Which gaming console should I get?
Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:11PM EST
See Comments (100)
The holiday season usually equates to one thing: Tons and tons of video games. With Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all in the mix, it can be hard to choose a console for yourself or a loved one. Here's a rundown of all your options:
Xbox 360: Microsoft's offering best suits those that put games first, everything else second. The Xbox 360 boast a huge collection of exclusive titles, like Halo 3 and Halo Wars, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie, Velvet Assassin, Forza Motorsports 2, Blue Dragon, Geometry Wars (my favorite), Fable, and tons more. Xbox Live is still the most impressive online environment, and the New Xbox Experience will bring a plethora of new features and downloadable content. (Don't forget, Netflix HD streaming will be a big plus for subscribers.) As of now, there are three different Xbox 360 bundles to go with—Arcade, Pro, and Elite. My personal recommendation? Even though the Arcade does have an attractive low price, your experience will be hampered without a hard drive. Go with the Pro, as it offers a 60 GB hard drive and two pack-in titles at a very reasonable $299.
Playstation 3: The PS3 is a very strong gaming platform, but where it really shines is its multimedia capabilities. Don't get me wrong—there are quite a few Playstation 3 exclusives, like Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo, Heavenly Sword, SOCOM, and God of War III, but this one is definitely for the multimedia aficionados. Blu-ray playback (the best Blu-ray player in the market, in my opinion), playback of MKV high-definition files (with some converting trickery), DiVX/XvID compatibility, and HDMI 1.3 ports. Additionally, the PS3 also has a pretty robust Internet browser, which makes watching YouTube videos on your big screen a pretty easy task, and its flexible USB ports allow you to connect your own keyboard, mice, and other devices. Also, don't forget, there's no yearly subscription to Playstation Network, as opposed to the $50 a year that Xbox Live charges. Right now, there's only one Playstation 3 bundle—80 GB priced at $399, but a 160 GB model will be appearing sometime this month at $499. Pricey, yes, but versatile and powerful to boot. My recommendation, go with the 80 GB.
Nintendo Wii: Although many believe that this console is for the casual gamer, I find it more suited to the person who always has a few people over. With a ton of awesome multiplayer options like Wii Sports, Mario Kart, Super Monkey Ball, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Mario Party, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (my pick), Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and tons more, it's easy to get you and your friends involved in the game. Also, the Wii has a pretty robust Internet browser and a growing Virtual Console library, which is a nice touch. However, if online gaming is your thing, you will probably be disappointed with Nintendo's online service. If you're looking for a Nintendo Wii this year, online retailers like Amazon and Gamestop do have them in stock right now. Make sure you buy early, or you may be out of luck once we get closer to the holidays.
Now, if I absolutely had to choose one this year, I would have to go with the Xbox 360 by the narrowest of margins. Tons of games, great online experience, tons of multimedia downloadable content, and a reasonable entry price is a winning formula for me. Now, if the Playstation 3 drops its price (which might happen), then I would have to reconsider.
Agree or disagree? Have any other additional comments? Feel free to let me know what you think below.
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Comments on Which gaming console should I get?
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47 Posted by linda.anahi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:52PM EDT Report Abuse
I do agree, which is why I own the XBOX 360, but in recent months have been very dissapointed with Microsoft. I owned my xbox for a little bit over a year when it stopped working due to the red ring on my console. After researching it online, I have found out that in order to get their units out Microsoft sold units knowing there was a malfuction. Of course you can imagine how upset I was since I bought it for the original price of $399, that only after a year it would stop working. On the positive side they did fix it for free, but only after I told them I knew they were supposed to waive the charge. This is probably the last xbox I will ever buy and will defenitely be trying the Wii next.
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48 Posted by charlesdetmering@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse
i like how yahoo thinks there young and hip
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49 Posted by amyevil4 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse
I say the wii it is amazingly fun!
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50 Posted by cliffjumper1984 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
i have a Wii. Very pleased i am. But i guess i have it more for the Virtual Console. All the Classic games. You failed to mention all the systems for the VC, being NES, SNES, Genesis, Master System, TGX-16, Neo-Geno, and N64. But the games is where it comes up short. But it looks like better releases comming up AFTEr the holiday season. I like what 360 and ps3 has to offer...but some of the games(besides the RPG's) are games i dont get into much. Which is the reason for me having a Wii.
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51 Posted by hassan.id09 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse
ps3 4 ever man it is the best now xbox 360 i do not think so it is still work withe dvds lool dvds if u wanna buy a 360 buy the old one they are like each other ps3 rock
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52 Posted by seeevyboy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse
XBOX 360 OWNZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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53 Posted by dhayworth1983 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse
It you want an expensive piece of junk that doesn't know what it is trying to be then buy a PS3. If you like to game, talk to friends, enjoy movies direct to your counsole, and over a hundred games for less than 5 bucks and much more, than the 360 is the way to go. To anyone who talks about hardware failure, noisy fans, three rings of death that is old news and microsoft will fix your xbox for free within the first year. Also the fans now sound no where near as bad as when the system first came out, it is a non-issue anymore. I also have a Wii which is amazing when you have friends over but not as fun by yourself.
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54 Posted by sternlicht1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:42PM EDT Report Abuse
I have a PS3 and XBox 360, and I must say I enjoy the PS3 experience more.... Not the games per se, but the quieter engine, overall interactive speed and of course Blu Ray. Blu ray is a night and day difference in visual fidelity over DVD. If the same title is available for both, I always buy the PS3 version. That said X-box has better breadth of titles -- Gears 2 rocks. So it's close... But PS3 wins. Aaron
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55 Posted by xman9397 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
ill say the ps3 it has great graphix it does not cost any money to play online
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56 Posted by buynikeshoes on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:15PM EDT Report Abuse
I believe it's hard to argue that the PS3 shines as the center of your entertainment center. Blu ray isn't going anywhere, even though the rumor mill loves to keep the conversation going, and with the fairly regular, substanial firmware upgrades to the PS3 that continually add additional features, the PS3 keeps growing in value. Matched to a 1080p set, and it's heaven, right from the comfort of your couch.
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57 Posted by tabbi8407 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Buy all three IMO
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58 Posted by dsaddons on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I would not go with the 360 as the #1 but instead the wii, much more to do there and you failed to mention the 3 red ring problem on the 360, thats a big factor
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59 Posted by kylehepler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
X-Box 360 better games, way better online system...
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60 Posted by giandeau on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse
Got a Wii at Gamestop for $249, no bundle
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61 Posted by veryshort1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse
well i would have to agree with you on most of that stuff... except for getting the xbox 360 pro because with the elite you dont get the red ring of death (or so im told)
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62 Posted by sleepyg999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse
The reviewer is absolutely right. The Xbox 360 does offer much more for the money. With the recent release of the New Xbox Experience, it's online features are unmatched. On top of having the best gaming library out of all of them, the 360 takes the cake. I had a Wii, and I sold it. Lost the novelty after a while. I have a PS3 and use it as a Blu Ray player, that's it. It's slow, and the online features are limited. I can almost guarantee that Playstation Home will do absolutely nothing for the system. And for all you people out there that says Microsoft has hardware failures, you're dead wrong. Those were the old systems, that is OLD NEWS. The new systems work great. Great review, a finally unbiased editorial.
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63 Posted by swassbeard on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:50PM EDT Report Abuse
Hey Idiots! The Xbox 360 no longer has the red ring of death issue! It was fixed a looooong time ago. TV's used to have black and white picture, but do you see me complaining over it?
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64 Posted by planetalec on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
I would go with the wii mainly because of its homebrew channel and i have always had good expirience with nintedo and its product are almost indestrutable. sony is good but microst is iffy. go with wii family friendly fun.
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65 Posted by victoriahflau on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse
i would pick the wii. I love having friends over and can have a ton of fun just playing one game. I am also not into more violent games like halo. I just love mario cart and wii fit. The console u get really depends on who u are and how much and how into u are to playing.
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46 Posted by sanfordthefourth on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I was a Sony guy for a long time, but recently bought the Xbox 360 just because of the # of games available. Halo, as well as some of the others mentioned in the piece are all great grabs. Now with the Netflix option it is a no brainer. I don't need a blu-ray player on my console, and the fact that Sony built it in to boost blu-ray dvd sales in the future kind of turned me off. I do agree with one of the earlier posts though, the 360 is to loud (fan) and it should have a wireless card built in. (90 bucks for the plug in). But over all I am very happy with the 360.