Now that the dust has settled, and it's a new decade, which game console would you get?
Probably everyone reading this question already has a game console (or two). Prices have been dropped, consoles have slimmed. If you were starting from zero and did not already have a financial investment in a given platform, which console would you buy today and why?
by
weakgeek
asked 2 years ago
xbox - cause I like the netflix streaming and the integration with my pc.
I'm waiting on sharing wii destruction stories, my buddy just bought one and his wife already injured herself boxing.
I'm sure they'll be on http://www.wiihaveaproblem.com/ soon.
I think that it depends on what you want it for. If you don't already have a system you may not really be into games. That was certainly the case for me. I had never owned a system or really played computer games (with the exception of flight simulators). If that is the case I would recommend the Wii.
I bought the Wii after getting snowed in at a friend's for the weekend. All of the games that I have for it are get off of the couch types (wii fit, outdoor life, rock band, etc.). We'll use it from now until the weather warms up and Spring rains subside.
Most of my friends are also not into traditional video games. However, we've had fun Wine & Wii nights and played tennis, bowled, or now we rock out. It's a fun alternative to board games or cards.
I have never had the patience to sit in front of a game with a controller in my hand. I enjoy the activity of the Wii. I also appreciate not letting my kid veg on the couch with it.
Really depends on your game playing preferences and what sort of "extras" you want with your system.
For a large selection of popular high-def games and playing online with lots of people (albeit many of them foul-mouthed pre-pubescent boys), the Xbox360 is best. If you prefer social/party gaming with people in the same room and don't care so much about graphics or playing online, go for the Wii. If you want a single box that does high-def games, blu-ray movies, and streaming movies, but only has a moderate-sized online community, pick the PS3.
Both PS3 and Xbox360 have netflix streaming, though the 360 currently has a better interface (and will for another 11 months since Microsoft paid them off for the privilege).
From a purely financial perspective, the wii will get you the most games for your money. Cheapest base unit, new games start at $50 instead of $60 like the others, and there are a LOT of cheap old games. Just be careful since a lot of those cheap games are also crap.
I agree with @turken, it depends on your preference.
Xbox360 has a better online gaming community and it's worth the $50/year if you plan on playing a lot with friends. It's got more options, a better party system to keep friends together when in games, and good chat capabilities.
PS3 is a great media center, expandable hardware, can accept virtually any usb/bluetooth, and integrated wireless. Blu-ray built in if you are into 1080p movies.
They both have great exclusive games titles.
You really can't go wrong!
Wii is great for family/kids!
I thought I would see more "gamer's lament": I bought a XX but if prices were then what they are now, I would have purchased YY instead.
I purchased a Wii but I play Rock Band almost exclusively on it. I rarely play the other games I have. If I had it to do over again, I would have purchased a PS3 because I did end up buying a Blu-ray player and I would like to have fewer items hooked to the TV. Also, the graphics on the Wii not being HD really affects the clarity of the words for vocals.
Now that I have the game, the instruments, and the DLC, I'm not going to switch platforms.
Sorry about not lamenting - most of the games I buy are for the PC - I prefer keyboard over game controllers . I have a bunch of older games for the x-box - but that's because I shop game stop. I like the x-box for the integration, where I can download a fan flick and stream it directly to the television. I don't think blu ray is worth the price, and I don't think it'll ever really catch on, so ps-3 for me was never in consideration. WII looks fun, and if I had a complete family, I wouldn't mind getting it.
@dreamaster: I'm glad no one is lamenting! It's a pretty significant investment and I'm glad folks are pleased with their purchase. I just thought I would see more remorse.
I find it interesting how the three consoles have fit into their own niche. I'm just not sure how the PS3 fits other than "it plays blu-ray, too". Graphics and game play seem to be essentially equal between the 360 and PS3. Maybe there's another feature I'm missing...
I have all three systems(total gaming household here) and we use the PS3 more than anything else. The Wii is nice when having a party,but for playing games everyday the graphics are not so good. Yeah,the XBOX 360 is nice,has great graphics and can stream netflix,but why use it when you have to pay $50 a year for the online gaming community? I have several of the same games for both PS3 and XBOX 360 and the online community for the PS3 is just as good as the 360, plus the added bonus of it being free. Plus with the PS3 I can easily stream movies that I have downloaded to my computer onto my HDTV(I have had problems in the past getting the 360 to do this). As we have one of the older PS3s we are able to also play PS2 games, which is important cuz I didn't want to get rid of the games I have. The PS3 also has built in wireless so I don't have to buy something seperate just to hook up to the internet. All in all, the PS3 is the best deal for your money. Add in blu-ray and it can't be beat!
Actually, if you shop, it's less than 34 bucks a year. And I have never had a problem synching movies on the pc to the x-box.
The wireless adapter I picked up for 35 bucks, and considering the difference in cost between a ps-3 and xbox - even if you pay the list price for the wireless, you're still way ahead.
@weakgeek: Well, one other major factor is exclusive games.
If Halo is your thing then you have to have the xbox, for Mario games it's going to be a wii, for LittleBigPlanet or Uncharted you need the PS3 (and lots of other exclusive games for each system that I'm not listing, those are just some of the biggest). The different systems also tend to have different distributions of games across the genres too. In general, the Xbox tends to excel with FPS, racing, and sports games but only has a handful of family friendly stuff. PS3 has a similar distribution, but also seems to have more action/adventure and platforming exclusives than the xbox. Wii has more mascot based and family oriented stuff.
The PS3 does have decent online communities for most games, but for every multi-platform game I've ever seen, there are always a lot more people available to play against on the xbox version. Of course that may be a positive or a negative depending on how you game.
I got the XBox over my brother's suggestion that I get a PS3 instead (he has an XBox and wishes he'd gotten the PS3). I had played RockBand (1) at a friend's house and primarily wanted it for that.
So, I saved my money from my second job (I'm a teacher) and bought the XBox. A few months later, I bought RB2 from a sale listed on...we'll say another deal site (hey, it was before deals.woot existed!).
And now...I regret not getting the PS3. I rarely have time to do much with the XBox; at least the PS3 would have given me the blu-ray option!
(But I haven't told my brother he was right. He'd gloat--I know he would.)
I have a Wii (actually my son's) and would get another. However, to supplement it I would get the following game system:
http://refineddesigner.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/cards-main_full.jpg
I already have a Wii and it's great! But I would love to have a PS3. I know a lot of people who have experienced the "red ring of death" with a 360 and have to ship for it to be fixed (don't know for sure if this is a common problem but it seems so to me). The PS3 has some really great games and I love that it has a built-in Blu-ray player.
I've had a PS3 for about 2.5 years and couldn't be happier with the machine. (Had a Wii but sold it due to lack of use.) The hardware quality is rock-solid; mine has been used pretty much daily since I bought it -- sometimes many hours at a time -- and I've never had a single issue.
But as others have said, it comes down to what games you want to play, and what other uses appeal to you. For me, many of the PS3 exclusives -- Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank, Little Big Planet, God of War, Valkyria Chronicles, etc. -- are simply much more of my type of game. (And upcoming stuff like The Last Guardian and Heavy Rain look to be incredible as well.) The fact that the system also works so well as a media receiver and blu-ray player is a great bonus for me.
If there were more 360 exclusives that appealed to me, I'd likely have one of those as well... but Fable 2 is just about the only thing on my list. Just my two cents....
I have the PS3 and have never regretted it. When I don't have time to get wrapped up in a game for several hours, it has gotten extensive blu-ray use. That alone has been worth it to me as it's a fantastic blu-ray player.
I want a BBS game :(
@wootvan: I Love the Supplement!
@wootvan: I got a great deal on 12 of these at Costco! The battery life is amazing.
My opinion is get the PS3. Gaming plus added bonus of playing Blu-Ray.
We have the PS3 and the Wii. The Wii, while interesting, was disconnected and gathering dust after two months. Lack of HD and HDMI connections on the Wii is annoying. The PS3 has seen regular use playing Blu-Ray movies and enjoying some games.
I've considered grabbing an Xbox just for it's potential use as a Media Center extender as well but haven't pulled the trigger on that. If the Xbox had Blu-Ray then I think that would change the landscape in it's favor as far as I'm concerned.
None, If it's not for PC it's not for me.
PC, without a doubt. You have better graphics, more control (mods), cheaper games, and you can use keyboard & mouse if you want.
My husband and I have been mulling over this same question recently. We play lots of PC games, but the kids are getting older and the Gamecube just isn't cutting it anymore. I think after reading this thread I'm leaning more towards the PS3 and I'm convinced it will be a good choice. The Wii looks interesting and lots of friends have them, but the amount of "extras" you need to buy to fully appreciate the system isn't all that appealing to me. ...Not to mention needing an extra toybox just for all of the Wii hardware!
@selene1212: If you have a lot of GameCube games and controllers, you will be able to continue using them with the Wii.
@turken: Wii is getting Netflix streaming this Spring too, I think.
Until recently, PC games met my needs. I prefer old fashioned games like cards and backgammon, nostalgic family board games like Monopoly and Scrabble, and the tactical/strategic board games I also play with friends out here in the real world, Catan, Risk, Advanced Civilization, Diplomacy, etc. But with this spring's commitment to be more active came an interest in Wii, and I have been very pleased with it. Not only is Wii Fit a useful tool in my exercise plan, the Wii Sports games and Dance Dance Revolution are lots of fun to play, alone or with friends. I am really pleased with the Wii and would recommend it to anyone interested in getting up off the sofa.
Ide suggest and my preference is to get the 360 way more exclusive games that are actually worth playing.. Also since they have these deals with most of the major game makers xbox gets access to expansions for games earlier {a la mw2... a good recent example} not to mention the online experience is better the problems with the hardware are gone and its still way cheaper then the ps3. Other then the above and even including some of the above its mostly just pref.. like what shoe brand u prefer all do the same thing just in different ways. Another way to look at it is like even people who dont game know Nintendo-Mario and halo-xbox but there is no real equivalent to that association with the ps series.
@alfredenigma: what exactly is way cheaper? Doesn't come with wifi, doesn't come with a high def format, doesn't come with rechargeable battery packs, charges for xbl(on top of netflix), etc. They're priced about the same, but you get much more for your ps3 for your money. Since day one pretty much every pundit has agreed, the problem has always been that it was too much bundled in so the cost was too high. Now that is changing with the PS3 Slim and the total hardware sales as of last month per NPD has a 4million unit difference total since launch, which is very close to negligible.
@bhcompy: 4 mill is not negligible mabye 4 hundred..... besides all that you mentioned one can still get for a 360 by shopping around and still come out cheaper then ps3 as for the playing hd well i guess if ur not talking about streaming hd which 360 does.. then yeah theres the blue ray player which is about the only real selling point the ps3 has left but still just speaking from my personal opinion with the pop of netflix and steaming content the future is streaming media ( unless some one can claim they only watch dvds..) so yeah a glorified vhs player might be worth the extra cash but in a couple years i doubt it.
@bhcompy: and im not going to even get into the extend usefullness of the hardware after a new bigger better version comes out as soo many people still use there modified old xboxs as media centers xbmc and other apps (yes iknow xmbc just stopped officially support for old xbox how many years later but its still being maintained) and such and the new 360 is headed in the same direction.. what can your old ps2 do?? nothing compared to the old xbox. When all is said and done and new version coms out there will still be uses for your old 360 as there are for the old xbox so from that stand point 360 will always come out on top.
PS3 - Free online play, great market for old PS1, PS2 and PSP games, loads of good original titles, no contest if you're into RPGs. Not many kiddie titles, lame controllers.
Xbox 360 - Popular, nice controllers. Achievements are somehow seem more rewarding than on PS3. I've never wanted to buy anything from the market because you have to buy points instead of just buying a game with a credit card, you end up having extra points and spending it on something useless like a background. Expensive LIVE subscription, annoying kids online, very good chance of hardware failure. People asking this question will never mod their system.
Wii - Fun if you have friends over often, cheap games, fun for kids. Bad games, single player games are not fun for anyone who takes gaming even slightly seriously. Very little online play. You'll fling the remote at some point and possibly break something.
I've had all three since they came out and if I were to choose one right now I would go with PS3.
I was going to throw my hat into this heauh ring...
The title confused me...new decade? So hey, it's a year old thread. Thanks "Similar Questions."
I guess in it's defense...it didn't say anything about time, I just assumed. ass|u|me right? Yeah. Right. I need a hobby.
While this may not be the most constructive of comments, I had to say - ANYTHING other than the Wii ! ! ! Horrible graphics relative to the ps3 et all. Awkward to operate. Might be O.K. for 4 to 10 yr olds.
PC master race, honestly.
But probably a PS3, I have a wii but don't get much use out of it at all, the other two consoles have more exclusives, and generally just a better selection of games IMO, however being a PC gamer I'd never get used to aving to pay for online (read XBox Live).
Ok, I have had all three systems, and I agree with most on that it depends on what you want.
XBox Live has a great community aspect to it. If that's what you value, and you want to plunk down the extra $40-50 for that benefit, it's nice.
I liked the ESPN integration into live, and last.fm capability. I didn't try the netflix, but I'm sure it worked ok. For me, it just wasn't worth the additional outlay for Live.
Wii was a great deal of fun. I think if you have groups of people gaming, this is one of the best paths to go. The other aspect of the Wii is that it is great for people that aren't gamers per se to pick up and enjoy things. My wife loved the bowling got into it. Fun while we had it, but it just wasn't a fit for us.
The PS3 I think is going to be a better fit for us because I can play online when I want without the burden of keeping Live membership up to date. I haven't signed up, but it feels like more tangible benefit for gaming is had with the PSN Plus stuff.
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