Man explains why decade old gaming console is the 'best deal in gaming' in 2026

While the PlayStation 5 is all the rage right now, one YouTuber suggests going for something a little older instead, as he proposes that a decade-old console is actually the 'best deal in gaming'.

Consoles are more expensive than they've ever been due to the complex and powerful components found inside, but there's arguably never been less of a gap between generations when looking back into the gaming industry's history.

Anyone who grew up with the early consoles will be able to remember quite how much of a jump there was between something like the original PlayStation and PS2, as graphics genuinely evolved beyond expectations with new technological advancements.

It's certainly impressive quite how realistic graphics can be these days – especially when you consider new options like ray tracing – but there is still a sense of diminishing returns, especially for gamers who are more on the casual side of things.

That's why popular gaming YouTuber Austin Evans has revealed a surprising suggestion to his millions of subscribers, explaining why we might want to consider picking up a PlayStation 4 this year despite it being nearly 13 years old.

As shared by Supercar Blondie, the first and most obvious consideration relates to price, as even the performance-boosted PS4 Pro is significantly cheaper than buying a new PS5 right now.

You can get a used PS4 in good condition for as low as $60 if you catch a good deal, and now's a better time than any as it's in that sweet spot between being the primary console of a generation and a retro relic that collectors are suddenly interested in.

The real bulk of the argument, however, relates to the shorter-than-expected gulf in performance between the two consoles, especially for someone who might not necessarily need the highest resolutions or the fastest frame rates.

The PS4 is obviously not as powerful as the PS5, but for some that might not be a deal breaker (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)

if you've got a 1080p TV or monitor then you're not taking advantage of what the PS5 can offer, and the 'lower' graphics of the PS4 won't seem quite as bad to you in comparison.

Of course, the PS5 is able to achieve faster frame rates in games that have received an update since the console's launch, and load times are noticeably faster when placed side-by-side — but some might not consider it to be worth it for $400.

There are still plenty of games that are released across generations, especially when it comes to big multiplayer and sports titles, but it would be remiss to ignore the countless releases each year that are exclusive to the current generation, alongside the few games that have already shut down their servers on PS4.