This is the year of the unknown. Instead of being only excited about slim variations of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, we have something bigger on the horizon. For the first time ever, both Microsoft and Sony are preparing incremental console upgrades in the form of Project Scorpio and the PlayStation 4 Neo. Both will be slightly harder, better, faster, and stronger. Okay, maybe I swiped that from a Daft Punk song. Still, they’re only going to be slightly better, which means there are many reasons why you probably shouldn’t bother with them.
Don’t Double Dip
Do you already own a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One? If you do, you don’t need a PlayStation 4 Neo or Project Scorpio. Yes, I know there’ll be things like 4K support, better virtual reality opportunities and so on. But do you really see yourself buying or owning a 4K TV? Or getting in on VR this early? If you have one of these consoles already, you shouldn’t immediately go for an updated version.
Don’t Let Games Sway You
PlayStation 4 Neos and Project Scorpios will work with all PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games. There will be a special “Neo” mode for existing PS4 games, to make them prettier. And Project Scorpio will be the exclusive way to play VR games on an Xbox One. But the basic games, the real reason anyone is getting a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, will work on all versions of the system. Don’t get the newest, shiniest thing to play Crackdown 3 , Mass Effect Andromeda , or the new God of War . They’ll all work just fine with your current console.
Launch Day Flaws
A small number of launch Xbox Ones had issues with the disc drives, with them not working properly. There were PlayStation 4 overheating issues with launch units, a problem that might be resurfacing with the PlayStation 4 Slim, if early reports are accurate. Xbox 360s had the red ring of death. PlayStation 3s had a yellow light of death. Neither Sony or Microsoft has a good track record when it comes to console launches. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few PlayStation 4 Neo and Project Scorpio launch units with significant issues, which is more than enough reason to be cautious.
Look at the New Nintendo 3DS
About three years after the Nintendo 3DS was released, we saw the New Nintendo 3DS appear. It was an updated version of the system that was supposed to have better features, technological advances, and more games. I bought in and am mostly happy with it. Super Smash Bros and Monster Hunter both run better on it. But the only real New 3DS exclusive is still Xenoblade Chronicles 3D . While some games do run better on the new hardware, you don’t need it. The amiibo NFC reader is available as a separate $20 peripheral. And did you really need SNES games on the go? No. The New 3DS is the handheld equivalent of the PlayStation 4 Neo and Project Scorpio. Keep it in mind.
Don’t Be a Guinea Pig
An incremental console update has never been done before. Yes, we have the New 3DS as a handheld example. And sure, we’ve seen generations with slimmer console releases. Hell, the Xbox One Slim and PlayStation 4 Slim are both out this year. But this is a major alteration to the plan. There could be pitfalls. It may not offer the support or upgrade you expect. Do you really want to be a participant in what’s essentially an experiment being conducted on consumers?
Virtual Reality Could Mess With Your Reality
Virtual reality is still a big unknown in the realm of gaming. It’s too early to tell how necessary it will or won’t be. Which is why you definitely shouldn’t get a PlayStation 4 Neo for its improved VR support. The PlayStation VR is compatible with standard PlayStation 4s, if you decide you need it.
Microsoft has already said Project Scorpio will have VR exclusive games, but what games? And what headset will it be using? Will it rely on the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift? There are too many unanswered questions. Best to wait and see how people respond to both VR and Project Scorpio, both separately and together, before buying a system for this feature.
Consider Console Life Cycles
Systems tend to last for about 10 years, give or take. Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launched in 2013, which means they’ll ideally be viable until 2023. We don’t know what incremental upgrades like the PlayStation 4 Neo and Project Scorpio will do to console lifespans. Will they extend them? Probably not, since each one only still plays PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games. Which means you’ll be reinvesting money to only get what will probably be about five years of gaming out of the system before needing a new one. That doesn’t seem worth it somehow.
Cost
An Xbox One Slim is $399 right now. A basic PlayStation 4 is $349.99. You’re already committing to a $350-$400 investment for a standard version of a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Given the technology going into PlayStation 4 Neo and Project Scorpio, they’re going to have higher price points to pay for the beefed-up specs. Can you afford that?
It’s a Slippery Slope
Right now, we have it pretty good with consoles. They tend to have 10 year life cycles, if they’re lucky. Paying $200-$400 for a system you know will last you for a decade is a pretty sweet deal. Especially when you could pay $200 for a phone, laptop or tablet that will last one to three years. By supporting a PlayStation 4 Neo or Project Scorpio, you’re basically showing Sony and Microsoft that you’re willing to pay for consoles that follow a smartphone or laptop lifespan. Which you shouldn’t be willing to do. Not when you’re also going to be spending upwards of $200 a year on games for that system.