Multiple consoles

[whiskey rock n' roller]

I was actually considering getting a PS3 already owning a Xbox 360, cus most of my friends have PS3's and it'd be better to play people I actually know. I'd say do get one if you can spare the dosh and there more than one person always trying to get on the console, other wise I say stick with the one you got.

 

[TPiddy]

So you don't game on PC because you are lazy. Wonderful. I'm glad the world isn't like you, and hardly a good reason why not to game on a PC.
Any gamer knows that the PC is generally a favourable platform for gaming, and as I have said before, it may be more favourable for the OP to upgrade his PC with £200 worth of parts rather than getting a 360, depending on what he wants to play. £200 would get a new motherboard etc, so it is hardly an option that should be discounted.
Please find where I said the best 360 games were on PC.
And please find where I said the OP shouldn't get a 360.
And please stop trolling, because damn, I can't hit the report button on your posts fast enough.

So now you're calling everyone who doesn't game on PC lazy? Also, you like to make a broad generalization that his system could be upgraded for the same price as an XBox, yet you know nothing about his current system or what he would even need to be able to play the latest PC games.

You've never said don't get a 360, but you imply it a hell of a lot by telling him to stick with PS3 and put his money into his PC. You're not even listening to the OP at this point you're just posting the same garbage you always do.

And I welcome you to keep reporting me because obviously the moderators don't agree with you on this one.

 

[TPiddy]

Sorry, but as far as I am concerned PC is as much a gaming platform as PS3, 360 or even the Wii, that means it cannot simply be excluded from consideration.

I'm afraid exclusives are not defined by whether you own or prefer certain platforms but whether anyone COULD play it on which particular platforms.

You can't just go around redefining words of the English language based on your own personal perspective... you need to get REAL.

If you must, call games like L4D "Console-Exclusive for 360" but this whole emphasis on what is exclusive or not is distracting from the issue of
(a)what are the best games and
(b)what are the best way to play them.

If the OP wants my opinion, L4D and L4D2 are not reasons to get a 360 but rather reasons to upgrade to a gaming PC.

There are many other reasons to get a 360, the biggest single one being the unique XBLA games line-up that is so impressive now that Sony better get their arse into gear offering a counter as Microsoft is way ahead on that front.

I've never discounted PC as a gaming platform, nor have I said that the 360 games are truly exclusive. I've never said that. However, this is a thread about buying a CONSOLE, and the other threads I've talked about were comparing CONSOLES to CONSOLES. You and Matzy can't seem to get that through your skulls. We're not talking about PC, we're talking about CONSOLE gaming.

We are not distracting from the issues you mentioned because those issues were never involved in this conversation to begin with. The OP eliminated PC from the equation a long time ago, yet you and Matzy keep bringing it up like if you say it enough the guy will just upgrade his PC.

If you recognize PC as a gaming platform, then it will win every argument... from best graphics, best exclusives, best games.... best online play, everything... there's no reason to even have that kind of discussion. But for some reason, I can't have a single console vs. console discussion without some PS3 fanboy bringing up the exclusivity issue and discounting 360 titles because they're also available on PC in order to make the 360's library look weaker by comparison, but I will never buy that shit.

When comparing one console to another, if a game is NOT available on one console, it's EXCLUSIVE to the other. End of discussion.

 

[squid5580]

Also, how's the battery life for an Xbox controller? And what battery does it use? It is a "Xbox360" battery or something, right? Not like you have to insert AA or triple A batteries or anything, right?

And can you use Sony's PS3 headset for an Xbox360?

You need AA batteries unless you get the rechargable battery pack, which last around a day of solid playing. But you can charge while playing if you get the right kit. You won't be able to use the ps3 headset but if you don't buy the Arcade package, you should get a mic. If I didn't make things clear, quote me.

So you actually have to buy AA batteries? Wow... That's kind of a let down since those things cost "a lot" of money =/. And, what is this "rechargable battery pack"? And can you plug in a 360 controller and play like that without using batteries?

For the love of all that is holy, buy the battery packs. They last a good long time, and you can plug them in and keep playing while they charge, much like the PS3 ones.

Also, no, I believe you will need the MS headset for XBox, but they're not that much, so it's not a big deal. Unless you get the wireless one, I guess. That could be expensive.

- J

It is far cheaper to buy a battery recharger and a 4 pack of AA batteries. That cost me under 20 bucks where the official one costs 40. Keep 2 batteries in the charger while you use the other. And they last me a good 20 hours before switching.

 

[badgersprite]

Well, I don't know what your financial situation is. Personally, I'm an absolute cheapskate. I'm in the reverse situation. I have an Xbox 360, because the PS3 took too long to come out, and, even though I love many Sony exclusives, I just can't justify the purchase of a second console to myself.

However, since a lot of the 'Xbox exclusives' are also out on PC, I'd just buy the PC version of those games and save the money on the console. *shrug*

 

[NBSRDan]

Good Xbox 360 exclusives:

Aegis Wing
Castle Crashers
Crackdown
Halo 3
Hexic 2

Good multiplatform games available to Xbox 360:

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Banjo-Kazooie
Destroy All Humans!
Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo 2
Hexic HD
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
Metal Slug 3
Rock Band
Rock Band 2
Star Wars: Battlefront
Star Wars: Battlefront II

The decision is now a matter of weighing preference VS cost.

 

[Vkmies]

Buy the NES. Thats all im gonna say.

 

[Treblaine]

Well, my pc is still a pentium IV with 1 gig ram and an ATI Radeon 9800 graphic card. So upgrading my pc will cost me about as much as buying a whole new pc. So, upgrading my pc will cost me a small fortune and an Xbox is a really cheap compared to it. However, I do enjoy the RTS games that the PC has... But all in all, I'm not going to upgrade my pc.

Xbox 360 Elite + 1 Year of XBL gold = $350 ( I doubt you can get that rebate)

8800GT graphics card = $85
2x2GB RAM = $60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = $100 + $90 = $190

PC upgrade, Total = $335

So I don't know what your talking about saying it would cost too much to upgrade...

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/PCGH-Performance-Review-Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect/Test/

That's the 8800 GT playing Mass Effect at almost twice the resolution and twice the framerate of Xbox 360.

The benefits of upgrading your computer have benefits all around like improving the general function of your machine when you aren't running games but just loads of applications or other demanding applications like using a USB TV decoder to turn your PC into a tivo like DVR.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a PC upgrade, I think you might have been scared away by those "enthusiasts" who spend Thousands of dollars on super-powerful rigs, when budget rigs can be so near within your reach.

Remember, PCs are DESIGNED to be easy to upgrade and even build from scratch. PM me if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.

 

[Treblaine]

I've never discounted PC as a gaming platform, nor have I said that the 360 games are truly exclusive. I've never said that. However, this is a thread about buying a CONSOLE, and the other threads I've talked about were comparing CONSOLES to CONSOLES. You and Matzy can't seem to get that through your skulls. We're not talking about PC, we're talking about CONSOLE gaming.

We are not distracting from the issues you mentioned because those issues were never involved in this conversation to begin with. The OP eliminated PC from the equation a long time ago, yet you and Matzy keep bringing it up like if you say it enough the guy will just upgrade his PC.

If you recognize PC as a gaming platform, then it will win every argument... from best graphics, best exclusives, best games.... best online play, everything... there's no reason to even have that kind of discussion. But for some reason, I can't have a single console vs. console discussion without some PS3 fanboy bringing up the exclusivity issue and discounting 360 titles because they're also available on PC in order to make the 360's library look weaker by comparison, but I will never buy that shit.

When comparing one console to another, if a game is NOT available on one console, it's EXCLUSIVE to the other. End of discussion.

Well excuse me and my thick skull, the OP didn't make his objection to PC clear till the 2nd page and even then I think you will find I have some difference of opinion from him.

Either way, Escapist-magazine is a gaming website, not console gaming, but all computer and video games. This thread is not entirely for the benefit of the OP but rather a jumping off point for a forum topic about whether to get an Xbox 360 or not. Why is is so unreasonable to make the argument for something else?

you said: "We're not talking about PC, we're talking about CONSOLE gaming. "

No. We (as in everyone here in this thread) are talking about games, games like Left 4 Dead, you may not be INTERESTED in their PC release but I'm quite sure that many other people are and I am doing my best to convince you of the merit of trying them on PC.

"If you recognize PC as a gaming platform, then it will win every argument"

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to 'fisk' you in this argument but that sounds horribly like you simply ignoring what you know is better, possibly due to personal bias. You can ignore it if you like but you can't tell me to stop talking about it or countering your arguments... that would be unreasonable.

I will keep evangelising the benefit of a PC upgrade to play the latest games. It can be daunting, but the confidence and insight you get from rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in knowing what a game needs to run and bringing it all together is definitely worth it.

 

[WaffleGod]

Well, my pc is still a pentium IV with 1 gig ram and an ATI Radeon 9800 graphic card. So upgrading my pc will cost me about as much as buying a whole new pc. So, upgrading my pc will cost me a small fortune and an Xbox is a really cheap compared to it. However, I do enjoy the RTS games that the PC has... But all in all, I'm not going to upgrade my pc.

Xbox 360 Elite + 1 Year of XBL gold = $350 ( I doubt you can get that rebate)

8800GT graphics card = $85
2x2GB RAM = $60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = $100 + $90 = $190

PC upgrade, Total = $335

So I don't know what your talking about saying it would cost too much to upgrade...

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/PCGH-Performance-Review-Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect/Test/

That's the 8800 GT playing Mass Effect at almost twice the resolution and twice the framerate of Xbox 360.

The benefits of upgrading your computer have benefits all around like improving the general function of your machine when you aren't running games but just loads of applications or other demanding applications like using a USB TV decoder to turn your PC into a tivo like DVR.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a PC upgrade, I think you might have been scared away by those "enthusiasts" who spend Thousands of dollars on super-powerful rigs, when budget rigs can be so near within your reach.

Remember, PCs are DESIGNED to be easy to upgrade and even build from scratch. PM me if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.

8800GT graphics card = ?85
2x2GB RAM = ?60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = ?100 + ?90 = ?190
DVD drive = ?20
Windows = ??

total = 355 + windows = around 450 - 500 euro's

And, yes, I'd be intrested in upgrading my pc, but I fear that it'll cost me a bunch more then you make it seem =/

 

[Treblaine]

Well, my pc is still a pentium IV with 1 gig ram and an ATI Radeon 9800 graphic card. So upgrading my pc will cost me about as much as buying a whole new pc. So, upgrading my pc will cost me a small fortune and an Xbox is a really cheap compared to it. However, I do enjoy the RTS games that the PC has... But all in all, I'm not going to upgrade my pc.

Xbox 360 Elite + 1 Year of XBL gold = $350 ( I doubt you can get that rebate)

8800GT graphics card = $85
2x2GB RAM = $60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = $100 + $90 = $190

PC upgrade, Total = $335

So I don't know what your talking about saying it would cost too much to upgrade...

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/PCGH-Performance-Review-Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect/Test/

That's the 8800 GT playing Mass Effect at almost twice the resolution and twice the framerate of Xbox 360.

The benefits of upgrading your computer have benefits all around like improving the general function of your machine when you aren't running games but just loads of applications or other demanding applications like using a USB TV decoder to turn your PC into a tivo like DVR.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a PC upgrade, I think you might have been scared away by those "enthusiasts" who spend Thousands of dollars on super-powerful rigs, when budget rigs can be so near within your reach.

Remember, PCs are DESIGNED to be easy to upgrade and even build from scratch. PM me if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.

8800GT graphics card = ?85
2x2GB RAM = ?60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = ?100 + ?90 = ?190
DVD drive = ?20
Windows = ??

total = 355 + windows = around 450 - 500 euro's

And, yes, I'd be intrested in upgrading my pc, but I fear that it'll cost me a bunch more then you make it seem =/

I'm not sure about your conversion there, mate.

$1 =/= ?1

More like:

$1 = ?0.66

Pound Sterling and Euros are pretty similar and is all the same market, so let me find for them:

8800GT graphics card = £55
2x2GB RAM = £60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = £75 + ?40 = £115
(DVD drive = £10)*
(Windows 7 = £50)**

Total upgrade = £230

Xbox Elite + 12 Moths XBL Gold = £199 + £35 = £234

*Hold on... you have a Desktop PC already right? Take the DVD drive from that, it doesn't have to be super fast. You don't just have a CD drive do you?

**Look though the documentation that came with your PC, there should be a recovery disk or maybe even a windows install disk. Ask the retailer you bought the product from how you can go about reinstalling your original OS after upgrading, they may even send you a disk.

You have to realise although upgrading your PC may cost more you are also GETTING more. Not just a platform for playing games but a much more capable computer for everything from web browsing to advanced applications that just won't run on Xbox 360 or even PS3.

There are also year on year savings with PC, no XBL Gold Membership to pay and games are generally cheaper on PC since there is no licence fee to release a game on PC. For example Modern Warfare 2 is going for only £34.99 on Steam to pre-order now but it will retail for Xbox 360 and PS3 at £54.99, that's almost 60% more on Consoles.

Then there are the game benefits over console.

Call Of Duty 4 on X360 was not even rendered in 720p but only in 640p while this rig I am suggesting can max out at 1080p @ 60 frames per second. Then there are the advantages of mouse control and I am telling you it is SOO much better you'll never chose Gamepad over mouse aim ever again unless you absolutely have to (like a console exclusive). Gamepad is still nice but I'd always choose mouse aim if there was the option.

Now there are still many games released on 360 and PC that are not actually worth getting on PC. But virtually everything from Valve, Gearbox, Monolith, Bioware, Infinity Ward, Epic, iD software or Codemasters are better to get on PC than on either console.

I am very fortunate to have a PS3, 360 and PC (that's 3 years of scrimping and saving) though while I wouldn't want to give up any of them I do spend most of my gaming time on PC.

To be honest, you won't go incredibly wrong with an Xbox 360, it is a really solid gaming platform and is generally the best platform for most multiplatform games and the XBLA library is truly phenomenal now.

But just give PC gaming another look.

 

[WaffleGod]

Well, my pc is still a pentium IV with 1 gig ram and an ATI Radeon 9800 graphic card. So upgrading my pc will cost me about as much as buying a whole new pc. So, upgrading my pc will cost me a small fortune and an Xbox is a really cheap compared to it. However, I do enjoy the RTS games that the PC has... But all in all, I'm not going to upgrade my pc.

Xbox 360 Elite + 1 Year of XBL gold = $350 ( I doubt you can get that rebate)

8800GT graphics card = $85
2x2GB RAM = $60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = $100 + $90 = $190

PC upgrade, Total = $335

So I don't know what your talking about saying it would cost too much to upgrade...

http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,645004/PCGH-Performance-Review-Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect/Test/

That's the 8800 GT playing Mass Effect at almost twice the resolution and twice the framerate of Xbox 360.

The benefits of upgrading your computer have benefits all around like improving the general function of your machine when you aren't running games but just loads of applications or other demanding applications like using a USB TV decoder to turn your PC into a tivo like DVR.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a PC upgrade, I think you might have been scared away by those "enthusiasts" who spend Thousands of dollars on super-powerful rigs, when budget rigs can be so near within your reach.

Remember, PCs are DESIGNED to be easy to upgrade and even build from scratch. PM me if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.

8800GT graphics card = ?85
2x2GB RAM = ?60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = ?100 + ?90 = ?190
DVD drive = ?20
Windows = ??

total = 355 + windows = around 450 - 500 euro's

And, yes, I'd be intrested in upgrading my pc, but I fear that it'll cost me a bunch more then you make it seem =/

I'm not sure about your conversion there, mate.

$1 =/= ?1

More like:

$1 = ?0.66

Pound Sterling and Euros are pretty similar and is all the same market, so let me find for them:

8800GT graphics card = £55
2x2GB RAM = £60
CPU + Motherboard = Core 2 Duo E7400 + MSI P41 motherboard = £75 + ?40 = £115
(DVD drive = £10)*
(Windows 7 = £50)**

Total upgrade = £230

Xbox Elite + 12 Moths XBL Gold = £199 + £35 = £234

*Hold on... you have a Desktop PC already right? Take the DVD drive from that, it doesn't have to be super fast. You don't just have a CD drive do you?

**Look though the documentation that came with your PC, there should be a recovery disk or maybe even a windows install disk. Ask the retailer you bought the product from how you can go about reinstalling your original OS after upgrading, they may even send you a disk.

You have to realise although upgrading your PC may cost more you are also GETTING more. Not just a platform for playing games but a much more capable computer for everything from web browsing to advanced applications that just won't run on Xbox 360 or even PS3.

There are also year on year savings with PC, no XBL Gold Membership to pay and games are generally cheaper on PC since there is no licence fee to release a game on PC. For example Modern Warfare 2 is going for only £34.99 on Steam to pre-order now but it will retail for Xbox 360 and PS3 at £54.99, that's almost 60% more on Consoles.

Then there are the game benefits over console.

Call Of Duty 4 on X360 was not even rendered in 720p but only in 640p while this rig I am suggesting can max out at 1080p @ 60 frames per second. Then there are the advantages of mouse control and I am telling you it is SOO much better you'll never chose Gamepad over mouse aim ever again unless you absolutely have to (like a console exclusive). Gamepad is still nice but I'd always choose mouse aim if there was the option.

Now there are still many games released on 360 and PC that are not actually worth getting on PC. But virtually everything from Valve, Gearbox, Monolith, Bioware, Infinity Ward, Epic, iD software or Codemasters are better to get on PC than on either console.

I am very fortunate to have a PS3, 360 and PC (that's 3 years of scrimping and saving) though while I wouldn't want to give up any of them I do spend most of my gaming time on PC.

To be honest, you won't go incredibly wrong with an Xbox 360, it is a really solid gaming platform and is generally the best platform for most multiplatform games and the XBLA library is truly phenomenal now.

But just give PC gaming another look.

Well, no. My conversion is totally fucked up, but I swear to god that stores here don't give a shit about conversion. In their eyes, 1 euro = 1 dollar. It's like Steam, they're screwing us europeans over all the time aswell.

And yes, I have a DVD drive in my current desktop but it's busted. It doesn't close properly and even when it closes, it doesn't read the disc anymore. Quite strange, but then again, it's served me many many years.

Last time I checked my Windows was tied to my motherboard, so replacing it means I'd have to buy a brand new windows for it.

And I'm willing to give PC gaming a "go", since I've spent many many years as a PC gamer, but now'a days, my pc can't run any modern game anymore, so I'm stuck with the older stuff.


So, yes. I might upgrade my pc instead of buying a 360, but as I already stated, pc components aren't really cheap out here, so perhaps it's better to order them online or something?

 

[Treblaine]

Well, no. My conversion is totally fucked up, but I swear to god that stores here don't give a shit about conversion. In their eyes, 1 euro = 1 dollar. It's like Steam, they're screwing us europeans over all the time aswell.

And yes, I have a DVD drive in my current desktop but it's busted. It doesn't close properly and even when it closes, it doesn't read the disc anymore. Quite strange, but then again, it's served me many many years.

Last time I checked my Windows was tied to my motherboard, so replacing it means I'd have to buy a brand new windows for it.

And I'm willing to give PC gaming a "go", since I've spent many many years as a PC gamer, but now'a days, my pc can't run any modern game anymore, so I'm stuck with the older stuff.


So, yes. I might upgrade my pc instead of buying a 360, but as I already stated, pc components aren't really cheap out here, so perhaps it's better to order them online or something?

That's outrageous, not your claim, I believe you, but that Europe can be like that considering it is a bigger market than the UK, mainland Europe should give better deals than the UK.

You should move to the UK, tech prices are quite reasonable here if you hunt around a bit online at places like scan.co.uk

Another option would be to just visit a webstore like that and see if they will ship to somewhere in mainland Europe or if you have a trusted friend in the UK whether the webstore will deliver to their address to be picked up or posted later. The pound-euro exchange rate is quite good.

I don't think windows is that tied to your MoBo. When I was building my PC the motherboard died right after I installed the OS, so with a replacement mobo (I got a refund) it was not hard to get the licence "switched" when re-installing the OS. It was an OEM licence by the way.

Though you'd do good to upgrade your OS if you do go the PC route as from all I've heard Win-7 is the best thing since sliced bread and Europe apparently gets it for a way better price than the Americans even when factoring the exchange rate.

 

[WaffleGod]

Well, the parts I (think I) can still use is my case (it's one of those huge cases built for upgrading your pc), my monitor (it's a HD tv actually), my mouse, keyboard, DVD writer, all ports (usb, ethernet,...) and my audio card. But I think I'll need to buy some new fans since mine are like 5 - 6 years old, 2(?) new power supply (doesn't the nVidia 8xxx, 9xxx use more then 1 power supply? Or is it like delivered with the card?), a new motherboard and processor (+ windows) and ofcourse a new graphic card (Is it actually worth getting a Nvidia 9800? Or is the 8800 more then enough? And has ATi delivered any proper cards recently?)

So yeah, I guess more then half my desktop will have to go and get replaced...

 

[Skratt]

If you have beaten 8 of the last 10 console games you have purchased, you may find that your PS3 will collect dust after you discover and begin paying for XBOX Live.

However, if you have been going from new game to new game without finishing any of them, no amount of online gaming will fill the void caused by your addiction to video games. I know, because I have one.

Mmmm, I have bought a lot of games for PS3 recently. 4 games in 3 months. 3 out of 4 were exclusives though and I have finished all of them .

In that case, you are good to go with a new console, tho I expect XBOX live will consume you when you find you can continue to enjoy some of your single player games in a multi-player environment.

While I personally would never own the XBOX 360 due mostly to the fact that my PC is a quad-core monster where I do 99% of my gaming, I have played the 360 and, yeah, it's pretty good.

 

[EzraPound]

Buy the NES. Thats all im gonna say.

Seconded