Wii/360/PS3

[HSK]

Hi guys! I'm a PC gamer, I don't own any of the new consoles, last one i had was a PS2. I'm trying to learn more and understand the new consoles, but not in terms of which one is better, but what each manufacturer have utilized, their strategy I guess...to get where they are at now.

From what I know, I see it as Nintendo, begin the longest with the console & gaming background has focused on pure gaming, and the fun of playing games. with strong franchises to back it up, and even though the console isn't that powerful, it's reached a broader demographic with its simple pick up and play style. But does this get boring?

Sony coming from a consumer electronics and media background have expanded that by utilized their technologies in a console, and bought it together with gaming. They bring something new with each console, CD player in the first, DVD, in the second, Blu-Ray in the third - but I think that was to get them ahead in the Blu-Ray /HD-DVD war, they took a gamble and included that technology, produce consoles at a loss, but got Blu-Ray out there... it looks like it paid off? But I'm not sure about the games...apart from the popular franchises (GT/Metal Gear etc) is the line up weak in general? is it harder for developers to bring it good games...

Microsoft has the pc background,internet and software technologies. there's a big line up of games, and a better on-line service then the other two. but i hear the reliability is quite bad with the 360?

I'm not sure what problems Nintendo have had with their console (apart from shortages, Sony seem to have problems from launch with shortages and the price, and just begin Sony in general (EU customers getting only a 40GB model etc).

Sorry if this is a long post, Not sure if I'm on the right track...What other situations are there? I'd like to here the views from people who know of and understand it all.

Thanks!!

[Whiternoise]

From my experience as a PC Gamer - i own none of the next gens yet - there are a number of things you need to take into account.

Price, foremost. The Wii is the cheapest and has some of the best games, the Xbox is the midrange chappie - fairly priced with a decent catalogue of next gen games and people tell me good things about Xbox live. Finally the PS3, something of an underdog, it's very expensive compared to the other two consoles and perhaps with reason. It has the best hardware which as yet hasn't been fully pushed, it's got the winning format so you've got a Blu-Ray player built in already and of course online is free which is a big bonus.

Gamewise, Nintendo has the backing of long standing brands - mario, zelda, et al - and of course it's got the innovation factor as well as the GameCube back catalogue (not to mention the virtual console). Bear in mind the cheap price is countered by the cost of around 40-50 quid per extra controller. The Wii is an excellent console, but it is ideally partnered with another next gen or a PC simply because it can't handle the latest high graphics, high physics games.

The 360 has a very decent catalogue of games at the moment, lots of nice next gen stuff and there'll be plenty more releases yet. Online is pay for, remember so bear that in mind if you want multiplayer. The RROD problem is still quite bad, we get a lot of returns in GAME still, so you might want to wait for the die shrinks this year which should help a bit more. Otherwise, the 360 is the staple next gen, it's got standard controls, most of the major releases, decent graphics, etc. It is crippled somewhat by the lack of online content compared to the amount that the US recieves.

Finally, the PS3. Again, bit of an underdog. The games aren't nearly as many as either the Wii or the 360, but they're getting there. Like Nintendo, Sony are pulling on their major brands to get sales and there are some good titles coming out soon - Haze for instance. You've got stuff like final fantasy, metal gear, gran turismo, etc coming out as well. Online is free which is a benefit. Lookswise it's a beast so depends whether you want something that looks like a barbecue by the side of your nice telly. PS3's are notoriously stable however, the failure rate is very low - as it should be. The PS3 is in it for the long haul. It'll be a while before people push it to the limits and it'll be very good when it does. It was designed to outlast the 360 certainly.

So, it's a bit of a mix up.

The Wii is a very good console, the games are imaginative although many of the good games are only good multiplayer or if you have friends round a lot. It's also very price effective and is pretty reliable.

The 360 has lots of good games, has the next gen bit covered and will last for a while longer. It's also dropping in price quite quickly - it's rivalling the Wii at the moment (200 to 180 respectively). Reliability is improving but still not amazing - it is however free to fix most of the time (MS will fix a RROD for free).

The PS3 is slow to start but will be around for a long time, you've got the winning high definition format, lots of good games to come and of course all the major releases. Online is getting better as well, however it's only on par with the 360 here because we don't get nearly as much from MS in the UK as the US do.

Have a play about on all three, see what you think.

Personally, it's a toss up between the 360 and the PS3. Most of the people where i work swear blind by the 360, but there's one guy who's solidly behind the PS3 with good reason - it's going to get better at some point. The PS2 is still the most widely sold console i believe and the PS3 will eventually follow in its footsteps i think. The Wii is more of an extra in my eyes. It's a good console, but one that you'd get alongside one of them.

[[DW]Cougho]

I've got both the 360 and PS3.

I'd say get the 360 really, it is a great peice of kit. Thats not to say the PS3 is bad and i can see the potiential but i dont think its future is any rosier (or as rosy) as the 360's.

[mediaboy]

360s have better PR
PS3s have better specs
Wiis are more fun.

You're choice really

[Noxvayl]

I prefer this view on consoles:

Xbox 360 = too much like a PC
PS3 = too much like a PC
Wii = different to PC

Xbox 360 and PS3 to me are trying to be like PC's too much... the PC has a keyboard and mouse and until a console gets those they can't realistically compete with a PC's versatility. Plus PC's have far greater content and graphics albeit more expensive to obtain. Its just the ease of use of consoles that drive the market.

The Wii on the other hand is keeping with a consoles' traditions and providing something different to what a PC has to offer and something a PC is unable to reproduce. Its fun and an all round good unit.

[directhex]

it's all about the games


which system has the games available today you really want to play?


buy that one.

[shadowmaster]

I use a pc for most of my gaming, and the ps3 for playing blu rays, upscaling normal dvds, (which it does very well), and the occasional game.

If you are interested in these features then I recommend the ps3, however if you are looking to buy a console for gaming only, then the xbox 360 has the edge due to a larger volume of games and a better online service. However I do feel that the ps3 will catch up soon.

[PenguinJim]

Time to haul out the diagram again.

[Virtual Monkey]

Awesome diagram

[Russ]

my opinion.

listen to hex.

[gtech]

This thread started of so well, very mature so far...oh then penguinjim responded

[Ciber]

Time to haul out the diagram again.

LOL harsh but very true.

[Ciber]

My opinion would be get a wii as the other 2 are just trying to be a PC. The Wii is the one I would buy, cos I spend enough time alone on my PC whereas I could actually invite mates or family round to have a game on the wii and they would actually come over. Well I think I still have some RL mates after all my time spent staying in in playing games lol.

[gtech]

LOL harsh but very true.

Not really true though is it.
It's all about the games.

[HSK]

ahh maybe i should of made my post clearer, i don't really want to buy any of them. just wanna understand what their situations is.

ha @ the diagram.

[grayg1]

For a lot of people buying a console is a long term investment and I just think the PS3 is the best investment.
360 - doesn't have the HD drive and being rushed to the market has made it too unreliable. The core model has screwed the better models over (no hard drive), the possibilities are now limited for owners of the better models because developers need to cater to the lesser model when it comes to their game deisgn.
Wii - no HD, its lack of power is likely to hinder it as time goes on and so maybe not a long stay as far as the more hardcore games go anyway. < it will probably live on for while yet but I can only see it as those cheapo gimick games.