PS3, Xbox 360 versions of "Grand Theft Auto IV" square off

Sony's boasting that the new Grand Theft Auto was "meant to be played" on the PS3, while Microsoft is touting the exclusive downloadable content—including, perhaps, a new city—that's on tap for the Xbox 360 version of GTA:IV. PS3 vs. Xbox 360...fight!

PS3 pros: From what the Rockstar developers are saying, the PS3 might have an ever-so-slight edge in terms of graphics, although that could me more a factor of aesthetics than anything else. "I like the way [the PS3] renders," Rockstar founder Sam Houser told 1UP.com. "There's a certain kind of softness without being blurry—some warmth to it—and then there's a certain more clinical element to how the 360 looks." That said, Houser thinks the differences are pretty subtle: "As far as I'm concerned, they're neck and neck now."

There's also talk that the PS3 will get Sixaxis "tilt" control for helicopters, boats, and motorcycles—which could be a plus or a minus, depending on your point of view. Luckily, Sixaxis control is reportedly optional.

PS3 cons: For now, at least, there's no word of any additional downloadable content on the scale of what Xbox 360 users can expect. Then there's the initial install time: five minutes, compared to—well, zippo for the 360—and longer load times thanks to the PS3's Blu-ray drive.

Xbox 360 pros: Number one of the list, of course, is the promised downloadable expansion packs for later this year. Details are sketchy, but according to some rumors, we could be seeing entire new cities (although Kotaku, for one, calls the rumor "a bit tough to swallow"). Anyway, just the promise of significant new content—exclusive to the Xbox 360, for now—is a big plus for the 360 version of GTA:IV.

Then there's the Xbox Live factor—and especially the draw of winning Xbox Achievement points, a concept that doesn't exist in the PlayStation universe. 

Xbox 360 cons: On paper, the 360 should have a tougher time than the robust PS3 in rendering GTA:IV's dense graphical world—but I wouldn't take that to the bank quite yet. So far, I haven't seen any side-by-side comparisons, and Rockstar seems to think the two consoles are "neck and neck," at least in terms of GTA's graphics. Still, I can imagine many 360 users wondering if they're getting the shorter end of the visual stick.

On a different note, Rockstar has publicly complained that the Xbox 360 "create[d] limitations" because of its relative lack of storage (just a DVD drive compared to the PS3's Blu-ray drive, and games must be built without depending on the 360's optional hard drive). In other words, the Xbox 360's "limitations" may have held back both the PS3 and 360 versions of the game.

OK, so who's the big winner?: Not having played either version of GTA:IV myself yet, I can only rely on the bullet points—and on that basis, the Xbox 360 gets the edge. The promise of the 360-exclusive downloadable content alone must be making PS3 gamers green-eyed with envy.

That said, here's my plan: As several of you have requested, I'm gonna march down to my local gaming store on Tuesday, snag both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV, and fire up my consoles for some side-by-side comparisons. (Tough life, I know.) Once I've had my fill, I'll weigh in with a verdict.

Update: Check out my hands-on impressions of each version.

Alright gamers, let's hear it: Which version of GTA:IV—PS3 or Xbox 360—do you think will be better, and why?

Related:
Grand Theft Auto IV Launch Central [Yahoo! Games]