As far as "products" go, the PS5 (disc Edition) is this is the single best purchase I have ever made (second only to a great memory foam mattress topper) that immediately improved my quality of life. This is the best price on the PS5 Disc edition available anywhere full stop. I play games with my family and friends now and it's the one time everyone puts their phones away (except when we need an online guide). I know I am late to the literal and proverbial game but WOW, the PS5 wins the day among the major consoles by a mile. The elements that give it the edge over XBOX X are the controller design and haptics, clean and intuitive UI, and most importantly the Sony exclusive games.
This is the best price on the PS5 Disc edition. It includes the game of the year title "Astro Bot." It's in many ways the ultimate integration of the controller haptics and gameplay available on the platform (it's not my style but my spouse LOVED it, beat it in 2 days). I would be very carefully to tend to the box and keep everything immaculate, keep the original zip ties and don't tear any plastic pieces. This particular edition will have substantial resale value. Sales of this unit appear to be region restricted and sell out right away. The same system is selling for $550-$600 on eBay unopened already.
I have come full circle in a lot of ways as the game that really got me hooked when I could care less about video games was the original Final Fantasy 7 on PS1. It's 2025 and the developer (Square Enix) have recaptured the magic with their remake that's being released as a trilogy (it will go the way of "Mass Effect Legendary" and come as an all in one soon enough) but "Final Fantasy 7 Remake was amazing while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a masterpiece so exquisite I am stunned it didn't win game of the year but there was steep competition.
Parents out there, rather than fork out $500 for a Switch II or $400 for the OLED original (if that's what your kid wants) go with the PS5 and go with the "Astro Bot Edition" (especially if they're on the younger side). That way, the console and gameplay stays at home where it becomes an interactive entertainment focal point. This is a difficult call because Zelda BOTW and TOTK are 2 of the greatest games ever made and are exclusive to Nintendo. However, they end up putting a literal digital wall between you and your kid at restaurants and road trips etc.
