Topic: What playstation should I purchase?

Hi all, I am mostly a PC gamer, although there is some kinda xbox thing kicking around in a closet because I can't get mass effect to run under linux because origin sucks. So that's kinda where I am at on console knowledge.

I am finally feeling that I will (today) cave under the pressure to purchase my first playstation since the '90s because of my inability to conveniently play playstation exclusive titles without appropriate hardware. The titles that pushed me over the edge in this case are The Last of Us, parts one and two, however if I own the playstation, I might then use it eventually to try out the VR portions of Ace Combat 7 as well (which were not included in the PC version), and who knows, maybe some other thing some other time.

But, I do 99% of my gaming on PC, and don't want to spend more money than I must. I also hate dealing with optical media, and would prefer a solution that allows me to do my game purchases and gaming-in-general without need to use an optical drive.

Can anyone direct me to the best playstation package/model/starterkit to obtain for these purposes?

@SomethingAwkward There is no digitial only PS4 available currently, PS5 will have a digital only model but that is not out until later this year. PS4 slim would be the cheapest option for you at the moment. You can play some PS4 exclusives on PS Now on PC, but you are going to have to play the waiting game for something like TLOU2 to appear on there, and certain titles like God of War have already been on there and I'm not sure if they will be back.

@SomethingAwkward So, you can buy a PS4 or PS4 Pro today and just purchase your games digitally. Even if there's no all-digital model, there's no reason you'd need to buy discs for it.

But keep in mind that a new console generation begins this year, so the majority of Sony's resources will be going to the PS5 after it releases this holiday season. Additionally, the PS5 will be backwards-compatible with PS4 games, and will probably be able to play a number of the big ones with improved performance.

So, ideally, if you want to keep up with Sony's games over the next half-decade or more, you'll get a PS5. That's getting an a digital-only version as well, which will likely be cheaper than the base model.

If you just want to play a few PS4 games and don't care about playing games coming out in the near future, then PS4 is more affordable and available right now.

@Ralizah Thank you so much for the cogent explanation. I will take your advice and hold off for a PS5.

P.S.: I love your signature line, because, me too. <3

@SomethingAwkward LOL It's a play on the words of Hiroshi Yamauchi, a former president of Nintendo who was asked why the PS1 outsold the N64. Allegedly, he replied that Japanese gamers "like to be alone in their rooms and play depressing games."

But yeah, I'm notoriously hermetic in my family, and well-known for my dislike of unearned happy endings, so it fits me as well.