PS5 and Xbox Series X: 3 reasons why I’m not buying (yet)

PS5 and Xbox Series Ten: three reasons why I'm not buying (yet)

(Image credit: Microsoft/Sony)

The PS5 and Xbox Serial Ten have dominated the conversation online when information technology comes to video games in 2020. But I'm non pre-ordering either, nor am I even planning to buy them this vacation season.

We all have our reasons for proverb "yas!" or "nah" when it comes to new console purchases, but I don't recall I'm much of an border case hither. I'thousand planning on waiting because information technology feels similar I'thou not being given a reason to purchase even so.

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To get this out of the style, I'one thousand not looking downwards on anyone who is prepare to pre-social club the PS5 or Xbox Series 10. Supply chains and scarcity are reason enough, and I'll get to how in that location are some pretty important games on those platforms in a infinitesimal.

But for at present, hither are the three reasons why I'thou skipping the PS5 and Xbox Serial Ten for now, which get beyond the unproblematic argument of "that's a lot of money I could spend on a lot of other things."

I even so have enough of PS4 games to play

Let's start with the PS5, the console I was more likely to buy in the showtime identify (I run a PS4 household, and I didn't even buy my own Xbox One X). The PS5 feature I'm almost excited about is its wild design. This affair looks like a Wi-Fi Router and a belfry fan had a secret dearest child that grew up around EVE and WALL•E. As a piece of statement art, information technology'southward as potent equally information technology is divisive.

But considering that's the affair about the PS5 I'm well-nigh excited most, yous might already know where I'thou going next: the games. Or, rather, the lack thereof.

This is the list of the games that are expected to be coming to the PS5 at launch or by the stop of 2020:

Assassin'south Creed Valhalla - Vacation 2020
Astro's Playroom - PS5 Launch
Bugsnax - Vacation 2020
Phone call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - Nov. 13
Chivalry ii - 2020
Cyberpunk 2077 - Nov. 19
Demon'south Souls - PS5 Launch
Destruction All Stars - PS5 Launch
Dirt five - 2020
Fortnite - PS5 Launch
Godfall - December 2020
Gods and Monsters - Holiday 2020
Jett: The Far Shore - Holiday 2020
Madden NFL 21 - 2020
NBA 2K21 - 2020
Observer: System Redux - Holiday 2020
Oddworld Soulstrom - 2020
Outriders - Vacation 2020
Planet Coaster: Console Edition - 2020
Quantum Mistake - 2020
Redo! Enhanced Edition - 2020
Sackboy A Big Chance - PS5 Launch
Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Vacation 2020
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 - 2020
Spotter Dogs: Legion - Holiday 2020
Worms Rumble - 2020
WRC nine - 2020

Of those, the two that have some of my interest are the horror-based starting time-person-shooter Breakthrough Fault and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The former feels similar something I could "become to" somewhere down the road (I'g only about to start Horizon Zero Dawn), and while the trailer for the latter got me excited as heck... it turns out I don't need a PS5 to play it.

Yes, we simply found out that Miles Morales' game is also coming to PS4, which fabricated me smile. Now I have even less reason to examination my luck with the PS5 pre-order anarchy that'south seemingly sending people in an endless loop on online retailers.

Why should I wait? Considering I however haven't beaten the original PS4 Spider-Human being game. And I know I should, but earlier this year, Brute Crossing: New Horizons and Persona 5 Regal teamed up to each accept over 100 hours of my play fourth dimension. As much every bit I desire to explore the virtual version of the NYC I can't really explore during this pandemic, Spider-Homo faded into the background.

Looking at that launch list, I can meet games that I know some of my friends will rush to purchase. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and Demon'due south Souls accept stiff and dedicated fan bases behind them. Dirt 5 is already impressing one of my colleagues. Heck, even the beautiful and peculiar Bugsnax is making fans out of some folks in the Discord I spend some time in. Cyberpunk 2077 has a whole world of hype around it, too.

But those games aren't for me. And even if they were, all of them (minus Demon's Souls) are also coming to PS4.

I've only recently begun Ghosts of Tsushima (which is rad), and since I got both Yakuza 0 and the Yakuza Remastered Drove for cheap on sales, I know I should give them the ol' college effort also. Sitting above those titles is Resident Evil 7, which tests my honey of horror equally I play information technology one pocket-size sliver at a time.

Oh, and knowing me, I'll some solar day give some other 100+ hours to the New Game Plus for Persona five Royal (yeah, I'm trying to play Persona iv Golden on Steam, but wow that game is buggy to the signal of being unplayable, at to the lowest degree for me).

A new Xbox isn't for me (even at $299)

Sure, the Xbox Series S is tempting at its $299 cost, but even if I were to grab information technology, I feel like it would get unattended to, just similar the Xbox Series X I lucked my way into terminal year.

Primarily, I use my Xbox Series X for the rare game that shows up on Game Laissez passer that is intriguing enough for me to restart my subscription. Near recently, that was Tell Me Why, a point-and-click mystery game about 2 siblings uncovering the truth nigh their mom's death. It's an emotional and at times harrowing tale, and I'm glad I can play it.

But only equally with the PS5, I don't run into the reason to invest in the new Xbox early. Then far, it has ane game that truly makes me excited: Tetris Upshot: Connected. I love Tetris Consequence, simply I more often than not dearest playing information technology with my buddies when they come over.

Tetris Effect: Connected adds online multiplayer, which is the fix that this modern age of quarantine requires. But every bit keen as that is, that would require my friends who I play Tetris Upshot with to own an Xbox or PC. Plus, every bit with many upcoming commencement- and third-party Xbox games, I'll be able to play Connected on the Xbox One I already take.

My Nintendo Switch is right here

I'm one of those types who keeps finding new means to make their Nintendo Switch the nearly of import game console they own. Most importantly, Ring Fit Gamble practically changed my life this past summer, getting me to piece of work out which helped my slumber and back hurting issues. I play RFA for most a half an hr every single morning, and while information technology does feel like less of a game and more than of a workout, it'south get an important office of my life to the point where I cannot stop.

The Switch also simply got Spiritfarer, a really interesting and unique indie championship (that's as well on Xbox Game Laissez passer, which I wish I knew earlier I hit Purchase). Spiritfarer is almost death and the loftier seas, and information technology looks to be such a compelling title that I might get drawn into finishing information technology.

The Switch keeps getting quality ports, also, which makes me know that I can keep feeding information technology small $20 to $40 purchases and stay entertained, rather than splurge upwards of $500 on the PS5 immediately.

And my dear of all things Nintendo Switch, from Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ape Out to Untitled Goose Game and Celeste, has shown me something about myself. Gameplay matters a lot more than to me than load times or graphical allegiance.

Why I'1000 waiting on PS5 and Xbox Series 10

Certain, come summertime or winter 2021 I might accept a change of heart nearly this incoming pair of next-gen consoles. Maybe someone will exist allowed to have guests over and show me the error of my means.

But when I accept more games than I tin can play at the same time already (oh, I most forgot, I'one thousand enjoying Tony Militarist'due south Pro Skater 1+2 no matter how bad I am at it), I just don't see the big reason. Peculiarly when the few next-gen games that are coming this yr that pique my interest don't do it enough to experience like they're worth ownership a whole console for.

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Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past half dozen-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.