xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Here´s one example, where PS3-version has a clear edge over the Xbox 360/Wii (PS3-version will be released in November, 2008):
Alone in the Dark Hands On - Page 1 // PS3 /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More

This is not all bad news for Xbox 360, though:

"But 360 owners of Alone in the Dark, at least, need not feel completely hard done by. Eden has confirmed that it is working on a patch which will implement most of the changes that have been made to the upcoming PS3 version. It wasn't completely clear on exactly what would and wouldn't be tweaked or fixed, but it's fairly safe to assume that the control, camera, inventory and driving changes will all be taken care of."

It seems, that Xbox 360/Wii-versions were a bit "rushed" with this game.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

You point is well made. In fact, I'm breaking one of my newer shopping rules with this: follow the herd. I've found with purchases like this, doing what everyone else is doing can be a good tactic. If the Wii were immediately available, I'd really consider getting one first -- despite my initial disinterest -- thinking that many people can't be all wrong.

Morgan -- if you're working in the Rochester area, PM me. Re: downloads, I missed many of the great S/NES games in my childhood, so it's tempting. Except everytime over the years I've tried retro gaming, within 10 minutes I re-discover that fond memories are best left undisturbed and give up on retro gaming for another 5 years. So the Wii downloads aren't that appealing yet.

Xbox seems to have a few gems (Geometry Wars, looks fun). The PS3 network seems to have a bit better good-to-junk ratio than the 360.

So what I've gathered is...

Wii - The family favorite. The best gaming system for non-gamers and former gamers who, as adults, don't have much time to spare. Also good for gamers who need SAF. The most affordable of the systems. Seems to lose appeal quickly with traditional gamers. Classic Nintendo, etc. games for online purchase and a small but developing library of new games for download. A lousy online match-making system but good actual online gaming.

PS3 - The most next-gen of the systems, for traditional (and hard-core) gamers. Could have the best technical aspects (i.e. graphics) for the next few years. Sports a Blu Ray player, mitigating cost if you need one. But also the most expensive at about $500, for starters. The weakest online gaming system, but is expected to improve. Lots of promise, but it's still just promise.

Xbox 360 - First next-gen, largest game library, and positioned for the traditional gamer. Making belated moves to the "casual gamer". Possibly getting a bit long in the tooth compared to the PS3, but priced $150 (maybe $200 soon) less than the PS3. Currently has the best online system for buying and playing.

If you're a family, buy a Wii. If you're a traditional gamer, check your wallet. If it's got $300, buy the 360. If it's got $500, buy the PS3

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Dave, for what it is, the Wii is a good machine. It certainly has the Nintendo "charm" one comes to associate with their products and the hardware is solidly built. The control system is innovative and intuitive and there are some cool first-party titles that show it off to great advantage. The Wii has much promise, but the hardware has limitations (STORAGE!) Over time for me, these limitations began to take away from my enjoyment of playing the Wii. It's not "buyers remorse," but more of a feeling of disappointment about what the Wii could have been if Nintendo didn't make some of the design choices they made. Don't get me wrong, there's a LOT to like about the Wii, but a "giant killer' it ain't...

As always, YMMV, and I'm sure there are tons of Wii owners who are not put off by what I perceive to be as hardware limitations. So, take my comments with a grain of salt.

With regards to Wii availability, both best Buy and Circuit City will have it in their Sunday flyer (8/24.) I don't know about Toys R Us, but they also tend to get it in stock when the other big-box stores do. Target is not featuring it in their ad. This advertising pattern seems to repeat about once each month, so Wii supplies are becoming more plentiful.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Wiis also tend to show up in GameStops (at least in my area) around the same time they arrive in the big-box stores. Of course, I have 4 GameStops in a 1/2-mile stretch of road near my house and they tend to have widely varying selections.

I think DaveF's last summary statement pretty much says it all.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

I'll definitely look for stock this weekend. I'm tempted to get one -- go with the herd. But each time I play the Wii, I end with a sense of "so, that's OK, but I won't miss it." When I played Burnout 3 last year on my friend's XBox, I had the sense of "how do I steal his xbox without him noticing?" I guess I wonder what I'm missing that so many others love?

I suppose I'm tired of Nintendo's "charm". Maybe it's 10 years with the N64 and GameCube, but it's 2008: I want more from characters than cartoony looks and subtitled bippy-boopy voices.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

"So many others" = "non-gamer mass market." It's very easy for people who aren't into video games to pick up; thus it achieved crossover success.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

This is probably true for many people.

For many, game console is also a minor "investment". It´s not, that you want to buy another one after 3-4 years or something (meaning mainly those, who´ll buy "only" that one console). "Cheapest" is not always the best choice for everybody. E.g. Wii now lacks a proper hard drive, HD graphics (and due that, it´s missing many great games) and many "mature"-games also (granted, it´s great for the younger ones). Sure, it´s good and innovate NOW, but not sure about after 5 - let alone 10 years..

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Nintendo keeps trying to emphasize that the Wii is not a next-gen console but rather a new-gen one that doesn't directly compete with the 360 and PS3. They also admitted that they're focusing more on new and non-traditional gamers, but they are also working on new games in their staple franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pikmin, etc.).

The Virtual Console on the Wii is not only good for replaying old games that you love, but also old games that you never got to play. I've bought about a dozen games from the VC, only 3 of which I had owned before.

Regarding the Wii's stock issues, Nintendo has actually scaled back it's advertising of the Wii (focusing more on the games and DS) because they felt they were wasting money by advertising something that is nearly impossible to find in stores.

The experience you're having might have to do with the "party" games on the Wii. Try playing Metroid Prime 3, Zelda: Twilight Princess, or Mario Galaxy and see how you like those. Personally, MP3 has the BEST control system for any FPS ever, Zelda is a top-notch AAA-title, and Mario Galaxy moves the 3-D platforming genre in a brand new direction (it's pretty much the direct sequel to Mario 64). Granted, the graphical limitations and "target" audience might not lend the system to games like Burnout Paradise, but some of the games on the Wii are definitely worth playing.

But yeah, I'm also waiting for Nintendo to somehow increase the on-board storage issue. It's probably the single worst aspect of the console right now.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Amen! This is especially true when you start loading up on VC (virtual console) games, WiiWare and the various channels available. I stopped buying anything because I'm running out of room. Also, as much as I LOVE the concept of the virtual console, it drives me crazy that with such an incredible game library at their disposal, Nintendo can barely get out more than one title a week, and then it's some crud Sega Master System game that no one remembers or played in the first place...

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

The fact that you can delete downloaded content and then redownload later without paying again on the Wii is nice, but this is also the case for the PS3 and I'm sure the 360 has something similar.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

I've played some Galaxy, and it's a neat game. I enjoyed the first half of Metroid Prime on the GC, but got distracted from it. (I've also played some Big Brain Academy. Gah! It was like that nightmare where you find yourself repeating fifth grade because you can't graduate college without it!)

I fired up the GC today, played 30 min of SSX tricky, and lamented having no skillz from not playing it in 2 years. And I reflected on the appeal of the Wii: more pick-up and play games for duffers. The appeal of "casual" games is real.

Honestly, I want both. I want a Wii for the light gaming, for a little Mario, and possibly gaming with friends. And I want a 360 for Burnout and maybe Fallout or whatever, and for HD sexiness when I buy a new TV next year. But I can't spend $1000 on two systems

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Isn't the 360 getting a price drop next month? or has it already happened?

BestBuy had a nice package a couple weeks ago with the 40gb PS3 and 2 games for $399. Can't remember which games - but I am holding out for the next package deal.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

I was tempted to buy a Wii again this weekend (but decided that my son watches too much TV as it is -- he's addicted to Wheels On The Bus). None in FYE (where I have a gift card), but Costco had a few Super Smash Bros. bundles (Wii + Wii Play/ Wiimote + extra Nunchuk + SSB + GameCube controller for $370), and the mall GameStop not only had Wiis in stock, they had two USED Wiis (for $229)!

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Sept 7 is the rumor

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

i just caught that on the xplay ticker tape.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Off topic a bit, but why is the PS3 MGS4 bundle $499, when the PS3 is $399 and MGS4 is $55? It seems like a ripoff; what am I missing?

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

The PS3 in the MGS Bundle has features the other PS3 model does not:

SACD playback

Backwards compatibility with PS2 games

Four vs. two USB ports

Card media slots for CompactFlash, SmartMedia and Memory Stick

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Interesting. Maybe I'm not reading carefully enough, but they really hide those differences on the packaging and store descriptions.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Yeah, I've been relying on the table in the Wikipedia entry for the PS3 to compare the features.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

I noticed that there will be another 80gb model that will just be replacing the 40gb. Then a 160gb coming out in oct.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Also, the MGS4 bundle has a Dualshock3 controller instead of a Sixaxis. That, with the added features and bigger HDD makes up the price difference.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

The $399 80GB also has the dualshock3.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

-40gb, "new" 80gb (just arrived) and the upcoming 160gb ("Uncharted pack" in the US) models are all the same (apart from the *hard disc size*):

*missing PS2 backwards compatibility
*no memory card readers
*no SACD support
*2 USB 2.0 ports (vs 4)

-the "older" 80gb (MGS bundle)-model has these, but I guess will be discontinued soon (based on the reports, not sure that is this "official"). So *at the moment* it seems, that the MGS bundle-model (80gb) may be your last chance to get your hands on a PS3 that can play also PS2 games...

Remember, that you can always upgrade the hard drive (I have my 320gb HD "on order".. ).


I´m sure all of them (new/upcoming models) have "Dualshock 3" from now on.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

the new 80gb will be priced @ 399....right?

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

The new 80GB is priced at $399; it's in stock at local stores.

Let me tell you what, I liked it better when I was a kid and there were only two consoles and they didn't change from launch date for the next five years. Dealing with three console systems, two of which evolve chronically like normal computers, is just annoying.

Make a kit, sell it, and don't confuse me with these excessive choices. (Where's a cranky old man smiley, when you need one? )

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

no kidding. If you don't stay on top of this, it is down right confusing.
My ps2 is like new, hooked up via component to the lcd tv. Do I really need a PS3 that is backward compatible....it would be nice, one less piece of equipment hooked up. I haven't seen any price change here but I haven't been to the stores in awhile.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

I just had a chance to stop in at Future Shop during lunch, they have the new 80gb units available for $399, there are a couple of the old 80gb MGS4 bundles left for $499. I was so tempted. While browsing the aisles, is there anything else I need to get when I get the system?
Cooling fan? I have never had one for any gaming system - weren't there problems early on with the systems overheating? I don't keep my systems in cabinets.
Traveling case? $39.99. Nice case which had an ethernet, charge, and 2 stands for controllers
Remote - $24.99 - this one's a given since I'll be primarily using it as the media server and to watch movies
Game - figure I can grab Resistance for $29.99 until GTA4 is on the greatest hits list

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

Not recommended. Some models might have a bit more "fan noise" than others (try "search"), but no issues with "overheating". You just can´t keep PS3 in the "closed cabinet" or something like that.


This is of course IMO, but PS3 is not really a console that you take "with you" (it´s rather heavy actually, like also Xbox 360).


Remote is a absolute must. Get it at the same time when you get the console (if you want to watch films, etc). It´s actually one of the best remotes that I have seen (again, IMO of course - I´m not into universal remotes at all).


Good choice (not a masterpiece, but a solid action game). You have time to play it through before the "Resistance 2" arrives (November, 08).

5 others to get ASAP:
*MGS4
*Call Of Duty 4
*Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (should be cheap, it´s basically a "big demo" - full game coming in next year)
*Warhawk (online game-option only)
*Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
(I´m not really into "GTA4" while I have it, but many love the game..)

Those should get you started.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

The remote isn't really needed. If you use the controller you get just as much functionality and it works fine. Save yourself the money until you realize you absolutely need the remote.

Re: xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc!

You´ll need the remote for the movies (not for the games, though), believe me. And it´s around 20$ anyway... Peanuts.