So I'm buying an xbox...

[Russic]

ps3 pros
- blu ray is beautiful
- built in wi-fi
- charge controllers via usb
- free online gaming

ps3 cons
- Online service isn't as fleshed out as Live
- Doesn't come with hdmi cable
- While it has the capability to do so, playing music over the gameplay and trophy support is up to the developers of games. As this is a new feature for the ps3, many games from here out will take advantage, while many older games won't support it.

360 pros
- Large library of AAA games
- Live is a really cool service if online gaming is high on your list
- Play music over the gameplay and achievement support for all games
- Older games that appeared on both ps3 and 360 may play a little better on 360

360 cons
- reliability problems
- no built in wifi (must buy a 100$ adapter)
- fairly loud
- no bluray
- controllers take AA batteries (upgrade to rechargeable controller pack for 15$ per controller)
- Actually uses the term PWN4G3 in its future shop description

I tried to be as unbiased as I can and I hope that helped. In answer to your question, on August 27th the 40 gig ps3's are being replaced by 80 gig ps3's at the same price ($400). I don't believe these will be backwards compatible with ps2 games.

Comparing prices is hard because now there are 2 differently priced 360's and a ps3 right in the middle (360 pro - $300, ps3 - $400, 360 elite - $450).

In the end, game system purchases are rarely disappointing. Both systems are incredibly awesome and both will provide awesome experiences.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by arsenal

another ps3 plus. Because not many ppl own them, you are almost guaranteed to be able to pick up a game for the ps3, and not have to wait months for it like with the wii or possibly xbox.

I've never had an issue trying to buy an Xbox360 game on release day. I walked into a Zeller's around 6pm on it's release day and found a bunch of copies of GTAIV sitting there. If anything it was the PS3 version that most stores were short on.

I own an Xbox360 premium and have for over a year now. Havn't had a single issue with it (and its one of the models from before the hardware upgrades). The onlything that I'm worried about is it's DVD drive since we also use the unit as a DVD player. Plus, GTAIV and Mass Effect are both hellish on the drive. If it turns out I can install these games to the disc, I'll be purchasing an extra hard drive for it. Hopefully Microsoft wisens up and drops the ridiculous price for the 120gig.

If I had a 1080p display I might consider a PS3 if only for Blueray. Otherwise the Xbox360 is an overall better game machine.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Russic

Large library of AAA games

Ya know, I don't really know what "AAA" is for games. Does it mean it has good marbling and has been aged for a few weeks in the fridge?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Controllers are all wireless; PS3 you charge from a USB port, 360 you have batteries or battery pack (I think).

You have to buy a kit that will do exactly that, charge from USB just like playstation. Out of the box you have to use AAs though.

Xbox Live is a great point though. So many of my friends play online on Xbox, none do on PS3, so if I want to pick up NHL and play some friends Xbox is the be st choice.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

Ya know, I don't really know what "AAA" is for games. Does it mean it has good marbling and has been aged for a few weeks in the fridge?

Sorry about that. "AAA" games are widely regarded as must-have titles (gears of war, halo, uncharted and metal gear solid 4 could be considered AAA).

[Flash Walken]

So, the USB charging from PS3 is only available with an additional purchase?

Is BluRay that much better?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

So, the USB charging from PS3 is only available with an additional purchase?

Is BluRay that much better?

Sorry, I meant for Xbox. PS3 has it out of the box, and you have to buy a battery pack for your Xbox. $15 was what was posted above. It's pretty handy to be able to still play your game while the controller charges. A must have IMO.

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

The 360 has more games out for it than the PS3 does, mainly because it's been out longer. Some of the bigger exclusive games have been BioShock, Goears of War, Halo 3, and Mass Effect. On the PS3 side there has been Metal Gear Solid 4, Warhawk, Uncharted, and Ratchet & Clank. Other ones

BioShock is not exclusive, it's coming out for PS3.

Also, Gears of War and Halo 3 were two of the biggest disapointments for me. Call of Duty 4 was a much better shooter, and available for both systems.

Personally, I'd say get a PS3. Blu Ray is incredible, both to watch and to listen to, provided you have a decent home theater set up. You won't have to worry about your system getting the red rings, and there are several more multimedia options on it. I've had waaay better streaming experiences to my PS3 then to my 360. You can even install linux on your PS3, and then put as many emulators and games on it that you would like to enjoy.

After owning both systems, I say I enjoy the PS3 a lot more than a 360.

[Kerplunk]

What kind of games or activities are you planning to use your console for, Flash? Is it going to be a media center, central storage for media, primarily games? What kind of games are you into (FPS, sports, RPG, etc)?

As you can tell by the responses above, each console does something different, some better, some worse. While I am partial to the PS3 (and agree with much of the post Esoteric just made), I know that the 360 is better for some people, based on the games they play and how they play them.

[troutman]

Is it true Rock Band II will only be on xbox (or to start with)?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by troutman

Is it true Rock Band II will only be on xbox (or to start with)?

Variety reports that Harmonix cut a deal with Microsoft that will see Rock Band 2 available exclusively on the Xbox 360 for a few months before being released on the other systems.

Release dates (according to wikipedia):

Release date Xbox 360
NA September 2008[2]
PlayStation 3
NA October 19, 2008
PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii
NA November 18, 2008

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Is BluRay that much better?

Go to a futureshop, bestbuy, visions etc and see it for yourself. They usually have demo units running(hopefully playing Planet Earth).

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Variety reports that Harmonix cut a deal with Microsoft that will see Rock Band 2 available exclusively on the Xbox 360 for a few months before being released on the other systems.

Release dates (according to wikipedia):

Release date Xbox 360
NA September 2008[2]
PlayStation 3
NA October 19, 2008
PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii
NA November 18, 2008

EB and Amazon have the 360 release as Sept. 14, giving it just over a month timed exclusive. Just enough time to get the kinks out of the system for the other releases...although they might risk losing some PS3 owners because of the delay. MS must have paid out pretty good.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Variety reports that Harmonix cut a deal with Microsoft that will see Rock Band 2 available exclusively on the Xbox 360 for a few months before being released on the other systems.

Release dates (according to wikipedia):

Release date Xbox 360
NA September 2008[2]

Happy Birthday to me!

[WhiteTom]

If you plan on using your machine for video, whether it be BluRay or not, I personally find that the PS3 is much nicer since it doesn't sound like there is a jet engine in my house (exaggeration, but the Xbox can be pretty loud).

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

-next dashboard update you can install games to the hdd to get rid of load times....

when is this update happening? i'm so sick of load times in gta

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

when is this update happening? i'm so sick of load times in gta

Note that load times are no going to be zero....you'll still have load times, but they'll be reduced.

It should be a nice update though, I may not have to worry about games freezing anymore.

[Flash Walken]

I like First Person Shooters, Racing games, and hockey.

Ideally I'd like to be able to use it to the full extent of its media centre abilities. I have an HDTV, and am curious about what the HDMI cable costs, as I hear it isn't included with the console.

I really liked playing Call of Duty 4. I was a big fan of the Metal Gear series on the original PS1. I'm just looking at SOCOM right now online, looks pretty sweet.

I think i've been convinced to buy a PS3.

How simple is it to replace the HDD?

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I stocked up on a number of HDMI cables c/o monoprice.com. Got some 5' for about $6 each plus S&H. I wouldn't be overly upset about PS3 not coming with an HDMI cable.

Personally, I'll be buying a PS3 once FFXIII comes out, and by then the 65nm chipped PS3s should be out (I would think). Pretty much after the whole RROD debacle got blown out of the water, I decided to not purchase an xbox. If a company is knowingly releasing a poor-quality product, I'm just gonna steer away from it.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I like First Person Shooters, Racing games, and hockey.

Ideally I'd like to be able to use it to the full extent of its media centre abilities. I have an HDTV, and am curious about what the HDMI cable costs, as I hear it isn't included with the console.

I really liked playing Call of Duty 4. I was a big fan of the Metal Gear series on the original PS1. I'm just looking at SOCOM right now online, looks pretty sweet.

I think i've been convinced to buy a PS3.

How simple is it to replace the HDD?

I highly (HIGHLY) suggest going to monoprice.com for your cables. It will take approximately 9 days to arrive from the states, but they will cost around 5$. You could go pay 90$ at futureshop for Monster cables, but then you'd just be the breath of everyone's jokes. Yes the mark-up is that high

Replacing the HDD is dead easy. I currently have a 500 gb external attached to mine, but if an internal drive is more your thing it's just as simple as pulling the old drive out and putting the new drive in.