As a lifetime PC gamer, I wholeheartedly agree. There were many console games I had been envious about in the PS2, PS3 or PS4 era. Now? Nope, nothing. Partially because the industry got so bad I'm hardly interested in most new games, but the exclusives are pretty much non-existent in the genres I'm interested in.

I play some Xbox SEX but I bought a PS5 on a whim when I had a (then-)rare chance in 2022, and it's still unopened in my closet.

I just assumed it's because I'm busy and wished I had more time. But now that you mention it, not a lot of must-play games. Even Elden Ring on Xbox, I could've played on PC just fine.

When the new FF7 remaster episode comes out I'll probably set it up then.

Steam Deck is the MVP of this Gen, for sure.

I already skipped the ps4 and instead built a PC, as you can see from my avatar Sony doesn't have anything to offer me anymore since japanese third parties started porting everything to PC and they closed down japan studio.

Also the PC version is often not censored or at least has a patch.

I think if console is your way of gaming then upgrading to a PS4 or XBSX is alright.

Personally I only bought an XSS because it was relatively cheap last year (plus Gamepass with the £1 upgrade offer) but I'm done with future consoles now. PC gaming doesn't have to expensive so that's the way forward for myself.

I think as someone who enjoys being in the zeitgeist of gaming. The switch is still kind of non debatable. It has way too many varied and strong first parties. While Sony doesn't have as many. Most of their game release within the GotY range currently so also worth it.

If you are a normal gamer. You are correct in some way. Realistically I may recommend Xbox in favour basically only for gamepass. It's cheaper than a PC post graphics card gouge and is less scary to newcomers. Their gamepass is also slightly better.

I'm waiting to see the switch successor. I have used mines like a lot. That, and my Retroid Pocket.

I gotta be honest I am waiting for the inevitable PS5 Pro because nothing is out this gen that interests me and the AAAs are mostly duds at this point, something we saw a lot of last gen. Industry is due a large adjustment.

If Sony brings Demons souls remake to pc then I'll agree with you. I'm still holding out for that one.

I abandoned consoles in after the 7th gen (360/PS3 era). Like you said, with exclusives being few and far between, I see no reason to own anything other than a PC. Every game I want to play eventually comes to the platform; even Switch exclusives run at full speed, and upscale to 4K rather nicely.

I mostly game on consoles, but we're multiple years into this generation and there still isn't anything I'm interested in that isn't on PS4 too.

However, I'll get the next Nintendo console. The switch was more than worth it. A steam deck could work too, I guess, but I liked quite a lot of Nintendos exclusives.

I own a ps5, a switch and Surface Go 1 running Linux for administrative work. It’s my perfect combo.

For sure, I’m mostly playing Ps4 games on my ps5, but I wouldn’t be able to play demanding games on my ps4.

Newer games aren’t available on ps4 and I hope it’s gonna be a really long generation as I hope they’re not gonna try to make us upgrade to a ps6 in a few years. I don’t really care about crazy graphics anymore as I think we’ve reached a really nice point and AAA games are already so expensive to produce.

I kind of only play on the PlayStation 5 as the switch is for my kids.

A Steam Deck could also be a nice replacement for my Surface Go as it would allow me to play some PC strategy games.

I'll wait and see what Nintendo announce, but it's likely that I'll be skipping this gen too.

There are very few AAA games that actually interest me right now. I have little reason to get a PS5 and even fewer reasons to buy an Xbox Series console. If hell truly freezes over and the Switch successor turns out to be a far more powerful console with better online capabilities, then I just might buy it.

Really comes down to what you’re looking for.

I'll admit, since most games are playable on the ps4 instead, currently it does make some sense to skip ps5.

The only ones I can think of that I wouldn't have missed are Returnal and Spiderman 2, but returnal is pretty difficult and not for everyone. I wouldn't have missed Spider-man 2, but I loved the first one. It's pretty short but amazing.

That being said, I love the speed and graphics of the PS5. Worth it to me for that.

The PS5 is just a PS4 with new design and a bit better performance. No Exclusives because the developers know, that on pc they can just plug in a controller and have the same feeling ( And even on a handheld, aka Steamdeck... ). My recommendation:

A handheld PC ( SteamDeck ( my favourite ) or the ROG Ally )

Differences:

Steamdeck: 2 Trackpads are really great! You can easily work with games that are mouse heavy. ( I use it for shooter games ) Fully customizable buttons ( literally everything, with even sub menus, alternative modes, community layouts etc... ) Joysticks are on the same height. Linux, less overhead and longer gaming sessions. ( You can tinker more on linux than on windows, but valve did a great job on not locking you in so you can easily install any OS that runs steam ;D ) Repairability is the best! ( Valve has a cooperation with IFixit with replacement parts ) Upgradeability is easy ( For example bigger storage, better thumbsticks ) They hear to the community of gamers and repairers. Pausing games is so easy ( Just press the power button and it saves the game where it is and saves power ) Its back again in under 5 seconds.

( Just to note those "Gamepass" Games can be easily installed if you just install windows on the steam deck if you want it )

ROG Ally: No trackpad ( so only controller optimized games ) Windows ( A lot of overhead but best compatibility with games. ) ROGs software is sometimes a bit clunky but usable. Joysticks are not on the same height. You can plug a external GPU with a proprietary plug. ( Literally a GPU in a box with some extra costs, but it improves performance on some gpu intensive games )

I haven't found a compelling reason to not just build a solid gaming pc, then buy a Chromecast and steam link to it.

Latency is quite low on a wired connection, I can stream 4k to my TV, and I can use an Xbox controller. You literally couldn't tell me the difference most of the time.

I'm rocking an 11th gen Intel i9, 4060 ti, and gigabit network wired between PC <-> chromecast.

Just make sure you get the latest chromecast that can handle 4k streaming though!

Not to wire ethernet into a chromecast, you need a USB c adapter, those dongles that take in USB C power, ethernet, etc. It has a single fully functional USB c port, so you can also connect wired USB and all the jazz to it if needed.