The PS4 and Xbox One both had mid-generation iterations that brought an improved experience to most games while still letting them all be playable on whichever version you owned. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X were both powerful beasts, but which one was better?

Related: Best PS4 Survival Games

The following list details where each excels over the other. Xbox One X ultimately has more pluses going for it, which is good considering how Microsoft stumbled out of the gate at the beginning of the generation. At the same time, most Sony fans should have also upgraded to the PS4 Pro for improved performance and higher resolution games. Here's how they match up.

9 Xbox One X: Backward Compatibility

Battlefield V Gold Rush Special Edition Xbox One X Console

Backward compatibility is standard on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. During the last generation, however, Sony completely ignored it while Microsoft went full steam ahead. Xbox One X owners had access to a massive library of games from the console lineage, while the closest PS4 Pro owners got were re-releases. Many older games saw significant improvements too.

This also became an advantage when the Xbox Series X and S launched since they came with the same backward compatibility features as the Xbox One X. However, it should be noted that less powerful Xbox One models also have this ability.

8 PS4 Pro: Exclusive

abby screaming in the rain in the last of us 2

While neither platform is starving for games, most would agree that Sony's exclusives in the last generation reached a certain prestige few other Xbox contemporary exclusives could touch. Titles like God of War, Last of Us Part 2, and Horizon Zero Dawn all became critical and commercial darlings.

Related: Best PS4 Exclusives, According To Metacritic

On the other end, famous Microsoft series like Halo saw their weakest entries on the Xbox One X. Microsoft purchased a ton of studios over the past several years, so we might see the tables turn this generation.

7 Xbox One X: Bigger Improvement Over The Xbox One

Fortnite Special Edition Xbox One X Console

The Xbox One X is the most powerful console of its generation. The base PS4 was more powerful than the original Xbox, which makes the Xbox One X a bigger improvement over its predecessor.

There were more games on the Xbox One X that ran poorly on the base console than on Sony's end. Perhaps if people knew the iteration was coming they would not have purchased the base model in the first place.

6 PS4 Pro: Lower Price

PS4 Pro Standing

At $399, the PS4 Pro is the same price as the base model was when it first launched. Not only is it a solid price for the console, but it also means those less concerned with the tech upgrade could buy a more budget alternative.

The Xbox One X launched at $499, a high price for all but the most serious gamer. The base Xbox also launched at $499, though this was mostly attributed to the mandatory Kinect implementation.

5 PS4 Pro: VR Performance

VR Helmet PS4

This one almost goes without saying because the Xbox One never had any VR features. The base PS4 also has VR support, but PS4 Pro improves the performance. PSVR is still a weaker platform all around than other high-end VR headsets, but it is a great alternative for people on a budget.

Related: What We Wish We Knew Before Getting A VR Headset

Certain games like Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Blood and Truth, and Resident Evil 7 make it worth the purchase alone. Sony is currently developing a headset for the PS5, which so far looks to be a massive improvement over the PS4's offering.

4 Xbox One X: Smaller In Size

Xbox One X with controller on top of it.

Even with its increased power, the Xbox One X is a small console. The PS4 Pro, on the other hand, is a massive beast. It looks like a fortified bunker for soldiers or a tank. Sony would continue this trend with the even more audacious PS5.

The PS4 Pro is bigger in all dimensions except for the height. This makes the Xbox One X significantly more comfortable to bring over to a friend's house than Sony's machine.

3 PS4 Pro: Not All The Games Are Playable On PC

God of War video game (2018) CR: Sony Interactive Entertainment
God of War video game (2018) CR: Sony Interactive Entertainment

With the Xbox One generation, Microsoft started making all their games available on both Xbox consoles and PC. This consumer-friendly option is great, but it also makes those who own high-quality PCs less inclined to buy an Xbox One X.

Most PS4 exclusives have yet to find their way to the PC. This has changed recently with Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone's ports, but most of the heavy hitters are still missing.

2 Xbox One X: Bigger Ram And More Teraflops

xbox one x  with box

The Xbox One X has 12 gigs of RAM compared to the PS4's eight. Additionally, it has six teraflops versus the PS4 Pro's 4.2. While this might not mean much to a lot of people, it translates to better performance for the Xbox One on most multiplatform games.

The PS4 Pro still runs most of them fine, but the Xbox one has an edge when it comes to basic performance.

1 Xbox One X: Game Pass Is Better Than PS Now

game-pass-streaming-1

During the last generation, Microsoft rolled out Game Pass, a subscription service allowing gamers to download titles from a curated library. This is so far proving a successful endeavor, especially when compared to PS Now.

Though PS Now allows you to enjoy older titles from the PS3 generation, they are all streamed and the performance varies greatly depending on your internet connection. PS4 games are downloadable, but it took a while for even this feature to appear. This helps Xbox edge into the lead overall.

Next: PS4 Tricks Everyone Should Know About