Console newbie needs honest advice, please. PS3, Wii or 360?

Hello,

  I've been a Gamespot member for a long time, but I never really got into posting on the forums before. Anyways, I have a question which I really hope doesn't turn into an overblown arguement. So here's the deal:

   I've been setting aside a little money since Christmas and managed to save up about $600 for a new console. I spent most of my game time on PCs, but I think it will be nice to replace my 6 year old PS2 which can't read a damn disc anymore to save its worthless life. I checked the prices for the PS3, Xbox 360 and theWii, but I'm not sure which one would be the best purchase. I'm guessing since the Xbox came out first, it's probably the least advanced of the three, but that's just an assumption. Since the PS3 came out last and costs the most, it seems like it would be the most advanced of the three, but I know price doesn't always equal quality, and if I did go for the PS3, I'd need to save up a bit more cash for games to go with it. I'm just looking at this the same way I would look at a video card or processer upgrade

I know that with computers, buying new hardware that's been out for over a year leads to buyer's remorse almost immediately which is why I'm kind of leaning away from the 360, despite the fact it seems to have better games at the moment. Or do you think the 360 still holds up compared to the Wii and PS3?

   I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Like I said, I'm kind of new to this generation of consoles and I really don't want to be kicking myself in the ass for picking the wrong one. Thanks again for any tips you might have to offer.

-Anthony Edge

I would prefer you ask this in General Gaming Discussion instead of System Wars. I would explain why, but my time is short (study hall ends in 6 minutes).Toaster_Cell

Far too much to explain. You should really do some research for yourself and then maybe ask so more specific questions.cakeorrdeath

I know that with computers, buying new hardware that's been out for over a year leads to buyer's remorse almost immediately which is why I'm kind of leaning away from the 360, despite the fact it seems to have better games at the moment.Dreadnought

Actually, I really like the selection of games on the 360. But to summarize my question:

Do you think the 360 holds up to the Wii and PS3 as far as technology is concerned? Or are the Wii and PS3 basically on their own level?

Thanks again. I'll try reposting this on the General board.

Actually, I really like the selection of games on the 360. But to summarize my question:

Do you think the 360 holds up to the Wii and PS3 as far as technology is concerned? Or are the Wii and PS3 basically on their own level?

Thanks again. I'll try reposting this on the General board.

Dreadnought

Thank you King and Ismallchald, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I think I'll go with the 360, and maybe start saving a bit a more for one of the other two once they start to shine.

Thank you King and Ismallchald, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I think I'll go with the 360, and maybe start saving a bit a more for one of the other two once they start to shine.

Dreadnought

I would prefer you ask this in General Gaming Discussion instead of System Wars. I would explain why, but my time is short (study hall ends in 6 minutes).Toaster_Cell

Hello,

I've been a Gamespot member for a long time, but I never really got into posting on the forums before. Anyways, I have a question which I really hope doesn't turn into an overblown arguement. So here's the deal:

I've been setting aside a little money since Christmas and managed to save up about $600 for a new console. I spent most of my game time on PCs, but I think it will be nice to replace my 6 year old PS2 which can't read a damn disc anymore to save its worthless life. I checked the prices for the PS3, Xbox 360 and theWii, but I'm not sure which one would be the best purchase. I'm guessing since the Xbox came out first, it's probably the least advanced of the three, but that's just an assumption. Since the PS3 came out last and costs the most, it seems like it would be the most advanced of the three, but I know price doesn't always equal quality, and if I did go for the PS3, I'd need to save up a bit more cash for games to go with it. I'm just looking at this the same way I would look at a video card or processer upgrade

I know that with computers, buying new hardware that's been out for over a year leads to buyer's remorse almost immediately which is why I'm kind of leaning away from the 360, despite the fact it seems to have better games at the moment. Or do you think the 360 still holds up compared to the Wii and PS3?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Like I said, I'm kind of new to this generation of consoles and I really don't want to be kicking myself in the ass for picking the wrong one. Thanks again for any tips you might have to offer.

-Anthony Edge

Dreadnought

The Playstation 3 is the most technologically advanced system, I highly suggest picking one up.

Well, it's actually pretty simple...

If you want to play a lot of good games right this very instant, the 360 is a solid choice. From what I've seen so far, it appears it can go toe to toe with the PS3. XBL is outstanding but costs 5 bucks a month. There's alot of downloadable content available like movies, games, demos, TV shows. If you equip it with similar accessories the PS3 packs in, it's actually the most expensive. I think this is the safest bet for the short term, but it gets a little iffy the farther out you go. I expect it to easily be more popular than the origional xbox, so it should have it's fair share of big name titles. The difference between the PS3 and the 360 in terms of graphical muscle is alot closer than the PS2 was with the origional xbox. If you like more American titles, and PC games, this is where it's at.

If you want a video game console that can do it all, and play your back library of PS2 games, go get a PS3. You're gonna be alittle lean on games for at least another month or two, but things are picking up. This is my bet for the long haul machine, but I'd hop on it before they switch over to software backwards compatablity. It won't be as big of a deal as people are making it out to be, but right now PS3s play almost all PS2 and PS1 games. In the near future, it may change. As a movie player, it is also excellent, so if your interested in HD movies, go for it. I also think Blu-ray will bethe victor in the format war, because of studio support and recent spikes in sales. The online is free, but the content available is kind of lean compared to XBL, which should improve over time. If the PS3 can get past these initial hurdles, expect it to steam roll the competetion.  If you like games like DMC, MGS, FF, GT and more Japanese style games, it's an obvious choice.

As for the Wii, I can only suggest it as a secondary console. I have one, some of the games are fun with motion controls, others really aren't. If you like Nintendo franchises, it's a solid purchase, but you'll miss out on alot of other games. So far, it's little more than an online enabled gamecube with a fancy remote. You'll find your self comparing it to PS2 titles you bought over a year ago. If you have an HDTV, this is prolly not a good choice. The online is pretty much not exsistant at this point for games, but there's alot of downloadables in the Virtual Console. It's hot right now, but I have a hard time believing it's going to stay that way.

So it's all a toss up. From your post, I think you're gonna choose between a 360 and a PS3. Both are solid purchases, fanboys will be heralding the death of each for at least the next year, but honestly, it's gonna be pretty even.

so actually it's not that simple. I'd just plan on buying 2 consoles this gen... or all three!

Get an Xbox 360 if you want a good range of games, good online capability and good graphics

Get a Wii if your looking for an inovative style of gameplay and just general fun

Thanks for all the replies guys. I just got home with my shinny new 360 and I still have money to spare. Now I just have one more silly question:

There are hundreds of USB "controllers" for PCs that make a PC play more like a regular console game. Are there any adapters like that which let you use a mouse to play a 360? I'm happy with my purchase, but I think I'm going to have a hell of a time re-learning to play FPS type games using a controller instead of a mouse. God knows I had a hell of a time getting used to PS2 games like Medal of Honor, etc. I did a tiny bit of research, but came up empty handed. Any suggestions?

Oh, and one more thing: How exactly do you download Castlevania: Symphony of the Night? What better way to enjoy my new $400 system than to play a 10 year old game.

Thanks again everyone.

I hate all video game consoles to a certain extent.  Let me break this down for you in a cruel but somewhat accurate manner.

Purchase a Wii if you have historcally enjoyed Nintendo first-party titles and value active forms of input.  The Wii contains terrible hardware, and complex games will become increasingly scarce, but you will enjoy your purchase if you limit the function of games to nothing more than a "fun" process (P1, see my blog).

Purchase the PS3 if you appreciate the hardware and functionality of the console, but don't mind paying a third more than what it is worth.  It might come with a blue-ray player, but the gaming library for the PS3 looks quite grim.  It's not gaining decent amounts of third party support.

Purchase the X360 if you have historically enjoyed shooters, online games, sports games, or western styled RPGs.  In terms of hardware, the 360 is currently the best buy between the consoles on the market.  It provides a good GPU at a relatively fair price. 

If you have the cash (and enjoy games within those categories), I'd suggest picking up a 360 and the Wii. 

Does anyone know if a mouse adapter sort of thing exists? Or will I just have to get used to playing shooters with a handheld controller instead of my beloved keyboard/mouse combo that I've grown up playing games with?Dreadnought

Welcome to analog hell, my friend.  Not to my knowledge does such a device exist.  I quit playing shooters and FPS games because analog sticks make me want to smash things, =/.

Poopy.

I guess I'll have to deal with having my ass handed to me while I learn to shoot bad guys with this silly thing with all the colorful buttons and tiny joysticks. My butt feels sore and bloody arleady =(

Hello,

  I've been a Gamespot member for a long time, but I never really got into posting on the forums before. Anyways, I have a question which I really hope doesn't turn into an overblown arguement. So here's the deal:

   I've been setting aside a little money since Christmas and managed to save up about $600 for a new console. I spent most of my game time on PCs, but I think it will be nice to replace my 6 year old PS2 which can't read a damn disc anymore to save its worthless life. I checked the prices for the PS3, Xbox 360 and theWii, but I'm not sure which one would be the best purchase. I'm guessing since the Xbox came out first, it's probably the least advanced of the three, but that's just an assumption. Since the PS3 came out last and costs the most, it seems like it would be the most advanced of the three, but I know price doesn't always equal quality, and if I did go for the PS3, I'd need to save up a bit more cash for games to go with it. I'm just looking at this the same way I would look at a video card or processer upgrade

I know that with computers, buying new hardware that's been out for over a year leads to buyer's remorse almost immediately which is why I'm kind of leaning away from the 360, despite the fact it seems to have better games at the moment. Or do you think the 360 still holds up compared to the Wii and PS3?

   I'd really appreciate any suggestions. Like I said, I'm kind of new to this generation of consoles and I really don't want to be kicking myself in the ass for picking the wrong one. Thanks again for any tips you might have to offer.

-Anthony Edge

                                                                                                                             

Dreadnought