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

Ronald Epstein · 04-22-2008, 05:27 PM

It has been years since I had a gaming console. I think the last
console I owned was a Sega. I never wanted to bother with
gaming ever since then because I'm just too busy with my day
job and this forum. My biggest fear is that if I get into gaming
I'll become so addicted that I will be irresponsible with everything
else.

What has changed my attitude? Last week on Opie and Anthony
their guest was a person that helped design the upcoming Grand
Theft Auto 4 due for release on April 29th. At first I could care
less about the radio conversation, but slowly, I was drawn into this
world of New York City where one could drive, explore, shoot people, etc.

I asked my staff which system I should consider for gaming, the
xBox 360 or PS3. I really wanted top-notch
games, graphics, sound and online play with other people.

The advice I got was that both systems were identical in graphics
and sound. Though the PS3 had a BR player (I own one
already), it was lacking in really good online play. In fact, from what
I understand, the xBox exceeds in the online category.

So, unless someone really hits it out of the ballpark with a reason
to go PS3, I think I am going xBox

Of course, I am looking for good arguments for both.

Now, let's just say I am going xBox. Which one do I go
with?

Do I go with the BASIC CORE PACKAGE for $349?

Do I go with the ARCADE BUNDLE for $279?

Do I go with the ELITE BUNDLE for $449?

Do these all come with cable to hook up to the TV?

It was also suggested I pick up an extra wireless controller and
battery recharger pack. Anything else I need?

Now, the best part, what games do you recommend?

I'm sort of into shooter stuff as well as Fantasy type stuff where
you meet characters, have to find objects to get farther in the game, etc.
Kind of in the spirit of Final Fantasy, Lara Croft and Kings Quest.

Perhaps there are other cool games you could recommend.

Yes, Call of Duty 4 will probably be on that list, too.

**HTF Ads**

Bryan X · 04-22-2008, 06:35 PM

I'll throw in a vote for the 360. Fantastic online experience. Yeah, it's about $50 a year, but worth every penny. I'd say 95% of my gaming on the 360 is online multiplayer. Once you get a taste of it, it's tough to go back to single-player.

As for Call of Duty 4... don't even hesitate on that one. By far the best FPS out there. What I like about it is that even though they went modern warefare on this one (instead of WWII), it's still very realistic. No computerized HUD type stuff to pull you out of the game. I don't care for games like Ghost Recon that have all HUD graphics oulining enemies and such-- drawing attention to the fact you're playing a video game. I want it to feel real. On a big HD screen you will lose yourself in CoD4.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a nice game if you remember the original. I loved the first couple installments of TR and this is a great updated-throwback to the original.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the ELITE version is the only version which has HDMI out. So if that is the case, definately go that route.

The extra controller is a good idea if you have friends over. The battery packs are invaluable. If you don't have the rechargeable battery packs you'll be eating through AA batteries like mad. Pick up the charging kit that plugs into the wall (it comes with one battery pack) and then pick up a second battery pack.

Walmart.com : Microsoft Quick Charge Kit Xbox 360 : Accessories

JoeyR · 04-22-2008, 06:44 PM

Definitely 360 and go with the Elite for the 120G hard drive.

Great choice of games, great gamer groups to play with(hence my sig), you wont be disappointed.

BTW you keep your ear to the ground and you can find Live memberships for 20 to 25 bucks a year, I have only paid full price for one year membership and my wife is on her first, me on my third(plus I'm paid up for 3 years) and both my kids on their second

Bryan X · 04-22-2008, 06:49 PM

I hadn't seen any deals like that Joey, for Live. But I didn't look too hard as I picked up a couple memberships from Dell as part of a promotion when buying my son's computer a few months ago. So I'm good through the end of 2010.

You and your wife have separate Live memberships? My son and I share one. Any advantage to ponying up for two separate memberships. So far it's not been an issue (we only have one 360).

Zack Gibbs · 04-22-2008, 06:53 PM

If you get a 360, don't get the Arcade bundle, it doesn't come with a HDD. I'd get the elite if you can find one, it has the largest HDD, and is the only system that comes with an HDMI cord. I think the value is there. I think all of the Xboxs come with HDMI out now though, they didn't used to.

The only real reason why you might not want an Xbox is because of the high failure rates, which are, well they're very high. Just know that when you buy it, you're not much more than a coin toss or two away from it bricking, and having to send it away to Microsoft for a few weeks.

I love my PS3, but it's also my Blu-ray player. Just on the gaming side, I also love it but I'm a very casual gamer. I find the online perfect for me, it's free and does anything I could want. You can't download movies or TV shows like on Xbox live, and the community isn't the same (live is more "youth centric"), but online gaming with Playstation Network works perfectly, and that's all I really ask.

for games, If you get an Xbox buy these

Halo 3 (shooter, duh

)
Mass Effect (action RPG)
Bioshock (shooter)
Gears of War (shooter)

If you get a PS3 get these;

Uncharted (adventure game, like a modern Indiana Jones)
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (racing simulator)
Ratchet & Clank (a cartoony action platformer)
Resistance (shooter)

If you're into oldschool RPG's like Final Fantasy, you can get Folklore. I can't stand the game type but those who like it love Folklore.

And these are multiplatform titles, so get them for either one

Burnout Paradise
Call of Duty 4
Oblivion
The Orange Box
Guitar Hero or Rockband, good party games
Devil May Cry 4
uh.. sports games? I don't play sports games.

KurtEP · 04-22-2008, 07:04 PM

I'm not sure what the reliability of the new Xbox 360s are like, but the old ones were pretty dire. My UPS delivery person commented that she had delivered quite a lot of return boxes to people in the neighborhood. The fact that she even knew what they were was telling. Quality wise, the PS3 is a much nicer piece of gear.

That said, the online interface and game selection definitely favor the Xbox.

JoeyR · 04-22-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan X

I hadn't seen any deals like that Joey, for Live. But I didn't look too hard as I picked up a couple memberships from Dell as part of a promotion when buying my son's computer a few months ago. So I'm good through the end of 2010.

You and your wife have separate Live memberships? My son and I share one. Any advantage to ponying up for two separate memberships. So far it's not been an issue (we only have one 360).

Me, my wife, and both my children have gold memberships(of course my kids are 12 and 14) and actually my wife's live membership is sitting on the counter, I just havent put it in yet.

We have a group of about 100 of us on Daddyplace that play together, well the guy that runs Daddyplace, his wife also has a site. My wife is a member there too. There are a few women there(most of the members are wives of our membrs) are supposed to start playing rock band together. I may be anal retentive but I dont like other people playing on my account LOL

Also my Xbox is coming back in this week, it was a launch console but the dvd drive started going out. I had bought a 120G drive when they came out so I bought an Arcade console(for the HDMI) put the 120G on it and I'm good to go. The new one will have the 20G put back on it and I'll put it in my oldest son's room.

For deals check out Cheap Ass Gamer - Cheap Video Game Shopping, Video Game Sales and Video Game Deals: CAG., its a gaming deals forum.

Also right now Toys R Us is clearing out the live vision kits that have a 12 month subscription, the vision camera, a headset, a couple hundred microsoft points and one or two arcade games for 40 bucks.

I disagree with the youth centric part of live, yeah theres a big group of kids, but there are alot of older gamer/gamer parents groups out there. Also a few of our members that own PS3's seem that the older gaming community is not as active there(as in groups to join or play with), now I know for whatever reason the Wii is having a big surge in popularity amongst some of the other gamer dads, somewhat because of the WAF.

Ronald Epstein · 04-23-2008, 03:33 AM

WoW! Very disturbing to hear of the failure rates on the xBox.

What is a LIVE membership? I am guessing that is access for
online playing? I'll check that deals site for bargains.

BTW, the ELITE comes with a SILVER LIVE membership, whatever that means.

Brandon_T · 04-23-2008, 10:14 AM

It doesn't really mean anything. I purchased an elite system, but you still need the gold to do anything useful. Go with the elite if you can, its worth the large hd, the hdmi cable, and it's black! I play with Joey and the daddy place guys on COD4. The graphics on my projector are amazing.

Ronald Epstein · 04-23-2008, 10:20 AM

I take it all the new xBox consoles come with the Falcon chip?

Been doing a lot of reading on Amazon and it seems that this
is the biggest criteria.

Also amazed and shocked at just how many xBox consoles are
going bad these days. Can't MS fix the problem?

Finally, do I need one of those exterior Intercoolers to keep the
console from overheating?

KurtEP · 04-23-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein

Finally, do I need one of those exterior Intercoolers to keep the console from overheating?

Anecdotally, the only guy I know who owned an Xbox that hasn't been repaired yet uses an external cooling fan. Whether that was the reason, or he's just lucky, I have no idea. It is pretty loud, though.