5 Surprising Ways PS5 Beats Switch 2 in Consumer Friendliness!

In many cases, the term “consumer-friendly” is more of a marketing strategy than an accurate reflection of reality. Ultimately, most businesses aim to take your money rather than prioritize your interests.

But there are scales to this sort of stuff, and some organisations tend to be fairer than others.

PlayStation has frequently been labeled as one of the least consumer-friendly gaming companies; this perspective can be traced back to the PS3 era, during which the console’s initial price tag of $599 quickly gained notoriety and became a popular joke.

Before we delve further into this piece, it’s important to emphasize that Sony continues to make many choices open to criticism, and there is certainly no lack of points for critique.

Despite the buzz about expensive software for the Switch 2, we thought it would be helpful to gather some reasons why the PS5 seems a bit more reasonable in comparison at this moment.

For Starters, Party Chat Is Free

As the Internet pondered over the enigmatic C button on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, curiosity abounded about its potential features.

It turns out, it’s just party chart.

Here’s the catch: To fully utilize the C button, it requires an active subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. For those who are new buyers, there’s a free trial offered, but after that, there will be a charge.

It’s important to note that certain community functions in Sony’s platform are exclusive to PS Plus membership. For instance, the underestimated Share Play feature, which enables a friend to remotely control your console and enjoy “local” multiplayer games online, is a premium service.

Fundamentally, the essential social features of Party Chat have remained gratis on PlayStation 5, a practice that’s continued for more than one console generation.

Honestly, Upgrades Seem Fairer

Sony has faced intense backlash from various internet sectors due to its focus on remastered games, yet compared to Nintendo’s currently unveiled strategies, their method – though not flawless – appears more equitable.

Since its debut, backward compatibility has allowed numerous games to perform optimally on the PlayStation 5 rather than the PlayStation 4. Titles such as Days Gone and Horizon Zero Dawn have received complimentary upgrades, enhancing their frame rates and resolution.

This game is somewhat akin to what Nintendo provides with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but it comes with some additional, non-essential mobile app features and costs an extra $10. However, it’s important to note that for the Zelda games specifically, having an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription gives you these upgrades at no additional cost.

However, Sony opted to charge $10 for upgrades that included full-fledged remasters. Yet, we haven’t had enough sneak peeks of Days Gone Remastered to determine if it will be a worthwhile upgrade. Previous endeavors like Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us 2 Remastered have shown remarkable enhancements. In fact, the former offers an extensive visual transformation beyond just a resolution boost.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that several $10 enhancements offered by Sony often include fresh content, such as the roguelike mode in The Last of Us 2 Remastered. On the other hand, Nintendo might require a $20 payment for the new features found in Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.

It’s important to note that while PlayStation is generally excellent, it’s not flawless. For instance, in terms of recent releases like The Last of Us: Part 1 and Until Dawn, both remakes, there has been no option for upgrades. Sony argues that they have rebuilt these games from scratch, but for the sake of transparency, we thought it necessary to mention this aspect.

Full Games Tend to Be Included on Discs

Most video games these days come with updates on the release date itself, known as day one patches. While this might not be our preference, it’s due to the gap between a game being finalized (going gold) and reaching consumers. During this manufacturing period, developers frequently make improvements to their games. As a result, you’ll often find that your new physical games require updates when you first play them.

Rarely does a game launch on the PlayStation 5 without being playable right away. Have there been instances where this has occurred? Yes, though such cases are incredibly uncommon.

Nintendo is launching a new model called the Switch 2, which they’re referring to as Game Key Cards. These cards enable game developers to provide a tangible item for purchase, however, it needs to be downloaded onto your system once obtained.

Although you can still sell or trade it, you’ll need to connect to the internet and download the game first before you can actually play it.

Pondering over this brings up various conservation concerns: How might your software fare in the long run, should Nintendo decide to close their servers someday? What would happen if they stop managing the eShop for Switch 2, similar to how they’ve handled the Wii U and 3DS stores already?

As a pioneer, you probably won’t face this issue, but when it comes to physical PlayStation 5 games, rest assured that the disc will generally remain accessible for installation in one form or another.

First-Party Software Is Cheaper (For Now)

The price of a first-party PS5 game at $69.99 might seem high, but it’s less expensive compared to the new standard Nintendo is attempting to implement. For instance, Mario Kart World costs $79.99 brand new in the U.S., while its physical edition in Europe retails for €89.99 (approximately $99 USD), which many would find exorbitant.

As a dedicated gamer, it appears Nintendo’s strategy is leaning towards adaptable pricing. The upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza game will align with Sony’s first-party games, priced at $69.99. However, if you’re not planning to upgrade titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, you’ll find yourself paying $79.99 for the Switch 2 Editions straight away.

It’s also worth mentioning that Sony tends to discount faster and deeper than its Japanese rival.

Despite losing some appeal over time, Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo eShop has never dropped below $49.99 – only once at that price. On the other hand, a similar exclusive like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has dipped as low as $39.99 on the PlayStation Store at least three times.

From a positive perspective, Nintendo’s hesitation to lower prices helps maintain the resale value of their products, an aspect that could be valued by some consumers.

It’s important to note that Sony isn’t entirely innocent in this situation. Lately, they’ve followed the trend of charging extra for early access. For example, if you want Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, it will cost you $69.99. However, if you wish to play it as soon as possible, you’ll have to pay an additional $10, making the total price $79.99.

Indeed, it surpasses Nintendo’s latest reveals, yet it’s undeniable that things seem to be moving towards an unfavorable trajectory.

Retro Games Can Be Purchased Outside of Subscription

It’s worth noting that while playing The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on the Switch 2 requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can directly buy a digital version to play games like Ape Escape or Dino Crisis on the PS5.

In comparison, some believe that Nintendo boasts a more enticing library of retro games compared to what you can access with PS Plus Premium. Moreover, subscribing to Nintendo Switch’s membership is less costly than PlayStation’s highest tier, even though Sony offers significantly more value for the price they charge.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that you can buy games such as Resident Evil: Director’s Cut, Sly Cooper, and Everybody’s Golf individually. Many of these titles offer complete Trophy lists, making revisiting them from a contemporary viewpoint significantly more engaging because they have been updated.

It’s evident that Sony hasn’t been flawless during this generation, and there have been numerous questionable decisions made. Many commentators may find it noteworthy that the price of the PS5 Pro stands at $699, as well as the recurring price hikes Sony has imposed on its platform.

We’ll always keep the company under scrutiny for its doubtful decisions, but let’s not forget to appreciate the positive aspects. In this case, there are indeed some appealing features about the PS5 that make it worthy of praise when compared to the Switch 2 as of now.

2025-04-04 17:07

For Starters, Party Chat Is Free

Honestly, Upgrades Seem Fairer

Full Games Tend to Be Included on Discs

First-Party Software Is Cheaper (For Now)

Retro Games Can Be Purchased Outside of Subscription

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