SONY'S long-awaited gaming console the PlayStation 4 wil go on sale in Australia on November 29 - two weeks after being launched in the US.

The PlayStation 4 will be launched in 32 countries.

Microsoft failed to announce a launch date for their rival the Xbox One earlier this week - although it will be launching at some point in November.

The PS4 will cost $US399 ($435) in the US. Microsoft's rival Xbox One will cost $US499.

The launch will also take place in 13 countries - eight less than intended - and fans in other countries, including Russia, will apparently be able to purchase the console from 2014.

While PlayStation has been less successful than both the Wii and Xbox 360 in America, PlayStation races ahead of Xbox in Europe.

When it comes to global sales - they're just about equal.

So will the launches at the end of 2013 see one race ahead of the other?

Let's see how they compare so far:

Xbox One:

It will cost $US499

Over 20 titles will be available at launch, including Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag and Call of Duty: Ghosts - which will have its own dedicated servers and a multiplayer mode

All pre orders of the Xbox One will include a free copy of FIFA 14

Fifa 14 will also feature an Ultimate Team option exclusively on Xbox for legendary past footballers such as Pelé to play against current players

Xbox Live Trending will show what your friends and the community are playing - as well as recommendations for new games based on what you've already been playing

Gamers will also be able to share their gameplay footage online

Microsoft will also offer free Xbox One development kits to video games makers to encourage smalll teams to make indie titles

PlayStation 4:

PlayStation 4 will be $US100 cheaper than Xbox One

Launch games will include Gran Turismo 6 and Minecraft - as well as 15 new launch titles exclusive to PS4, and a big focus on indie titles

A new free to play service 'Little Big Planet Hub' will be available

As part of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto V release, they'll be a hardware bundle and headset exclusive to PlayStation - anyone who pre-orders GTA5 will also receive 75 per cent off any Rockstar title

PlayStation 3 and PS Vita will drop in price to $199 in the US - which will also allow immediate remote gameplay from PS4

Those who buy PS3 versions of Call of Duty: Ghosts, Assassin's Creed IV, Battlefield 4 - will be able to buy PS4 versions for discounted price