The PlayStation 4 has a more sleek form factor and wider game lineup than the Xbox One, but neither of those factors are guaranteed to bring the system success in finicky consumer markets like Japan. Gears of War, a first-person shooter that was unpopular with many attendees, did not fit well with the Japanese market. In fact, the first-person-shooter genre has become the least popular gaming genre in Japan.
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 fans should be happy to know that the newest console is taking a backseat to PCs at the Tokyo Game Show. The event runs from September 15 to 18 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Treasure first teased the upcoming game, Radiant Silvergun, back in June. Now, players can get their hands on the title in PC-friendly form through Steam.
Sony’s PlayStation 4 has a massive library, featuring games from the previous generation. Although Sony is having a few delays with its major games, the PlayStation 4 has an edge over its rivals. The PlayStation Plus Collection gives PlayStation owners access to PlayStation games from previous generations. Sony’s PlayStation 5 also launched with good first-party support, including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. However, Sony is still struggling with delays in major titles such as God of War Ragnarok and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Xbox One
Sony’s PlayStation 4 has a sleeker design and a bigger game catalog, but that doesn’t guarantee success in finicky consumer markets like Japan. The first-person shooter Gears of War is a recent release for the PlayStation 4, but many attendees found it ill-suited for the system. In addition, the genre isn’t particularly popular in Japan.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s keynote left some confused audience members. It was unclear why the company wants to target younger gamers by offering simpler control devices. Instead of a dedicated show floor, however, they had a giant theater that showed off trailers of upcoming games.
Nintendo’s Switch
Nintendo’s Switch may have the slimmest form factor, but it’s not inconspicuous. It can be carried in a work bag or a tote and is no stranger to the public. However, there have been a few criticisms of Nintendo’s design choices and the console has been dubbed a Game Boy for grownups. Despite that, the Switch does feel like a grown-up device.
Microsoft and Nintendo both presented keynotes that confused many game show goers. During the Nintendo keynote, Satoru Iwata explained that his company wanted to appeal to younger players with simpler controls. He also showed some demographic data and sales figures to back his claims.
Sega’s Vita
The PlayStation Vita and PCs were the star attractions at the Tokyo Game Show, and Sega’s handheld device took a back seat to the handhelds. The Japanese market is quickly shifting to portable gaming devices, and this trend is expected to continue in the West.
Sega is showcasing Sonic Frontiers alongside Atlus and Sony, who are bringing re-releases of Persona 3 and Persona 4. Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation 2 and One Piece Odyssey are also set to be shown off. The show will also feature the Japan Game Awards.
Sony’s PlayStation 5
At the Tokyo game show, Sony’s PlayStation 5 was the hottest ticket, but it’s clear that the PC is still ahead of the PlayStation 5. PC gaming has been booming for years and is now a multibillion dollar industry. Yet, Sony has little presence in PC and mobile gaming. Its CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, called this “a niche market” and is keen to make it as attractive and profitable as possible.
The PlayStation 5 isn’t the most advanced console on the market, but it does offer an exceptional gaming experience. The dualSense force feedback support, developed by game developers, is a standout feature. Although the games themselves are similar, there are differences in the graphical quality.
Sega’s PlayStation 4
Sega’s PlayStation 4 may take a backseat to PCs at the Tokyo game show. The Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association recently revealed the show’s streaming schedule. Sega’s PlayStation 4 will be a distant presence in the show’s halls, as it is listed under the “Indie Game Corner” section.
Sony’s PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3 is no longer the king of consoles, but it still has a few notable advantages over PCs. While the console was once extremely expensive, it has recovered from this setback with the help of strong support from Japanese developers who refused to work with the Xbox 360. As a result, PlayStation 3’s exclusives are much different than those of the Xbox 360. Early models included backwards compatibility with PS2, though later models have eliminated the need for the hardware. All PlayStation 3 consoles support original PlayStation games, even the cheapest ones.