Should I buy a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One? It depends.

Sony and Microsoft both offer a near-identical service, which allows you to access online multiplayer games and offer "free" games (as long as you remain a paid subscriber).

In the case of Sony, the service is PlayStation Network; In the case of Microsoft, it is called Xbox Live. They cost about the same amount ($ 60 / year) and offer access to online games on their respective platforms. They both distribute a handful of free games to paying subscribers each month, so you can play as long as you continue to subscribe.

The PlayStation Network and Xbox Live are standard services of the industry at this stage, and barely compare. They are almost identical. What sets each console apart in the service department is its Netflix-type gaming services: PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass.

With PlayStation Now, users can play more than 650 PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 games on a PlayStation 4 or PC. Games run elsewhere – you just start playing. It costs $ 20 a month, or $ 100 a year.

With Game Pass, users can download and play over 100 original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games on the Xbox One. It costs $ 10 / month. Better yet: all the games published by Microsoft appear on Game Pass at launch, including the next big games "Halo" and "Forza". It's one of the best deals available in games for this alone.

Xbox Game Pass is a powerful argument for owning an Xbox One, and offers a glimpse into the future of video game consoles. Instead of dropping $ 60 per game, $ 10 a month offers access to a massive library that includes major new games. This is huge .