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Buying PlayStation for Christmas, anyone help me?

71 replies

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 16:57

I don’t know much about them, dc have decided against Xbox which I agree as most of the games are higher age ratings. So looking at a PlayStation... is there only one ‘type’? I’m not sure what I’m looking for?

I’m hoping to try to get a Black Friday deal so want to work out what we need first? Are they digital or disk? I don’t want a just digital one?

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dementedpixie · 24/11/2019 16:59

Ds has a PS4 (as does Dh). They take discs but there will be games you can download online too.

Celebelly · 24/11/2019 17:00

PlayStation 4 is the newest version. There's also the Playstation 4 Pro which is just a slightly upgraded model (mainly for if you have a 4K TV), but they play the same games. All come with a disc slot.

Fraggle45 · 24/11/2019 17:00

The new ps5 is due to be released sept/Oct so I'd be a bit wary of spending loads on the PS4

dementedpixie · 24/11/2019 17:06

That's nearly a year away! PS4 will be fine for your needs this year

Fraggle45 · 24/11/2019 17:42

It's a year away but it be disappointed to buy an expensive console and not realise it will be outdated very soon

Celebelly · 24/11/2019 17:47

There's usually quite a lengthy crossover time between them anyway. When we got our first PS4, there were still a lot of games still coming out on PS3 for a pretty long time after as we had both hooked on and switched between frequently. The PS5 will also cost a lot more when it comes out, probably around the £400+ mark v the £250 you'll pay for a PS4.

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 19:21

So a 4 will only work for a year?! I thought it was the equivalent of when each new iPhone comes out... you don’t have the most recent but still works perfectly fine?? Balls. Maybe we need to go back to the idea of an Xbox then?? I don’t have a 4K tv or whatever they are called I don’t think. Only bought it last year!

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Celebelly · 24/11/2019 19:28

It will work perfectly fine. It will continue to play all the games that are currently out and new games for a good period of time after the new one is released.

Wheresmycider · 24/11/2019 19:30

If you do get one for a Christmas present, set it up in advance for a bit as there are usually loads of software updates and game patches to download. That way you are free to plug and play on Christmas day

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 19:31

Is it simple enough though? I’m not great with technology. What will I need? How do I set up parental restrictions/control? Will it tell me how to do all that?

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Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 19:32

Would it be better to buy second hand if we aren’t going to get long from it?

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GonnaBeMaayy · 24/11/2019 19:33

You don’t need a 4K tv.

A normal ps4 will probably suit your needs. You should be some deals (or bundles, as they are called) available from the likes of Argos.

A ps4 will continue to work even if a new console should be released.

Beware that some ps4 games are aimed at online play, which is accessed through an online membership paid either monthly, 6 monthly or yearly. It’s called PlayStationPlus

GonnaBeMaayy · 24/11/2019 19:35

www.playstation.com/en-gb/get-help/help-library/my-account/parental-controls/ps4-parental-controls/

Lots of self help things through PlayStation

gamerchick · 24/11/2019 19:39

I'm not sure where you get that Xbox is different to playstation in terms of games OP. Fwiw I still use my original Xbox and 360 and they're a fair age now.

The only difference really for the casual gamer is the exclusive games so it depends on what they want to play/are they going online/ what do their friends play. There was plenty of games you can get for both though.

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 19:40

Yes dc said about that, seems Xbox is the same. Pain in the arse but from what I gather does restrict things if we didn’t have it. Iv seen a couple of deals for that but no deals for the consoles yet.

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Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 19:41

I had a look at Xbox and didn’t seem a lot for them to play (young teen and pre teens) just fifa and fortnite whereas on PlayStation there looks to be more.

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Creas35 · 24/11/2019 19:43

Why don’t you get a switch, the games are more child friendly. You can use it on the tv or handheld and it’s really easy to use. We have a PS4 and a switch and we all prefer the switch (Nintendo)

AllStarBySmashMouth · 24/11/2019 19:48

Hi OP. Long time devoted PlayStation player here.

A PlayStation is pretty simple to hook up. It really is just plug it in and play. Has a power cable and an HDMI into your telly.

A PS4 will work just fine when the PS5 comes out. My PS2 and PS3 are still connected up and I still use both frequently.

To be quite honest, there is not a big difference in Xbox/PS games. Most games release on both consoles. However there are exclusives. Halo is only on Xbox, Uncharted is only on PlayStation, etc. Although personally I think PS has better games - that's why I've stuck with them for 20 years!

I'm sure there are parental controls, although I've never used them.

If you have any more questions, just ask.

MsMellivora · 24/11/2019 19:48

Find out which console their friends have before you buy anything.

GonnaBeMaayy · 24/11/2019 19:49

I’m with AllStar. I’ve played an Xbox but switched back to ps. I enjoy the ps I'm

gamerchick · 24/11/2019 19:50

I had a look at Xbox and didn’t seem a lot for them to play (young teen and pre teens) just fifa and fortnite whereas on PlayStation there looks to be more

The vast majority of games get released on both. It's only exclusives that aren't.

You seem to be leaning towards a playstation though and that fine.

Pinkbonbon · 24/11/2019 19:57

I have an Xbox, there's tons available for younger generations on the games pass.

Think I'd be peeved if I bought the ps4 and the ps5 was released a year later lol.

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 20:05

Where do you see what games come up on game pass? Iv only looked at the actual cases/games?

We already have a switch. The only thing they play on that really is fortnite and fifa. My eldest can’t get to grips with playing on the switch (has SN) and was going to fork out for the pro controller or whatever they are called but looking to get new console instead. Their friends are a mix of both which doesn’t help me!

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Obviouspretzel · 24/11/2019 20:10

It doesn't make any difference that the ps5 is coming out in a year's time in my opinion. It will be massively expensive for a good long while when it first comes out and most games will likely be on both for a few years.

Wonderingwhyme · 24/11/2019 20:40

Ok. Thanks.

So there aren’t different versions of the PlayStation 4 like there is a different version of the Xbox?

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