PS3 or 360? (Not a VS. Thread!)

[Lem0nade Inlay]

Hey all.

At the moment the only console I own is a wii, as well as a PC. Now, I don't play my Wii much anymore unless it's with friends, so I was thinking of buying new console. So, I'd like your opinions on the PS3 or 360.

I'm probably not going to get a lot of multiplayer games, in fact I'm really just looking to play "casual" action games. By "casual" I don't mean easy, challenging is fine, but maybe something where story and/or character development isn't really a big issue. Just something I can casually play or muck around on, think Kingdom Hearts, or maybe something like Bayonetta (I haven't played this, I've just heard what it's like and it sounds like the kind of game I want to play). I can keep the hardcore/multiplayer games for PC, and the easier casual games for my Wii/DS. So, what do you think would be best for me? I'm even considering 2nd Gen consoles, like the PS2. Graphics aren't a huge issue for me.


Now, because I don't want this to turn into a flame war (I know you're all smarter than that anyway), please keep this on topic.

 

[Entreri481]

I own both, I'd suggest going for the xbox, but if your not looking for online it's extremely close. If I were you, go to future shop, hold both controllers, look at the prices, then decide.

 

[Vampire cat]

Well, the 360 is the "casual" console of the two, it's also cheaper and I don't think you HAVE to have it connected to the internet which means you can dodge the fee for doing so and just enjoy your single-player games in peace.

My opinion tho, is that the PS3 exclusive games are better than the 360 exclusive games, so I'd pick the PS3. I'd have to have the PS3 controller that looks and acts just like a 360 controller cause the PS controllers are oh so horrible, but I'd most likely find the exclusive games worth the extra cost (and connecting it to the internet is free). Also, 360 games seem to be more commonly available for PC than PS3 games, so you'll have a wider spectrum of games opened to you than you would if you went for a 360.

Really depends on how much money you'd like to sink and if you'd like a permanent internet connection or not (or maybe you'd have no problem paying the fee for it).

 

[EmzOLV]

When I was looking at buying my new console I had to pick a 360. For me, it was just that at the time there wasn't that many games that I myself was interested in coming out on the PS3, and the only one ended up being announced for 360 so that nailed it.

I think though, I definitely agree with other posts - the PS3 exclusives are way more awesome than those for 360. So if that is important to you then let it be one of the major deciding factors.

I wouldn't change my choice now, I'm comfortable and happy where I am, but part of me still kinda misses those exclusives and maybe a little part misses blu-ray haha

 

[fozzy360]

I play mostly on my 360, so I would recommend the 360. Most games tend to come out for both consoles, but the multiplatforms tend to be better reviewed on the 360 (for whatever reason). I'd say go with that, but the PS3 does have a Blu-Ray player of you're interested in that.

Getting a PS2 ins't a bad choice either. It's dirt cheap, and it has good games.

 

[Netrigan]

I'd have to have the PS3 controller that looks and acts just like a 360 controller cause the PS controllers are oh so horrible

Or pick up the PS3 clip-on trigger buttons for $5. That solves the only real design flaw of the PS3 controller (the slippery triggers). Otherwise, the controller is fine. There's a reason Sony hasn't made any substantial design changes since the PS1 (apart from adding thumbsticks).

But getting back to the OP. Really comes down to which console's exclusives you enjoy more.

A lot of PC gamers are attracted to the 360's wares, since a lot of the 360 exclusives are from formerly PC devs. This often is due to lack of money, as once they score a hit, they take the sequel multi-platform. Gears Of War (third person shooter), Halo (FPS), Fables (RPG), and Crackdown (super-hero sandbox) are among the biggest 360 exclusives; while Saints Row (sandbox), Mass Effect (RPG), Blood Of Juarez (FPS) went multi-platform for the second part.

The PS3's exclusives come from console devs. While there's fewer of them, they tend to cover a wider variety of play styles. LittleBigPlanet (2.5 mascot platformer), Uncharted (3D platformer), Heavy Rain (interactive movie), Infamous (super-hero sandbox), God Of War (hack 'n slash).

But the vast majority of games releases these days are multi-platform. The 360 seems to be the development platform, leading to slightly better graphics on the 360 (although many prefer the softer look of the PS3 because it's less video-gamey). The differences are usually minimal, excluding the odd awful port like Mafia II. But, like I said, vast majority of time, the differences are so slight that most people wouldn't notice them unless you point it out. Sometimes they PS3 version is a little buggier, sometimes the 360... but, again, this usually isn't too big of a difference.

The PS3 is about $100 moire expensive but comes with a blu-ray player, which might be very attractive if you own a HDTV. And you don't need to sign up for a PS3 subscription to stream Netflix & Hulu on it (beyond those service's subscription). The 360 requires you to be a paid Gold subscriber.

But not a huge difference between the two consoles. It usually comes down to exclusives. You can look it up on Wikipedia for a complete list.

 

[Vampire cat]

I'd have to have the PS3 controller that looks and acts just like a 360 controller cause the PS controllers are oh so horrible

Or pick up the PS3 clip-on trigger buttons for $5. That solves the only real design flaw of the PS3 controller (the slippery triggers). Otherwise, the controller is fine. There's a reason Sony hasn't made any substantial design changes since the PS1 (apart from adding thumbsticks).

It's not just the slippery triggers, it's the cheap feel that PS3 controllers have, especially those who come with the console as standard. Buying another control is almost a must if you have a craving for comfortable controllers (me being very picky on that, having bought very specific keyboard and mouse for my PC to be comfortable and not being able to play properly with someone else's keyboard/mouse) like me, and the 360-feel-alike is a great alternative. It's heavier (but not too heavy) and feels more solid and proper, the buttons act correctly and are in the right place. It's just a more pleasing thing as a whole.

 

[RandomHer0]

I own all three systems. Bought the Box first, perhaps thats where this bias comes from.
I only bought the PS3 for the exclusives, and at the moment the only games i have kept for the black behemoth sits at 4 (*MGS4, Soul caliber4(cuz yoda=broken) Killzone 2 and Infamous) . I buy them then trade them back asap to get some credit. The exclusives don't have the same staying power IMO that the xbox equivalents do.
This stands against my xbox library of exclusives and cross platforms of 30 games.

It comes down to how much you want to use online as well. PS3 may be free, but ive found that Xbox live has a better online experience. It depends on how affluent you are but the fact that there is a barrier to entry in the xbox online market results in a more talented populous of competition.
Ive also found considerably less vulgarity on Live than psn. a big plus as 12 year olds in your ear and constantly having to mute the entire lobby gets tiering through extended plays of MW2 or Battlefield. This is probably due again to the price of entry again. It seems that those who have live want to be there, and aren't there to screw around or troll your life away, as they have paid to be there.(there are exceptions im sure, but this is my 5th year of live and 4th of PSN so i have some experience myself.)

Cheapest option - just go on ebay/craigslist grab a used box for 99 bucks and buy the PS3 for the exclusives. as platform exclusives become more of the past picking sides is becoming less and less important. In the end the PS3 on a technical basis will outlast the box. But for the now, and the extended backlog library of the original X, i say you cant chose the 3 over it.

 

[vato_loco]

Well I guess the main thing is, like many others said, the exclusives.

Another reason why I really enjoy the PS3 is because I use it a lot as a Media Server and watch HD content from my PC to the PS3, and also listen to music, browse photos, etc. Blu-Ray movies and series I also enjoy a lot, and that's something the Box can't provide. That, and the exclusives.

I really love the PS3 exclusives, and the fact that Mass Effect 2 is coming to the PS3 and that Gears of War is also available on PC, really makes me steer towards the PS3.

At this point in time, I wouldn't even consider Kinect or Move as something to think about, since they are both in diapers and none has a game good enough to warrant the purchase. And saying that the 360 still dies is also something of the past.

So, I'd go with PS3 because:

- Larger library of exclusives, including many original franchises (Heavy Rain, Infamous, Uncharted, God of War, Folklore, Ratchet and Clank, etc.).
- Awesome Blu-Ray player.

Hope this helps.

 

[C95J]

I own both and I would say the 360 because I play it more and it is better in my opinion.

 

[Kagim]

I would say the PS3. I'm a casual gamer myself and find more games on that system enjoyable. That and most of the 360 exclusive are kinda meh to me. So far i have seen nothing that holds a candle to Infamous out on the 360. Being a person that sometimes finds it hard to play through an entire games i've played through Infamous a good four times.

The other reason is, as my wife puts it, the PS3 is the hub of our household. It plays blu-ray, our netflicks, games, music and pretty much everything. I owned a 360 for two months before trading it back in (Due to my timing i traded in 3 games to get a 360 and four games for 17 bucks and when i traded it back i got 300$ trade in credit. Timing kicks ass) because it was collecting dust.

Just wasn't my cup of tea i guess.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Xbox 360
I own all 3 games consoles this generation
Look if you honestly haven't heard why I think so, just quickly google advantages of an xbox 360 over a ps3
I mean come on the 360 has been out since 2005

 

[LavaLampBamboo]

I would say look at the list of exclusives on Wikipedia and see which tickle your fancy. The lack of desire for multiplayer suggests you should go for an Xbox becuase you don't miss out on anything by not paying for Gold. That said, if Blu-Ray is of any interest to you or you have a 1080p screen, go for PS3

 

[Rofl-Mayo]

I have a PS3 and have always enjoyed it over Xbox. My reason for this is I've been playing Playstation since I was 4 and it feels natural to me. XBox feels to foreign for me but I believe it has better internet though.

 

[Jazoni89]

Definitely go for a PS3. Great exclusives, a very decent blu ray player and free internet that also has a browser.

I have had two 360's in three years and they both broke on me. Also Xbox Live is full of proper Dickheads and you have to actually pay for the privilege to be trashed talked by said Dickheads. Its just not worth it at all.

 

[MrJoyless]

if you have a blu ray player get an Xbox

if you dont get a PS3

both have damn near the same gaming library and exclusive vs exclusive for both systems is pretty even in my opinion

if the first two lines didnt convince you i suggest looking around at game reviews for each consoles exclusive games and see which one has more games you like.

 

[Sleekgiant]

(I know you're all smarter than that anyway)

People actually believe this, BWAHAHAHAHA

Also if you want it straightforward:

PS3 - god-tier exclusives, free online service

360 - meh games, biggest library though, paid online service