Current gen console ownership poll – 2022

[Qazimod]

 

It's been about 7 years since @BossSaru's topic on this, and I thought that since more of us are on board the current gen it might be fun to get a view of what people are playing games on at the moment. Now, I don't know if I'll go as deep as @BossSaru with regards to the awesome graph breakdowns, but maybe I'll do a lil' spreadsheet of games that convinced you to pick up one platform or another.

 

At the moment I think that the biggest challenge for this poll is deciding what fits into "this generation" – the Nintendo Switch was out long before the PS5 and Xbox Series (the Series S and the Series X), but I think that it's still the obvious competitor on the market right now. I know that console generation definition is the stupidest nerd shit around, but if we go forward from "Wii vs 360 vs PS3", we get to "WiiU vs Xbox One vs PS4" (the grouping @BossSaru himself used in his topic), and then "Switch vs Xbox Series vs PS5". There's probably a reply below along the lines of "well actually it should be "Switch vs Xbox One X vs PS4 Pro" really", so if you're unhappy with my groupings, I'm sorry.

 

I'll also limit this poll to home consoles only, because otherwise we'll have a million split votes centred around Steam Decks, Anbernics and PlayDates. If you're unhappy with this you can run your own poll. Alternatively, you can add details of your handheld(s) of choice in a reply and maybe I'll do a write-up when all's said and done.

 

In addition: if you want to elaborate on the games or other external factors that convinced you to pick up a platform (I mean, it would also help prevent this thread dropping off the index and grant it more visibility 🥺 ) I might do some analysis of those answers in a few weeks, but we'll see. If the thread does bomb, I'll just write off the endeavour and quietly delete the thread without anyone knowing; muhahahahaha...

 

---

 

To answer my own question, I own a PS5, and no other current-gen platforms at present. I can't really point at any exclusive franchise being a deciding factor, but it was more to do with having something that still played my PS4 library, and also having something that handled Elden Ring without last-gen performance woes. (Maybe I'll be screwed if Persona 6 is announced as an Xbox exclusive or something, but by the time that game's out the other platforms should be pretty cheap...  ) Also, I would probably like to get hold of a Switch at some point in the future, but I'm not in a massive hurry.

[teddymeow]

Oh bollocks!!

 

After planning to be a single format owner this gen, I've ended up with a PS5, Series X and OLED Switch.

 

 

[Valver]

Owned Ps4, Xbone and a WiiU last gen.  Not buying any of those this time round.  Fully on board the PC train.

 

[Benny]

I have a policy of only buying a new console when there are at least three games on it I want that I can't get anywhere else. This has not happened with the new ones yet.

 

PC all the way.

[amc]

I'm an addict. Got to have all the shit. Heaven forbid I miss (the ever decreasing) platform exclusives. Been the same since the PS1 days. PC alongside them from then to now as well.

 

[Siri]

I bought into the last generation late as I was still enjoying my first gaming PC at the time - I got a PS4 around the time Battlefield: Hardline came around (and honestly, that felt like a big waste of money), while the XBox and Wii U were only bought during deep discounts and bundles.

 

This gen, I bought a original model switch about a month before Mario Odyssey (mostly for that and Zelda, partly because there was jungle drums about the RCM exploit for homebrew), and a Series S when the opportunity came up to supplement my Game Pass subscription. I will likely keep those two for the remainder of the generation, and add a PS5 when a redesign and discount shows up.

 

At least early on in a generation, picking up a console for that £250 bracket and a bunch of games I'm immediately looking forward to is something that appeals when I've got most of my games on PC.

[AlexM]

I've got them all but rather regret it.

 

I mostly use the Xbox to play F1 2021 on EA Play, which I could easily play on the PS5.

I rarely use the Switch at all, except tinkering with homebrew a few times a year - despite owning one since launch I've never really liked it (so uncomfortable to hold!).

The PS5 gives me access to all the PS4 exclusives I haven't played yet, and PS VR which none of the other consoles can do, AND compatibility with my wheel.

Once I get a Deck, I think the Switch and Xbox will be on the classifieds (if not before).

[bradigor]

I was pretty sure I would go for all three again this gen, but PC and especially Steam Deck have changed that. Also there isn't a AAA title I am really fussed about. 

[gospvg]

I usually end up owning all the consoles over a generation but last gen I did not get an xbox. PS4 and WiiU only, I just could not find any game that I really wanted to play on Xbox.

 

This gen PS5 was a must buy so I could carry on playing my PS4 backlog. Switch we got like most over lockdown to enjoy Animal Crossing but I don't touch it now. Xbox again depends on the exclusive games but nothing yet so I'm not interested.

 

I don't have that much time for gaming so the PS5 is enough for me to enjoy my PS4 back catalogue and the odd next gen title. Skyrim in Space might tempt me but not on release.

[Colonel Panic]

I recently got a Series S which closed out ownership of all current gen consoles for me thanks to trading in my PS4 Pro.

[moosegrinder]

I'll get a PS5 whenever there's a design refresh/price drop/both. Maybe the Bloodborne remaster will be out by then.

[Gabe]

I didn't have any of the last gen, none of the current gen and don't plan on getting any either. Been a happy PC gamer for the past 10+ years and don't see that changing any time soon. 

[marsh]

A PS5 is all I have time for.

 

I did briefly have a steam deck but figured pretty quickly that I wouldn't have the time to use it or the patience to get it to run stuff.

[Mr. Gerbik]

ALL OF THEM BABY AW YEAH

[SegaMark]

Didn't touch anything previous gen, just wasn't into games anymore.

Got a Switch mostly for playing with the kid, it's great, got some games for me that I'll dip in and out of, but ofen have the odd mess around on Mario Kart with the family or help the little one on Let's Go Pikachu.

 

Was given a Series S by a client before Christmas, hammered some games (mostly Wolfenstein, love shooting Nazis, what can I say) but for the past few months it's barely been on just really to have a nosey at what's on Game Pass, not much really interests me there. Think I just much prefer the Switch when I fancy playing something.

[Qazimod]

1 hour ago, Benny said:

I have a policy of only buying a new console when there are at least three games on it I want that I can't get anywhere else. This has not happened with the new ones yet.

 

See, that was me last-gen - between things like Persona 5 (I didn't have a PS3), Bloodborne and the then-exclusive Nier Automata it was an easy pick. (Microsoft's policy fumbles and walkbacks didn't help either.) There might have been an impulsive FOMO influence over my PS5 purchase, but the backwards compatibility and "having something that could play Elden Ring competently" definitely helped.

[Sabreman]

It'll be a PS5 eventually, but I'm basing that on the assumption Persona 6 will be exclusive. If that game and the broader series properly goes to PC I'll probably never buy a console again.

[Jamie John]

Got a Switch back in 2017. Built a gaming PC during lockdown 2020, then got a Series X in December that year. Got the PS5 in February 2021, then the OLED Switch in September 2021. I've just bought a used Series S to go downstairs, and I've got a Steam Deck pre-order. I've also got a Quest 2 

 

I've had great experiences on all of these platforms, but, really, I didn't need to get the PS5 - that was an impulse buy during lockdown, at the peak of PS5 mania, and I just so happened to get a stock alert at the right time. I haven't actually turned it on since February, and that was to replay a PS4 game. If I had any courage I'd sell it, but I know I'd just buy another one in a few months' time.

 

The gaming PC was also unnecessary, especially seeing as I bought the GPU before the 3000 series Nvidia cards came out. And, in truth, I just prefer gaming in my comfy chair on the big screen, so even now the relatively modest card that I have is overkill for the older indie games I typically play on it - anything that requires some serious heft I'm far more likely to play on my Series X or PS5.

 

Still, everyone needs a hobby, and if I didn't have 'em all then I'd never have played things like Astro's Playroom, Half-Life Alyx, Metroid Dread or Forza Horizon 5. That's what I tell myself, anyway. I also sold quite a bit to build up enough funds to buy all of the above, including all of my last-gen consoles, and I never buy anything on credit, so I've made my peace with it. I won't be doing it next gen around, though (probably).

 

It does mean now, however, that I feel guilty if I don't use a particular console for a while (my poor PS5!). I was getting pretty good at rotating the consoles I used, but, y'know, Game Pass is just too damn good.

[Mr Do 71]

Got the Series X and Switch, will eventually get a PS5.

[Qazimod]

7 minutes ago, Sabreman said:

It'll be a PS5 eventually, but I'm basing that on the assumption Persona 6 will be exclusive. If that game and the broader series properly goes to PC I'll probably never buy a console again.

 

This Autumn! Maybe.

 

I could probably live with the series moving to Switch or PC or something (I'll have plenty of time between a JP release and localisation to sort something out), but it still makes me a little nervous about already picking a current-gen machine.  

[Yobo Ahoy]

Due to young kids I get about 4-5 hours gaming a week max, still on PS4 and have absolutely stacks of great games still to play. With that, and the recent trend of games getting longer, at this rate I might not ever end up getting a PS5 and just skip straight to the PS6 assuming it's backwards compatible again.

 

[Graham S]

Switch was a no-brainer, Day 1.
 

I bought an Xbox Series X last Xmas because everyone in the thread seemed really happy with theirs. They were right, it’s a lovely piece of kit. The touted benefits over the X1X (fast loading and quick resume essentially) have made an enormous difference, and have contributed to a resurgence of games playing making a big difference to my happiness this year.

 

I’ll get a PS5 eventually but don’t feel in a hurry. I’d have got one already if it wasn’t so big and ugly. 

[Kevvy Metal]

Needs true top tier entry of PS5, Switch, Series X & Series S 

[SeanR]

… the fuck are questions 3&4!?!

[PaB]

PS4, Wii u for last gen 

PS5 , oled switch for this gen 

steam deck on order

don’t need or want a series x for now.

[fat flatulent git]

I "plan" to get a PS5, but they make rocking horse shit look like sand in the Sahara, so I'm not confident that I'll get one in the next year even if I'd like to.

[partious]

I have a switch that gets basically zero use, in large part because I played a lot of the games on Wii U.

 

I would have bought any of the current gen consoles when they first came out if it had been possible, due to the usual new console hype etc.

Any interest I had in them has really cooled off at this stage though so I'm not bothered anymore. I wouldn't be able to think of a single game I'd be interested in getting either PS5 or Series X for.

 

I'll see how PSVR2 is, and how many big games it gets to make it worthwhile. Won't be an impulse buy like the first PSVR was though, the novelty of vr has worn off, if some genuinely impressive big games aren't there, I won't get it. It will probably be another impossible to find item for a year or more after release, so it's not happening anytime soon. 

 

I skipped the PS3/360/Wii gen, I was regularly playing games during that decade or so, but exclusively old stuff.

I think I might be in a similar phase now. Still enjoy games as much as ever, but my gaming tastes haven't moved with the times at all so I'm happy to play what I already own.

[Sarlaccfood]

I’ve got a PS5, Series S and Switch under the telly but as a father of 2 young kids, I just think “what the fuck am I doing?”
 

I hate having all three competing for my attention when I finally get some time to myself, not to mention books, streaming services etc.

 

As nifty a bit of kit as it is, I’ll probably sell the Xbox once my gamepass runs out at the end of the year as there’s nothing 1st party on the horizon that interests me and any gamepass stuff I like I’d rather just buy it so I can play it on the switch. 

[Qazimod]

7 hours ago, SeanR said:

… the fuck are questions 3&4!?!

It’s all kind of lifted from the last poll, so excuse the wording. Twelve months from now, do you expect to own the same consoles you have now, or any others? (Do you expect to have sold or thrown out certain consoles?) What about after those twelve months, or for the remainder of the generation?

[Darwock]

I just realized I could have said PS5 + switch, as my kids have a switch. I never touch the thing though so I think I voted correctly.