Playstation 3 or 360

[SZBrewerFan]

Guys I know there are some here who are really into gaming. I currently have a PS2 and have had it for 5 or so years (if not longer). I was thinking of getting a new game system and am not sure which way to go. Here is what I am looking for:

 

I have a baby so I don't get to play too much but I love to play sports games, mainly MLB and NCAA. I don't want to play online against other people, I just like to do a franchise in both games (Brewers, and Badgers) and play multiple seasons. I want really good graphics.....and I kind of like the PS3 controller as it is simlar to what I am used to. Any advice or recommendations on what system to get? Thanks!

[Gone]

Funny this topic comes up today as I'm a very unhappy 360 owner.

Last Christmas my girlfriend was so great and bought me a 360. At the time it may have been the greatest Christmas present ever. It was great for about 8 months... then in August things went downhill. Finally in September my 360 got the 3 rings of death and I had to send it back in to get repaired/replaced. A month later I got a refurbished 360. I was able to play for a few weeks and the thing died again on me. Today, after another month of waiting, I had my 3rd 360 delivered. Plugged it in and it was D.O.A. I can't begin to explain my frustration. I'll soon be on my 4th 360 in less than a year.

I'm not a video game junkie who plays all day/night until the thing dies. I rarely play for more than 2 hours straight and maybe play 3-4 hours/week. I keep it in a ventalated area and take very good care of it. IMO the 360 is just a piece of crap. Making it worse is the fact that Microsoft hasn't identified the problem or doesn't seem to care to fix it for their customers. I was an original Xbox player and loved the system; however, when my next 360 comes in I plan on bringing it to one of the used game stores along w/my 3-4 games and will turn around and buy a PS3.

Through this ordeal I've spent some time on the 360 forums and I'd suggest you do as well. You'll read daily horror stories like mine. Some people are on their 7-8th 360. Xbox has now came out with it's "Elite" version which has also had similar problems. The only positive is the new 360s with a new drive that seem to be working better; however, I wouldn't take the chance that these won't die soon as well.

[logan82]

I have a 360 and am pretty happy with it. I guess it comes down to which games you want. If you are only into sports games it doesn't really matter which console you buy(not Wii as it has worse graphics than the other 2). 360 currently has the best exclusive games. Looks like it is down to about a $50 difference in price.

[bjkrautk]

Guys I know there are some here who are really into gaming. I currently have a PS2 and have had it for 5 or so years (if not longer). I was thinking of getting a new game system and am not sure which way to go. Here is what I am looking for:

First thing's first: the PS3 will play most (if not all) of your PS2 games....unless you buy the 40GB version.

I have a baby so I don't get to play too much but I love to play sports games, mainly MLB and NCAA. I don't want to play online against other people, I just like to do a franchise in both games (Brewers, and Badgers) and play multiple seasons. I want really good graphics.....and I kind of like the PS3 controller as it is simlar to what I am used to. Any advice or recommendations on what system to get? Thanks!

Both consoles should have a similar collection of sports games (PS3 has slightly more variety, thanks to Sony's 1st party sports games....but the '08 versions of the EA sports games have a better framerate on the 360). The one advantage that the PS3 has - besides the controller - is that there isn't a $50 / year impediment to playing online (if you decide to try the occasional game online).

Other issues:

- Do you have / plan to have an HDTV? If so, how important is Blu-Ray / HD-DVD to you? (If you buy the 360, it's going to eventually cost you at least $100 for a next-gen DVD player; PS3 has Blu-Ray built-in.)

- How do you plan to connect your console to the Internet? (Any PS3 you find in the store should have built-in Wi-Fi support; the adapter for the 360 costs an additional $100. Both consoles have an ethernet connection.) Because of the frequent system updates, free game demos, and patches / downloadable content for games....most software developers expect gamers to have their consoles online.

- Would you pay to watch High-Definition movies and TV shows delivered through your online console? (360 can do this; PS3 doesn't have that feature at this time.)

 

Outside of that, the only remaining question is how many of the Sony-exclusive mainstays you'd no longer have access to as a 360 owner: Jak & Daxter, God of War, Rachet & Clank, Gran Turismo, etc. The major Final Fantasy games are also PS3 exclusive....as is Metal Gear Solid 4 (although there are no shortage of rumors to the contrary).

 

In Microsoft's defense, they have their own share of franchises locked up. Halo, Gears of War, Fable, Ninja Gaiden, Mass Effect, Bioshock, Forza Motorsport, Project Gotham Racing, etc. (I'm sure I'm missing some big ones...others can feel free to correct me here.)

 

I'm a PS3 owner, because (even before the price drops), the console represented the better value proposition for me, because I do use Wi-Fi, and would like the ability to play online (even though I haven't really done all that much of it thusfar). I have rented (via Netflix) a number of Blu-Ray films, and they look great on my HDTV. Plus, I'm a Final Fantasy addict, so I wasn't about to leave that franchise behind (even though there are no guarantees that the next game is even going to ship in '08 here in North America).

 

I can say that I've thought about buying a 360 in addition to the PS3, but I can't really justify it at this point. One of the pack-in games for the 360 bundle - Marvel Ultimate Alliance - was the first game I purchased with my PS3, and is a lot of fun....but I'm also a somewhat-lapsed Marvel comics geek. There's also the lingering warranty issues that should go away once both they can reduce the power consumption of both the CPU and the GPU; I've just heard too many horror stories about the 'red ring of death' to recommend the 360 to people (unless they want to play online with other people they know who also own a 360....or unless they're sold on the console's exclusive games).

[patrickgpe]

I am a ps3 owner. I bought it basically for mlb 07: the show since the alternative that was available on all consoles isn't the best. I think the biggest drawback is it took a year to get the library up and it still far behind the 360. As said previously i'd choose a system based on the games available and leave price out of it, since now they are almost the same with the price drop. I have been playing playstation since the beginning, so i am comfortable with the library and the controller. i couldn't switch over.

[SZBrewerFan]

Thanks guys. I was leaning towards PS3 and based on your advice I think I have made that my decision. I appreciate your time and Gone I wish you better luck with you consol in the future! Have a great holiday!

[Chkyhks2and0]

I just bought the PS3, and I am not a "big time" gamer. I have always been a playstation guy, and it just seems now with the price drop to $499 on the 80GB it has so much more to offer now and later. You are starting to see more people go to PS3 mainly because of the price drop, but everyone knows this of the platform of the future.

[mothershipconnection]

I don't know if Ben mentioned this in his big list of points, but another thing to consider is that online play with PS3 is free while there is a charge for XBox Live. Also, Warhawk for PS3 is pretty awesome.

[logan82]

I think you probably made the right decision. You should decide based on your interest in games and it didn't sound like you really cared much about games beyond sports games or casual games(GTA) and those are mostly multiplatform. In this case the PS3 has the best MLB game, MLB the Show(I believe that is the name, don't own a PS3, but that's what I heard). I am making a big assumption that you are a baseball fan.

[Katuluu]

You are starting to see more people go to PS3 mainly because of the price drop, but everyone knows this of the platform of the future.

Except that the PS3 is still the lowest selling console, selling even less units then the Nintendo DS, PSP, or even the PS2.

 

And while I am currently leaning towards a 360 over a PS3 for my secondary system there are plenty of benefits to the PS3, especially if you decide to go with Blu-Ray as your high def media. For me I simply don't have much faith in Sony magically turning into a well run company, and it seems pretty telling to me that the odd and quirky Japanese games are quietly putting out games on the 360 rather than the PS3. Those are the games I love, and without those that have been such a staple of the Playstations, you are pretty much left with Final Fantasy and not much else that I am interested in.

 

Also Viva Pinata looks freaking awesome.

[pogokat]

ps3 for me because im a car racing junkie and the gran turismo free download is more fun than forza 2

 

also, wireless and free internet + bluray...it's a better deal...and i get to play all my ps2 games

[parkside21]

Has there been anything said about another price drop in the near future? Specifically, has anyone heard if the 80gb version is expected to drop anytime soon after X-mas?

[rluzinski]

The PS3 is the platform of the future? I think the PS3 has a much better chance of finishing third than first. The easy guess right now is to assume that the wii will win, the 360 will be second and the PS3 will be a close third. That assumes that MS got it's act together and the redesigned 360 is more reliable (my launch 360 is still perfect but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried). No matter who's second, there's a good chance it will be a distant second to the wii, though.

[logan82]

Has there been anything said about another price drop in the near future? Specifically, has anyone heard if the 80gb version is expected to drop anytime soon after X-mas?

My guess is no. I think they are planning on Metal Gear Solid coming out in the spring and I highly doubt they would drop the price before a "system selling" game like MGS.

 

I have to agree with Russ. Wii is the only console that seems to realize that $400+ is to much for most people to spend on a console. PS3 has been pushing their BluRay player more than their games. Honestly I haven't seen a game on PS3 I would call a system seller. Most game makers are shying away from making exclusive games for any console. They especially seem to avoid PS3 because of its low install base. Right now if I was making a game I would focus more on the PS2 version more than the PS3 version.

[mothershipconnection]

So I'm debating PS3 and 360 somewhat, but lean toward PS3 in many ways, Regarding the 2 versions of the PS3, what's the difference other than hard drive size? Someone mentioned backward compatibility, but I haven't read up enough yet. $400 is a doable price, but $500 is maybe a bit much.

[pogokat]

$300 xbox 360 + $60 hard drive + $100 wireless adapter +$100 HdDVD +$60 Xbox Live (annual) = $620

 

The 360 is not cheaper once you buy all the crap that you know you will buy...

 

even if you take out the wireless and the HDDvd,,,you'll still get live and the hard drive, or a $40 memory card...

 

this stuff makes the $400 ps3 a better deal than the cheap xboxes...that $50 for the nicer xbox goes away when you factor for xbox live as well...

[Katuluu]

The $400 PS3 isn't backwards compatible.

[logan82]

$300 xbox 360 + $60 hard drive + $100 wireless adapter +$100 HdDVD +$60 Xbox Live (annual) = $620

 

The 360 is not cheaper once you buy all the crap that you know you will buy...

 

even if you take out the wireless and the HDDvd,,,you'll still get live and the hard drive, or a $40 memory card...

 

this stuff makes the $400 ps3 a better deal than the cheap xboxes...that $50 for the nicer xbox goes away when you factor for xbox live as well...

 

360 with hard drive starts at $350. That model is good enough for everyting you will need unless you plan on saving everything you download. 12 months of Xbox Live is $50. Live is only necessary if you want to play games online. You get a free silver membership which allows you acces to almost everything on Xbox live except playing games online.

[mothershipconnection]

The $400 PS3 isn't backwards compatible.

 

But is that and the 40GB hard drive instead of 80GB the only difference? If that's it, I already have a PS2 and won't need the extra storage.

 

Edit: I see that the cheaper version has 2 usb ports instead of 4, can't play SACD's, can't read flash cards, and isn't backwards compatible.

[NastyTwig]

Right now...

 

If you want a new DVD player, get the PS3.

 

If you want to play great games, get the 360.

[ajgodson]

I'm the same gamer profile as you....I almost only play sports franchise single player, and I recently picked up a PS3 (40GB). All the games I want are available and the system is really nice. I don't play online often, but have tried it...it's free with PS3, but you have to pay for Xbox live. The hardware with PS3 is so much more powerful that I think it'll have a longer shelf life, especially once the game catalog develops. If you're into fantasy games, halo and such, it's probably better, but for me....I dig the PS3

[jwill535]

I cant see the Wii winning out over the long haul. Yes the gimic games are fun but the graphics and the bigger games are sub par compared to PS3 and XBOX. Game designers are also going away from making games for the Wii and focusing more on the Next Gen systems due to they're more powerful software.

[rluzinski]

The 360 is not cheaper once you buy all the crap that you know you will buy...

 

I've heard that argument before and it drives me crazy. Sony throwing in a bunch of hardware that many people don't even want does not autoamtically make it more valuable. If given the choice, I'll never game wirelessly, so having one built into my console has little value to me (although I may be in the minority). My cable modem will always be behind my console, at least until the technolgy makes it as reliable as a direct connection.

 

I'm also not going to put myself in the position to buy the next BETA, whether it ends up being HDDVD or BluRay. I will wait until there's a clear victor and continue getting my high def movies through Time Warner and my 360 until then.

[endaround]

I'm the same gamer profile as you....I almost only play sports franchise single player, and I recently picked up a PS3 (40GB). All the games I want are available and the system is really nice. I don't play online often, but have tried it...it's free with PS3, but you have to pay for Xbox live. The hardware with PS3 is so much more powerful that I think it'll have a longer shelf life, especially once the game catalog develops. If you're into fantasy games, halo and such, it's probably better, but for me....I dig the PS3

The hardware isn't more powerful. Sony has a better processor, a HD for cacheing and the storage of BluRay while the 360 has more memory, much better graphics hardware, faster DVD access times, with developer friendly tools. There is a reason why most games look better on the 360 than the comparable PS3 release and its due to better graphics hardware plus better developer tools. The race is the US is over and Sony lost. The PS3 is about 7 million behind the 360 and there just isn't enough time to catch up this cycle.

 

[logan82]

rluzinski wrote:

Sony throwing in a bunch of hardware that many people don't even want does not autoamtically make it more valuable. If given the choice, I'll never game wirelessly, so having one built into my console has little value to me (although I may be in the minority).

Count me in that minority as well. I like a direct connection to the modem for online gaming. I also prefer to have the choice of adding on superflous things like HDDVD/BluRay. I have no problem getting off the couch every 15-20 hours to change discs if necessary.

 

The Wii gets it. To me at least, beyond the initial "wow", graphics and the differeence in graphics will go largley unnoticed as long as the game is good.