Xbox 360 or PS3

[DJShire]

A) Hopefully this is not a repost....yes I searched
B) No, this is not a "this console sucks because..." thread...don't start a console fan boy/girl flame war

Anyways, it's been a while since I've gotten a new console gaming system....the only console I currently own is a PS2 (the first ones, not the slim), so I figured its about time I got something new. I have no interest in the Wii, so then that leaves the Xbox 360, and the PS3. I can only buy one due to budget constraints.

When I have a decision to make, I typically do a Pros vs Cons list, and that usually points me towards the right direction. So, I was wondering if the Escapist could do the same for me (if thats not asking too much). I would particularly like the opinions of those who own both consoles, because (hopefully) I'll have someone with good data and/or opinions on both systems.

And I didn't make a poll because while numbers are fine, as Yahtzee says, its very hard to express a complex opinion with just a number.

Finally, I'm also doing this because I've heard horrible things about the Xbox 360 hardware failure rate, and I was hoping that I could get a first-hand account of said horrible issues so I can better understand them.

 

[grimsprice]

No versus threads please.

 

[Radeonx]

Try not to do versus threads, they are looked down upon. As are console wars. The amount of these threads are mind blowing.

No versus threads please.

No versus threads please.

You could at least try to help him. Short posts like this that contribute nothing at all to the topic are also bad.

OT: I'd say 360, but that is because I don't have a PS3. The online service, although not free, is great, and allows easy gameplay with friends. The game library is great, and it can be used as a media player, like the PS3. Also, I have it connected to my server, which contains a multitude of movies and television shows. As for the failure rate, mine has only been broken one time, since it's release date. And it only took about two weeks to repair.

 

[suhlEap]

one word for this thread... redundant. sorry to tell you... but just... no.

 

[New Troll]

Unless one system just happens to have a game you have to have, like Halo for 360, then generally the rule of thumb is if you play single player and/ or are interested in watching HD mmovies, the PS3 is the better choice. If you are BIG into on-line multi-playing and don't mind paying for LIVE, then the 360 is the better choice.

 

[Sipo]

baad idea bro. these never end well. that being said......360 FTW!!!

 

[The Rockerfly]

Trust me there are masses of threads, our search bar is just a bit sucky
I would actually go for neither, I have got bored of my 360 and the ps3 just does not interest me
Go for pc gaming, I turned to it a few weeks ago and it's brilliant
Although if you are adament on a console the proabbly a 360 because the online is better, the controller is better, I prefer the interface and the exclusives
Although really this generation of gaming is based on online play so go with the console that your mates have

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

Well I don't own both consoles, but I've played both. First I'll address the 360.

I own a 360, and I have for about two years. In that time, I have used it quite frequently but I have never had a single problem with it. It's never had hardware failure, every peice of it is still intact, no problems. This may not usuall by the case but it is around half the time. Then there are the games. In my opinion, the 360 has the best exclusives. This is really a personal taste thing but still.

Then there is the Ps3. I've not heard of many cases of hardware failure, but there was one case I saw. Two weeks after my friend bought his, it was unusable. It had completely failed. The problem here is that Sony won't replace your console for free like Microsoft will. Then there is the blueray. If you enjoy movie so much that you need to buy them in blueray high-definition, the Ps3 might be a good choice, as,if I recall correctly, it will cost less for a Ps3 which includes a blueray player than it will to buy a blueray player on it's own.

Now for the online. Xbox live is a very well maintained, easy to navigate service. Well I'm not sure what else to say on this one. It works pretty well, downloadable content always seems to be released on it before the PsN gets it.

One other thing that's worth mention, is developers. Many developers have latley been saying it's more difficult to make games for the Ps3, and in some cases not releasing them for the Ps3 at all.

 

[G1eet]

No more versus threads, please and thank you.

 

[SantoUno]

YOu shouldn't start these threads cause they always generate flaming and trolling.

But if you REALLY want to know...

Pros for 360:
1) Best online service by far, Xbox Live has plenty of flexibility and capabilities
2) Larger online community for most multiplatform games
3) Good controller for shooters
4) Live Arcade has lots of additional gaming gems
5) More DLC than PS3 most of the time (Fallout 3)
6) Simple console interface (though those avatars are retarded and useless)
7) Achievements for ALL games, XBLA and regular games

Cons:
1) MUST buy warranty with it cause it most likely might fail
2) Must pay for Xbox Live to play online (not that much though if you buy a whole year)

Pros for PS3:
1) Few better exclusive games
2) Free online service
3) Slightly better graphics in some games (hardly a pro over the 360 games)
4) PSOne classics (full PS1 games)
5) Built-in Wifi, no ethernet cable needed if you have wireless router

Cons:
1) Extreme HDD hog, installs LOTS of data for almost every game, quickly depleting your precious HDD space
2) PSN not as flexible and capable as Xbox Live
3) Somewhat confusing console interface when you first start using your PS3
4) Not all PS3 games have trophies (Oblivion sadly)
5) VERY expensive accessories

 

[Julianking93]

We don't like VS threads here but....

PS3!!!!!

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Here we go again. Can we have one week in which we don't get a console wars thread. You have been here for a while. You should know that.

 

[JaredXE]

*le sigh*

No versus threads as thousands have said before me, and I vote the 360 simply because it had better and more numerous games to start with, the better internet connectivity and multiplayer of the two, and better exclusives.

I would like to buy a PS3 for the handful of exclusives they have, but otherwise Blu-Ray can suck it for a reason to buy one.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Keep your PS2 for one, then buy whichever has better games to you.

Me I'm getting a PS3 because I already have a PSP and my stepdad is buying a 360.

Yay.

 

[witheringsanity]

assuming that you aren't trying to start a console-war thread and that you'd actually like advice, i'll help as much as i can.

i DO own both systems, and like them equally, in their own ways.

1. online: xbox live is far superior to psn in almost every way that i've personally seen. xbl gets you into games quickly and easily, more people are on xbl and thusly it's easier to join matches, and EVERY game that comes out on the xbl marketplace has a DEMO. this is in my opinion the ps3's biggest flaw. MOST of their psn games don't have demos, and you won't really know what you're getting till you've paid for it. on the flip side, you have to pay for xbl, and psn is free. also, psn shows you the price you pay for any given purchase, opposed to an arbitrary points system.

2. games: i wouldn't say either one is better here. there are exclusives to both systems. if you HAVE to play halo or fable get an xbox, if you HAVE to play mag or resistence, get a ps3. this is why i own both.

3. graphics, sound, etc: you can't tell the difference really. while SOMEtimes one particular game may look SLIGHTLY better on one system or another, it's not like comparing them to the wii or gamecube or ps2, for the most part they are identical. both have hdmi out, digital optical out, etc so the sound is also equal. if someone tells you the graphics are "always better" on one or the other, don't believe them.

4. controller: this depends on what you play. if you play alot of FPS games, i'd say go with xbox, if you play alot of fighting games, go with ps3. the stock controllers both have their strengths and weaknesses. that said, you could always buy a third-party controller thats specifically made for the type of game you want to play. also xbox requires either batteries or a recharge pack, while ps3 controllers just charge when you plug them in.

5. user-friendly-ness: this depends on you. are you a geek? technophile? ps3 is your winner. it has a HUGE amount of system options for you to tweak to how you like them. but if you're not overly keen on technology and just want to play games, xbox is a bit easier to use.

6. extras: ps3 has a blu-ray player, and until recently a bigger hard drive. i didn't think i'd use this much either, but once you start watching new movies on blu-ray you really start to appreciate having it. also the size of blu-ray discs is something like 50 gigs while xboxs dvd-dl is 14 gigs. currently this doesn't effect anything, but when games start surpassing that 14 gig limit you'll either have to change discs ala ps1 or buy an add-on for xbox that will allow for larger discs. someone called the ps3 a hdd hog, and i just dont see it. i have an older ps2-playing model with a 60 gig hdd, and i've never come close to filling it up, even when i dont delete old games and demos. ps3 has bluetooth, which can be used for third party accessories or a wireless headset.

7. reliability: i think they are now equal. unless you buy a older, used xbox, it's probably not going to RROD. from what i can tell they've worked out these bugs, and also RROD is covered for three years.

8. other things that may or may not be important: little things annoy me about the xbox, like the fact you need a memory card to transfer save files, with ps3 you just throw in a usb flash drive. you also can install a newer, bigger, third-party hdd into the ps3 with little or no trouble, while xbox you have to just buy what they sell, or crack open the hdd case.

i love both my xbox and ps3 equally, and couldn't imaging having to give one of them up, but hopefully i've given you enough information to help you make an informed decision.

 

[JammasterJG]

Back when i first got my xbox 360 i would haave said that because it had better games, was cheaper and u could play original games on it... now however most of these reasons have deterated into nothing as quite a few xbox 360 exclusives are NO longer xbox 360 exclusives (bioshock being the most notable), and half the original games you can't actually play on a 360, which annoys me...

...plus the PS3 has been slowly gaining exclusive games that look interesting to me (the most notable being inFAMOUS)

still, i'd have to say the 360... but the PS2 is the best console ever...

 

[purplegothchick]

-Snip-

I actually found your rundown of the two consoles to be very enlightening! I have a 360 so I'm aware of the pros and cons, but I was wondering whether the PS3 was worth a look. Your breakdown has made me think that, no, it probably isn't. At least not right now anyways, it's just not right for me. (Probably saved me a lot of money on making a retarded mistake, considering I'm not exactly flush at the mo...) Thanks!

 

[DJShire]

Title edited....hopefully that will stop you guys from whining, even though...

B) No, this is not a "this console sucks because..." thread...don't start a console fan boy/girl flame war

....I put that disclaimer, knowing full well how this and many other gaming forums work