Posted May 26, 2007 at 11:59PM by Glen D. Listed in: Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Opinions & Analysis Tags: Microsoft, Capcom, GameCube, Sony, PS2, SIXAXIS
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consoles - Image 1Most of you out there probably already have one or more next-generation game consoles, and that's great because we hear your insights all the time. Come to think of it, because of these comments we're getting a good feel regarding the pros and cons of each console.

However, it's a fact that the greater majority of gamers worldwide still haven't made up their minds on which of the three boxes of wonder they'll spend their precious savings on, and we believe there's a good reason for that.

It's always an option to get more than one console, but with today's prices, the average office employee will think twice about doing so. That goes double for kids who'll be using all their negotiation skills to beg their folks to get them a game system. Let's not even get into the brave souls who save their lunch money to get one for themselves.

That leads us to this question: If you were to pick just one game system, what would it be and why? Let's analyze what each machine has to offer right now to help us decide:

The Microsoft Xbox 360 - In terms of quality and quantity of content, we can safely say that there's nothing like the Xbox 360 out there today. It has the biggest collection of titles in its library and it's going to get even bigger and better this year. If you're a shooting game fan, it's the platform to be in, not only because the titles here are great, but because the online play experience provided by Xbox Live is like no other. The classics in the Xbox Live Arcade are also bringing in a lot of nostalgic joy. Adding a few titles for the younger crowd could be nice, but we're not sure if Microsoft would want it that way.

Also, Microsoft seems intent on taking away former exclusive powerhouses from Sony. We've seen Rockstar and Capcom go multiplatform with Grand Theft Auto IV and Devil May Cry 4, which is sure to make switching brands that much sweeter a deal for fans who jumped ship. Resident Evil 5, Too Human, Halo 3 and others are on the way, and that can only mean you'll always be busy with hits that are in good number and whose releases are close between.

Probably the only real cause for concern at this point for those who are poised to buy an Xbox 360 are reports of overheating and disc-scratching. Empirically, we haven't experienced anything of the sort with our unit, but you never know. That's what warranties were made for anyway. Still, it's a great machine especially if you're into the more mature stuff.
 

Xbox 360 - Image 1 Xbox 360 - Image 2 Xbox 360 - Image 3 Xbox 360 - Image 4 

The Nintendo Wii- Talk about striking gold when nobody expected it. Miyamoto and his kid-friendly gang are back with a vengeance and their Nintendo Wii is selling around the planet like there's no tomorrow. We all know how it expanded the market with fun, easy games and  innovative controls, but the scary part is that it's only the beginning. Third-party developers who were once wary of Nintendo's semi-monopolistic ways in its software market are now warming up to the Kyoto-based firm for a lot of good reasons.


Nintendo has always had a tradition of uber first-party games with the Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda and Pokemon franchises. That was the case from the SNES to the GameCube, but now it's getting the reinforcements that it needs. Capcom, THQ and other major firms have expressed their enthusiasm for the Wii, and why not? It has the most rapidly-growing owner base which essentially assures developers that there's a big crowd that can be captured. If it makes money, it makes sense.

Critics have bashed the Wii for being a GameCube 1.5 in terms of graphics and sound prowess, but, uh, so? This only proves how ingenuous the Nintendo paradigm really is. Even though it didn't join the arms race of the console war, it made sure that the games and hardware would give the players the fun factor that makes or breaks platforms. The gamers, young and old, got their fun, and now Nintendo is on top of the heap.

So, should you get it? With a $250 tag, dynamic controls and quality content, do so by all means. However, if you're the hardcore type and you're looking for eye-popping visuals where you blast demons with a handheld nuclear device, you might not find it here. Still, Metroid Prime 3 is coming, and Samus just might convince you to stick around.

Nintendo Wii - Image 1 Nintendo Wii - Image 2 Nintendo Wii - Image 3 Nintendo Wii - Image 4 

The Sony PlayStation 3- It's undeniable that the dominance of the PSX and the PS2 have left a lot of fans hanging in there for more. That explains why the technological powerhouse Sony PlayStation 3 had so much hype surrounding it. The PS3 has been touted by haters as quite possibly the biggest flop in gaming history, but we say that's a very premature conclusion in the very least.

If anything, the PS3 is a giant that's yet to fully awaken. Big games are yet to come out and the full power of the Cell Processor and Sixaxis controller are still undemonstrated. If Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm are any indication, the decade left for the PS3's run will be very exciting.

Exclusives may have crossed platform borders lately, but the fact of the matter is that Sony still has some mean franchises all its own. God of War, Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy, and Metal Gear Solid are hanging on. These are bona fide console-sellers, and we could be looking at merely a slow start for the platform.

 

One thing it has to its advantage is the fact that there has been little to no reports of serious hardware failures from users. The online scene doesn't seem too shabby, too. The PlayStation Home world is looking cool, and we can't wait to see it fly. The price point is stiff at $ 600, but if it'll last for a decade and Blu-ray eventually wins the format war, then by all means this should be worth it. Can you imagine what will happen by the time HD TVs come to their age?
 

Sony PS3 - Image 1 Sony PS3 - Image 2 Sony PS3 - Image 3 Sony PS3 - Image 4 

The Verdict: It sounds cheesy, and a little gutless even, but when you really look at it without fanboy emotions running, there's really a lot of nice, distinct attributes that each console has to offer. At this point, it's too close to call who will eventually win the war but we can help you choose one if we rationalize your gaming needs and judge each system according to what it gives you.

Think of your age group, the genre that you dig most and the orientation of games that you've been craving for. Next, think of what you need more: Something different or something that significantly improves what you had the last time you bought a console. Are you willing to leave exclusive games behind if you jump ship? Are you a hardcore player or more of a weekend warrior? What's more important, money or happiness? That sorta stuff.

If you have some clear answers right now, you should be able to figure it out in a day or two. If you don't, there's no shame in waiting some more. There's nothing wrong with still rocking with your PS2, Xbox or GameCube today. Six months to one year should give us a better feel of  which platform will dominate, but even that is not the be all and end all of gaming. So what if your console of choice ends up second or third? As long as you're happy, it's all good.


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40 Comments


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   by First (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » First

PWNED


   Re: ... (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » ...

*****ing tard

   Re: utyu (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » PS3 to risky

360 for me, What decided it for me is that the sales of the PS3 are now so low I would be worried it will be dropped and I will end up with a movie player that can also play some PS1 games..

   Re: Folding Junkie! - 2007-05-28
 » utyu!

Sony will not drop the PS3!
   by AoxomamoxoA - 2007-05-26
 » I own all three...

...but if I had to choose just one it would prolly be the 360 just because it has the most games, and Live.

   by Glen D. (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Good article

I agree that every console has it's up and down sides, and if you have enough money getting all three is a great choice.

   by Kutibh (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Yep

I agree that all three systems cater to specific needs of different people. The reason I got a PS3 was because I wanted an HD Entertainment center and the power of the cell processor for gaming. To me, $600 sounded like a heck of a deal for both. And Playstation Home is an added bonus. If I ever can afford more, I'd probably buy the other 2 consoles, but for now this suits me :)

   by Some Gamer (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Wii not just for kids

I loved the article but the part about the Wii just being for kids is wrong. Sure it has more kids games on it than any of the other systems, but it also has games like Manhunt 2 (coming soon), Call of Duty 3, Brothers in Arms: Double Time, Medal of Honor Vanguard, Red Steel and many others that are defiantly not "kids" games.

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   by willbig13 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » all three

This was a good article, and makes alot of good points. I got the 360 first, and Xbox Live is awsome, all your games are conected, and the good ones get new content, and for some reason, I love acheivments. Oh yhea, there is also this little thing called Halo 3 beta.

I bought the PS3 with the idea of trying it out and maybe later selling. Long story short, I still have it, and use it almost everyday. Right now it's all about netflix and Blu-ray movies. Don't use it for gaming all that much, but I know I will, with games as promising as Killzone, and Lair.

The Wii came last, and I was able to get it because my wife likes it as much as I do. Fun games for the wife and I, and classics made new like Twilight princess and upcoming Mario party, and in the future Mario Kart, kinda make it a must own console.

Long post, but my advice is, get all three if you can afford it, especially if you have an HDTV. This is really the best time ever to be a gamer.

   by Bryan (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » Meh.

Honestly, I would've bought a 360, but I wanted a new PC, which is just about as good. I still have my Wii that never gets played. :

   by person (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » I agree

I agree with this article. If I had to choose just one it would also be a 360, but right now i would gladly trade in my wii to get some ps3 money. I admit that I was a victim of the Wii hype and after beating Zelda:TP (which was another GREAT zelda game) I stopped playing. Which means i havent played for about 4-5 months.

   by senjutsu (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » I still own no next-gen consoles...

Because my ps2 have better games! I mean, I finished playing god of war 2, then dawn of mana popped, and Even before I had the time to start the story, Odin Sphere popped!!! I'm surrounded my great games, but the ps3, for it's 500$, only have motorstorm and fall of man, the xbox 360 only have... nothing that is appealing for me right now, maybe blue dragon later, and the wii only have RE4 and zelda for me, and I already finished them on the gamecube...

So I'll buy my ps3 this summer (end), and I don't want an xbox360 (I tryed Gears of war and hated it, and halo 3 do not impress me at all, halo 1 was the best halo (didn't loved the second...), and I don't want a wii (no games... maybe when FF crystal chonicles will pop, I'll buy one (for this game).

On the ps3, I'll be able to play "the darkness", "ninja gaiden sigma" (I didn't have an xbox to play this game :( ), "stranglehold", "Lair", "heavenly sowrd", "assassin's creed", "heavy rain", and hot shot golf 5 in the not so near future, lol. And a lot of those games are on the xbox 360 also, but too much exclusive (still) to let me buy a 100$ less xbox360 (more than 100$ less when the price will drop).


   Re: DOW MoBsTeR (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » psh

Sony fanboys are never too far from a taunt , you my friend are an Idiot.
   by yo (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » yo

in your comparison of all the sizes, your omitting the absolutely massive monstrosity of a power supply on the xbox 360. the ps3 nor any other of those consoles has such a large behemoth of a power supply. microsoft is kinda cheating in that sense, putting half of the consoles wiring in the power supply just so they can say the size is economical.


   Re: Vecha - 2007-05-27
 » and?

what does that have to do with gaming?

The wii has a power supply. are they cheating?


   Re: iyiui (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » 360 external supply is far better, as the weak point in electrical systems is always the power supply.

Yer nothing to do with gaming, also the PS3 had a year longer to get their supply into that case, and it has it good and bad sides to both. The Good is on the 360 if your supply goes you can just nip down and buy a third party one, on the PS3 if your supply goes your whole system is down until it gets back from repair.
   by hah (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » hah

I guess being 25, the PS3 is my choice. 360 is good too but I want the Sony exclusives more than Microsoft ones. I bought a Wii but i'm gonna sell it. It just has failed to deliver in every aspect. I'm shocked that its doing so well. Must be a sign of me getting old. :)


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   Re: well (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » lmao the wii

is in competition with the ps2 its really not next gen
   by Erick (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » ????

Y do I get the feeling that the war is only xbox 360 vs Playstation 3, the wii is doin good now but its almost like everyone knows that once the hype on the wii passes, the wii is goin down the toilet.

   by mik3yl3 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-26
 » lol like you said in the article

all the xbox 3sh*tty is, is shooters...that's all it is. why i am a sony fanboi is because they have a WIDE selection of games. gawd if i want a shooter game i'd get it on pc lol :) that's my two cents and 4 pennies


   Re: AoxomamoxoA - 2007-05-27
 » wow...

its sad that you actually believe that rumor.

   Re: Vecha - 2007-05-27
 » ummm no.

the 360 has the wider selection.

More rpgs then the ps3 actually...

the ps2 had a wider slection compared the xbox...but the tables have turned now.

so stop being a fanboy.
   by mentalboy11 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » uh

wait a minute wait a minute, you're telling us why the playstation 3 isnt failing, instead of telling us why to buy it.

:

you should talk about the blu ray, the HDMI, the free online, (already talked about upcoming titles), and how its a great multimedia center, something the wii and 360 do not do as well as the ps3.

when judging multiple systems, its best to judge what one system has that the others dont.

in this case:

360- Huge game library, great online
wii- Great Fun, motion sensing, mii
ps3- Multimedia HD center, big up and coming games, blu ray


   Re: Dow Mobster (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » haha

360 has live nuff said sony will never surpass it

   Re: Folding Junkie! - 2007-05-27
 » Not being a fanboy!

Dow Mobster, you are missing something. You forget the fact that the original XBOX also had live and the PS2 still outsold it. The XBOX had a far better online experience across the board than $ony, but Live did not help M$ sell more units in the previous generation.

PSN is in it's youth and will continue to improve. Remember, it is basically an entire console younger in its evolution. Quit being a fanatic! mentalboy11 has one of the better posts on qj.net with that one. It would be nice if more people were like him!
   by Xbox is the best (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » I

I would just like to say the at first I thought the ps3 looked bulky and ugly now I think it looks bulky but nice 360 still pawns though

   by Ian (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » ps3 v 360

I will admit im a sony fan boi straight off. This goes for all aspects of sony. I sell phones and my biggest sellers are the sony ericssons, 4 out of 5 in my store have sony phones too lol. I bought the PS3 a few weeks after release and admittedly there hasnt been a day where i havent played on it.

At the moment though i think the 360 is going to win. Look at the DS and PSP, the PSP is far better for graphics and processing power, but after the hhype it still fell short of the DS. This is for one reason in my mind and its the same reason the PS2 was and is so popular.

Walk into any game store in the uk and you'll find shelves stacked with masses of PS2 and DS and 360 games. Now look at the PSP section and you'll find a 10nth of the amount of games the DS has. PS3 you'll find about 15 games (in the UK). Compared to the 360 which has huge amounts.

The PSP isnt doing so well because there are hardly any games on it, yes there are some amazing ones in that collection, but not enough to compete with nintendo. When you walk into a store its as much about presence as anything, if i see huge amounts of space dedicated to one thing over another im going to think the bigger one is better like most people.

Im worried at this point that sony won't push through enough games like with the PSP and so not give people enough reason to buy it. I still cant believe that 2 months since release there has only been maybe 3 games released and there doesnt seem to be any more due for release till octoboer november time.


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   Re: Real Gambler (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » I would not worry about the PSP

With 1.8 firmware, Sony just gave a huge advantage to the PSP... Even better, I'm pretty sure they will come out with a newer and cheaper to produce PSP. I have not bought one yet, but mainly because I thought it was too big for a portable... Being able to access stuff from my PS3 just made this thing awesome. I'll be waiting a few months to see if something is coming out, but eventually I'll buy one.
   by damonous - 2007-05-27
 » PS3 made me return to games, hard-core

I have PS3, 360, PSP. Although I had the PSP for occassional use since the first month of its release, after a short period I didn't really game that much with it. PS3 however has made me return to gaming, hardcore-style. I am still surprised that at only 6 months in, I own 12 titles for it. ...Which leads to a point that I find escapes the console-comparison discussion: for MOST people, at $60 a pop, does the amount of games available really matter? --I mean, is everyone planning to rush out and buy $1000+ worth of games this year? 360 may have a larger library, but I've found myself dumping nearly as many as I buy. Aside from Test Drive, Burnout, and maybe Quake 4, there's some pretty smelly stank on that system (that isn't otherwise also available on PS3). If Test Drive came to PS3, my 360 would be up for sale in an instant. Some people have commented above, but to recap and add to it, there are some descrepancies in the comparison in the article: 360 has a loud obnoxious fan, humongoid power brick, heavy oversized controllers, a clumsy user interface, as well as a hidden $50/yr additional surcharge if you wish to game online (not to mention that MS doesn't make it real obvious that SOME games, as well as backward-compatibility, absolutely REQUIRE an overpriced custom hard disc). In contrast, PS3 has built-in BluRay, whisper-quiet fan, lightweight motion-sensitive controllers, a clean simple user-interface, free online, and great multimedia-server capabilities (not to mention backward-compatibility modes for ALL console versions, and a user-replacable standard hard drive).

   by amedjones (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » good read

good read, im still one of the many who can't decide on which console to get, I a big fan of metal gear solid but don't want to shell out 700 CAD on ps3 just to play that game. I also love Wii for its fun games like smash bro and Mario. Finally im not too keen on the 360 except for its online games

guess will have to wait for e3 to decide which console i wanna get



   Re: Folding Junkie! - 2007-05-28
 » Shell out the money for the rest of its features.

How about wireless media streaming. How about the BD capability. How about homebrew using the Linux OS? Things like Bluetooth, downloadable games e.g. GripShift and Calling All Cars, and PSP interconnectivity.

Take some time and think of the ways that you could use these features and you won't be so unsure.
   by Elliott (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » Wii is not worth it

I too fell for the Wii hype and bought a Wii but have not played on it for 6 months because I have got bored of it. I though I might have got bored of it like my eyetoy, but I thought I was going to take the chance and see how it goes. I am now selling it on Ebay and saving money to get a PLAYSTATION 3 because the likes of HOME, LAIR, MGS4, GTA, FIFA (which probably wont be on Wii because of the controller), HEAVENLY SWORD, LITTLEBIGPLANET (PWNS!). I just cannot resist.

If you own a Wii like I do, and you dont enjoy it, please dont forget to tell everyone whos interested in one so that they dont waste there money and add to Nintendos sales.

Nintendo brain washed me!


   Re: Jose (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » Fanboyism?

Hmmm... maybe you forgot to mention the great titles coming to wii? or maybe the massive third party support it's getting.. or maybe the total awesomeness of the controller... do u have amnesia :/?

Also, about FIFA.. how many buttons can a Soccer game use? why wouldn't it be on the Wii?
   by na2ru1 (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » Im PS3 fanboy......

But im actualy admittin that im bored with it since therere hardly any choice of games.

Resistance FoM is a gd starter- very cool and original weapons AND grenades - multiplay is immense. And im still playin it sinse launch as i hav no otha choice

Motorstrm is too tedious 4 me i only played demo.

PS Store is dry - NEED FOR FRIGGIN DEMOS 2 DWNLOAD

   by Glen Quagmire (Unregistered) - 2007-05-27
 » PS3 Owner

I own a PS3 right now, and I'm pretty disappointed in the game selection right now. The cool things is home, and being able to install another OS. I'm still glad I own a PS3 though because by 2008 TONS of good games will be out and it will be worth it...like Assassins Creed, GTA IV, Socom Confrontation, etc.
There's gonna be alot coming out in the next year. I'd still rather have a PS3 then a 360 right now though. I do admit that 360 has pretty sweet online and more games out at the moment but, I've been with Playstation since PS1 and I'd rather have a PS3.

   by J MAN (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » PS3's Problem

I think everyone who wants a PS3 has the SAME mind frame right now,I'll Buy one when it gets a tad cheaper, including me, im not a fanboy per say but ive been with Sony since september 95 (ps1) and havent let me down yet, i still think it'll sell 10 mill before january, why? well people who want one are just WAITING for decent games to come out, thats all and im sure Sony will sort out their problems, IMO the only people who buy consoles in the launch period are hardcore gamers or retards, becuz we all know until at least 6-8 months after launch is when the good stuff comes, just my two cents


   Re: yuiyui (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » 10 million lol, its not selling.

LOL people are not waiting they have already bought 360s and Wiis and the other system they are buying over the PS3 is the PS2 so dream on..
   by iyuiyu (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » PS3 owners kid no one but themselves about the WII

I have a 360 but I cant help noticing how many of you PS3 owners try to discredit the Wii, You are kidding no one but yourself if you think the Wii is going to drop sales in fact soon as Nintendo are able to cover the demand the PS3 especially in Japan will be all but finished, the Wii is killing the PS3 sales and as you are seeing people would rather buy the PS2 and Wii over the PS3 because of its huge price, you go on and on about that Blu Ray but the funny thing is it will proberly be the thing that killed the PS3 because while that thing is inside Sony just cant do any price cuts that will help it to sell,and of course if they could do ANY price drops you can guarantee that MS will drop theirs even lower..

   by ElDiablo (Unregistered) - 2007-05-28
 » Its really hard to say.

I want a nextgen console, and I have infact owned one, but I sold it because I felt sick to my stomic. If you are wondering what system it was, it was the Xbox 360.

I think I had felt sick because the 360 was loud, it overheated, and every so often it gave the red lights of death. I have had multiple 360's, and each of them have given me the red lights!!

I am still not sure if I want a ps3 or not because not only is it expensive, but I am very shaky on the whole faulty console thing. Its happened to me so many times that its scared me.

At this moment, I need people to tell me what to get, cause I myself dont know anymore.


   Re: Folding Junkie! - 2007-05-28
 » Fanboy!

^^^^^^^^^!!!


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