Gaming Console Recomendation

[CU Tiger]

Considering getting my son a new console for Christmas(Currently we have a PS2 and a Wii).

I am trying to decide between buying the PS3 and the 360.
Without embarking leegions of fanbboyisms I would like to get opinions on what separates these two.

This will be something he and I will play together so, when the points about me have some validity but are not decision makers.

- Blu Ray is no real draw to us. We probably own 5 DVDs as a family, just not a real movie group
- Neither he nor I have any interest in FPS. Game play will be almost exclusively sports titles and racing games with maybe a little mix in of adventure rpg types for him
- I was initially leaning towards a PS3 for no reason other than I owned a PS1 and a PS2 and am familiar with the controller layout, but then realized, while I am familiar I ahve never really liked it. Played a 360 at a friends and it seemed comfortable
- RROD horror stories scare me
- Have also heard of disc read errors with Sony and Sony has had horrible customer service in my experience.
- Online play, never done it but definitely interested/inted to. Love the idea of playing Madden/NCAA player vs player remotely.

So question is, what pros and cons are there to each.
Which has a better online network, and which is higher cost.
Any know issues not mentioned I need to consider?

I am very early in this process (just started tonight) but figured more opinions here than any other community I a a part of.

[Balldog]

I have both and prefer the XBOX 360. I think XBOX Live is better than PS Network but you have to pay for it, which sucks but its not ridiculus. The other con to 360 is the RROD. Sorry I don't have much more to offer, just haven't been into console gaming as much recently. I don't think you can really go wrong with either one, but if you like baseball I'd suggest going PS3 for MLB The Show...you are screwed on 360.

[stevew]

I'd get a PS3 if he likes baseball. Also if you're into racing the new GT5(or is it 4) game has to be a must buy.

[illinifan999]

I have a 360 and sometimes wish it would turn into a PS3.

[PurdueBrad]

I have both and ultimately prefer my 360, particularly for sports games. However, to echo what was said before, if baseball is either of your favorite sports, go PS3. If it is football, hockey, or basketball, go 360. And if you're after any kind of on-line experience, I recommend the 360 over the PS3 as well.

[SackAttack]

I prefer Xbox Live to the PlayStation Network when it comes to the online stuff.

I enjoy watching BD's on my PlayStation 3, but I'm not certain I would get a PS3 for that capability any more than I got a PlayStation 2 for DVD playback. It's definitely a value add, but mostly (IMO) for people who are debating between getting a standalone player or a PlayStation 3. For people debating between PS3 and Xbox 360, it has a lesser relevancy.

On the other hand, the PlayStation 3 has a definite advantage in terms of first-party software. Microsoft has got Gears, Halo, and Forza. Right now, that's about it, as they've essentially abandoned their other franchises for one reason or another.

PlayStation 3 has the aforementioned MLB The Show (yes, it is the best baseball game out there), it has the Ratchet and Clank titles, Killzone (if you like that franchise; I'm thoroughly meh on it), Metal Gear Solid 4, and some quirkier exclusives like Folklore.

It also has much greater flexibility with the hard drive if you intend to do anything with digital distribution, now that both Sony and Microsoft are making large swaths of their game library available for download via their respective network solutions.

[Kodos]

I have both and mildly prefer the PS3, probably due to prefering the Dual Shock. PS3 also has exclusives like Uncharted and Resistance. The lower failure rate is a big plus too. If I could only have one, I'd probably go with the PS3.

[RainMaker]

If Blu-Ray doesn't matter, I prefer XBox. I think their online system is much better and I always felt they had more players available for some of the less popular games. I guess I'm also a fan of their controller and think it's much easier to use for shooters.

I have both and typically buy games for the XBox. I primarily have the PS3 for Blu-Ray and some exclusive titles like The Show.

[MrDNA]

What it came down to for me was the MLB: The Show franchise. Simply the best baseball game I've ever played, probably the best sports game I've ever played.

[CraigSca]

What it came down to for me was the MLB: The Show franchise. Simply the best baseball game I've ever played, probably the best sports game I've ever played.

Same - and I no longer buy games for the 360 if I can get the PS3 version. I just can't stand having to deal with the possible RROD.

[Radii]

I'll pile on with what seems to be the general consensus. If online play, espicially NCAA/Madden, is your top priority, then 360 would win for me hands down. If the Sony only games(MLB The Show) are important that obviously tips the scales to the PS3.

I have both, and have a mix of games on both, and have no real preference as to which one I buy a new game for, unless I intend to play online, in which case I will buy the 360 version.

[k0ruptr]

This happened to me 3 weeks ago, and I decided I'd go with the system with more and better games imo. I am enjoying my 360 a ton. IMO just there are so so so many great games for it, lots of them for just 10-20 bucks ! its crazy but I could probably play this thing for at least a year without picking up 1 60 dollar game and have a great time. not just the 20 dollar platinum hits selection, but also the used game selection at gamestop is great. so for me it was a good choice. 360 = cheaper system, cheaper games,and more games. If blu ray doesn't matter then get a 360.

[SackAttack]

I will say that most of the time, if a game is multiplatform, I get it on the 360 unless there's a compelling reason otherwise.

FFXIII will probably be a PS3 game for me, if only because I'd just as soon not deal with disc swapping if I don't have to.

[Cringer]

I have both. My 360 is pretty much just a DVD player now (when it reads the DVDs that is). PS3 has the built in wireless and free online gaming, two things that made it number one between the two. Controllers are a personal thing. I had a 360 long before a PS3 and I never had a problem with the controller. When I got the PS3 I realized how much more I actually liked the PS3 controller.

As for the PS3 online system, it isn't bad IMO. Not having ever used XBox Live I have no idea what makes it better to those who have, so really I am not missing out on anything IMO (ignorance is bliss).

Personally I go with the PS3. My ten year old daughter picks the PS3 over the Wii and 360 as well, mainly because of Little Big Planet. She also loves Skate 2 (not exclusive though). She just played the Wii for the first time in a couple months the other day and that was to do EA Active since she has no sports going on in real life right now.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'd echo the exclusives comment from some of the previous posters. I'd buy a new PS3 right now if I had to just to play MLB: The Show. It's the best sports game available, hands down. The exclusives out there right now that you could buy on the PS3 is a pretty impressive list. GT5 and Heavy Rain are just around the corner.

I've got a launch PS3 and a PS3 Slim and haven't had any quality issues at all.

[spleen1015]

I never thought I would say this, but I would go PS3. The only reason I turn on my XBOX any more is for Modern Warfare 2 to play with my friends.

[Neon_Chaos]

I have both and, personally, I'd go for the PS3.

[Fidatelo]

If you are interested in playing with your friends, get whichever system they predominantly have. Otherwise save yourself some grief down the road and get a PS3.

[dubb93]

Not an XBOX fanboy but I will say that not EVERY xbox 360 is complete junk. I bought mine about a month after they launched and have never had a RROD. I do not own a PS3 so my 360 has seen alot of use at this point.

[dubb93]

Not an XBOX fanboy but I will say that not EVERY xbox 360 is complete junk. I bought mine about a month after they launched and have never had a RROD. I do not own a PS3 so my 360 has seen alot of use at this point.

Infact I do not personally know anyone(and nearly all of my friends have an xbox 360) that has had an issue with the dreaded RROD.

[Ramzavail]

I love my 360, I only want to buy a ps3 if it has backward capability. If anybody wants to sell me theres, PM me ;)

[PurdueBrad]

Infact I do not personally know anyone(and nearly all of my friends have an xbox 360) that has had an issue with the dreaded RROD.

I've had it several times over my four years of owning the 360:

I was able to swap it immediately at my retailer twice.

The last time, the X-Box warranty covered it and I sent it in my own box which meant all I had to do was print a shipping label. I was without the X-Box for 6 days and got three months free Gold Live service.

Is RROD a problem? Yes. Is it the end of the world? Not hardly. And since I've gotten the replacement, it has been almost a year and a half trouble free.

[Fidatelo]

Infact I do not personally know anyone(and nearly all of my friends have an xbox 360) that has had an issue with the dreaded RROD.

Whereas I am the opposite. I have about 7 or 8 friends with 360's and 5 of us are on at least our 2nd console. One of my buddies just had his 3rd one RROD, so he'll be receiving his 4th in a few weeks. Just garbage hardware.

That said, when the thing works it's brilliant. Nothing beats Modern Warfare 2 with a bunch of your friends online.

[EagleFan]

I have both and here is my .02:

I only play PS3 only titles on the PS3, if there is a choice between versions I always go with the 360.

The controller for the 360 is MUCH better than the PS3 controller. My thumb cramps up insanely if I use the PS3 for any extended play (for games that require heavy use of the left thumb stick).

Online on the 360 is infinitely better than the PS3.

PS3 is quieter, not as noisy when playing.

360 still has the RROD to deal with. Got one a few months ago but was pleasantly surprised with how quickly it was fixed and returned.

Overall, only the RROD levels the playing field as the 360 is far superior in the most important categories.

[Kodos]

I have one of the original 60 GB PS3s. You'd have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. :)

My 360 already went through the RROD once. I know a ton of guys on this board have had it as well.

[k0ruptr]

The new Jaspar chipped 360's seem to have fixed 90% of the RROD problems btw, (so far)

[JediKooter]

Only have the 360. Had it since 06 I believe and no problems with it other than the tray doesn't want to open for some stupid reason. It will eventually open but not always on the first or second or third trys. My cousin had his PS3 for about 9 months and has had to send it back because it stopped reading disks.

[ColtCrazy]

I have a 360 and a Wii. Never considered a PS3.

1. I've never had RROD on my Xbox. It's sits on top of my entertainment center, so it gets well ventilated.
2. Got the Arcade version, but bought a 20 GB hard drive for games. You can load games on the had drive and it makes it much quieter when playing. I'm dying to buy a bigger HD just to load all my games on instead of just 2.
3. Controller is comfortable.
4. I don't play a lot online, but I like having access to content, patches, rosters for sports, etc.

I love my 360 and get a lot of use out of it. And I only really play sports games too and the occasional game like Fable or the Lego series with my son.

[Marc Vaughan]

I have all 3 next-gen consoles - of them the PS-3 is basically a BluRay player, never gets turned on for anything else, the Wii was a 'fad' and only gets used sporadically when a must have Nintendo release comes out (which is basically about twice a year) ...

So you're probably expecting a recommendation for a 360 then, well I use mine mainly to watch TV on myself (downloading shows) - if its a games console you're after I'd recommend a PS-2, my sons have them in their bedrooms and thats what my kids play on most and the one they buy the majority of their games for, despite having the option for next-gen goodness (I'm not complaining its a lot cheaper for me and doesn't hog the TV in the living room :D).

You've already got a PS-2 from the sounds of things, so unless he's 'itching' for something new I'd recommend saving your money and investing in some games for that or possibly a handheld console? (does he have a DSi?).

[Izulde]

I also have all 3 next-gen systems. The Wii gets used barely at all, mostly for Wii Bowling. I'm pretty much done with the 360, I think. I've got RROD on 3 different 360s now and I'm not a big fan of the controller.

I use the PS3 fairly often, both for PS3 games and PS2 (There's no way I will ever, -ever- give my BC PS3). Although I have to admit, I don't play console games too often these days, so I mainly use my PS3 for its Blu-Ray goodness.

[Buccaneer]

I was in about the same boat as CU Tiger...until I did some research. My stepson plays his PS2 frequently, even getting new games for it on a regularly basis. He had been wanting a PS3 since forever but that was a lot of money to pay. Now I see that the price has come down and thought it was time to upgrade. Then I read that you cannot play any of his 100+ PS2 titles on the PS3. Why is that?

So it came down which platform (PS3 or XBOX) would have a good selection of his type of games. I went to look on amazon saw only a handful of titles (his games are the anime fighting games - stuff like Shin Megami). Why are there only a handful of games for either platform? I guess we got spoiled by PS2's huge library. From reading this thread, it appears that everyone is using it to watch movies or to play online?

[gstelmack]

The anime fighting games are big in Japan, not so big here, so not very many of them here.

[Izulde]

The first run of PS3s were backwards compatible with PS2. Not sure why they changed it.

[Kodos]

They removed BC to save money on production costs.

[Mustang]

I own all 3 systems. The Wii would be a distant third, but if I had to chose between the 360 and PS3, I'd go with the 360 although, if someone force me to just have a PS3, I wouldn't be pissed. I just prefer the online portion and games titles for the 360 a little more than the PS3. Although, if you are a baseball fan, the PS3 would definitely be the easy choice just because of The Show.

[SackAttack]

The first run of PS3s were backwards compatible with PS2. Not sure why they changed it.

They removed BC to save money on production costs.

The production costs were a pretty piddling savings, realistically.

They did it to reduce production costs on the unit, but ALSO - and this is more important - to encourage people to purchase more PS3 software instead of buying it just to play PS2 games on with a "we'll get some PS3 games later" mindset.

If you can't attach the software, companies don't make games for your platform. If they don't make games for your platform because you aren't attaching, that is a damned hard cycle to break, especially if the competition keeps getting nifty new games because they ARE selling both hardware and software.

The production cost savings they were glad to have, I'm sure, but that was far from the primary motivator IMO.

[Kodos]

You and your industry knowledge! Pshaw, I say!

[Sweed]

We have both and the ps3 is the one I'd want if I could only have one. The only thing I like about the 360 better is the controller with the offset sticks. However it's only slightly better than the dual shock IMHO and not a reason to buy a 360 over a ps3.

My 13 lucky reasons for going ps3, YMMV.

1. Stated many times but no RROD issues. Turn it on it works. To me this can't be stated enough. Overall I think MS has been given a huge pass on this issue on these boards, which is very surprising to me, when you consider some of the minute things that get blasted (fairly in most circumstances) here.

2. The Show

3. blue ray for movies

4. easy, cheap upgrade to the hard drive vs. MS forcing you to buy their overpriced hardware (I've read where you can mod your 360 and use standard hard drives but hardly up my alley and of course voids any warranty, not sure if it's true or not)

5. The Show

6. I play sports games for the most part and I can always get roster updates where the 360 games (Madden 08,09 and NHL08) I have bought you needed gold membership to get them. I do believe though that Madden this year finally saw the light and delivers rosters through silver memberships (ie for free). Don't know about nhl10.

7. The Show

8. Free online. I don't play any games online don't feel like weeding out cheesers etc. but I do like knowing I'm never limited in what I can get compared to other users because I don't go with a paid service. I'm sure 360 gold is better but then you do pay for it, it should be better. Doesn't mean ps3's is bad and as was stated earlier if you've only had sony online you won't miss out on something you've never used in 360 gold.

9. The Show

10. The ability to use flash drives to get download content or share files with my son.

11. The Show

12. Backward compatibility has never been an issue for me. We have a launch ps3 and it's never seen a ps2 game. If I really wanted to play a ps2 game I guess I would just put the disk in our ps2;) There's also the fact that if I only bought a 360, because of BC issues with ps3, it wouldn't play my ps2 games either:) Nothing gained or lost in either situation.

13. Did I mention The Show

[Passacaglia]

Since so many people are raving about it -- what's so great about The Show, anyway?

[Buccaneer]

How much did the Wii's backwards compatability contribute to their enormous sales?

Speaking of Wii, we did buy my son a Wii when his GameCube broke. He doesn't have any Wii games yet but he loves it since he is nuts about the EA Sports games and the Mario games. I have heard that the Wii games are not that good graphics-wise. Is that right? But as long as he can play his GC games, that has to be a huge bonus, I think?

[stevew]

Out of my group of friends, I'm the only one who hasn't had his 360 RROD

[SackAttack]

How much did the Wii's backwards compatibility contribute to their enormous sales?

Speaking of Wii, we did buy my son a Wii when his GameCube broke. He doesn't have any Wii games yet but he loves it since he is nuts about the EA Sports games and the Mario games. I have heard that the Wii games are not that good graphics-wise. Is that right? But as long as he can play his GC games, that has to be a huge bonus, I think?

I don't have a problem with the Wii's graphical output. But, then, it isn't my primary game system either.

That's what it comes down to, really. What expectations do you have for it in terms of its abilities and in terms of its likely use? If the Wii is going to be it for you for the next 5-7 years, and you want something that's gonna blow you away visually...the Wii probably isn't for you.

[Big Fo]

How much did the Wii's backwards compatability contribute to their enormous sales?

Speaking of Wii, we did buy my son a Wii when his GameCube broke. He doesn't have any Wii games yet but he loves it since he is nuts about the EA Sports games and the Mario games. I have heard that the Wii games are not that good graphics-wise. Is that right? But as long as he can play his GC games, that has to be a huge bonus, I think?

Considering that the GameCube was the third most popular console in the US last generation I don't think a lack of backward compatibility would have been brought up nearly as often as it was with the PS3. I don't think it was a big factor at all, though it was nice for me personally since I never had a GameCube and I picked up a few games I'd missed out on for cheap.

Wii graphics are better than GameCube graphics but not by much, there are only a handful of Wii games that look better than the best looking GameCube games.

[Scoobz0202]

Out of my group of friends, I'm the only one who hasn't had his 360 RROD

Same. And my 360 is a launch 360.

It was not used for probably close to a year, though.

[terpkristin]

I have a Wii, 360, and PS3 (and a PS2 and 2 PSPs and a DS and a partridge in a pear tree).

I definitely play my 360 the most if friends aren't around (though Castle Crashers--a downloadable game on 360--was a favorite game with friends til we beat it), the Wii if they are.

XBox Live is almost $50 a year, which I pay, though I rarely play online these days. I was using it for Netflix but my disc for the PS3 just came in the mail so I'll be able to do a side-by-side. PS3's network is free for now but there have been discussions of "premium levels" though no real details of what those would entail. Most of my friends have 360's, so IF I play online, it's that.

I'll admit, I haven't played a game on my PS3 in ages, I've mostly used it as a BluRay player. I used to love the DualShock controller for the PS2 but I'm not a fan of the PS3 original controller (haven't tried the newer ones, also hate the blu link-up instead of IR, feels like it needs recharging a LOT more often than my PS2 wireless controllers or my 360 controller).

My 360 is hella noisy. I'm figuring it'll die one day, though I'm beyond the 2 year warranty for RROD. When it goes, I'll probably get a non-harddrive version and just pop my hard drive in.

/tk

[MrDNA]

Since so many people are raving about it -- what's so great about The Show, anyway?

Honestly, just... everything. The best hitting mechanic I've used, most realistic stats, amazing graphics, a ridiculous amount of detail (When Chipper Jones bats in Philly you hear the chants of "Larrrrrry!" all the home run celebrations are in the game, alternate and throwback unis, etc.) and amazing opponent AI (esp. re: pitch selection). Check out some of the reviews for more info. I bought my PS3 just to play this game and if I never had another PS3 game it still would have been worth it.

[stevew]

Same. And my 360 is a launch 360.

It was not used for probably close to a year, though.

Mine was one of the first models to use HDMI. I game in spurts, right now my 360 hasn't been used in probably 4 months.

All I know is that I have about 5 friends with a 360, and they've all sent it in for repairs. One dude sent his in 2 or 3 times.

[EagleFan]

Forgot to add, if you are looking fo racing games the 360 controller is light years better than the PS3 controller. Using the triggers for gas and brake on that controller are much better than what you can do on a PS3 controller.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

PS3's network is free for now but there have been discussions of "premium levels" though no real details of what those would entail.

Everything that is free now will be free going forward. The premium content will be much like what it was before for subscriptions like Qore. You'll still be able to surf the net, use Netflix, play online, etc. the exact same way you do now with no cost to the user.

[MizzouRah]

Our Wii is used by the kids every now and then.. our 360 is turned on every day - it's my second as my first RROD - but the service from MS was superb!

I'm a huge Sony guy.. all 5 TV's in the house are Sony's and we still play the ps2 here and there - but the 360 is my favorite console to date.

I am jealous of you Show players though! ;) Maybe 2k will get it right this year?

[Marc Vaughan]

The first run of PS3s were backwards compatible with PS2. Not sure why they changed it.

Made the unit more expensive to produce - they basically put PS-2 chips into the unit to make it compatible, removing them help to allow them to reduce the price (which they deemed more 'useful' than retaining compatibility).

If you look in Gamestop you might be able to pick up a second hand unit which is backward compatible - thats what I did when I picked up mine.

[CU Tiger]

Well bumping this up.
We ended up not getting him a console at all for Christmas, then today he took money he had been saving shopping wih his grandma, and bought himself a 360...guess he made the choice.

Now Im trying to play catch up and see if he actually bought the right thing. He bought the arcade version that as far as I can tell has no hard drive, now trying to figure out if that is needed befoe I let him open it.

Thoughts?

[EagleFan]

I would recommend getting a hard drive for it. That allows for downloads and installing to hard drive for your most active games.

[CU Tiger]

But would we be better buying a hard drive or returning the "arcade" version and getting the "elite" etc.

[stevew]

Elite is the way to go. Unless you can find a reasonably priced used hard drive.

[Sweed]

Elite is the way to go. Unless you can find a reasonably priced used hard drive.

+1

[EagleFan]

Elite is the way to go. Unless you can find a reasonably priced used hard drive.

+1

Never checked te hard drive prices for the 360 and have been satisfied with the Elite.

[Marc Vaughan]

+ 1

I've an elite and it rocks :D

(although if he's bought the console himself I'd suggest leaving it with the one he's got and buying the add-on drive, yes it might be a bit smaller (don't know for sure, but used to be) - BUT he chose the system he has and with a lot of kids thats an important factor to bear in mind ... it might feel a bit of a put down if you just take it away and replace it with something else, you know him better than me obviously but something to consider).

[CU Tiger]

+ 1
BUT he chose the system he has and with a lot of kids thats an important factor to bear in mind ... it might feel a bit of a put down if you just take it away and replace it with something else, you know him better than me obviously but something to consider).

Thanks for the thought, but I am not as concerned there.
For one he is only 9, and also we are very open and communicative, if I tell him I think he needs the Elite version and I'll cover the difference I think he'll be happy. But I'll be sure to make it a suggestion and let him choose....

[k0ruptr]

Hard Drives are pretty damn cheap on craigslist, often times making the Arcade + HD cheaper then an elite. and therefore you would be saving money and not losing anything. Arcade's have everything the elites have now adays - HD cord (but still have the port) and the black color.

more then likely you can get Arcade + HD for under 250.

I got mine for under $220 but I'm not sure you can find a deal like that often...

[DanGarion]

If you have a Xbox 360 and are looking to upgrade your hard drive but don't feel it's worth the ripoff that Microsoft tries to do to you, I highly suggest to check out usafa777 on Ebay
eBay Seller: usafa777: Computers Networking items on eBay.com (http://shop.ebay.com/usafa777/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686)

I got a 120 GB drive through him and it has worked flawless for a month so far.

[CU Tiger]

If you have a Xbox 360 and are looking to upgrade your hard drive but don't feel it's worth the ripoff that Microsoft tries to do to you, I highly suggest to check out usafa777 on Ebay
eBay Seller: usafa777: Computers Networking items on eBay.com (http://shop.ebay.com/usafa777/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686)

I got a 120 GB drive through him and it has worked flawless for a month so far.


Ive got to do more research apparentl, how is this better than say: Buy Xbox 360 Hard Drive 120GB (http://www.pricego.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9Z6-00001&click=2)