Today, both Microsoft and Sony launched new sales. On Xbox, we have the Ultimate Game Sale, a seven day event that discounts a total of 31 games, including Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Destiny, and Watch Dogs. On PlayStation, we've got the Critics' Choice Sale, which discounts, well, "critics' choics" like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dark Souls II, and Diablo III.
Great deals can be found on both platforms — we're talking hundreds of dollars in potential savings. If you only own of the two platforms, the choice is pretty easy. But what if you own both Xbox and PlayStation systems? We've compared the sales so you can maximize your savings.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- $45 on PS4 or PS3
- $40.19 on Xbox One or Xbox 360
- Winner: Xbox Ultimate Game Sale: Unless you've got a set of friends that are playing on PlayStation, Xbox is probably the way to go for Advanced Warfare. Plus, Microsoft has that whole time exclusivity deal with Activision meaning all DLC is released first on Xbox.
Destiny
- $39.59 on PS4 or PS3
- $40.19 on Xbox One or Xbox 360
- Winner: PlayStation Critics' Choice Sale: It's only 60 cents cheaper, but the fact that Sony has a deal with Activision for exclusive Destiny content makes PlayStation the best platform for the game.
Telltale Games Collection
- $44 on PS4
- $65.99 (or $55 with Gold) on Xbox One
- Winner: PlayStation Critics' Choice Sale: Even if you're an Xbox LIVE Gold member, you're still paying $11 less on PlayStation.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
- $24.99 on PS4 or PS3
- $33.49 (or $29.99 with Gold) on Xbox One
- Winner: PlayStation Critics' Choice Sale: Once again, PlayStation has Xbox beat on this, though it's only a $5 difference.
South Park: The Stick of Truth
- $14.99 on PS3
- $17.99 (or $14.99 with Gold) on Xbox 360
- Winner: Draw: Assuming you're an Xbox LIVE Gold member, both platforms offer the game at the same discounted price. However, if you aren't a Gold member, I'd opt for the PlayStation version as it's $3 cheaper.
FIFA 15
- $29.99 on PS4 or PS3
- $35.99 (or $29.99 with Gold) on Xbox 360
- Winner: PlayStation Critics' Choice Sale: Microsof tmay offer FIFA 15 at the same price if you're a Gold member, but that's only the Xbox 360 version. If you want it on Xbox One, you're out of luck. For that reason, I'd opt for the PlayStation Critics' Sale, especially if you have a PS4 where it's also available for $29.99.
Other than these titles, both sales offer completely different games. Below are some of my recommendations:
PlayStation Critics' Choice Sale
- Dragon Age: Inquisition – $35.99
- Dark Souls II – $19.99
- Far Cry 4 – $35.99
- Child of Light – $6.00
- Batman: Arkham City
- Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) – $11.99
- Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition – $14.00
- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition – $32.99
Xbox Ultimate Game Sale (sale price/Gold sale price)
- Alien: Isolation ($29.99/$24.00)
- Forza Motorsport 5 ($33.49/$29.99)
- Far Cry 3 for Xbox 360 ($7.59/$5.99)
- Batman: Arkham City for Xbox 360 ($6.59/$4.99)
- Mass Effect for Xbox 360 ($4.99/$3.99)
If I had to pick a winner — because the gaming industry LOVES a good ol' fashion console war, I'd have to pick PlayStation. Not only do they have the cheaper sale prices, but I also think they have a better selection of games to choose from.
