xBox or PS3? Plus...what to buy?.....etc! (1 Viewer)

[DaveF]

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

 

[Michael G Jones]

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.

 

[Aaron Silverman]

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)!

 

[DaveF]

Sept 7 is the rumor

 

[Michael G Jones]

i just caught that on the xplay ticker tape.

 

[DaveF]

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?

 

[Citizen87645]

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

 

[DaveF]

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

 

[Citizen87645]

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

 

[Michael G Jones]

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

 

[Morgan Jolley]

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.

 

[DaveF]

The $399 80GB also has the dualshock3.

 

[Jari K]

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

 

[Michael G Jones]

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

 

[DaveF]

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?

)

 

[Michael G Jones]

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.

 

[Michael G Jones]

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

 

[Jari K]

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.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

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.

 

[Jari K]

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