks like it runs NHL at a solid 60fps.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I think the price point is too high. I’d like to buy an Xbox for my son but at $550 it’s a bit like hmmm… really?

My kid just wants to play NHL 24. I haven’t read through this entire thread and outside of a little bit of research comparing the systems hoping some knowledgeable folks here can help me. Do I need to worry about the Series X vs S if all we wanna do is okay NHL?

Sucks so bad the Switch doesn’t have it…

It would be absolutely terrible on the Switch's hardware. Just get a Series S and call it a day. Grab it at Shoppers on a 20x points day and you are laughing...or even used. These new consoles are well built