XBOX 360 vs. PS3 vs. Wii: Game On!

[elwood731]

I think long term threads like this are entertaining because they allow you to look back on the flow of hype and excitement as news develops on each system. So, discuss your feelings on each system--who you think will win, and who you think should pack and go home.

Personally, right now, the XBOX 360 sounds incredible, but can it compete against a technically surperior PS3 a year from now which has the entire PS1 and PS2 back catalog? I look at the XBOX 360 finishing in a solid second place. The Revolution is the wild card, but all the rumors seem to suggest it might be something really different from the other two. In that way, it might really make a foot print for itself away from the other two. Nintendo has been trying to do this for a few years, and while a neat idea, they may be killing themselves in the process.

[umainebearman]

Well I can't really say anything about the PS3s "technical superiority" cause I haven't heard anything about the PS3. But unless Sony gets there heads outta there butts (psp) then the Xbox 360 won't have to break a sweat taking 1st. Of course you'll have xbox fanboys like myself who won't have any inclination whatsoever in getting a PS3 and same goes for the sony fanboys. I will however give credit when credit is due however like I said I haven't seen anything about the ps3.

Sony has one veht now rules the road with most console gamers. When I here pery HUGE thing to overcome. Online play. Online play rigople talking about the games they played online it was a pc or XBL game. Everyonce in a great while I'll hear someon say it was a ps2 game. Hell I don't even know what the ps2 service is called but I'd bet money every ps2 online gamer knows about XBL. The original xbox had the ps2 beat long before it was on the market in my eyes because it was going to have a huge XBL catalouge and Live wasn't even fully up and running at launch!

Of course I will stick by my recommendation if someone asks me what to buy. If they have ps 1,2 games and the ps 3 is bw compatible I'll say get the ps3. But if you don't go for the xbox or 360. I like to atleast be considerate of the people asking. But then I always ask what do they like in games and tell them xbox no matter what.

[Astrakan]

I'll be getting a 360 at launch for sure. I'm itching for the next generation to start, and I would've bought the first next gen console through the gates, regardless of brand. That said, it's no secret I'm really liking the current Xbox. Its successor being the first out of the next gen is merely a bonus though.

As for the PS3 and the Revolution... well, it depends on what they bring to the table when they're released. I started this generation as a multi-console owner, but have whittled myself down to single-console simply because the Xbox delivers everything I need. Because of this, I've promised myself to start out as a single-console owner and watch the other two carefully before I add another to my stable. If either of them were to deliver something significantly improved over the 360, I can easily see myself picking it up.

KM

[Bananaslug79]

Born and raised a Nintendo fan, I will continue to breed the little boogers like myself until I die. It's always been about the games to me, and Nintendo still delivers the best games there are on any console they make, at least the best that I like to play. They always tout that their consoles as the newest and most revolutionary, frankly I could care less as long as they continue putting out my favorite games. That, and their devotion to controlling the games, which so many nincompoops seem to just gloss over. Controllers are the interface to the game world itself, and I'm always shocked and appalled by how other manufacturers (Sony especially) simply copy what worked back in the SNES days and leave it at that. Games today are way too complicated to be taken full advantage of unless the control scheme is there, and I'm sure Nintendo will pull out something that is again fantastic.

That said, I'm always a late adopter to new technologies in gaming. The industry moves too fast for me, and just when I settle into one type of hardware the developers are bringing out the next one that the consumers gobble up. Me, I like to take it slow with games that I like. Also being such a late adopter into the Xbox arena I really don't see myself getting very interested in Microsoft's new offering as I'll still be exploring the "old" 'Box games. And in the interest of only saying nice things, I won't say anything about Sony's new or old consoles, unless someone really wants to hear it. We'll just leave it at me not being interested in anything Playstation.

[Bananaslug79]

Again, the reason I like how important Nintendo treats the control scheme.

This could be construed as silly, but if done right it would be awesome.

[elwood731]

Originally Posted by Bananaslug79

Again, the reason I like how important Nintendo treats the control scheme.

This could be construed as silly, but if done right it would be awesome.

You're right in that Nintendo is always the innovator when it comes to controllers. Everything from the original NES pad, to the shoulder buttons on the SNES, to the analog stick on the N64, to the rumble pack, to the Wavebird and more. All the rumors about their controllers have me very intrigued. I would expect to see Sony and MS copy whatever innovations they make fairly quickly, but it could still allow for Nintendo to get a quick jump out with some unique software that took advantage of it all.

[Bananaslug79]

Originally Posted by elwood731

...I would expect to see Sony and MS copy whatever innovations they make fairly quickly, but it could still allow for Nintendo to get a quick jump out with some unique software that took advantage of it all.

That's just it, Elwood. I feel like so many developers never take advantage of control schemes enough. It's why I always dislike ported games, because they pretty much make the game tailored to one controller (or worse, none) and just slap each button with whatever they can fit. There always seems to be very little thought into how a gamer controls the game they play, except with the most exceptional titles (many of which are Nintendo's).

So far it looks like Microsoft is just changing the color scheme of their "new" controller, a la Sony with the change from PS to PS2 (which always grossly disgusted me). This does allow Nintendo to do something very different and set themselves apart; the problem always seems that no one cares (except me).

[elwood731]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05..._topslot_click

Sony unveils its next-gen console in LA; Metal Gear Solid 4, Devil May Cry 4, Tekken 6, Gran Turismo 5, and next-gen Gran Theft Auto confirmed.

Originally Posted by Videogames.com

Today saw the second of the big three console makers announce their next-generation platform. At its pre-E3 press conference, Sony Computer Entertainment gave the world its first look at the PlayStation 3, as it now is officially called.

The name was not unexpected, since Sony had been running an extensive teaser-ad campaign prepping the public for the PlayStation 3. The company had laid a blanket of posters around the Los Angeles Convention Center, site of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (aka E3). Bus stalls and billboards around the convention center proclaimed "Prepare for Chang3" in the distinctive PlayStation font with partial shots of the Dual Shock controller's square-circle-triangle-X buttons.

Sony also confirmed the PlayStation 3, will use Blu-Ray discs as its media format. The discs can hold up to six times as much data as current-generation DVDs. It will also support CR-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. It also confirmed the machine would be backward-compatible all the way to the original PlayStation. It will also have slots for Memory Stick Duo, a SD slot, and a compact flash memory slot. It will also sport a slot for a detachable 2.5 inch HDD somewhat similar the Xbox 360's.

Out of the box, the PS3 will have the capability to support seven Bluetooth controllers. It will also have six USB slots for peripherals--four up front and two in the back.

Sony also laid out the technical specs of the device. The PlayStation 3 will feature the much-vaunted Cell processor, which will run at 3.2 Ghz, giving the whole system 2.18 teraflops of overall performance. It will sport 256mb XDR main RAM at 3.2 Ghz, and have 256MB of GDDR VRAM at 700mhz.

Sony also unveiled the PS3's graphics chip, the RSX "Reality Synthesizer based on Nvidia technology. The GPU will be capable of 128bit pixel precision, 1080p resolution, some of the highest HD resolution around. The RSX also has 512mb of graphics render memory and is capable of 100 billion shader operations and 51 billion dot products per second. It also has over 300 million transistors, larger than any processor available commercially today. It will be manufactured using the 90nm process with 8 layers of metal. The RSX is more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultra video cards, which would cost roughly $1000 total if bought today.

The PlayStation 3 will also sport some hefty multimedia features, such as video chat, internet access, digital photo viewing, digital audio and video. Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi introduced it as a "Super computer for computer entertainment."

To show off the PlayStation 3's graphical brawn, Sony showed several game demos, including an Unreal 3 tech demo of what appeared to be Unreal Tournament 2007. In what must come as a relief to developers, Epic Games' Tim Sweeney was on hand to vouch for the PS3, saying it was "easy to program for" and that Epic had received its first PS3 hardware two months ago. He proved the tech demo was real time by showing it again and manipulating the camera and zooming in.

However Sweeney's words were only the beginning. Later, Sony trotted out a whole host of publishers who are backing the PlayStation 3--and in the process confirmed several games for the console. Hideo Kojima introduced Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4, Capcom showed off Devil May Cry 4, Namco unveiled Tekken 6, Polyphony Digital trotted out Gran Turismo 5, SCEE showed off a brutal demo of the next Killzone.

[elwood731]

Very sleek and nice looking.

[FamilyGuyfanBOY]

I dont really like it...

[elwood731]

Different, but doesn't appear to any real innovations other than Bluetooth wireless. One more detail on these controllers, you can use up to seven at a time. This will be great for multiplayer.

[Wirehed]

Sony’s let go of the final specs and shots of the PlayStation 3. Here you go!

It will support Blu-ray (obviously), DVD±R/W, CD-R/RW
Backwards compatible with the PlayStation 2 and original Playstation
One 3.2GHz Cell processor—total system performance rated at 2.18 teraflops (uh, that’s actually about twice what Microsoft is claiming the Xbox 360 will do); it will have 256MB system RAM 3.2GHz, and 256MB GDDR VRAM at 700MHz
The nVidia graphics will be called the RSX (”Reality Synthesizer”), and will trump the Xbox 360 with 1080p (yes, that’s a p) graphics support.
Memory Stick Duo slot, and very surprisingly, an SD and CF slots
Bluetooth support with up to seven wireless controllers
Six USB system ports

--via Engadget

_____________


A couple interesting things there. Power means little to me until we see what the games actually look like and what the system actually DOES with that power.

But the 1080p is very interesting.

Most interesting of all is the inclusion of compact flash! I wonder what that means? Will Sony be giving up with their Power Stick memory in the future? Why include support for a competator? Very interesting...
__________________

[elwood731]

from IGN

[littlebib]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

The nVidia graphics will be called the RSX (”Reality Synthesizer”), and will trump the Xbox 360 with 1080p (yes, that’s a p) graphics support.

But does a feature that 99.99999% of people can't use matter? Are there even any 1080p TVs out there for under $10,000? The rest of the specs do look impressive though. It is interesting that the PS3 looks like its going to be as big or bigger than the current XBOX.

I can't wait to see the prices for each of the systems. XBOX 360 has got to be cheaper to make....by about 1/3.

[Damian]

Honestly what does it matter who has the bigger penis? They're both going to have some awsome games available on them which means more fun for us.

so, did anyone else notice in the PS3 specs the words "SACD HD"? I wonder if SCEA dropped the ball on an upcoming Sony announcement regarding the new SACD format? For that matter, why bother with calling it HD when the sound is supposed to already be high res?

[Wirehed]

Actually my guess would be that the Xbox costs MORE than the PS3. Microsoft makes a wonderful system, no doubt, but they don't do anywhere near the numbers Sony does. Sony said they sold almost 200 million PS2s. Those kinds of numbers REALLY drive prices down.



But anyway, I totally agree with Damian on this, the games are what are important. I guess the sad thing is, if you're a gamer, you pretty much need to buy at least two of the systems.


The other interesting thing to see come out of all this is going to be the price point of next gen software. It's not like one system can undersell the other. My guess is to add another $10-20 on top of what we're paying now for the top tear games.

[Damian]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

Actually my guess would be that the Xbox costs MORE than the PS3. Microsoft makes a wonderful system, no doubt, but they don't do anywhere near the numbers Sony does. Sony said they sold almost 200 million PS2s. Those kinds of numbers REALLY drive prices down.



But anyway, I totally agree with Damian on this, the games are what are important. I guess the sad thing is, if you're a gamer, you pretty much need to buy at least two of the systems.


The other interesting thing to see come out of all this is going to be the price point of next gen software. It's not like one system can undersell the other. My guess is to add another $10-20 on top of what we're paying now for the top tear games.

If they up the price of the games that much you'll see a drop in sales for the units or, you'll see them get hacked faster so users can copy the games to the hard drives. As it is I RARELY buy a new game for my Xbox simply because I can't afford them. If they go up any higher I won't even bother getting the new systems.

[elwood731]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

The other interesting thing to see come out of all this is going to be the price point of next gen software. It's not like one system can undersell the other. My guess is to add another $10-20 on top of what we're paying now for the top tear games.

I don't see this happening. People have argued this ever since the NES days and the reality is that game prices have come down. Many PS2 games debut at $40 now.

On the other hand, I DO see us getting more "Special Editions" of games that cost $5-10 more. See: Doom 3, Mortal Kombat, Halo 2, etc.

[Damian]

Originally Posted by elwood731

I don't see this happening. People have argued this ever since the NES days and the reality is that game prices have come down. Many PS2 games debut at $40 now.

On the other hand, I DO see us getting more "Special Editions" of games that cost $5-10 more. See: Doom 3, Mortal Kombat, Halo 2, etc.

It all depends on how popular the game is going to be. For the most part games are released with a fifty dollar price tag. There are some exceptions but games that are known to be popular (Halo 2, Doom 3..etc) are all fifty when they come out.

[Wirehed]

Nintendo news from Gizmodo:

Alright, Nintendo intro’d the Revolution just a few minutes ago, here’s what we know so far:



Release is sometime in 2006.
Prototype shown is larger than final unit.
Nintendo is still determining final colors for the console.
All-Access Gaming, which refers to backwards compatibility to 20 years of Nintendo games, NES, SNES, N64. We don’t know particulars of how it’ll be accessed or what, if any, the cost structure might be.

Downloadable to 512MB of flash memory.
SD memory card slot.
Wireless controllers.
Two USB 2.0 ports.
Built-in WiFi.
WiFi used to interface with the DS.
DS likely to enhance future games.

[FamilyGuyfanBOY]

Revolution looks impressive so far, I may just get a 360 this year and next Christmas get myself a Revolution...Hopefully this will un-kill Nintendo!

[ginsu18]

Hey guys, I haven't posted on this site FOREVER, but I always pop on to see what people have to say about movies, games etc...

I just couldn't resist not putting my two cents on this!!!

I think it's a great time for gamers!!! For me, XBOX is being played THE MOST out of the Big 3 consoles (like many of you, I own all 3).

I was looking forward to XBOX 360 the most. I mean, how can you not? Halo 3 is slated to come out for that system!!!

But after I read the details of the new PS3, it got me singing a new tune. I mean, it's TWICE as powerful as the new XBOX 360... which for me is a great selling point. Right now, XBOX takes all of my time, because of the superior games/graphics etc. I can only DREAM of what PS3 is going to be able to do. Now that it's rumored to be an easy system to develop for, and well-established third party support... I think PS3 is ready to take this next-gen battle-o-the-systems once n' for all.

I will still be getting the XBOX 360, but PS3 looks like a winner!

Don't count Nintendo out... by being backward compatible with 20 years of games???? I'll buy the system just to play my old NES games again!

Looks like I'll have to start saving... BIG-TIME!!

[elwood731]

MS apparently pulled Perfect Dark Zero from their E3 lineup after the reaction it received from the MTV preview. The game certainly did not look "next-gen" in the previews. This likely means MS will go back to Rare and ask them to bump the graphics some more. Rare is certainly capable of this still, as one only needs to look at Conker for one of the best looking XBOX titles ever.

Still, this is a black eye to MS and means Perfect Dark Zero, their AAA launch title, might not make launch (big surprise from Rare, huh?). In face, many have been underwhelmed by the XBOX 360 so far. One report says this is because the current alpha systems are only running at 1/3 power. This may very well be true, but still quite the mistake on MS' part.

If Sony or Nintendo had come out with sub-par looking next-gen games, at least they could argue they have a year to polish them still. MS, on the other hand, is expecting customers to buy their system this fall, and their games are looking underwhelming next to the PS3 titles we've seen. Nintendo is wisely holding their cards close to their chest, possibly hoping they can have some more time before having to show any titles.

MS threw the gauntlet down with a very well designed system with plenty of cool online features. However, Sony picked that gauntlet up and slapped them in the face with it. MS had better get their act together on their titles, because as of now they've lost a great deal of my interest. I am leaning heavy toward the PS3 (even though I preferred the XBOX over PS2).

Maybe the rest of the week and E3 will provide some motivation to continue to care about the XBOX 360, but right now it already looks like the second place system...at best.

[MooglePorn]

I only play XBOX this generation. I used to own all three, but I NEVER played my PS2, so I sold it, and I gave my Mother my Gamecube a good while ago so she could play some games, and I never bothered getting it back from her. With Morrowind, Halo 1 and 2, Splinter Cell, GTA (improved), and many others, I just don't feel the need to play anything else, and I'm really a casual gamer... Movies are my main hobby.

Anyway, I was just planning on getting a XBOX360 and being done with it, but that PS3 looks sweet, and it's going to be the (much) more powerful system? Well fuck... I hope it has good games... Most of the PS2 exclusives this generation are awful, in my opinion.