Help Me Decide on a Console

[ClosetOtaku]

OK, after many years, I've gotten the console bug again, and need to decide on a system to buy for myself and family.

But I'm only going to buy one.

I'm not standing in line for hours to find a Wii.

Both the PS3 and XBox 360 are mature, in the console sense.

I can deal with either line of games, and there are plenty of games I would play that can be played on either one.

So... based on YOUR collective experience... which should I get?

Price is not important. Performance is.

Thanks...

[bakura_fan]

I myself have not played either, I only have family and friends that have. Majority say xbox 360 for performance.

[Cognitive Gear]

It depends on what you mean by performance, really. If you are looking at just the sheer number of titles (Both "AAA" and "casual") available, go xbox 360.

If you are looking for a Blu-Ray player, and something that will likely have better graphics in the future, go with PS3.

The best thing to do is to just look at the games and let that choose for you. If one has more exclusive games you want to play, then go with that one.

But if you are solely going by the results of this poll, I think that most people would be better off with an Xbox 360.

[Radical Dreamer]

I will only say one thing.

I work at The UPS Store.

People ship out broken/glitched 360s every day.

We usually get anywhere from 3-5 per day.

I'd go with a PS3. XD

[Bobtheduck]

Resident Sony evangelist here. I say: Turbografx-16.

That is all.

(read my siggie)

PSN is still in its infancy, it will get better (but for now is not up to snuff with XBL, but it IS free)

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I will say that the 360 has a much larger variety of videogames that I think are better. Notable titles include, but are not limited to:


Mass Effect
Bioshock
The Orange Box

-These first three I highly recommend. (The Orange Box is potentially the best videogame deal in existence) Also note that those three are not released on the PS3 except for Orange Box, which does not even work too well on the PS3 to begin with.

Eternal Sonata
We Love Katamari
Gears of War

As for 360s failing, I haven't experienced that at all. As far as I know, 360s that are sold now don't deal with the Red Ring of Deaths anymore.

As for the PS3, there are not enough impressive exclusive titles to justify the purchase. The only exception is Metal Gear Solid 4, but that's only for people who've been following up with the series.

[SolidÃ…rmor]

360/better online networking/more games/xbox live arcade/

Smarty has all the good games that have come out as of late minus Halo 3.

Plus these are games that will be coming out soon as well:
Too Human
Devil May Cry 4
Unreal III
Mass Effect 2 & 3 (on the way)
Alan Wake

The PS3 is facing the same problem as the 360 in regards to system failures, not to mention if a PS3 goes out while playing a game good luck getting it back out.

[RidleyofZebes]

Need I say it?

Halo 3.

Do yourself a favor and get a 360, dude.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Eh, Halo 3 isn't too special, unless you're going strictly for multiplayer.

But even then, Team Fortress 2 is way more fun than Halo 3.

[Bobtheduck]

The PS3 is facing the same problem as the 360 in regards to system failures, not to mention if a PS3 goes out while playing a game good luck getting it back out.

No it is not. The PS3 has had some software crashes (eg problems with Assassin's creed) but almost no hardware failures. We're talking less than 1%, as opposed to the 33% of all 360s failing. That's 1 in 3, yes... And when the 360 gets the red ring (like a third of them have), they dont' come back... you ahve to send it in, and wait a month to get it back.

Also, the PS3 Unreal Tournament 3 can use the mods, the 360 one cannot.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Yeah but UT3 is boring. =p

And ClosetOtaku is buying a new 360; not a used one. (I'm assuming) So the chances of him getting a RRoD is highly unlikely.

[Bobtheduck]

Yeah but UT3 is boring. =p

But the modding community is massive, and while the two communities (UT3 and Source) are pretty close, Source mods can't be used on any console. Besides, I was answering what someone else had said about UT3 being a reason to get the 360 version. PS3 is the lead console for UT3, and it has mods, which are the ONLY reason you'd want to get that game in my opinion. Because, as you said, it is boring. Creativity and sharing that creativity (and potentially getting a job from it) is the only reason to get that game.

PS3 is also region free, so you can get imports with no problem and no hardmodding, unlike the 360. That means you could pick up Devil May Cry 4 RIGHT NOW if you wanted to (I'm not a fan, but I know many on CAA are) And I won't try to sell the thing anymore in this thread. Later.

[HiddenWoodchuck]

I finally gave in and traded lots of stuff on a PS3, so it cut the price way down for me... but since you are not worried about price, I will just give my opinion on the two systems. I have been a 360 user since launch day, and I am now on my second console... my first one lasted longer then most were lasting at the time, though I didn't play it 8 hours a day like many people were... but it was very upsetting when it did crap out with so little use... not to mention it was in a very open place when being used, and covered up and unplugged to keep the dust away when not in use... but I am happy to say my second console hasn't had any problems to speak of.

I know people who HAVE had newer systems go out on them, but it is getting better... at least, that is what I have been told. I don't know for sure... the problem is, all the games I like are on the 360 at the moment, and I enjoy playing it when I have the time... I am much more comfortable with a 360 pad now, over any of the others. The online service isn't free... it is like 50 bucks a year or something like that, but it can be fun online... personally I play without a headset and I mute all the voices, because it becomes very, very annoying...fast. I like playing with friends in the same room 100 times better, but lots of games are going the online only route, and it really stinks. I would have loved to play team fortress 2 offline, but of course... online only. I guess that is the same for the PS3, but it bugs me in general.

Now, the PS3 has grown on me the more I play it, I can admit that. I liked my PS2, but it wasn't my favorite console a few years back. The only reason I ever got the systems was for the exclusive titles, because they were the ones I wanted to play obviously. The PS3, I really love Heavenly Sword, Warhawk(online mostly, but you can play it with friends in the same room. YES!), Folklore, Uncharted and Resistance... I don't get bent out of shape if the graphics are not "next gen" in games, but the PS3 has a very beautiful feel about it, especially with Uncharted and Heavenly Sword. I can't begin to think how games will look on it in the future. I know the same is true for the 360, but the PS3 will be more powerful when it comes to visuals, at least down the road...

I won't say that there are no beautiful games on the 360... I mean, the likes of Bioshock, Eternal Sonata, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect... etc come to mind. I wouldn't ever get a PS3 if I could play all the exclusives on a 360, and of course, my wallet would have been better off. The PS3 is lacking when it comes to game selection, but in my case, I only have time for so much anyway... the Blu Ray player is nice, but I haven't used it very much yet...

The biggest gripe I have had with both systems is the backwards compatibility... the 360 is adding to the list of games it supports from the original Xbox, but still many good games that do not work YET. The PS3 I had expected to play all my old PS2 games... but I have had very, very many issues with some games, and I do keep the software up to date on the PS3. It plays a vast majority of the PS2 catalog, but my system won't play some games that I still have. I don't keep all my old systems... I simply do not have room for them, and I am not that attached to them... so I trade/sell them or whatever, but I like to keep at least a few of my favorite games from the last consoles... I don't think I should have to keep those systems, when it can save me a little money on a new one. I don't have the cash to throw into the wind like that. I have two jobs, so it has nothing to do with that, I just don't like to waste money on petty stuff.

I feel like I am ranting more than giving my opinion on which system to buy, but I can't really say which would be better... honestly, I think the PS3 is gonna be better later on, as far as being more "powerful", but I have no idea how amazing the games will be... I just know there are still many I look forward to on the 360, and only a couple I know of for the PS3 as of this writing.... right now, the 360 has the bigger and better choice of games. So, it depends on what you are looking for and how often you and your family will play the system... and if you want free online service or payed... or if you even want to play online in the first place.

The biggest blow to the 360 is the past, and still present(but hopefully getting better) problem with the hardware/how reliable it is. I can't really say it is a better overall system, just that is has the better games right now.

Just my view...

[SolidÃ…rmor]

No it is not. The PS3 has had some software crashes (eg problems with Assassin's creed) but almost no hardware failures. We're talking less than 1%, as opposed to the 33% of all 360s failing. That's 1 in 3, yes... And when the 360 gets the red ring (like a third of them have), they dont' come back... you ahve to send it in, and wait a month to get it back.

Also, the PS3 Unreal Tournament 3 can use the mods, the 360 one cannot.

Uhm, yes it is....today alone I had 15 calls in regards to Ps3's breaking down on customers. You believe what you read, I'll believe what customer's themselves who have bought a PS3 and had trouble with it tell me. And jeez, I wonder what you have to do with a broken Ps3 when it craps out on you...hmm...shall I guess? Send it in to Sony to get fixed as well?? I have had to call Sony myself in regards to repair reference numbers for customers who lost their receipts on their systems. Would you like to take another try?

The only fact is some people will have problems with their system some won't. I haven't had an issue with my 360 since launch day, and my brother in law just got a 40 gig ps3 and even said he felt ripped off with so little he got in regards to the money he spent on it.

I'm not turning this into a Ps3 bash fest, so keep your made up facts to yourself. And as for the Unreal mods...I really could care less about it's the game play that gets me...not the mods.

[ADXC]

I really have not had a whole lot of time to play any games lately honestly, but Ive played a little bit of the PS3. The reason I got a PS3 is because my PS2 crashed down, that was a very sad day. I haven't really gotten the best titles for the PS3, I mean Im not made of money. Really the only ones I got for the PS3 are Enchanted Arms and a Sonic game, and they suck. But Im looking for hope this Christmas season as Im getting Folklore and Uncharted. I mainly have been playing my old PS2 games on my PS3, but it really bugs me that I can't play any of my old DDR games because of the stinkin' controller. Really they should put a PS2 controller adapter in the PS box.

I haven't played the 360, so I can't say anything about it.

I just hope the PS3 picks up better titles, I have a good feeling that they are going to bring in some RGS hopefully. I believe that White Knight Story is going to be good whenever it is released in the futur, I hope.

[SolidÃ…rmor]

If anything it's all about personal choice. When someone calls and asks my opinion on which system is better, I ALWAYS tell them that it's their choice. Also that since they are asking my opinion that the graphics are about the same, both systems will have most titles available on them (exclusives not included). I never try to sway a customer to one system over the other. It's hard being neutral about it, but that's all I can say about them.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Source mods can't be used on any console.

And they need to be? XD The Console FPS gaming scene isn't serious. We all know the hardcore FPS gamers play on their PCs.

[Bobtheduck]

Uhm, yes it is....today alone I had 15 calls in regards to Ps3's breaking down on customers. You believe what you read, I'll believe what customer's themselves who have bought a PS3 and had trouble with it tell me. And jeez, I wonder what you have to do with a broken Ps3 when it craps out on you...hmm...shall I guess? Send it in to Sony to get fixed as well?? I have had to call Sony myself in regards to repair reference numbers for customers who lost their receipts on their systems. Would you like to take another try?

The only fact is some people will have problems with their system some won't. I haven't had an issue with my 360 since launch day, and my brother in law just got a 40 gig ps3 and even said he felt ripped off with so little he got in regards to the money he spent on it.

I'm not turning this into a Ps3 bash fest, so keep your made up facts to yourself. And as for the Unreal mods...I really could care less about it's the game play that gets me...not the mods.

Dude... I go on PS3forums, and except for software issues, I never hear any problems with the thing, for those that buy it new I mean... But I'd like to point out some things

1. Where do you work? I'll say it again, broken down PS3s are so few and far between that 15 calls for one in a day... I personally think you're full of crap, but I'm basing this on my own experience as well. I talk to hundreds of PS3 owners all the time. If you mean crashing programs or something, that's not the same as a bricking system, which is still less than one percent. Even if that happens with where you work, it's pretty freaking isolated.

2.

I haven't had an issue with my 360 since launch day, and my brother in law just got a 40 gig ps3 and even said he felt ripped off with so little he got in regards to the money he spent on it.

Um... You're sort of changing direction midstream there. Having a bricked system and not being satisfied with what you paid for aren't really related.

3. You say it's not a SONY bashing thing, no it seems like a "bob" bashing thing. My "made up facts" I'm going off of national surveys and reports, not your anecdotal evidence.

4. This goes to RYAN too, a LOT of people are excited about the mod thing. Me, for one, who's going to be able to show off my own mods to friends and not just those with PCs that can run the game (not many) and who actually would buy the game for those PCs... Plus, I can play those mods online with friends on PSN, and I have basically no PC gamer friends. So that may not be what YOU would care about, but... This isn't about just what YOU'D want, is it?

You come off trying to make yourself objective with your "play what you like" but you run off at the mouth about stuff that's completely untrue (unreliable systems) and stuff that's not relevent (your personally not caring about mods, your brother "feeling ripped off" because he didn't "get enough" out of the system) Give me a freaking break.

You know what's funny? I saw this exact situation coming a mile away. *sigh*

[ClosetOtaku]

Wow, I did not mean to start religious wars so close to Christmas!

OK, got it, I think I see the way the trend is going. I am forewarned and forearmed.

Thank you all for your opinions -- I agree, it's ultimately my choice, but I'd rather go in with more information than less.

A Merry Christmas to all!!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

XD Sorry Bob. Yeah I know that it's not about me, but about everyone.

I was just being a biased Valve Fanboy. XD

[Jingo Jaden]

Hmmmm, the 360 defidently has alot more system failiures than the PS3. Its not even an area to really debate about if you ask me. However remember that these are stationary consoles so you might not consider traveling large distances with either. You got a fair chance of haveing neither ruined if you are careful with them, but then again the PS3 is in my opinion defidently safer than the 360.

I personaly recomend the 360. Basicly it is already a safe buy with many great titles and it is just great in nearly every aspect. It might be a bit fragile in terms of hardware, so get insurance. I'd recomend either the premium or elite version if you are into hi-def. I don't need to list up all of the great games available on the 360, there are just so many.

As for the PS3, I'd like to point out that Sony was behind the PS1 and PS2 which both where great systems overall that started out fairly slow. Now my first recomendation is to not buy the so called stripped version of the PS3, because it lacks the ability to play PS 1 and 2 games. At least that's what I have been told. As for games, there are not quite many great exclusives out now, but I am pretty darn sure that sony will release a huge number of them in the future. Right now if you are into multiplayer you might want to check out warhawk.

Both of these consoles are of course media centers as well. Blue-ray is defidently stronger than HD-DVD, but HD-DVD is no pushover either. If you got a capable computer then both can help boost that, but ask someone more experiensed in that field than me.

[Tenshi no Ai]

About the comment of 15 broken PS3s, I actually find that hard to believe.

Where I work, they don't send us many PS3s since they, aren't exactly in demand. But for all that I've sold, I've had 3 sent back due to being 'fault'. 1 was I believe a 20g, 2nd was a 60g, btu I think the guy lied or something since it worked fine and got resold, and the 3rd was a newer 60g (before they took them off) and the system stopped working with the game inside. Oh wait, there was 1 more where something was wrong with the video on it and lines showed across the screen.

With xboxs... I've seen quite a few^^ Most people talk to Microsoft about rings of death, but I get more people saying that it just plain stops running. Run for awhile and then stop. Even one of the new Elite bundles had something similar to it.

So in terms of reliability, I guess either or. I myself prefer the PS3, although the new ones are junky with their little backwards compatibility (if it's something you're looking for).

[Bobtheduck]

XD Sorry Bob. Yeah I know that it's not about me, but about everyone.

I was just being a biased Valve Fanboy. XD

Yeah, I know. I may have a PC capable of playing source stuff, but I'm also the only one of my friends who can play KB/m... I'm surrounded by halo players. If I wanna show off my work, it's gotta be on a console. And since package sharing is an automatic process on the PS3 version of Unreal Tournament 3, that's gonna be my modding program of choice. If all of my friends were PC gamers, I'd do source.

[SolidÃ…rmor]

Dude... I go on PS3forums, and except for software issues, I never hear any problems with the thing, for those that buy it new I mean... But I'd like to point out some things

1. Where do you work? I'll say it again, broken down PS3s are so few and far between that 15 calls for one in a day... I personally think you're full of crap, but I'm basing this on my own experience as well. I talk to hundreds of PS3 owners all the time. If you mean crashing programs or something, that's not the same as a bricking system, which is still less than one percent. Even if that happens with where you work, it's pretty freaking isolated.

As for where I work, it's with GameStop Corp. main headquarters in Grapevine, TX. So I know what I'm talking about. I deal with calls every day about this stuff from actual system buyers. And yes the system itself is have hardware issues not software. Ask Ubisoft and that's after calling them myself inquiring to the Assassins Creed glitches on the PS3. And it's NOT "isolated". I personally don't have a like or dislike on this system I think it's a pretty neat innovation on game play, but if someone asks what which is better I do my best to give both pros and cons of each system and I will not EVER sugar coat it for a customer. AND I don't care what you think I'm full of Fan boy I wasn't personally attacking you yet you take a shot at me tool!!

2. Um... You're sort of changing direction midstream there. Having a bricked system and not being satisfied with what you paid for aren't really related.

No this is in regards to the system and a personal opinion to that system, completely relevant.

3. You say it's not a SONY bashing thing, no it seems like a "bob" bashing thing. My "made up facts" I'm going off of national surveys and reports, not your anecdotal evidence.

You're going off what people want you to read, and what they think of it so SONY can sell more PS3 systems so of course there are not going to be a lot of discussion on the system having problems, especially this close to Christmas. MS accepted responsibility for their system failure, and are doing everything they can to fix this problem. Instead is saying "There are no problems with our system what so ever, here's a patch this'll fix it."

4. This goes to RYAN too, a LOT of people are excited about the mod thing. Me, for one, who's going to be able to show off my own mods to friends and not just those with PCs that can run the game (not many) and who actually would buy the game for those PCs... Plus, I can play those mods online with friends on PSN, and I have basically no PC gamer friends. So that may not be what YOU would care about, but... This isn't about just what YOU'D want, is it?

I wonder why you have no PC friends??

You come off trying to make yourself objective with your "play what you like" but you run off at the mouth about stuff that's completely untrue (unreliable systems) and stuff that's not relevent (your personally not caring about mods, your brother "feeling ripped off" because he didn't "get enough" out of the system) Give me a freaking break.

First it wasn't my brother, if you read it I said it was Brother in law, and second I'm going by what he said himself about your precious PS3. I was being objective. You're just being an idiot because someone doesn't have a love fest with the PS3, I wasn't going to stoop to your level, but today I took an exception just for you.

You have a Merry Christmas seeing how you seem to be full of the Spirit yourself.

You know what's funny? I saw this exact situation coming a mile away. *sigh*

You brought this on yourself.

[SolidÃ…rmor]

[quote="Tenshi no Ai"]About the comment of 15 broken PS3s, I actually find that hard to believe.[/qoute]

Would you like names, addresses, numbers and where they were bought, perhaps how much each customer spent, and what else they bought that day when getting the system and bringing it back? I keep a record of all systems and prps redeemed at what stores on what day/month. If that would be proof enough for you?

[SolidÃ…rmor]

Wow, I did not mean to start religious wars so close to Christmas!

OK, got it, I think I see the way the trend is going. I am forewarned and forearmed.

Thank you all for your opinions -- I agree, it's ultimately my choice, but I'd rather go in with more information than less.

A Merry Christmas to all!!

ClosetOtaku I do apologize about this, you were asking what to get and I just want you to know that there are problems with all 3 systems (yes event eh Wii), but the choice is your's.

X360-proven online network, good game library, hi-def, multi-player games and support

PS3-blue ray, hi def, six-axis controller, games few, free online play

Wii-great interactive system, Mario Galaxy, hi def upgrade cables available for better res., hard to find anywhere, not so much of a multi player network online.

[Bobtheduck]

You brought this on yourself.

really?

I'm not going off of SONY'S reports, mind you, I'm going off national surveys by objective groups, and, to borrow a line many have used on me, I trust them more than some random net user.

Saying stuff like "I wonder why you have no PC friends" you massive jerk. Firstly, you insinuate I have no friends by that statement, when I actually the vast majority of my friends (I have many, BTW) are the Halo / Rock Band type, not hardcore gamers. You twisted my words for some petty insult. Honestly, listen to the crap you say, you're getting personal, I'm saying that the problem you're seeing is isolated based on stuff that has nothing to do with the "sony line" and you're getting personal with me.

Seriously. Get over yourself. You started this off being mean and petty. Get over yourself.You can try to fool yourself into thinking you're not playing favorites or whatever. Completely in denial. I didn't make this personal at first, but you just flew off the handle at me and Tenshi no Ai, and you did it from the beginning. "I'm not turning this into a Ps3 bash fest, so keep your made up facts to yourself."

Yeah... Give me a freaking break.

[HiddenWoodchuck]

Come on, this is totally unnecessary. There is no point in getting all bent out of shape over video game systems... it is really ridiculous that this is turning in to a "personal" war of words. Can we just move on now? People are getting upset with each other, and this topic is going to get locked by the staff pretty soon. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but please, see that there is no point in throwing more fuel on the fire and stop now. Thanks... just don't want to see people all upset with each other.

[SolidÃ…rmor]

really?

I'm not going off of SONY'S reports, mind you, I'm going off national surveys by objective groups, and, to borrow a line many have used on me, I trust them more than some random net user.

Saying stuff like "I wonder why you have no PC friends" you massive jerk. Firstly, you insinuate I have no friends by that statement, when I actually the vast majority of my friends (I have many, BTW) are the Halo / Rock Band type, not hardcore gamers. You twisted my words for some petty insult. Honestly, listen to the crap you say, you're getting personal, I'm saying that the problem you're seeing is isolated based on stuff that has nothing to do with the "sony line" and you're getting personal with me.

Seriously. Get over yourself. You started this off being mean and petty. Get over yourself.You can try to fool yourself into thinking you're not playing favorites or whatever. Completely in denial. I didn't make this personal at first, but you just flew off the handle at me and Tenshi no Ai, and you did it from the beginning. "I'm not turning this into a Ps3 bash fest, so keep your made up facts to yourself."

Yeah... Give me a freaking break.

I'd reply but it's not worth extending this any further. Have a Merry Christmas anyway. And thank you for judging me when you don't even know me. If I were playing "favorites" as you put it I wouldn't have a PS2. I did give Sony props for their systems, just wanted CO to know the scoop on all 3 choices.

[Bobtheduck]

I'd reply but it's not worth extending this any further. Have a Merry Christmas anyway. And thank you for judging me when you don't even know me.

Like you did me? Ok, sure thing. I'll judge what you did. "... your made up information" and "I wonder why you don't have any PC friends" and "would you like me to send you the addresses of all these customers"

Jerk moves? Check.

Come on, this is totally unnecessary. There is no point in getting all bent out of shape over video game systems... it is really ridiculous that this is turning in to a "personal" war of words.

Well, I do defend what I like and counter BS when people spew it, but I wasn't the one that made this personal. I think it's absurd that someone's gonna take potshots at me like he did. So, yeah, that's why I'm kind of **** at the moment.