5 Reasons to buy a PS4 today (and 5 reasons to wait a while)

ps4 game

1. Ho-hum PS4 launch games

For a 'pure' games machine, the PS4's line-up of launch titles surprisingly lacks a game that makes Sony's system feel unmissable. Like any new console launch, the first batch of games - Battlefield 4, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Resogun, Need for Speed: Rivals, Call of Duty: Ghosts, FIFA 14 - don't make the most of the power bottled up inside the new machine.

Many of the games are also available on the PS3, albeit graphically less impressive. It's going to take a while before there's a better balance between 1080p next-gen prettiness and compelling gameplay. Show us games that deliver something new and innovative, not just games with fancier lighting, higher-resolution textures and more realistic physics.

2. Never buy version 1...

A product as complex as the PlayStation 4 is bound to have some teething troubles, from hardware incompatibilities (the 'blinking blue light of death') to hardware failures (overheating, faulty HDMI connections and disc ejection problems). While Sony has obviously done its best to battle test the PS4, it can't anticipate every problem.

Games are also far from perfect. Battlefield 4 has suffered crashes, while COD: Ghosts and Assassin's Creed IV have already been issued with fixes. By waiting, you let other people suffer these version 1 bugs and give Sony - and the various game developers - time to smooth out the rough gaming edges.

ps4

3. Missing PS4 features

While the Xbox One continues Microsoft's digital assault on the living room, Sony's PS4 ignores many of the PS3's media hub talents. For example, there's no 3D Blu-ray support and you can't plug in an external hard drive. MP3 playback isn't supported, neither is DLNA media streaming.

That's not to say that these things won't be added in the future. Sony's proposed cloud streaming feature, powered by Gaikai, wasn't ready to launch with the PS4. It will reportedly debut in 2014. For now, the PS3 makes a better media player.

4. The PS4 is sold out

If you haven't already ordered a PS4, then you might not be able to get one in 2013. Thanks to its generous price point, Sony's machine is proving popular with gamers - it racked up over one million sales in the US/Canada alone after its 15 November launch.

Amazon can promise you a PS4 in time for Christmas, but only if you ordered it before November 13. Game too can whisk you a next-gen PlayStation before January, but only if you drop £500-£670 on one of its gaming packs. It's why waiting a while might be the sensible option.

Yes, there are plenty of bundles around, but few really feel like a great deal. Prices will remain inflated while demand for the hardware and software remains high.

versus

5. We don't know which console is better (yet)

The PS4 might have sold over one million units on its first day of release, but so did the Xbox One (albeit in more countries). While the Xbox One impresses with Forza Motorsport 5 and Dead Rising 3; the PS4 shows its enormous potential with Killzone: Shadow Fall and Resogun.

Both machines have eight core processors, Blu-ray players and huge 500GB hard disks. Both will be able to play highly anticipated games like Watch Dogs and Destiny… Taking all this into account, it's too early to close the Xbox One vs PS4 debate; too soon to call a winner in the next-gen war.

Are you buying a PS4 as soon as you can get your hands on one? Or do you plan to wait? Let us know by leaving a comment.

  • Read our up-to-date review of the PS4