Slide yourself behind the leathered wheel of a top-end supercar, then take it for a vision-blurring spin around a world-class race track. Or plant your feet on the churned-up 1-yard line, barking a last-second gut-check play before the final snap. Or maybe you're more of a breach-and-clear kind of gamer. In that case, gear up, lock-and-load, and burst out into the fray of gritty, grisly, weaponized combat. Welcome to the world of PlayStation, where any flavour of fantasy is just the press of a button away.

What distinguishes PlayStation from other gaming eco-systems?

Joining the PlayStation family of consoles and games plunks you into the PlayStation Network, where a single account can be used to access your profile and content you've downloaded from the PlayStation Store using PSN card across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita. Sign into your friend's PS4, for example, and you can play a game you purchased and downloaded on your own PS4 at home. There's also an array of games and franchises that are exclusive to PlayStation consoles, including The Last of Us, Uncharted, God of War, Until Dawn, Gran Turismo, Bloodborne, and highly anticipated titles like The Last Guardian, No Man's Sky, and Horizon Zero Dawn.

What are the main differences between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 consoles?

As Sony's current-generation flagship console, PlayStation 4 is packed with power, including 8GB of RAM and an 8-core processor. It also features the largely redesigned DUALSHOCK 4 controller, which boasts an integrated touchpad and refined trigger buttons for enhanced precision. With PS4, you can connect up to 4 controllers at once for local co-op play. As an older model, PlayStation 3 sports comparably inferior internal specs, but still offers gamers a way of playing a vast catalogue of games designed for PS3, and in some cases newer games that have been scaled down for compatibility with PS3. It supports the older Sixaxis and DUALSHOCK 3 controllers, of which you can connect up to 7 at any given time for local co-op play.

Can PlayStation consoles play both Blu-ray discs and DVDs?

Yes. Both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 can play Blu-ray discs and DVDs. In this regard, they make a great addition to your home entertainment setup, letting you combine a gaming system and 2-for-1 Blu-ray/DVD player into a single easy-to-use unit. If you plan on watching a lot of Blu-ray or DVD movies on your PlayStation console, consider grabbing an official PlayStation media remote, which lets you control not just the media on your PS4, but also on your TV, cable box, and audio receiver.

What else can I do with a PlayStation console?

When connected to the internet, your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 can give you access to a world of apps and media streaming services, especially on PS4. You can stream movies on Netflix, listen to music on Spotify, and catch the night's sports highlights via dedicated apps for the NHL, NFL, and NBA. With 500GB and 1TB console models available, you can also buy/rent and download the latest games, movies, and television shows without leaving your couch or rapidly filling your hard drive.