PS3 vs Xbox 360 vs Nintendo Wii

[Shadowknight1]

Originally Posted by MusicallyInspired

If it wasn't clear, I can't really pick a favourite. But I'd stick with the 360 because I prefer the shape of the controller and the graphics are better (and you don't HAVE to install games to the hard drive). I also have a 360-shaped controller for the PS3 anyway, though, so that's nice. Whenever I get a console game I'll get the 360 port, though, unless the PS3 port has exclusive content (like Mortal Kombat).

I don't see how the 360 has better graphics. everything I've seen shows that they're pretty much on even ground.

However, I DO agree with your point about installing games to the hard-drive. That annoys me beyond(hehe) belief with my PS3, especially when I wanted to try out DC Universe Online. So if anyone has any suggestions for expanding hard drive space on these things, I'd be glad to hear any suggestions.

[Darth Marsden]

Well, for the PS3 you can just install a new hard drive. It's surprisingly easy. Here's a video guide. Ignore the music. Just make sure you get one the right size & speed. Like this one, which I'll be getting at some point once I've overcome my wallet-crippling addiction to Kickstarter. Damn you and your backable projects...

As for the 360... well, you're pretty much screwed there. Not sure you can go beyond 320GB, and even that's using an official replacement hard drive (which are pricey as fuck - thanks, Micro$$$oft).

I forgot about the ability to install games to the hard drive on the 360. That's a nice feature.

[Martindn]

Shouldn't it not be 360 vs PS3 vs WiiU? I mean realistically could the WII even manage TWD? Its not a fair comparison its like comparing a Suzuki Vitara against a Porsche 911, they do different things for different kinds of people.

At one point in time i preferred the 360, due to not being bothered about the online costs, and what i thought was the better exclusives. As i aged i drifted towards the PS3, accessibility, the free online, more games that appeal to me, and what i personally think is sharper graphics in HD, but in reality its likely about even.

I have not really played games on either console for a while though, except at friends. I have always and likely will always be a PC gamer, until they become obsolete. Which i cant imagine, only improved.

[Shadowknight1]

Can't make a thread about the Wii U, it's not out yet, and if the specs floating around are true, it blows the 360 and PS3 out of the water anyways.

And yes, the Wii could manage TWD. Might not look as good, but it could work. After all, it has Back to the Future.

[Darth Marsden]

It has Back to the Future alright... but it's just plain shit. Framerate problems up the wazoo. Ugh.

[der_ketzer]

Originally Posted by Shadowknight1

Can't make a thread about the Wii U, it's not out yet, and if the specs floating around are true, it blows the 360 and PS3 out of the water anyways.

It should both are 7-8 years old. Do you know what you could do on a PC that old these days? Office!

All 3 current gen consoles werre outdated 3 years ago and should have been replaced by new models then.

And still only Nintendo has the balls to do it. Both Micro$$$oft ans $$$ony want to wait for the other company to make a new console and then release a slightly more powerful one. Worked pretty well for Sony this eneration.

Well there's one good thing about it: My 400€ PC I bought last year can still play anything that is released on max settings. And games are cheaper. And Steam.

[Chyron8472]

Not had a PS3 long enough to have a proper comparison re: voting, so I abstain.

Otherwise:

Wii:
+ Great first-party titles;
+ Decent motion controls;
+ Backward compatibility with GameCube;
+ Wii Shop Channel easily navigable without clutter;
+ Wii Main Menu customizable re: onscreen item locations;
+ Good homebrew options;

- Wii Remote recharge stations are third-party only;
- Rechargeable batteries for same only have AAA battery life. (ie. I played Wii on Sunday and used both remotes during one Twilight Princess session.);
- Games are notoriously kid-friendly, such that mainstream-market titles are the exception, not the rule;
- WiiWare titles have 40MB limit, thus hindering their quality and causing lack of good selection;
- No DVD playback for newer models. Older models only with Homebrew installed;
- Gamecube titles don't play from external HDD storage (Gamecube mode disables USB ports);
- Wii Shop Channel titles can't be purchased via PC;
- Pointing Wii Remote at TV while watching Netflix makes HUD appear, with no timeout;

PS3:
+ Best BluRay player on the market;
+ XMB (Xross Media Bar main menu) fairly well laid out;
+ HD quality picture;
+ No need to change TV aspect ratio when switching from 16:9 to 4:3 content;
+ First-party BD Remote control uses Bluetooth, so no line-of-sight required;
+ Game controllers rechargeable out-of-the-box, with very long battery life;
+ NFL Sunday Ticket;
+ PSN Store titles can be purchased via PC;
+ Amazon Instant Video;

- PSN Store is cumbersome with ads;
- Sony hates jailbreaking/homebrew;
- XMB should allow custom menu layout so I can put what I most frequently use in the easiest to reach places (see previous);
- PlayStation Plus' free games are only available as long as subscription lasts (deal breaker re: this);
- Online updates take forever even if small size;
- Disc-based games can't be played right out of the box (see previous);
- Large game downloads take forever and a week (seriously, try downloading DC Universe Online from the PSN and then installing it for the first time);
- NFL Sunday Ticket costs $300 per season (deal breaker re: this);


PC:
+ Telltale eats babies.

[Darth Marsden]

Is that the new Playstation store? Hmm.

[Chyron8472]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

Is that the new Playstation store? Hmm.

Well, there are little app-sized icons on the right of the store menus, with huge ad banners taking up the left. Also, you kind of have to know what you're already looking for because God help you if you don't.

The PSN Store is easier to navigate on a PC, but item purchases are somehow easier to make on a PS3 (once you know what you're looking for.)

[MusicallyInspired]

The only other minus I can think of for the PS3 remote is the flip side of its plus of being bluetooth: it's much easier to hit buttons by accident, even if the remote isn't pointing at the console. I can't tell you how many times I've accidentally pressed stop on a Blu-Ray (most of which don't have resume like DVDs do).

[ryannumber1gamer]

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

As for the 360... well, you're pretty much screwed there. Not sure you can go beyond 320GB, and even that's using an official replacement hard drive (which are pricey as fuck - thanks, Micro$$$oft)..

Well they do make you pay around £30-£40 pound a year just to get online with an Xbox.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Originally Posted by Chyron8472

- PlayStation Plus' free games are only available as long as subscription lasts

Yes but to be fair why would they let you keep games like Infamous 2 & LBP 2 when a 3 month PS Plus membership is only £11.99?

[Chyron8472]

But you see, that's still like renting the game.

First, there's buying a physical disc which you can physically touch and keep forever. Then, there's a digital purchase which you can not touch but have the convenience of no disc-swapping. And then there are free games from Playstation Plus, which is similar to renting games from GameTap or GameFly. I don't play my older consoles too much, but I do still have my games and am not going to sell them. What happens when I move on to a newer/different console than the PS3 and stop paying for PS+? For all intents and purposes, my games are gone.

I don't absolutely need physical copies, but I do want to feel like I own the game and am not just leasing it.

Originally Posted by Darth Marsden

Is that the new Playstation store? Hmm.

Originally Posted by Chyron8472

Well, there are little app-sized icons on the right of the store menus, with huge ad banners taking up the left. Also, you kind of have to know what you're already looking for because God help you if you don't.

The PSN Store is easier to navigate on a PC, but item purchases are somehow easier to make on a PS3 (once you know what you're looking for.)

Not only do giant banner ads take up half or more of the screen, making the useable interface feel crowded, but also several options in the menus are for PSP and PS Vita games. I don't have one, so these options are irrelevant.

The top menu of the PSN Store on the PS3 has huge ads, and then one long list of options--a list so long that you have to scroll down to see them all.

It just isn't very well designed at all. In the end, it's easiest to just scroll down to "All Titles", browse through every alphabetically sorted group to see what all there is, and pass up the games that turn out to be handheld-only.

As for purchases being easier to make on a PS3 than on PC--The PSN Store on the web seems to hate the idea of me using a credit card, and is rather insistent that what I really should do is buy a gift card from GameStop and pay with that. Well, I'm at home. GameStop is 4 miles away. If I want the game now, I don't want to have to bother.