Should I go Xbox 360 or PS3?

[Jayems]

Well, I'm going to break down and buy one of these new systems. I just can't decide. On one hand, I hear really great things about the xbox, but I have a tonne of PS games, and have never really played Xbox before.

The new NHL07 was going to be the final straw in getting one, but I never did. Anyway... what do you guys suggest? What are the pros and cons?

I know there are diehard PS fans, and diehard xbox fans, and keep in mind that I really only play hockey or sports games on these.

And has anyone ever played on a widescreen? IE: I'm getting a video in card for my PC, with inlets that allow me to play on here, but I have a widescreen. Does it get all funky? Or is it perfectly fine?

Thanks in advance.

And, if I should choose the xbox, what is the deal that some are $300, some are $500... I understand one has a harddrive, but what is that all about.. do you really need it? BEcuase I honestly don't know a thing about xbox's, other than I have to pay to play online...

Cheers,

James.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I went with the X360 just 1.5 weeks ago. Got tired of crappy graphics and kiddie games on the Wii and was missing a good old FPS or sports game. Complements the Wii games nicely.

Overall the graphics aren't as good as the PS3 - everyime I walk by a PS3 Motorstorm game I'm in awe. X360 is good, but it doesn't completely blow me away. Widescreen is fine on both consoles.

But buy the X360 from Costco at all costs, even if it's a bit more. You want the unlimited return on these high failure X360s.

[Jayems]

so the PS3 is a better system performance and graphics wise?

Basically, base the whole decision on NHL 08.

What system would be better for that specific game?

[TurnedTheCorner]

The PS3 is the king of specs, no question. It's a beast. It may take enough time that your children will be enjoying maximized games for it.

Really, I don't see how anyowe would choose a PS3 over a 360 right now, if those are all you're considering. The PS3 is overpriced, and the library is suffering from typical first yeear doldrums.

The Xbox360 should be more than enough for you to enjoy playing hockey with. Online is a cinch, the graphics are very nice, and you're saving hundreds of dollars.

Unless money is no object, I'd recommend a 360.

[Human Torch]

I have both and even though I have 07 for 360 I'll be be getting 08 for the PS3. The main reason is because the PS3 supports more than 4 controllers and I have friends that come over that can fill each roster position. The PS3 does have free online play, however the userbase is really small at the moment and you're better off getting on xboxlive if that's your thing.

[Jayems]

i also hear that GTA IV will be awesome for the PS3. That coming out for Xbox?

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I think in terms of graphics in sport games, you're not gonna see a huge difference between the 360 and PS3. Since EA will port their games to PS3, 360, and PC (and sometimes Wii), they're not going to be taking full advantage of the PS3's capabilities. In fact in the next 2-3 years, I think we'll be lucky to see 12 games that actually use PS3 to it's limit. I would say for the short term, go 360 since it's cheaper and has a wider range of games (although like 3 in every 4 games released is the same FPS lol. Also keep in mind that I don't own a 360 But if I had to choose, I would go that route.

And actually... you may wanna wait a few more months for the console prices to drop too. Rumour has it that PS3 is gonna reduce their price by $100, and if that happens chances are you'll see reduction in prices in the 360, and possibly the Wii as well to maintain the competition.

Edit (and slightly OT): Madden '08 for Wii is coming out soon and previewers think it will be fantastic.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Jayems

And has anyone ever played on a widescreen? IE: I'm getting a video in card for my PC, with inlets that allow me to play on here, but I have a widescreen. Does it get all funky? Or is it perfectly fine?

James.

I'm not sure what you mean by this statement. Widecreen TV? Widescreen computer monitor? What would a video-in card on your PC have to do with playing hockey on a console??? It would only be for videocapture. You don't need a videocard to get PS3 or XBox onto your monitor. You plug the console right into the computer monitor, NOT INTO YOUR VIDEOCARD/PC.

A powerful higher end videocard on your PC that is current will be more powerful than an Xbox 360 and perhaps even more powerful than a PS3. If your widescreen TV has DVI, you can plug your PC in your widescreen and choose whatever resolution or aspect ratio you want.

If you are bent on a PS3 or an XBox, NHL 08 will not take advantage of the PS3's power nor will many games until awhile down the road. A 360 will be good enough for now and really, hockey is not a particularily graphics demanding game anyway.

[Cerebral]

I'm close to finally purchasing a PS3. I've been in no hurry at all due to the lack of games out right now but Ratchet and Clank will be out soon and a bunch of decent games (including Uncharted) will be coming out right after that as well.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Jayems

i also hear that GTA IV will be awesome for the PS3. That coming out for Xbox?

Yup, Rockstar will no longer be delaying releases for Xbox like they did with PS2/Xbox. GTA comes out the same day for both.

Both consoles are pretty similar, but one is a bit more powerful, and one has a crapload more games. It's the opposite of the PS2/Xbox war that saw the PS2 win despite inferior hardware.

For me personally, the controllers made my decision along with the price. I have big hands (no it's not true what they say, very small penis for this guy) and hate the playstation controllers.

Consoles sold so far:

Xbox: 11 million
PS3: 3 million

More consoles out there means more games.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Both consoles are pretty similar, but one is a bit more powerful, and one has a crapload more games. It's the opposite of the PS2/Xbox war that saw the PS2 win despite inferior hardware.

The key difference here is that a large number of quality games are scheduled to come out on the PS3 including some heavy hitters like Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, GTA and Devil May Cry. It's not like quality games aren't getting developed for the PS3, they're just not out yet.

I have a feeling there are a number of people like me out there who are intending to buy a PS3 but are simply waiting until more games are available (and quietly hoping for a price drop).

[LockedOut]

Don't forget PS3 has Blu-ray. If that's something you were considering for the future that may weigh in on your decision.

[Flashpoint]

If you are thinking a big reason you want the PS3 is because you might want to play your PS2 games, think again. If the PS3 supports them at all, there will probably be significant graphics and sound issues.

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/745/745439p1.html

Much as the Playstation 2 Slimkit will have performance issues with older PS2 games, the PS3 probably will never be fully functional with last gen titles.

At this point, the answer is 360. Better games, better functionality, better online access. It doesn't have 100% backwards compatability either, but it doesn't matter because so many new titles are out.

In a year the library of PS3 games may have something worthwhile. For now, the 360 is king.

(and cheaper)

[Burninator]

XBox 360 has Guitar Hero II...what's there to think aboot?

But seriously now, I have a 360 and it's great. I thought about buying a Wii, but I think I would have grown tired of it. I mostly play FPS and racing games, the 360 is more tailored for that. As well as sports games, which you seem to be interested in. It's a great system for the money, I've never had any problems with it. Oh except don't tilt the system from the upright position to the lying down one, or visa versa, it'll ruin the CD.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by LockedOut

Don't forget PS3 has Blu-ray. If that's something you were considering for the future that may weigh in on your decision.

That is what pushes me over the edge for the PS3. I use my blu-ray all of the time. And, I read somewhere last month that Blu-ray discs have been outselling HD-DVD discs by a margin of 3-1 since the start of 2007. They may or may not win the format war, but at the very least, Blu-Ray will be a viable format for years to come.

Blockbuster has started renting Blu-ray and HD-DVD now. They are getting new releases each week. Now, I wont even rent something that they dont have in Blu-Ray, unless it is something that is only released on HD-DVD, in which case I need to get the regular DVD (or download a 720p rip of hte hd-dvd).

Dont feel obligated to by the DVD remote for the PS3. The controller works great, if you are adept at using a controller at all. I wish all my remotes were rechargeable like a PS3 controller.

The games are coming along. But, the xbox still has way more choices.

The playstation online environment is free. There are actually lots of good free downloads and demos, and some $5.99 classic games as well.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

The key difference here is that a large number of quality games are scheduled to come out on the PS3 including some heavy hitters like Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, GTA and Devil May Cry. It's not like quality games aren't getting developed for the PS3, they're just not out yet.

I have a feeling there are a number of people like me out there who are intending to buy a PS3 but are simply waiting until more games are available (and quietly hoping for a price drop).

Rumour has is that MGS is being ported to the 360 and the Wii. The 360 rumour seems more solid than the Wii rumour though. Also, Square Enix recently released a statement saying that the 360 and PS3 are missing the market. I wonder if that means anything about the future working relationship between Sony and Square.

http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id...Confirmed.html

http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=13954

http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=4322

[Kerplunk]

Just FYI, if you buy a 360 you might want to think about getting a replacement plan through the store (like those ones Best Buy has. If it breaks, bring it in and get a new one). Three people I know had their systems break; one wouldn't boot after an update, another just stopped working. Newer ones might not be as bad though.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Just FYI, if you buy a 360 you might want to think about getting a replacement plan through the store (like those ones Best Buy has. If it breaks, bring it in and get a new one). Three people I know had their systems break; one wouldn't boot after an update, another just stopped working. Newer ones might not be as bad though.

Apparently the new ones are no better than the old ones. The "Red Ring of Death" is apparently very common. It probably has to do with the fact that the fan in the system is inadequate. Warranty would be highly recommended for a 360.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Rumour has is that MGS is being ported to the 360 and the Wii. The 360 rumour seems more solid than the Wii rumour though. Also, Square Enix recently released a statement saying that the 360 and PS3 are missing the market. I wonder if that means anything about the future working relationship between Sony and Square.

http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id...Confirmed.html

http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=13954

http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=4322

Those "rumours" are simply fabrications created by people hoping they can somehow get MGS for the XBox. Heck, that first article is actually just a word-for-word copy of a previous Metal Gear article (for a different game) that was published years ago.

Kojima has stated numerous times that MGS4 will only come out on the PS3 and he hasn't even once hinted at anything to the contrary.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Just FYI, if you buy a 360 you might want to think about getting a replacement plan through the store (like those ones Best Buy has. If it breaks, bring it in and get a new one). Three people I know had their systems break; one wouldn't boot after an update, another just stopped working. Newer ones might not be as bad though.

The 360's seem to be unreliable.

In contrast, my brother has had his PS3 running nonstop for over 4 weeks now. He has been 'folding at home' constantly for all of that time. Granted, that is only one case, but still, it bodes well.

Another thing I like about the PS3 is that they simply feel more refined than any other console. One unit contains everything - the blu-ray player, wireless network ability, rechargeable controllers, power supply, etc, etc.