Is a PS4 Worth It?

I can't speak to the amount of value it would have to your son. However, if his major intent is to play online with friends, then make sure you (and he) do your due diligence to make sure that can happen.

We have a PS3. And from what I understand, the PS4 is not backwards compatible (first time they've not done that), and you can't play online with others who aren't also using PS4. I may not be correct, it's only word of mouth that I've heard... but do your research into what it can and CANNOT do, before you spend. If compatibility is an issue, you need to know what his friends are playing on...

Try consumer reports, and definitely talk to a worker at Best Buy I found that they are there not to make a sale. They tell you the pros and cons of big purchases because if they sell it and you return it looks bad on their review. Have your son with you also so he can ask questions to its best he hears about why it might not be a good buy from them.

We love our PS4! PS3 and 360 will be obsolete in the next few years.... (i have two ps3s too). The online isn't free.. you pay for Playstation Plus, but it gives a few free games every month (Dec we got Injustice... awesome game). Still cheaper than 360 online where you don't get games like that. There's a reason Sony outsells Microsoft- way better product.. I'd probably do the ps4 so he can play the newer games coming out because like I said ps3 will be obsolete. Not backwards comp. but neither was the slim ps3.. only the original release ps3s were.

We have a ps4. Within the next few year or two the 360 will become oobsolete because of Microsoft new system the Xbox one. There will be some games he can not get one the ps4 because they are Xbox exclusive but it goes the other way around. Personally I enjoy the ps4 better then our Xbox one. If he wants to get the new system have him trade in his old Xbox and games and such at gamestop for a new ps4 it will save him money and from experience once he trades up to a new system the old will never get touches again.

My kids have both a PS3 and an Xbox 360. They definitely prefer the PS3 over the Xbox. They have a few games they like on the Xbox, but they buy most of their games for the PS3. I suspect that the PS4 will be better than the PS3 and definitely better than the Xbox 360.

My kids didn't want the PS4 when it came out for the reasons Isn'tthisfun? gave you. We have a PS3 and are very happy with it (my kids are 20,16,14,12) And we're pretty much an anti-Microsoft household, so the Xbox was not a consideration (our computers are all Linux-based). My suggestion is to have him buy a PS3 and use the extra money for games.

We just bought a new PS3 for the kids for xmas. They are 15 and 12. We asked them if they wanted the 3 or 4 or xbox and they wanted the 3, even though the 4 is out now. They have the 3 at their dads and know of all the games they like and most of them are not available on the 4 yet. So we bought them the 3 and they are happy with it and over the next couple months will be getting all their favorite games for it. Their dad literally has every PS and xbox that has come out and my kids like the PS better. I don't know why but that's what they've said. Good luck.