Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Trending
  • New Games for 2026
  • CES 2026
  • Best Games of 2025
  • The Forge codes
  1. Platforms

Objects PS4 and Xbox One could easily be mistaken for

Features
By Justin Towell published 12 June 2013

These designs are rather ambiguous if you don't know what you're looking at

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

We know what they look like...

We know what they look like...

...but what do they look like? Both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are relatively featureless black boxes. Sony describes its new machine as featuring "a simple but modern design accentuated by its linear flat form factors." Microsoft describes its machine as "sleek and modern and complements any dcor".

Neither are lying. But there are several other things that could take on said form factors. So what would your non-gaming mate say about the new machines? Or your dear 80-year-old granny? Let's find out...

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
A panini toaster

A panini toaster

Oh man, I love toasted paninis! Is this part of the PS3 grill range? Man, you're so lucky to have one of those. Let's plug it in and heat it up.

Hmmm... doesn't seem to be getting very warm. Maybe if we cover up those vents. Ah, yes, that did it! Lovely. Now where did I put the cheddar...?

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
A trophy base

A trophy base

Someone mentioned 'trophies' and 'the new base unit' and now it's obvious what this is. It's the black bit you get on the bottom of trophies. The kind of cup you win when your team gets the best score in the local pub's bowling tournament.

Closer inspection reveals some surprising features. Like a slot in which you can keep your score card. But at least it's got some small, soft 'feet' to avoid scraping your trophy cabinet.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
A black Wii

A black Wii

Oh you got a Wii! How splendid! We should totally play Wii Sports. Or Wii Fit! Yeah, wait here and I'll go and get my leotard.

Oh, but the wiimote won't sync. Have you pressed the button? You've got to press the button on the Wii too. It's under the flap. The flap! Here, let me do it... Oh, it's broken.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
An external hard drive

An external hard drive

That's some serious storage you've got there! What is it? One terabyte? Two terabytes? Oh, 500MB. Well, that's decent I suppose.

Look! It's even got USB 3.0! This bad boy must have amazing read/write speeds. Oh, but it needs a net connection. Is it a server? Let's reformat it and use it for Time Machine.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
An expensive box of chocolates

An expensive box of chocolates

That twin-tiered appearance of the PlayStation 4 makes it look like the top half could be lifted off. And what will you find underneath? Some delicious, premium-quality chocolates, of course!

Like life, you never know what you're going to get. In this case, a nasty electric shock and an instant void on your warranty...

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
A burglar alarm

A burglar alarm

This 'PS4' is going to be extremely secure. Special new bespoke firmware will keep you safe from any security threats and it runs almost silently so as not to wake you up while you sleep... at least not until you need it to.

That smooth black plastic shell is perfect for keeping the weather off your new burglar alarm and is a sympathetic yet smart addition to the exterior of your residence.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
A VCR

A VCR

Oh! Wow, they still have those! Awesome. Just let me go back to my garage and find my VHS copies of Wayne's World, Pulp Fiction and Jurassic Park and we'll have a retro evening! Man, the picture quality should be amazing now that we don't have coaxial connections!

Just don't expect me to be able to set the clock on it, OK?

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
An evil robot

An evil robot

It's looking at me all funny. And I don't think it likes me. What's that? It's listening to everything I say? That's it, I'm not having this any more. Xbox off. XBOX OFF!

OH GOD MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
But what do you think?

But what do you think?

What were your initial reactions when you saw the two machines? What would your most elderly relative say? Let us know in the comments and we'll all have a chuckle.

And if you're looking for more, check out If video game hardware was dug up in a thousand years and 65 things that look like Pac-Man.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
PS4 Xbox One PlayStation Xbox
Justin Towell
Justin Towell
Social Links Navigation

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.

Share by:
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Whatsapp
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Latest in Platforms
Schedule 1 reveal trailer screenshot shows a man in a black suit and hat.
After dominating 2025 with indie drug dealing sim Schedule 1, developer is looking to expand
 
 
The Witcher 3
New Witcher 3 DLC rumors heat up as one analyst says they're "100% certain" CDPR will release something big in 2026
 
 
Dwarf Fortress
"Mothers no longer seek ghostly babies," declare the latest Dwarf Fortress patch notes, starting 2026 in rare form
 
 
Helldivers 2
"A lot of Helldivers will die," Arrowhead CEO says of the next Helldivers 2 major update, teasing roadmap update
 
 
Two bikers posing with a revolver and a motorbike in Grand Theft Auto 6 area Ambrosia
"This is about the arrogance of a company like Rockstar": Labor union pushes for relief for fired GTA 6 devs
 
 
A character in an orange jumpsuit and futuristic exploration gear reaches out a helping hand
The top-selling new game on Steam is this open-world co-op factory builder with huge Satisfactory vibes
 
 
Latest in Features
Key art for Cairn showing a character clambering up the side of a cliff loaded with rope and gear, with a sunrise in the sky - framed by the GamesRadar+ Big in 2026 frame
"We wanted to explore that longing for absolute freedom": Cairn is a survival climbing game about human will, endurance, and sacrifice
 
 
An older bearded man in a cap stood in front of computer equipment in Half-Life Alyx
What to expect from Valve in 2026: the return of the Steam Machine, a new VR headset, and more Half-Life 3 rumors
 
 
Key art showing Romeo from Romeo is a Dead Man wearing a robotic helmet
Suda51 says "game development for us is almost like playing a jam session at a live concert", and the electric action of Romeo is a Dead Man has me ready to rock
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker screenshot showing coen in a supernatural situation
Rebel Wolves isn't afraid of creating its own vampyric folklore for The Blood of Dawnwalker: "We want to tell a story with vampires, not a story about vampires only"
 
 
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Sadie Sink as Max, Noah Schnapp as Will, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin in Stranger Things season 5
I love Stranger Things, but I can't help feeling short-changed by season 5's lacklustre finale
 
 
Fable 4
What to expect from Xbox in 2026
 
 
  1. Scythe box on a wooden surface, slightly off to one side
    1
    This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
  2. 2
    Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
  3. 3
    Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
  4. 4
    Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
  5. 5
    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"
  1. Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash
    1
    Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
  2. 2
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  3. 3
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  4. 4
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  5. 5
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  1. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 5 volume 2
    1
    Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
  2. 2
    Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
  3. 3
    Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"
  4. 4
    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
  5. 5
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...