Three Simple Reasons Why PCs Are Superior To Consoles

Three reasons why Game Judgment's Nicholas Abbate feels PC's are superior to consoles.

[NYC_Gamer]

i love both worlds of gaming but right now pc offers way more variety

[darkcharizard]

PC has better graphics and games. 'Nuff said.

Don't boast about PS3's graphics and go buy a Wii for Christ's sake!

[silkrevolver]

Sure, it has MMO’s and Starcraft II, maybe an exclusive here or there, but you’re fooling yourself if you think the PC has better exclusives than consoles...

[Silly gameAr]

Clearly trying to hard. What kind of tool compares PC games to consoles? You're not a PC gamer anyway. Wonder what kind of fanboy that makes you? hmmmm...

[zootang]

@Silk

I know!

Driving: GT5, MotorStorm, Mario Kart

Platform: Super Mario galaxy, LBP, Ratchet & Clank

Tps: Uncharted 1,2. Alan Wake, MGS4

That is just 3 genres! You would be missing out on some quality gaming if you just had a PC. After all we as gamers like to play games.

[Darkstorn]

Consoles are much more accessible for younger gamers. I think people who grow up with consoles stick by them, and vice versa for PC people.

[FishCake9T4]

@ Zootang
Sorry to burst your bubble but the PC has some of the most realistic racers there are, one in the form of iRacing. Heres a quote from Wikipedia "As of April 2010 more than half of the current Indycar series drivers use iRacing for fun and training. Vitor Meira and Will Power have also said they used iRacing in their recovery from broken backs sustained in the 2009 season."

[zootang]

@Fishcake

You mention Indy car, lol!

Formula one drivers like to use there spare time in GT5p
http://www.gtplanet.net/for...

Also no other racer in the World has the most popular track in history the Top Gear test track (yeah i know it nurburgring). So you can compare your times to the Stig or just other paces set by the cars on the board.

[GWAVE]

The thing I love about PCs is flexibility. The thing I love about consoles is reliability.

With PCs, I can mod. And with PCs there are more "ree browser-based games, free MMOs, and free downloadable indie games than all the games of all the current consoles combined.

With consoles, I can (usually) count on a reliable game that isn't going to require a ton of patching, hardware updates, driver updates, and so forth. I can (usually) just trust to pop in the disk and start playing.

Both PC and consoles are awesome in their own way.

[SilentNegotiator]

Look at all of the big time games we've seen on consoles the last couple years, and then look at PC.

[HxCGamer]

matter of opinion

truth is, if you love gaming you have to have all

ps3/360/pc

[poindat]

Sure the PC offers greater graphics and more flexibility within the games themselves... But where are the actual games? I own a PS3 and decent gaming PC, yet its the PS3 exclusives that always drag me back to play them.

Sure, the PC excels in genres that consoles can never get right, and I do enjoy PC games in that regard, but the one thing I noticed about PC exclusives is that they lack the originality, the 'need-to-play' factor that many console exclusives have. Sure you've got the booming indie scene, but where are the original and creative top tier, AAA games? I certainly don't see any.

So you can boast about graphics all you want, but when it comes down to the experience within itself, the PC is certainly lacking. Don't get me wrong, I love my PC for what it does right: RTS games, racing sims almost to the level of real life (and I love GT5 as much as the next guy, but you're fooling yourself if you believe that a console sim can come anywhere near to the realism of games such as rFactor or iRacing or GTR2), but when it comes to 'must-play' games, I look towards the consoles.

[iamgoatman]

@zootang

Top Gear test track is the most popular track in history"? Hahahahahahha! That's funny!

Obviously not a racing fan at all if you think a figure 8 is more popular or well known than the likes of Monaco, or Spa, or Silverstone.

Hilarious.

[Tommykrem]

I don't see how PC offers more variety.
Controller, all weird motion gaming, Dance Dance Revolution and singstar/lips are better on console. There's not a lot of good party games on PC. Maybe no party games at all? Who buys Guitar Hero for PC anyway, and finally: There are being released and made more AAA games on consoles.

I can see other reasons though. Like better graphics. Even though most of the technically impressive games are arguably on PS3, with the exception of Crysis. PC does have superior versions of a lot of games though, and mods.

[Darkstorn]

You claim that PCs offer less variety, then only cite party games as examples? Come on.

I could say the same thing about strategy games on consoles (ex. Civilization Revolution, Halo Wars, etc.)

[PS3Freak]

Ya that wasn't the best example.

[F4sterTh4nFTL]

Infact you can even take The Sims series from us, please take it away, I beg of you.

[Dee_91]

but i cant play online with my friends on PC so
PC is a no go for me srry PC lovers

[PS3Freak]

What's with the massive influx of PC gamer superiority over the last little while. Sure PCs are more powerful than consoles. WHO CARES! Get over yourselves.

[Dee_91]

lol i know right
if you could make a custom ps3 or xbox like you can with a PC im sure the custom consoles would be up to par with a custom PC

[Theonetheonly]

just fighting back at the massive influx of ps3 fanboys infesting every crevice of what used to be a balanced gaming website.

[iamgoatman]

Judging by all the disagrees people are getting, the console fantards are already all over this thread.

But it's always funny watching people putting their fingers in their ears and going "la la can't hear you" whenever someone says something they obviously don't like hearing.

[tinybigman]

Specs?

[pat_11_5]

I wish I could added a gaming level pc. Then I could play Starcraft 2 :(

[TheSleepyGamer]

The way I see it regarding cost is that its all situational. If you know how and what needs doing to assemble a powerful gaming rig then PC gaming could be a great choice. For me however, simplicity wins everytime.

[ZombieRepeIIent]

My only problem is the lack of game genres the PC does well. It excels at a few, but bombs at most. Modding is something consoles can't compete with, but some games are getting there with user created content and support from the devs. Overall I want to get into PC gaming for what it does well, but I'll always have a console too.

[pat_11_5]

I think that's a very valid argument. PC gaming definately has it's strengths.

[Theonetheonly]

that every game developer designs every game on a pc before they move their optimized code from editor to their console of choice right?

they dont design every game for pc but on pc. connected to a devkit for level testing.

no such thing as a AAA game designed on a console.
pc had its hands on it first.

where do you think those"high polygon" models came from?

3dsmax zbrush etc.

as for the game engine, designed on a pc as well.
then run through a compiler so it is optimized for whatever console is the target.

all ports are done on pc as well.

pc gaming accells at everything,

consoles focus on selling things.
:)

[thorstein]

TF2.

[Tommykrem]

Which is on console :P

[ZombieRepeIIent]

With zero support(not Valves fault). At least the Orange Box was a steal.

[Pandamobile]

TF2 on consoles is a joke.

[MGRogue2017]

Do we honestly need three reasons?

Seriously.. :D

[pat_11_5]

Team fortress 2? Can't I play that on my Xbox 360 through Orange Box?

[KratosGirI]

You're playing the gimped vanilla version of TF2.

[pat_11_5]

It looked like the exact same game I used to have on PC...

[OpenGL]

Except the 360 and PS3 versions of the Orange Box were never updated. The PC version has seen dozens of title updates adding maps, costumes, character tweaks, achievements, etc.

[Biggunz]

I was a believer in PC gaming but the jackasses that hack EVERY online game ruined it for me. The much better graphics on the PC is quickly ruined by the jackasses shooting you through walls and all the other crap that goes along with it.

[Brklynty1]

pc is not a gaming device its just able to play games, seriously only idiots dish out hundreds a year on graphic cards and memory and other pointless crap just to play the same content console players get in "better visuals" like really pc gaming is overatted thats exactly why everyone believes its dying

[Count]

PC is not a gaming device, it's just able to play games.

I laughed.

Because consoles are that radically different from a PC, right?

[silkrevolver]

PC and console gaming, that is. However, it’s pretty clear that PC gaming will eventually dilute into a nearly exclusive less gaming route that caters almost entirely to graphics and moding. And that’s fine. PC gamers will be fine with that. It’s almost like that now anyway. PC gaming will never die, but it’s just not for everyone.

[BasilMarceaux]

I think that people in US are being to PC. I should be allowed to holler at folks say cuss words if i feel like it. Its why george jefferson and the finding fathers discovered america, it makes america great. stop being political correctness and start getting real. its the first amendment right!

[asyouburn]

"george jefferson" discovered america. he and wheezy landed around florida and it was just a matter of "movin on up"

[BasilMarceaux]

Sam adams was a great presidnt but an even greater beer! george jefferson was our founding patriot, god bless USA

[asyouburn]

was on the sitcom "the jeffersons" unless george washington and thomas jefferson created a clone of themselves into a single person
Chris columbus "discovered" the americas, although i dont know how you can "discover" a land that was already inhabited by people. but hey, whatever

[BasilMarceaux]

thats what i meant

[Testo]

.....

[shikwan]

$

Not everyone can afford a PC like this: http://s43.photobucket.com/...

Or keep it up to spec for years.

[RagTagBnd445]

Remember that pc can do a lot of other things than gaming too, and you can get a decent rig for about 750$ including everything, even OS. And games are a bit cheaper. However if you prefer a laptop for study/work then it is true that console gaming would be cheaper than buying a desktop for only gaming.

[Bell Boy]

In the same vain it's not practical for everyone to have a gaming PC hooked up to the living room hdtv, while a console is designed to do just that.

PC is gaming is great for those that are into it, I dabbled years ago myself but the reality is that consoles will always offer great gaming with little to no hassle or technical no how. This was not my experience with PC gaming

[zatrox]

..PC has actually of the best games of all time. (Planescape: Torment, I'm lookin' at you. At you too, X-Com.)

Too bad PCs nowadays get shitty, badly optimized Console Ports most of the time.

[CrzyFooL]

I am so not getting involved in this . . .

[F4sterTh4nFTL]

everything else can be argued over for years but the ability Mod PC games is why PC will be my preferred choice for ever.

[maverin1]

I'm sorry but the person who wrote this really isn't too bright... number one on the list of why PCS are superior to consoles; simplicity. PC - install the game. your drivers are out of date. search for new drivers. game wont start. figure out whats wrong. so forth. Console - Put in the disk... Play... Everytime.... which is simpler?

[PS3Freak]

Ya, and reason three is price. Where he stated a decent rig will cost a grand. Last time i checked, a grand is much more than any console. PC gamers will see this and say: "Well, console gamers have to buy a new console every 5 years". Not true since Ps3(and maybe 360/wii) have a 10 year lifecycle.

[LOLconsoles]

Now THIS is a fine article. I could easily list dozens of reason why console gaming is inferior to PC gaming, but out of all the many reasons, only these three need to be brought up in a PC vs consoles debate to silence the console newbies who love to cling to their worthless hunk of plastic and pretend they're actually gamers.

[Triggs]

I'm amused by the amount of rage comments in this article. I can only afford a Toyota Yaris and my neighbor has a Lexus...yet I can say my car is better because it's what I have and I love it...but I'm just fooling myself.

[Testo]

but I usually use the Yaris because of the mileage I get compared to the Lexus

[skyfire2261]

I can't agree with anything this guy is saying except maybe for the graphics dept.

Sure PC's can produce some impressive visuals, but lets remember consoles are limited to TV screens which last i checked only go 1080p. So even if you get a game on both console and pc both having the same level of graphics the PC monitor is going to show it better anyway.

Second, Consoles offer just as a robust online exp as any PC game does. Infact i think this is where consoles are better because you don't have one company providing it like on PC, but you have many companies with all there games in one place plus you have big corporations at the helm with the funds who can maintain networks far better like on the console.

How many PC only dev/pubs can match other then blizzard? I can't think of any. (EA is on console as well so they don't count, i'm referring PC only)

Third, cost. I think the argument off $1000 or less gaming rigs is full of it. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong places but everytime i price together a gaming rig i hit the $2000-$3000 mark easy every time and that does not always include a monitor.

If i'm going to play games on a PC that PC better be f'n up to the challenge of playing whatever I throw at it, just like when I put a game in a console and IT WORKS, the same better happen on the pc and the way to do that is you HAVE to cough up the dough for a good system.

I admit i'm starting to get into gaming on the PC but it will only be apart of my gaming needs, not replace them.

[HxCGamer]

build ur own damn pc
$3000?
i got an unlocked quad core overclocked at 3.8 ghz
gygabyte hd5770(overclocked edition)
1 tb
4 gb ram

and i can run pretty much anything on it..
the cost of it includin the case/power supply/cpu cooler/motherboard was around $650

...also connect ur damn pc to your tv.. monitors are a waste

[Two-Face]

Ill tell you why PC gaming is superior.

1. Cheaper games
2. Free DLC on most of the games(Left4Dead DLC cost on 360, but not on PC)
3. Mods
4. Better graphics
5. Classic games(PC has plenty of them, all of them which can be played on windows 7/ Diablo 1 & 2, Baldur's Gate 1 & 2, Fallout 1 & 2, Deus Ex, Max Payne, ahhhh there are so many)
6. Online play is better.

[Count]

I've got a new slogan PC can use.

''it only does everything''

[F4sterTh4nFTL]

-

[kanetheking]

things why don't you come up with your own stuff? maybe you might look on pirate bay for the answer.

[Letros]

looks at PSMove...

[Chnswdchldrn]

games look better on pc, especially multiplats (mafia 2 anyone)

genres such as fps and rts and mmo all play better on pc (keyboard and mouse, and a framerate that is not barely maintaining 30 (halo reach, killzone 3))

and of course the visuals

i went from console to pc gaming and now that exclusives like halo reach are coming out I'm trying to go back to console to play those but its really difficult bearing the awful sub-hd graphics and lack of AA and overuse of motion blur in games like Halo reach. the beta looked awful imo, although it was fun, the terrible framerate and horrid halo 3 graphics deterred me from playing it more

people say graphics arent everything but its definitely a big factor for me when I play games.

whatever all i know is pc is superior and anyone who denies that can suck it

sure consoles got good exclusives like reach and killzone 3, but that doesnt really make a gaming system better

and consoles cost less because they perform worse than a gaming pc because they are inferior devices

[redsquad]

"Inferior devices"?
Or you could say that consoles offer a cheaper alternative for gamers less obsessed with framerates, textures and such.

[vickers500]

PCs have the better hardware, consoles have the better games.
I suppose if all you care about is whether or not you have the most powerful device, then pc gaming is better in that respect.

[RagTagBnd445]

Consoles does not have better games, it got different games.

[commander]

Do ppl really play fps will keyboard and mouse of pc? I tried playing fear 2 on onlive and I suck balls with keyboard and mouse. I had to hook up my ds3

[EXID]

for the price of an "average" pc i could get all 3 current gen consoles. that gives me access to quite a few good games and not having to worry about upgrading a graphics card or ram when new games come out, not to mention the heaps of problems that pc users have when it comes to just being able to run a game. i think the only genre that i like better on pc's are rts' and games where you don't have direct control. emulation on pc is better on pc as well, but you can get a lot of the same stuff through the wii. pc might also technically be able to play all current console exclusives, but the fact that they're exclusives makes that stat useless. it really depends on what platform you're most comfortable with, but i'd much rather have access to console exclusives over pc ones at this point.

[RagTagBnd445]

I'm a pc only gamer because i prefer the games (most of my games are exclusives), and how pc gaming works in general. Pc gaming are very different to console gaming, and neither of them are superior to the other in general. The writer of this article is just another fanboy, who makes the pc community looks so bad.

[DA_SHREDDER]

Pc's dont even scratch the surface when it comes to the quality of games ratio when compared to consoles. The only genre's the pc rules in is MMO's. Pretty soon thats gonna change when FF14, The Agency, and DC Universe comes to the ps3. Tell me when the pc has a game that matches Motorstorm, God of War, Zelda, Mario, Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Ratchet, inFamous, or Warhawk. Okay, so Ill give you head start, Total War, and um,,,,,, and maybe diablo (honestly i don't even think its good but I'll at least give you something). Now even if those games are scientifically better, How many years do you have to wait inbetween for said games to even manifest on your pc? Give me a break. Consoles are pretty much pc's now. The ps3 has a 3.2 ghz processor, fast enough to run any pc game. The only things these consoles lack is RAM. What are you gonna say when next gen comes and every system comes with at least 2 gigs or more of dedicated RAM? The pc is still the best?

[OpenGL]

Well, my $800 laptop right now has 1GB of video memory and 4GB of system memory. 2GB of RAM is already considered low end on the PC, so I imagine by the time the PS4 and Xbox 720 come it'll be even less impressive. Hell, we already have smart phones with as much RAM as the PS3 and 360.

Also, 3.2GHz doesn't mean anything unless you're comparing two CPUs of the same architecture. A Core i5, or i7 does a lot more per clock cycle than the 360 and PS3 CPUs.

[ian72]

A lot of the games I like are not on PC, they are on PS3. I have a good PC that can run Crysis on High, but only around 15 games for it. I have nearly 80 games for my PS3.
I would rather have a PS3 than a PC any day. I just like the games more for PS3.

[user858621]

Windows 7 cant even play starcraft... nuff said

[Two-Face]

That's weird. I could have sworn that I played it some weeks ago on my Windows 7 Ultimate.

[Pandamobile]

What? I was playing the original Starcraft a couple days ago on Windows 7 64 bit.

[RagTagBnd445]

Some have problems, some don't. Last i played it, it locked up, and i had to do a hard reset.

[DeeBee]

I've been playing Starcraft for the past few weeks (prior to purchasing Starcraft 2) on Windows 7 64 bit without a single issue.

[kraze07]

What are you talking about, I'm also playing Starcraft 1 and 2 while running W7 64-bit.

[redsquad]

I can't afford a decent gaming PC so I have to make do with my 'inferior' console. Believe it or not, I DO still manage to sleep at night...

[Reefskye]

Glad I have both all though PC gaming has gone a bit stale recently. Only things that have been worth playing since start of year where Mass Effect 2 and Starcraft 2. PS3 has kept me a lot more entertained but I share games with my dad, he don't like PC gaming so most of games I get that are multi-plat I get on PS3. Spent years on my PC until I got a PS3.

Edit: Soon as I hear anything about Planetside 2 ill be back on PC :P

[never_waste_a_bullet]

since i got my new pc i havent really played or used my ps3, but i plan to after gt5, lbp2, and other ps3 exclusives.... but other than ps3 exclusives, pc is better overall imo... the graphics, gameplay, and online are better.. look at team fortress 2, for example, you can do way more things than on console such as sprays, on screen chat, dedicated servers, mods, etc.. but pc gaming is very expensive, the ps3 imo is the next best thing

[ATi_Elite]

OMG not this thread again!!

PC Gaming is the best way to play a game how the developer designed it.

It's the Ferrari or Indy car of video games.

2 XFX HD 4890 @ 1 ghz Crossfire!!

[ATi_Elite]

I love that PC case mod. That's awesome.

I love that Custom PC case. That's the beauty of PC gaming making your PC look and work like no one else's.

I was working on a PC case that was a very old school radio with knobs, the long plastic back lite radio station tuner and a 8 track player but it just didn't have enough airflow and width for my CPU cooler even after modding.

Might use it for a HTPC case.

[Led-Zeppelin]

No one fucking Cares. Why do people waste so much time fighting over crap like this?

[gcolley]

pause pointless console fanboy battle...

this list looks more like why it doesn't to me.
1. Simplicity - console - no upgrades, no drivers and a couch
2. Online Gameplay - both have it
3. The Cost - the reason people leave PC gaming

not dissing PC gaming just this article. there are many reasons why but not these

... resume console fanboy battle

[ktchong]

I can sit in a cafe, sipping honey ginseng tea and play a game on my PC laptop.

You cannot do that with a console.

I'd go crazy if I stay home for too long. I like playing games, and I like hanging out. And PC gaming is the ONLY solution.

[commander]

The most expensive gaming there is. Please tell us all how much u wasted on ur rig.

[xAlmostPro]

i could however play games in a cafe on my psp or 3ds.. while saving ALOT of cash, and without having to carry around a chunky laptop.. and still having fun with the games..

lets see your reply "but the laptops games look better" LOL..

[Rowland]

hey people ! don't listen to this self opinionated loser. And NO WAY u hang out - u need friends to do that & you dont have any.

[commander]

The only news they ever get it boasting how they can run games at a higher framerate. Crysis is not a good game. All that game has going for it are gfx.

[xAlmostPro]

exactly

[xAlmostPro]

1. it costs way more(so its expected to be better and more advanced, you're not being smart by stating the obvious) double..even triple the price of a console for a good one infact.

2. It doesnt have console exclusives, ok they cant reach the graphical level of a pc BUT there are alot of good console exclusives that are better than PC games, and still look amazing for a consoles capabilities. which is good for the price of a console compared to PC.

3. like i have mentioned in both points, THE PRICE! for a gaming rig that plays recent games at full(or close to) specs your gonna be paying double or triple the price of a console, so infact for the price consoles cost they are VERY good.. but of course PCs are better, but your just stating the obvious to be honest.. thats why PC/console are so different, the price difference, type pf players, type of gaming make them actually very different although both can be forms of gaming..

depends on your lifestyle and preference.. but to "need" or "want" to state that pc's are better, is just dumb and fanboyish..we ALL know it has better hardware, but that doesnt make the games better.. yes they all look super pretty but alot of the exclusive games are bad.. story/gameplay(not ALL) wise or MMO's