I know this is a PC site, but I really like the community on GOG, so hopefully I won't get flamed. I've been thinking more and more about buying either a PS4 or a Xbone. I love playing games on my Laptop, but I grew up on consoles, so that's where my core gaming experience always gravitates toward. I'm leaning toward the PS4 because of the slightly cheaper price point, but internet access is my main concern on either console. I don't have internet access at my home, it's unavailable where I live, and have to pack up and go to my father's house when I need to download games for my laptop, or update my consoles. This is a real hassle, have 2 young children and limited play time.

I know online activity was a major selling point for both consoles. So in y'all's experience, which console would be best for my situation?

Thanks ahead of time for any advice.

I'd recommend setting up a self made console with a nice box type case, XBMC (cool and simple menu to start games, movies, audio, etc...), get a pc remote like the rii Mini and some gamepads (PS3, XBox, Gamecube, Wii, PC-Saitek, anything that fits your needs, there are usb adapters for everything anyway) and load it full with your PC, PS2, GameCube, Wii, N64, whatever games in HD.

If this is too much work for you, I'd prefer the PS4 over Microsofts stuff anytime, but are there even controllers with cables? I only know Infamous: Second Son and they seem to force you to use motion control and therefore this new gamepad, but I don't know for sure.

Why not consider buying one of the older consoles, Xbox360 or PS3, the games are cheap and plenty while the current generation doesn't have a library to speak of.
I would at least wait a year with the current gen consoles to see what's left when the dust settles and to see if the Steam Machine is going to be promising.

The other big PS4 exclusive is Infamous: Second Son, a game that's already out and received decent reviews.

Like others have said, though, if you really want to game on a console *now*, getting the previous generation XB360 or PS3 would probably be the better choice. Game development for the new consoles has been rather slow...

You're absolutely right. I also forgot to mention Killzone: Shadow Fall ( another game currently out for PS4).

how about play RL survival game till next year and buy Steammachine? :)

Not wanting to be doomsayer, but there have been news/rumours about the current console gen staying around shorter than the previous ones. One reason being the rise of VR like Oculusrift - which simple demands more juice from the machines than current gen consoles can give.

So the chances are, next gen will be marketed around the VR tech. No one ofcourse knows for sure and its just speculation....but thats something to keep in mind in any case.

http://www.mweb.co.za/games/ViewNewsArticle/tabid/2549/Article/13634/Xbox-One-and-PS4-to-have-a-shorter-lifespan-than-previous-generations.aspx

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/games/1304143/ps4-and-xbox-one-to-have-shorter-lifespans-claim-ea-and-sony

http://wccftech.com/ps4-xbox-successors-arrive-sooner-amd/

I don't have either (Hopefully at some point I'll get a PS3), but based on everything I've heard you'll want to pick up a PS4. Besides the internet thing (the Xbone requires some internet stuff), the PS4 is cheaper and a better machine, but I would wait for a bit longer to see if any good exclusives come out for either. So far I can't think of anything terribly notable for either of them. There's going to be a cheaper version of the Xbone coming soon without the Eye of Doom, so that would also be a good thing to wait for if you start to lean in that direction.

Edit: Yeah, if you really want a console right now, I would suggest getting either a PS3 or a 360, as they have plenty of good games right now.

Edit 2: The WiiU is pretty good too, actually, when it gets good support. I have a friend who has one, just don't buy WB Games for it.

Here is a comparison chart for the Xbox One, the PS4 and the Wii U

http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/PS4_vs._Xbox_One_vs._Wii_U_Comparison_Chart#Hardware_Feature_Comparison

And here is a list of games (current and upcoming) for Xbox One and PS4

http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/PS4_Games_vs_Xbox_One_Games

Personally of you really want a "next gen" console I would ask if you can wait until just after Christmas. The bundles that they have right now are okay, but after Christmas when shops and companies are after your cash you can often find console + 2 games for the same price as some 1 game bundles. Plus you should by then have a wider choice of games to choose from too.

As for the consoles, I personally go with Nintendo because I cannot get their games on PC, but Sony have constantly shown to have the more reliable consoles with a wide range of games available, and if you are a graphics whore - BUY A PROPPER PC!!

Sold.

I have a PS4 and Wii U and don't regret buying either of them. PS4 has the issue that you tend to have a lot of critical day-one patches of late, but is otherwise perfectly capable as an offline console. While the PS4 is a console that is designed to be online but works fine offline, the Wii U is a console that is designed to be either. If you keep the Wii U offline, you'd probably never even realise that there were online functions (unlike the PS4, which makes a point of saying it can't connect with many functions).

The Wii U is the least powerful of the new gen, but it also has the best library of this gen at present, and is by far (and is likely to remain) the leader when it comes to local multiplayer, especially when you have kids in the house. There's actually comparatively little of interest for two young children on either the PS4 or Xbox One - perhaps LEGO Hobbit or LEGO Marvel Super Heroes - both of which are available on the Wii U.

On the Wii U, you have Nintendo Land, Rabbids Land, Game & Wario, Wii Party U, Super Mario 3D World, New Super Mario Bros. U, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, all superb local multiplayer games. Oh, and Mario Kart 8.

The PS4 is a wonderful console with gorgeous visuals, but it remains to be seen how much "kid-friendly" stuff there will be. In fact, the only decent local multiplayer game I've been able to find is Child of Light (which, again, is available on the Wii U).

If I were you, I'd invest that money in my PC . But that's just me...

Go for the PS4. It and the Xbox One are nearly the same, except in regards to the graphics card - The PS4 has a +50% advantage over the Xbone. That means more games are apt to come to the PS4, and they will look better too.

However, a 360 or PS3 would be a better investment for now, because they have established libraries. That would allow you to wait for the newer machines to get revisions, price cuts, and expanded catalogs. The biggest reason to jump onto the bandwagon now is for the multiplayer, because those environments tend to thrive and die relatively quickly.