PS3 360 Wii: Which games console should you buy?

In the past, the labour of trying to decide which games console to buy was a vastly different affair to how things are today. Things were so much easier back then, don't you think?

Sony PlayStation or Sega Dreamcast? Was that even a real choice? PlayStation 2 or Microsoft Xbox? Again, that was a no-brainer wasn't it?

But PlayStation 3 v Nintendo Wii v Xbox 360? Now there's a tough one for you. It's a case of unbridled future-proof power and dynamism, versus pure no-holds-barred family fun, versus sheer power and a plethora of fantastic games. So which one to choose?

[nice_cuppa]

a sega nomad !

[drtysouf21]

Oh well everyone is entitled to their opinion. I say buy all 3 if you can!

[Creepa at GameManx]

I thinking bout picking up a PS3 since the price drop...or i might wait around christmas time and treat myself

[eLiNeS]

buy from Costco or Costco.com, they have a lifetime warranty on most everything. There policy has changed lately on some of the electronics but not any of the consoles. I am on my 5th Xbox/Xbox360 in 5 or 6 years time and have never had a problem retuning it to Costco for a full refund (they don't do exchanges) when they have taken a dump. They usually have a great bundle price as well.

http://www.costco.com/Commo...

Edit: After looking, it doesn't look like Costco got the price drop memo either. If looking for a PS3, give them a few days to lower the bundle price on there site. But if I where you, I would wait until the holidays roll around for a PS3, I have a feeling they will be dropping the price on them again sometime around November.

[achira]

surely not a x...360 ... rod ... lol

[candystop]

Dude I think your like the only person on this site to be stuck with 1 bubble dating back to when thy 1st started on this site lol!

[ElementX]

Well, I'd say Xbox for people who want games now and it's more affordable. I just recently bought a PS3 and I recommend it, however consumers want games, not waiting periods.

[masterg]

Id say don't buy anything until the end of august.
Then buy the PS3. It will offer everything the 360 has at that time.
Bonus is:
Will not fail.
Will not make noise.
Will not only deliver good fps games.
Will not be replaced in 3 years.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Will PS3 offer: Bioshock? Mass Effect? Halo 3? The superior version of most 3rd party games? A superior game library and live service over the competition? A 3 year warranty? No, no, no, no, no, no and last but not least...no.

[Husso]

sure as hell not the wii, its games suck.

casual bs.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

anybody who really wants to play games should get PS3(now, EE+GS getting phased out) and 360(after 65nm)

[Evoluti0n]

should get the 360, period.

[Mr_Kuwabara]

Judging by the fact that the PSOne and PS2 had great and innovative games that I loved, I expect the PS3 to also bring these games in full gear.

/Metal Gear

[gEnKiE]

well i always had the intention to buy a ps3 but been too broke to buy one...never thought i would buy a Wii but my gf thought it would be awesome to have one and now im in love with it so im glad she talked me into it. as for the ps3, im getting one this Friday so my dream will be fulfilled. never had any interest on getting a 360 because i have a pc that will run anything that comes out on it and everything gets ported over eventually anyways....

[sticky doja]

So you would rather buy the potential of great games, then pay less and get great games right now? Oh and in a year the PS3 will be outdated compared to PC's. I will buy a PS3, maybe by the end of the year if the games comming out live up to the hype. But to pay even $499 for a system with few games, no real AAA games other than maybe REsistance doesn't make much sense to me.

[Xeoset]

How does crap like this get approved?

Do you really need points for your profile? People have opinions, shut up and keep them to yourselves before Fanboy wars kick off.

End of.

[clownfacemcgee]

People can converse, regarding their opinions, without being called fanboys. We are perfectly capable of carrying on an intelligent discussion without totally flaming. Don't call stuff stupid, Give reasons for your beliefs. Attempt to use your best logic. And most of all, don't have any personal attacks. And drtysouf21 is a good Contributor, and already has enough points. So don't bash him.

[Xeoset]

Look at replies #4 and #5.1

They're just flame baiting. While there are a few good users on this site, they're easily outnumbered by people that just love to stir it, which ruins it for everyone else.

[TheExecutive]

if you can afford all three then buy all three. If you cant, pick up some overtime so you can. If you cant do that get a second job. If you cant do that then bang your head against your desk and repeat "woe is me" because you are truly missing out.

VVVV Yeah it is, but theres no hope for me to get a high end computer. talk about expensive.

[DrPirate]

Agreed. Full next gen experience = owning all three.

Edit: And a Monster PC Rig. Crysis is pretty next gen imo.

[Shaka2K6]

' ' sure as hell not the wii, its games suck.

casual bs. ' '

I agree.

The x360 is useless is you have a PC to play games or want to watch HD flicks on a dead format or want to play $80 just to play games online.

Get the real next gen. system with the winning HD format Blu-ray.
PS3 is the best console this gen. anybody who disagrees is a total idiot.

[Grown Folks Talk]

xbox live is $50 a year.

[Bloodmask]

Based on price and games selection the 360 is surely a deal. Not to mention having a great online service over 5 yrs in the making.

The hardware reliabiity really isn't an issue anymore with the 3 yr warranty now a standard. Plus the new Falcon 360 which produces less heat will become the new standard.

If you wish to invest in fake CG realtime graphics, 4D, and 120 fps on dual HDMI monitors, overhyping and general deceit of the public. Then I recommend PS3.

[TheExecutive]

ok im a fan of the 360, but you cannot say that reliability isnt an issue just because of an extended warranty. I dont get that logic. That only covers the RROD. Reliability is still an issue until they fix the thing, not guarantee they will patch it up when it breaks.

However, I do agree with you that sony has really made some mistakes and werent able to back up their hype. We will see with this E3 whether they can put some of their money where their mouth is. It will all become clear in the next four days.

Edit: Who disagrees with me? Seriously, how can you say that reliability isnt an issue if it breaks? RELIABILITY ISNT DETERMINED BY THE WARRANTY ITS DETERMINED BY THE HARDWARE.... PLAIN AND SIMPLE!

[the worst]

just wait until that xbox720 come out
what a joke xbox360 is not build 2 last
by the next year there will be talk of nextgen xbox720

[DrPirate]

I agreed with you Exec.

You said nothing at all wrong.

Xbox live is great although, 2 years of it and you now have what you would have spent on a PS3, but people agree: for what you pay for, you get.

PS3 is great and all, but goddam am I starved for demos and a content rich store/marketplace :(

[Jeremy Gerard]

You sir, are one of the few wise gamers around here. Sony dupes the world time and time again and people just keep coming back for more, is the whole world stupid? Not me, i have no trust in Sony or anything they say, until i see games that live up to the "power of the cell" i will consider the PS3 a 600 dollar bluray player, that is all.

[clownfacemcgee]

I like the PS3 best, but the 360 is fun too.

Rabid anti-Nintendo fanboy rant commence: I tried the Wii a couple times with my friend's Wii, and it always disappoints. The web browser was the only bright side, but my friend tells me, that the beta of it, controlled better, and they messed it up. I played Red Steel, but couldn't aim the gun. It's not a light gun, it's not smooth like a laser pointer. The crosshairs go anywhere, but over your target. It was hard to turn, and it didn't have any redeeming values really over most FPS's. I think I'll wait for the Wii to get some good games. Super Smash Bros Brawl looks kewl, but they recommend using the classic or gamecube controller instead of the nunchuck, so i don't see any point in even making it on the Wii. I will most certainly pass on the Wii, until they get a killer app or two. (since I don't know if that will even happen)

[Bebedora]

Seems like the DS is getting all the works from devs....lazy b-stards

[LSDARBY]

PS3 if you want something thats going to last you more than 12months.

Seriously though i think if you want a console thats gonna last and have good games coming out for years get a PS3. If you want an immediate gaming fix and to play loads of good games straight away buy a 360. But tbh i cant see the 360 having that many good exclusives in a years time. Unless they keep paying for them and not actually making any of them.

[mikeslemonade]

You can't say PS1 and PS2 were not no brainers early on in those generations. Also Dreamcast was in the same gen as PS2. PS1 vs N64 vs Sega Saturn were tough calls that's not a no brainer. PS2 vs Dreamcast was not a no brainer either because Dreamcast was cheaper and had more games. It's just easy call looking back well duh PS2 sells over 100 million and PS1 selling over 100 million. PS3 vs 360 vs Wii is basically the same situation. I feel there's going to be a major winner in this situation same as all previous generations. There's always a system with more than 50% market share.

[clownfacemcgee]

The one with the most market share isn't necessarily the most fun console. I had a PS2 and an Xbox, but the Xbox was waaaaaaaaay more fun in my opinion.

At first, when I was 9, coming up on my 10th birthday, in 2001, all my friends had either a Playstation or N64, except for myself and one other friend. (the other friend had a Dreamcast and that was the coolest thing at the time, since we'd never heard of a PS2) I had a Snes, that wasn't even my Snes, it was my sister's except, she thought it was lame, and so did all my friends and my friends' consoles. So I wanted an N64, since that one looked kewler than the Playstation. My grandparents agreed to buy me one for my birthday, so we went to the Toys"r"us ( I know, I actually used to shop there) to get one. There, the pimple faced geek (I now, have acne too and I'm definitely a geek) told me that in half a year, Microsoft was releasing the new Xbox that was going to be the hottest, kewlest, most pimpin', console to hit the market since sliced bread. (yes, sliced bread is actually a console) He handed me this pamphlet in a green fading into black with lots of numbers, that I had no clue, what they meant, or how they were relevant, but the Xbox seemed to have a lot more of them than the other two. (which I now know, were the Playstation 2 and the Gamecube) I begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and begged and beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegged them to get me that when it came out. It was a lot more expensive, but they arranged it with my dad, that it would take their Birthday and Christmas present and my dad's Christmas present (we're Jewish by the way, but no one cares, Santa Claus's raindeer ran over the Hanukkah armadillo) to get it. I ecstatically agreed, but come Christmas time, they were all sold out. On New Years day, though, I was out in the streets playing football (yes, the stupid, American kind) with a couple of my friends in the street (we live in Tucson, Arizona, so New Years is a great time to play football in the street) When my friend told me that they were in stick at Costco. I bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged and bugged my dad to take me to Costco to get it, so he did, and we got it, and brought it home and set it up, and played the game that came with it and one more that we bought. The controller was too big and the games weren't fun, and the controller was still too big, and the games still weren't any fun, so we eventually took it back, and got a PS2, since my sister's friends insisted that the PS2 had better games and was vastly more fun. It was. I got kewl games like GTA 3 and GT3 A-Spec. I played it for a while and had lots of fun with it. But eventually, when I was 12, I met this other friend. he had a Gamecube and an Xbox. The Gamecube had a few good games, but not a lot, but the Xbox... that was fuuuuuuuun. And the controllers were smaller! And my hands were bigger! And, he had this awesome game, Halo. That game was incredible! We played it through so many times, on Co-op. We beat legendary together eventually and we played a lot of splitscreen and system link with his friend who had one. For my 13th birthday, (along with some money I saved) I got an Xbox. It was lots of fun, and I played it lots and I eventually got Halo 2 and Xbox Live. (after we upgraded from Dial-Up to Broadband) I still played my PS2 occasionally, but not very often, because my Xbox was just so much more fun. So, in my opinion, the one that has more consoles sold and more market share, isn't necessarily the "winner." The real winner is the one that I get more fun out of. And in the end, that was most certainly the Xbox.

[Sven Benoit]

yea i would recommend that u get all 3 system... i only have a 360, and a wii...but i never play the wii just because it doesnt have any games yet... and im goin to get the ps3 sometime down the road....and no the price drop really didnt help at all.... $500 is still to expensive especially if u have a son like i do... and rent and car payments etc... but i am sick of all u fanboys... i just think all of yall just need to grow the f!ck up... if u enjoy playin video games then why not all 3 systems....i had every system every generation and I always enjoyed all of them...yes the ps3 has no games true but im sure they will get some... xbox360 has the hardware problem but its not gonna be like that forever....besides you guys act like everytime the 360 breaks u gotta pay for it....but anyway everybody just grow the f!ck up and play games....

[SW]

I've got a problem with an article if they can get a consule timeline right. It was Playstation Vs Saturn, and The Playstation 2 vs Dreamcast then versus Xbox after Sega called it quits to hardware.

[Hayabusa 117]

So it all comes back down to...Wii60.

FTW!

[AllroundGamer]

hmmm well i got the whole package PS3 360 Wii :-) but i think, i will sell the Wii, cause they arent really good games for it and in the near future also... for the PS3 they arent such great games either for now, but starting with august (Lair) there will be gamers heaven with such great titles as Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank, Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet, Uncharted, MGS4 or FFXIII. Xbox360 is ok, but the games are somekind dumb shooters mostly, yeah i played Viva Pinata too... But i am desperately waiting for Lost Odyssey, that will be da bomb, turnbased rpgs FTW!

[razer]

But you must be thinking about the Xbox1 for FPS only.. That tired old story doesn't float anymore. If you look at all the titles the 360 has there are a ton of "other" non-fps games. And to think the most popular title on the PS3 right now is RFOM an FPS.. But I guess that's OK since it's Sony.. =) As a matter of fact I'm playing Overlord on the 360 right now and it is not an FPS. Great game btw!

[Hayabusa 117]

Too true Razer. In fact, thinking about my list of 360 games I'll be getting this year, the only FPS on it is Halo 3 and Bioshock (which is half RPG). The only 360 shooter I have at the moment is Gears of War. And look at this list of highly anticipated PS3 games: Killzone 2, Unreal 3, Haze, MGS 4...all shooting games.

[TLSBill]

Peter Moore couldn't have said it better himself. Oh wait.. he totally did at least year's E3.. sheez.

[razer]

Just too many spamming fanboys but here are my thoughts..

Having both systems I think both offer a good experience. For me, if I had to pick just one it would be the Xbox 360. Considering I haven't had a single issue with either of my machines I can't relate to all this hardware failure crap. But I don't deny there isn't some issues that with the new hardware revision will be a non-issue and then you get the 3yr warrenty to back it up. The game selection is top notch and it has realy got the attention of 3rd party devs and looks to continue it's software domination at least through 08. The online service and whole feel of the 360 feels unified and not pieced together like I feel on the PS3. The online service is the best with a great community feel. I don't play movies on my game console so I don't care about an HD-DVD add-on or Blu-ray. If I have a need for an HD movie I will watch it on cable/satellite or download it from the Video Marketplace on my 360.

The PS3 is a good machine. I just feel the 360 caters more to my gaming tastes and that's what I look for when buying a game machine. But with some of the great titles coming up Lair, Drakes, etc I know I will get some good gaming from it. I never owned a PS2 so I guess I didn't have the incentive for Backwards compatible games so I think anyone with a large PS2 collection will go for the PS3 just to be able to play their old games. If your into that sorta thing.. I find it hard to play any game that's not in HD anymore (so no Wii for me).. aha I guess I'm spoiled.

[tonsoffun]

Which console should any gamer own?

Answer: Them all.

It is the only way to play all the great games being released soon.

Fanboys, you gotta admit: Lair, Drake's fortune, heavenly sword, warhawk and msg 4 all look great for the PS3.

Same stands for Bioshock, Halo3, Mass Effect and blue dragon for the 360 and metroid, mario galaxy and smash bros for the Wii.

To fully experience all those games and to be able to have the choice of the best multiplatform titles, you need all three systems.

While I commend all fanboys for having their faves, you gotta admit there are games on all platforms that are set to be amazing and with the current rumoured price cuts, no one can realy gripe about the price of multiplatform gaming.

Is their any need for the constant, yet occasionally funny, flaming?

IT IS INDEED A GOOD TIME TO BE A GAMER.

[Bebedora]

For longevity - PS3
For shortsightedness - XB360
For childsplay - Wii
For NDS - Everything

[sticky doja]

How about:

To game in the future - PS3
To game right now - X360
To game a new way - Wii

[Bebedora]

because they have the advantage of NDS...look at all the gaming charts. EVERYBODY flocks around that platform....now if you're smart enough you get the drift. Else your'e hopeless

[TheMART]

"Final verdict: Don't plump for a PS3. Instead, buy a Wii AND an Xbox 360. That way, you spend only a little more than what the PS3 would cost you, but you'll get the full gaming experience. There, that was easy wasn't it?"

Right on

[DrPirate]

Premium 360 (because the core is garbage) + Wii != 499$.

I still say, get all three because there's some quality stuff coming for Sony's machine. I'm going to order my 360 pending critical and player reviews of Mass Effect and Too Human, both which interest me far more then Halo, Gears of War or Bioshock.

[sak500]

Agreed with TheMart. My bro has wii and its still fun to play when you have one more person to play with but as a single player its boring as hell. 360 is ftw right now and in future. While you fonybois are waiting for past 8 months for good games, you've lost chance to play next gen goodness like Lost planet, PGR3, COD2/3, Dead rising, Graw1/2, Crackdown, saints row and many more from live arcade. And wth do you guys mean tht ps3 is the future, you think MS will sit on these great titles which are coming this year? You forgot 360's been out for 1 1/2 years and devs are working on unannouced projects and there has been steady flow of games on 360 for a while now, why would it stop? Only hardcore brainwashed fonyfanatics can only see ps3 getting games in future and not 360.

[TLSBill]

I thought you said good games? When Mass Effect comes out, I'll probably pickup the 360 though.. I have a PC & PS3, Overlord on PC = less money than the 360.

[Bebedora]

all games worth a top 10 is at the DS....so what are we raving about? A XB360/PS3? Why is that? Ok, I can get the tech and all, but the $ is at where the games is. Those are not at XB360 or PS3...rightnow.

[ben hates you]

and don't make a fuss about it, and i'll be happy

[FeralPhoenix]

If all of them don't fit your budget, get the one that will offer the best exclusive games according to your preference.

[Madmax1281980]

Its A great Gaming System Just Like The Ps3 Is. Xbox Live Might Cost £40 Per Year But Its A Damn Sight Better Than The Ps3s Online Eg. u Can Chat To A Friend While Each Is Playing A Different Game. U Can C When some1 On Ur List Was Last Online. System And Game Updates Dont Take all Day To Download Then Install. All Xbox 360 Games Are Online Enabled. Comes Standard With A headset. Every Game Supports Online Chat.

[ChickeyCantor]

My god! type in normal caps man!!!

[timmyp53]

buy all three =)

[ChickeyCantor]

one disagreed, must be a console nazi or something.

[CrazzyMan]

Buy system, for which games yo care more.

if you care about mario, zelda, metroid, smash bross - get the wii.
you care about mass effect, too human, fable2, halo3, pgr4, lost odyssey - get the x360.
if you care about mgs4, ffxiii, hs, warhawk, kz2, uncharted, lbp, lair, wks, gt5 - go for PS3! ;)

IT`S all about games! isn`t it? =)

p.s. anyone to help return my 4th bubble back? thnx. =)

[monkey nuts]

*hits wall of text* (16.1)

[monkey nuts]

I pity the fool that needs to rely on some article to "advise" them which console to buy. If it was a serious attempt to put the real issues out there surely he would have thought to use some statistics or provide proof of what hes saying(for each console). Instead he just goes over each console with a quick round up, nice. I can imagine the hordes of people franticly running to the stores after reading that to get a nexgen system.

[LightofDarkness]

As Benjamin Disraeli, one-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said, "there are lies, and there are statistics."

You can use statistical information tor prove anything. Numbers are not the be all and end all of arguments. Peoplw here don't seem to realise this in a healthy ratio, hence the absolutely childish behaviour I've witnessed here time and time again. Statistics is a rough science, and any mathematician will tell you that.

[xbox360elitegamer]

Hell NO to the games of Nintendo Wii, I find them bizarre. I'm more for the xbox 360 games. PS3 is not bad, but not as good as 360.

[ChickeyCantor]

i will go for the Atari please.

[crippler666]

If you have young kids, then the Wii is the console.

If you are looking for a games console and have little money then the 360. It has the games and it comes at a reasonable price.

If you have money and looking for a games console, look at the future releases, pick the one with the games you want on it.

If you want something for films and a little gaming then it is the PS3.

I own the PS3 I have 5 games, 8 downloaded games and 1 film (the film came with the console). I am happy with my purchase and know that within the first year (March) my games will double.

[monkey nuts]

you missed my point. better to atleast have some palpable info rather than just speculation and personal opinion.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

You can put down $500 for mov"ies (blu-Ray) or $400 ($300 soon) for "games". If your a "gamer then the choice is clear, if your a movie lover go with the other guys because this is a console war not a f**king film festival.