Revisiting the Xbox 360 vs. PS3 debate

Schrensky wrote:

I'm gonna have to side with the PS3's interface as well. I really liked the oldschool 360 interface before they switched to their dashboard view, but now I find it ungainly.

I agree. I still play games on the 360 much more often, but the current UI is just horrible. The PS3 wins that debate by default, simply by largely remaining the same.

The 360 has a thriving online community, a better controller IMO and frequently gets
great XBLA games that are console-exclusive. That said I prefer the PS3 exclusives and thus that system. Stuff like Tokyo Jungle, Demon's Souls, Ni No Kuni, PixelJunk Eden, inFamous, Valkyria Chronicles and many others make the PS3 my preferred system.

i just want to chime in and say that from a longevity point of view, there are compelling reasons to get a gaming PC over any of the two ageing consoles in 2012. It's not about "PC elitism," but don't let me stand in the way of others who want to make a big deal out of it.

Edit: But I'd also add that from a budget point of view, I think a 360 (with Kinect) is a lot of fun. Steam doesn't hold a monopoly of cheap libraries either.

Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

Before that conversation's over can I chime in and suggest a good, cheap P...

*slap*

Okay, okay! I was about say PS3! Sheesh. I like the exclusives. I think you have to decide based on which software you want. I understand that a lot of the GWJer community is also on 360, so that might tip the decision in that direction.

DSGamer wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

...which would make discussions about PCs unreasonable before we clarified that you can build a PC for half that $1200+ price he mentioned. I don't think Paleo should build a PC because it is still quite expensive, but I don't think you can dismiss the PC as an option until you clarify the price issue first.

Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

...which would make discussions about PCs unreasonable before we clarified that you can build a PC for half that $1200+ price he mentioned. I don't think Paleo should build a PC because it is still quite expensive, but I don't think you can dismiss the PC as an option until you clarify the price issue first.

Then couldn't people suggest handhelds? I think the Vita would be the best purchase a person could make, but it's not what he's asking. An iPad is really cheap and multi-functional, why rule it out?

DSGamer wrote:
Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

...which would make discussions about PCs unreasonable before we clarified that you can build a PC for half that $1200+ price he mentioned. I don't think Paleo should build a PC because it is still quite expensive, but I don't think you can dismiss the PC as an option until you clarify the price issue first.

Then couldn't people suggest handhelds? I think the Vita would be the best purchase a person could make, but it's not what he's asking. An iPad is really cheap and multi-functional, why rule it out?

As I was typing out my response, I was wondering if you would respond with a Vita suggestion, lol

I suppose you don't have to rule it out. I would like to hear more about it anyway.

Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

...which would make discussions about PCs unreasonable before we clarified that you can build a PC for half that $1200+ price he mentioned. I don't think Paleo should build a PC because it is still quite expensive, but I don't think you can dismiss the PC as an option until you clarify the price issue first.

Then couldn't people suggest handhelds? I think the Vita would be the best purchase a person could make, but it's not what he's asking. An iPad is really cheap and multi-functional, why rule it out?

As I was typing out my response, I was wondering if you would respond with a Vita suggestion, lol

I suppose you don't have to rule it out. I would like to hear more about it anyway.

It's really neat! It's this cool handheld Sony makes, and it's like a PSP with way more power and TWO analog sticks! And the front and back are both touch-sensitive and have cameras and it's got Six-Axis o.O

Schrensky wrote:
Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Grubber788 wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And before anyone says PC, I don't want to sink $1200+ on a PC since the aforementioned Chancellor would make my life worse than Silent Hill.

...which would make discussions about PCs unreasonable before we clarified that you can build a PC for half that $1200+ price he mentioned. I don't think Paleo should build a PC because it is still quite expensive, but I don't think you can dismiss the PC as an option until you clarify the price issue first.

Then couldn't people suggest handhelds? I think the Vita would be the best purchase a person could make, but it's not what he's asking. An iPad is really cheap and multi-functional, why rule it out?

As I was typing out my response, I was wondering if you would respond with a Vita suggestion, lol

I suppose you don't have to rule it out. I would like to hear more about it anyway.

It's really neat! It's this cool handheld Sony makes, and it's like a PSP with way more power and TWO analog sticks! And the front and back are both touch-sensitive and have cameras and it's got Six-Axis o.O

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/Ytl7W.jpg)

Some day I'm going to work out how much time and effort would be involved to make my PC into a glowing UFO bad taste monstrosity, and an on/off switch for 'normal' usage.

Scratched wrote:

Some day I'm going to work out how much time and effort would be involved to make my PC into a glowing UFO bad taste monstrosity, and an on/off switch for 'normal' usage.

Christmas is coming up, if you wait until January you can probably get a good deal on Christmas tree lights

Would having a Blu-ray player make the console an easier sell(i.e. one less thing in the entertainment center)? If so your choice is PS3, otherwise I would look through the catalog of titles that are exclusive to each machine and decide what appeals to you more. I don't really see how you can go wrong either way.

I don't inherently prefer one console to the other, but since having both in the house for a year now, I've noticed that a) both my wife and I strongly prefer the PS3 interface when we're playing media, and b) I generally prefer the Xbox for gaming, simply because more of my friends have Xbox. (Most people seem to like the PS3 Netflix app a lot better than the 360 one.) This means I have a ready-made peer group for borrowing and lending games, as well as the few occasions when I play multiplayer. I agree with the posters above who generally like the PS3 exclusive titles better, but that comes down to personal taste.

Question: when I was at a store today looking at PS3s, the sales clerk told me that the current crop of bigger drives are not user replaceable but the 160 gb model was. Is that true? If so, is that worth considering?

LibrarianX wrote:

I don't inherently prefer one console to the other, but since having both in the house for a year now, I've noticed that a) both my wife and I strongly prefer the PS3 interface when we're playing media, and b) I generally prefer the Xbox for gaming, simply because more of my friends have Xbox. (Most people seem to like the PS3 Netflix app a lot better than the 360 one.) This means I have a ready-made peer group for borrowing and lending games, as well as the few occasions when I play multiplayer. I agree with the posters above who generally like the PS3 exclusive titles better, but that comes down to personal taste.

Yep...the 360 interface for Netflix & Amazon is crap. I use the PS3 for those & the 360 for live TV & DVR through Windows Media Center. The 360 interface wouldn't be so bad if at least it had a wraparound function for the instant queue. Not being able to go from 1st to last without going through the entire 300+ items I have in mine makes it a pain.

Paleocon,

I prefer the 360 over the PS3. They're both good consoles and there's plenty of fun to be had on either system. If I were in your shoes I would just compare the list of exclusives and see which matter to you most. Keep in mind that the XBLA exclusives are probably more important than the disc exclusives. I have never payed more than $38 a year for XBL and I think the ~$3 a month is worth overcoming the wonkiness of PS3 multiplayer issues.

PC & Steam appear to be more straight-razor friendly, if that matters.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

the wonkiness of PS3 multiplayer issues.

Askin' for it...

I would say PS3 because your not invested into Live and the games pretty much come out for both systems.

Blind_Evil wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:

the wonkiness of PS3 multiplayer issues.

Askin' for it...

I'll be more explicit. In my personal experience, the native Xbox 360 guide menu has made it easier to find and play with my friends than the PS3 network interface. Games that heavily favor multiplayer have pretty adequate in-game options for finding and playing with your friends. Games that have auxiliary multiplayer tend to lean on the system tools, which has been easier on the xbox side fo things for me.

I recently sold my Wii and 360 but kept the PS3. To me the debate can be summed up with a simple question... Do you play online shooters or not? If yes than 360, if no then the PS3.

Now to go further down the rabit hole. Steam on the PC is the way to bargain play. You can not beat it. In that route I just built a PC for $480 (tower only) that will play everything that's out now just fine. Slap a copy of windows (OEM) a keyboard/mouse and monitor...out the door for $700.

I kept my (and my wifes) PS3 because I love the "playstation plus" program and I am a movie junkie who needs blue ray. Plus built in wireless so it can stay out in the living room and function as a Netflix/Amazon/Hulu box when not playing.

Tetnis wrote:

I recently sold my Wii and 360 but kept the PS3. To me the debate can be summed up with a simple question... Do you play online shooters or not? If yes than 360, if no then the PS3.

Just to play devil's advocate, I have zero interest in online shooters, but vastly prefer 360 to PS3 (own both).

Aaron D. wrote:
Tetnis wrote:

I recently sold my Wii and 360 but kept the PS3. To me the debate can be summed up with a simple question... Do you play online shooters or not? If yes than 360, if no then the PS3.

Just to play devil's advocate, I have zero interest in online shooters, but vastly prefer 360 to PS3 (own both).

Very much this. For me it's all about the controller, well, the controller and the achievements....

My vote is PS3, see others post for many reasons why. Also, Sony has a tendency to continue to support their consoles years after the release their new one. Microsoft dropped the original Xbox like a bad habit once the 360 came out. I don't think they are going to be able to do that this time because of the install base but I don't think they are going to continue to support it as much as Sony is going to continue to support the PS3, post new console release. Sony is still selling PS2s a good 12 years after launch.

Infyrnos wrote:
Aaron D. wrote:
Tetnis wrote:

I recently sold my Wii and 360 but kept the PS3. To me the debate can be summed up with a simple question... Do you play online shooters or not? If yes than 360, if no then the PS3.

Just to play devil's advocate, I have zero interest in online shooters, but vastly prefer 360 to PS3 (own both).

Very much this. For me it's all about the controller, well, the controller and the achievements....

I thought so much before I sold the 360 that the achievements would be a hard loss to me. After about a week though I found that I didn't care anymore. The controller issue isn't one for me. The 360 controller was better but the PS3 is fine because I'd had the previous two generations worth of experience with the Playstation style controller.

As for comparisons of the two systems setting aside the online shooter issues. I just like buying games with real money and not fake points. Don't know why it bothers me now but didn't used to, but it does.

I'm kinda sold on the PS3 at the moment because of its design, interface and accessories.

HOWEVER, the 360 is way more user friendly. I bought Gran Turismo 5 XL and goddamnit it took about TWO HOURS before I could play it. Games on Ps3 have long updates and installs. On 360 all of that is done in a breeze.

The 360 wins hands down in ease of use and all but it feels cheap and is a worse deal. The game cases look brittle and childish. Live is an especially bad deal and if you use Netflix you can use it on PS3, but on 360 you need Live Gold. LIVE admittedly works better for multiplayer but look at all that you get with PS+ !

Oh and sales on Live are laughable. 5 year old games everybody already owns or nobody ever wanted. Sony will get you interesting stuff, especially with Plus. They'll even often discount or give away for Free new releases.

Ever since I own a Vita I think my penchant for Sony has dramatically increased.

IMAGE(http://www.guiamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/god-of-war-3.jpg)

I think this bloke could help you choose a console

I would have said 360 in '06,'07 but the number of 360 exclusives has been getting lighter as years have passed. The days of shoddy PS3 ports are mostly behind us, which was another advantage of the 360. Plus is better than Live, especially if you own or might one day purchase a Vita. On the whole I think PSN does better sales but that could be a matter of taste. Can't beat PC for software prices of course. Finally, you've got your Ateriers, Tales and other JRPGs if that kind of thing floats your boat.

Edit: and Demons Souls.

These threads for the most part seem to devolve into 70%+ recommendations for the PS3.. yet in any of the major game threads there are very few people playing on the PS3.. so bizzare.