I like to think that I’m fairly resistant to the video game hype train these days. I’ve been in the gaming world for decades at this point, so I should have some sort of a resistance built up to it all by now. In practice though, I’m not so sure that’s true. I don’t pre-order stuff, but I still buy a lot of games at launch. I still get excited sometimes, and it seems I’m still subject to FOMO when it comes to the next-gen consoles. There’s no real reason to run out and buy a PlayStation 5 right now, yet it’s pull is still incredibly strong. Weird, right?
I remember that, for the longest time, I had a rule when it came to buying new systems: they had to have at least 5 worthwhile exclusive games available first. Before that happened, it simply wasn’t worth the massive upfront investment. I don’t remember if I stuck to that rule with the PS4, but I definitely didn’t with the Xbox One (a big mistake now that I look back on it). With PS5 though, I’ve basically thrown that idea out the window. I refuse to pre-order one, but I’d definitely jump at the opportunity to grab one if I see it at the store. You never know when your next chance will come, right?
Wrong, actually. We all know that these supply and scalper problems will go away as Sony/Microsoft make more of their game machines and more fans are able to make their purchases. By April or May, it won’t be all that difficult at all to get a PS5 or XSX at the store. We’ll all be able to do it at our leisure, and, better yet, there’ll actually be more than 2 games to enjoy on them. Yet here many of us are, myself included, participating in the scramble to grab one before anyone else can. Are we all crazy? Considering all the nonsense we put up with from publishers and the like, sometimes I think so. At least a little.
Anyway, I don’t know if I’ll actually keep trying to buy one of these things while they’re still scarce and software-poor. There’s still so much to play on the current/last-gen systems that I suppose I really don’t have any business buying a new system right now anyway. Besides, I would be kind of nice to wait around long enough to get one of those cool special edition consoles for a change. You know, the ones that always come out a year or so after the initial launch? That’d be pretty sweet.
Do you struggle with this sort of stuff too? Have you managed to resist it?
Image is promotional material
VIRTUAL BASTION 
When I was a kid my parents never got me games consoles, I remember getting the PS1 Slim from my uncle when the PS2 had already come out. I finally got my hands on the original Xbox, when the Xbox 360 had already been announced.
So naturally being an adult, I’ve made the most of the opportunity of being able to buy Consoles at release. Which I did with the Xbox One and now with the PS5. I agree though, there needs to be games for these consoles already out, before making an early investment.
That is why I never bought the Xbox Series X, with the PS5 there was Spider-Man Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls and Sackboy that was inticing enough for me to buy day 1. Astro’s Playroom was a pleasant surprise, in addition the Playstation + collection, includes almost every PS4 exclusive which I did not expect!
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That PlayStation Plus collection definitely sounds awesome! It’s about time Sony had their own version of Game Pass. Which new game have you been enjoying most so far?
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Fun fact, Sony always had a version like Game Pass, it was called PlayStation Now. I think it came out before Game Pass, but until 2018 the only way to play games was to stream them. Which is why it didn’t kick off.
The PlayStation + collection is available on PS5 only, and you get access to it if you have PlayStation + subscription. Would have been nice to include it on PS4, but I think they wanted to use the collection as an incentive to purchase a PS5 maybe.
Sorry back to your question, I enjoyed Spider-Man Miles Morales the most, Astro’s Playroom a close second. I have written about both on my blog 🙂
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Knew about PlayStation Now, but am one of those who doesn’t want to stream games. Gimme the download pls!
Glad to hear more eveidence that Astro’s Playroom is good. I definitely wanna try it eventually!
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Yes I know what you mean, I believe you can download the games now.
I am looking forward to reading your thoughts on the game, when you do get a chance to play it 🙂
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I originally was sticking to this with the PS5 (it was never my plan with the Series X and I got one of those at launch because I preordered it) but once we actually got to PS5 release, I felt the urge to get one and I’ve been trying since then. I’m not really bent out of shape over not getting one (I have plenty of games to play) but I’ll spend a couple minutes trying for one when I see they are up at a certain retailer.
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I guess new systems are always exciting regardless of circumstance, eh? Heck, even Wii U was exciting at first, and we all know how that turned out.
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I also feel the same. I wasn’t all that bothered in missing out at the initial release of the PS5 but as the months have passed I find the pull towards it getting stronger. I think we will see an influx of affordable scalper PS5’s become available as more become available at retailers (I’ve seen some on sale already for as little as £50 above RRP). As much as I’d like to spend just slightly more and get one now, I would like the guarantee (especially with it being a new console) that if something does go wrong with it I can just return it to a retailer and get a replacement rather than if I bought it through a scalper I would just end up with an expensive paperweight.
So with this in mind I don’t mind waiting if it means me spending less and having that extra security in the long run. Plus the current number of PS5 exclusives at the moment is pretty slim so it’d not like I’m missing out on much.
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The ability to return it is definitely important, especially with launch window units. Very smart to wait for that.
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