The Advantages and Disadvantages of each system

I'm making this thread to aid people in deciding which system they want. It's not a "my opinion is best" thread, but rather an archive of opinions. I want to hear your opinion too.

What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of each system are?

Although I don't expect you to follow a certain format, in my opinion I'm going to try and list only 4 advantages and only 3 disadvantages for each system to avoid ranting on all my inherent biases.

Nintendo Wii
The Advantages
- It has the highest number of "Happy Games" as I would call them, that is, games that have that childish innocence that gives you that fairy tale letharsis which is comforting like a glass of ice cold chocolate milk on a hot day.

- It is the most family friendly. A lot of the kid friendly games are also very fun for adults.

- It is the price relative cheapest of the three consoles right now.

- It has the highest number of Multiplayer Party games - as in games that you play in the same room and on the same screen with your friends. This number is increased by the Gamecube's already lofty offering in this department.

The Disadvantages
- Few online games. The online games that exist often require the input of friend codes, so online gaming is essentially done with known friends only since because of this becoming a part of a community this way is difficult - some online games performance is underpar as well.

- The system has an announced casual focus, which means that high value single player games are going to be fewer on this system than other consoles; this does not mean though that they are or are going to be completely absent (Although as far as current announcements go, the future does look bleak, at least for the next year.)

- The main value of the console comes from first party support. This can be viewed as an advantage, unless you've already become very familiar with the Nintendo franchises and are tired of them. Since this one is an advantage for some, I'll also add here that there is no hardrive. That means that downloadable content, including full games, can be limited.

Sony Playstation
The Advantages
- Has the magical Cell processor that will make all your dreams come true... in about five years. Oh, and it's potentially the most powerful of the three consoles.

- Has Metal Gear Solid 4

- Is the most cost effective system if you actually use all of its options - It has a built in wireless, its controllers have first party recharable batteries that work better than any third party crap I've bought for my other systems, if you got the right version (60GB or the current 80GB) it has backward compatibility to the PS2 which opens up arguably the best console library to date, and it utilizes Blu-ray discs without needing any attachments.

- The online is free, and generally better than the Wii's online (Which is also free.)


The Disadvantages
- It is the most expensive console when it comes to relative price. You may not want all the options it comes with and besides giving up backward compatibility (currently) you can't opt not to have them.

- Though the online community is accessible (Because it's free) it's not as big as another console's - at the moment the community doesn't seem to be well equipped with headsets - at least when it comes to MGO and Team Fortress 2. I don't have Warhawk, but since the thing came with a bluetooth headset for a while there, I imagine that particular game is a little better in that department.

- At the moment, it has the smallest library of the three consoles (Of both good and bad games.)





Microsoft X-Box 360
The Advantages
- Currently has the best online community of the three consoles, making it easy to make friends to play with.

- Currently has the best library of critically acclaimed games.

- Has arguably the best downloadable game service - and this is almost undisputed when it comes to new games (Not just re-releases of old ones.)

- Currently has the most American developer support from companies like Valve, Bioware, and Bungie.


The Disadvantages
- I've heard a lot of people complain that the console is unreliable. Though I haven't had this experience yet, there is always the fear of the spooky Red Ring of Death coming along and bricking your system. On the bright side, the system has a three year warranty! But back to being pessimistic, it does mean that you wont see your console for a few weeks while they repair it.

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

- A lot of the most critically acclaimed exclusive games, like Gears of War and Mass Effect, eventually end up on the PC anyway. Of course you could turn that around and say that a lot of PC games also get developed for the 360. Depends on your preference on this one.

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

Don't forget how MS charges for every small thing on the XBL.. :/

Also, why doesn't MS change the price of gold here in Canada already? It's still $60 -_-

Also, the PS3's interface is more user friendly. And the PS3 doesn't come with component cables for HD.

Go play MGO.SolidGame_basic

I am right now actually.

Posting between games.

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

L33Tanimator

i actually hate the ps3 controller. i've actually always hated the playstation brand controller.

The 360 controller is by far the best, that thing feels so natural in the hands, and for wii, i usually just play brawl so i use the gamecube controller, which was my favorite controller of last gen

Don't forget how MS charges for every small thing on the XBL.. :/

Also, why doesn't MS change the price of gold here in Canada already? It's still $60 -_-

Also, the PS3's interface is more user friendly. And the PS3 doesn't come with component cables for HD.

ChrnoTrigger

enlighten me what those charges are beside the £39.99

[QUOTE="ChrnoTrigger"]

Don't forget how MS charges for every small thing on the XBL.. :/

Also, why doesn't MS change the price of gold here in Canada already? It's still $60 -_-

Also, the PS3's interface is more user friendly. And the PS3 doesn't come with component cables for HD.

alexmurray

enlighten me what those charges are beside the £39.99

I'm actually kind of interested myself...

[QUOTE="L33Tanimator"]

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

Richyd13

i actually hate the ps3 controller. i've actually always hated the playstation brand controller.

The 360 controller is by far the best, that thing feels so natural in the hands, and for wii, i usually just play brawl so i use the gamecube controller, which was my favorite controller of last gen

Really?

I hate the 360 controller for one major reason - the R and L bumpers are a reach, and since so many games rely on dual analogs, that sucks. Plus, having the analogs in the same place for each hand is a plus on the PS2/3 controller.

I hated the Gamecube controller; No pressure sensitive buttons except R and L. Missing a second Left shoulder button. Odd arrangement of the buttons, etc. It works great for smash bros, but not so great for, say, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes.

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

young_doe

Because $4.17 is $4.17 more then you should be paying. The competitors (Steam) offer a better service for free...

Paying when you shouldn't have to is a disadvantage...

Also $4.17 per month over the life of the console... is a good chunk of change that could have been used on 4 other games at least... Small montly fees add up. Think of the money you could be saving...

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

- It is the most family friendly. A lot of the kid friendly games are also very fun for adults.

Shovelware easy to make garbage should never be an advantage for any game consoles.

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

JPOBS

it is a advantage but i don't consoder it bigger seller than halo 3 or wii play. most people don't buy console for one game, so advantage should have been "has lots of famous exclusive franchises like GT, GoW, MGS etc"

[QUOTE="JPOBS"]

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

naval

it is a advantage but i don't consoder it bigger seller than halo 3 or wii play. most people don't buy console for one game, so advantage should have been "has lots of famous exclusive franchises like GT, GoW, MGS etc"

Unless you're gonna list the best games under each console, putting 'its has MGS4" is ridiculous.

There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.Zhengi

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

[QUOTE="naval"][QUOTE="JPOBS"]

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

JPOBS

it is a advantage but i don't consoder it bigger seller than halo 3 or wii play. most people don't buy console for one game, so advantage should have been "has lots of famous exclusive franchises like GT, GoW, MGS etc"

Unless you're gonna list the best games under each console, putting 'its has MGS4" is ridiculous.

oh yeah, i was saying the same thing. I guess I misunderstood what you said

[QUOTE="JPOBS"][QUOTE="naval"][QUOTE="JPOBS"]

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

naval

it is a advantage but i don't consoder it bigger seller than halo 3 or wii play. most people don't buy console for one game, so advantage should have been "has lots of famous exclusive franchises like GT, GoW, MGS etc"

Unless you're gonna list the best games under each console, putting 'its has MGS4" is ridiculous.

oh yeah, i was saying the same thing. I guess I misunderstood what you said

[QUOTE="Richyd13"][QUOTE="L33Tanimator"]

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

mstc_Q

i actually hate the ps3 controller. i've actually always hated the playstation brand controller.

The 360 controller is by far the best, that thing feels so natural in the hands, and for wii, i usually just play brawl so i use the gamecube controller, which was my favorite controller of last gen

Really?

I hate the 360 controller for one major reason - the R and L bumpers are a reach, and since so many games rely on dual analogs, that sucks. Plus, having the analogs in the same place for each hand is a plus on the PS2/3 controller.

I hated the Gamecube controller; No pressure sensitive buttons except R and L. Missing a second Left shoulder button. Odd arrangement of the buttons, etc. It works great for smash bros, but not so great for, say, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes.

I loved the GCN button arrangement. With most gamepads there are times when I get confused as to which button I'm supposed to press. The odd shapes on the GCN made it easier to remember. Also, how often were pressure buttons ever really used? (I only personally remember one, and even then it was pretty much optional)

Disadvantages:

Wii- nunchuk controller should be wireless as well, needs an HDD (I ran out of space a long time ago)

PS3- controller should use batteries like the other two, having it plugged in suxx

360- Hardware is garbage, paying real life dollars for stuff that should be free (it's like GS charging for your avatar picture, if it's ridiculous for them it's ridiculous for M$)

[QUOTE="young_doe"]

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

GundamGuy0

Because $4.17 is $4.17 more then you should be paying. The competitors (Steam) offer a better service for free...

Paying when you shouldn't have to is a disadvantage...

Also $4.17 per month over the life of the console... is a good chunk of change that could have been used on 4 other games at least... Small montly fees add up. Think of the money you could be saving...

Steam?? Are you kidding me?? Steam is not in competition with Xbox live. And how is it better? Please explain. And please use something else besides it being free.

Whats the point of saving money when you're limiting yourself? You're just going to miss out, just like cheap rich people who die unhappy, what was the point of saving when there were so many great things that you could have bought. Life is short. Enjoy it while you can

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

L33Tanimator

I assume this was a joke post? It is mostly going to be a matter of opinion, but I think the majority of people who own both systems tend to prefer the 360 contorller. At any rate, its far from being cut and dry in PS3 favor. The last statement makes no sense. 360 has the biggest and most diverse library. If any system is shooter heavy, it would be the PS3. I don't like shooters and I am enjoying both systems.

I'm starting to wonder if you were trying to compare xbox to PS2?

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

young_doe

Every month?

Who are your friends? I want them to come over and sit on my couch!

I don't think PS3's cell or MGS 4 is a big advantage. Better adatages for PS 3 is Lots of Sony internal dev studios, blu ray and more open online communitynaval

You can make your own list you know.

"Has metal gear solid 4" Can't be a serious advantage for the ps3, tell me that one was a joke :|

JPOBS

It's the reason I bought my PS3. And I consider it big enough to pay $500 for.

[QUOTE="young_doe"]

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

mstc_Q

Every month?

Who are your friends? I want them to come over and sit on my couch!

Was that the best you could have come up with? Try again.

Is

[QUOTE="mstc_Q"][QUOTE="young_doe"]

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

young_doe

Every month?

Who are your friends? I want them to come over and sit on my couch!

Was that the best you could have come up with? Try again.

Is

Same to you.

I agree with the TC.

The PS3 was very expensive, but I still got it because it played Blu-Ray movies.

I didn't have to get a separate stand-alone Blu-Ray player for $700-800 (That's what they were at the time).

And that is a huge advantage for me. I am happy with my purchase. :)

There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

Not even RRoD? Hmmm...

Wii

Pro: Mario, inexpensive, reliable

PS3

Pro:good graphics, blu-ray, dvd, music, internet, reliable

con: expensive

360

Pro: best on-line, Halo 3, DVD, good graphics, music

con:expensive, RROD, pay to play on-line

[QUOTE="mstc_Q"][QUOTE="young_doe"]

- To play your games online, it costs $50 a year. This might not seem like much, but if you own the console for 5 years, it adds up (to $250, to be precise.)

$4.17 a month to me is nothing. I dont understand how people claim this as a disadvantage. Come now, I can find that in my couch.

young_doe

Every month?

Who are your friends? I want them to come over and sit on my couch!

Was that the best you could have come up with? Try again.

Is

Maybe I'll go with, "My last purchase from Play n Trade was two games for $50. One of those games I play online for free."

There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

says the guy who is supposedly from the lemming army(i take it thats 360 fanboy, sorry im new and ive seen this around.)

on topic though, i guess an advantage to the ps3 would be that it just keeps inproving, i mean if you look at 07, 08, then 09, you just see the great looking games coming, as well as with all the updates and the increase in the amount of games with trophy support. i wouldnt say th 360 is doing any worse than before, but imo, its about the same as last year the way i see it.

o yea, and a disadvantage to the 360 could be that you need to pay for all the extra stuff for the full experience, which i find to be a pain(LIVE, wifi, hddvd)

Wii

Pro: Mario, inexpensive, reliable

PS3

Pro:good graphics, blu-ray, dvd, music, internet, reliable

con: expensive

360

Pro: best on-line, Halo 3, DVD, good graphics, music

con:expensive, RROD

Jdog30

I agree but I would add pay for online play as an con for the 360.

you left out the Wii's biggest flaw which is the fact that it is technically inferior to the 360 and PS3

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.Zhengi

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

Those are hardly disadvantages. With the RRoD, it allows you to get a fixed, and better 360 from Microsoft free of charge. And we have the choice to pay for the superior online service. Those aren't negatives. If anything they're positives.

[QUOTE="Zhengi"]

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.JPOBS

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

So because you haven't gotten RROD it doesn't exist? So because you don't pay for LIVE it's not a disadvantage?

The funniest part is that no Live on the 360 makes it a worst console than the Wii in terms of online EVEN with the friend codes. At least with the Wii you can still play online no matter how crappy it might be :)

[QUOTE="Zhengi"]

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

Those are hardly disadvantages. With the RRoD, it allows you to get a fixed, and better 360 from Microsoft free of charge. And we have the choice to pay for the superior online service. Those aren't negatives. If anything they're positives.

[QUOTE="Zhengi"]

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

Those are hardly disadvantages. With the RRoD, it allows you to get a fixed, and better 360 from Microsoft free of charge. And we have the choice to pay for the superior online service. Those aren't negatives. If anything they're positives.

:lol:

Wow at the fanboyism. RROD is good now because it gets you a fixed and better 360 from MS? How about making a reliable console from the start that won't break down.

Yeah, and if you choose not to pay for it, even the Wii is a better online console EVEN with the crappy friend codes. So yes, paying for Live is a disadvantage. And that example people keep bringing up, $50 for 5 years = $250 for online are starting to seem more and more valid. Yeah, MS gives you options... options to make THEM richer.

PS3 has the better controller setup. Best controller period.

Wii can help you lose weight, if done right.

Xbox has um... Halo I guess. That is if you care about FPS.

L33Tanimator

The ps3 has the worst controller on the market lol

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"][QUOTE="Zhengi"]

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.Zhengi

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

Those are hardly disadvantages. With the RRoD, it allows you to get a fixed, and better 360 from Microsoft free of charge. And we have the choice to pay for the superior online service. Those aren't negatives. If anything they're positives.

:lol:

Wow at the fanboyism. RROD is good now because it gets you a fixed and better 360 from MS? How about making a reliable console from the start that won't break down.

Yeah, and if you choose not to pay for it, even the Wii is a better online console EVEN with the crappy friend codes. So yes, paying for Live is a disadvantage. And that example people keep bringing up, $50 for 5 years = $250 for online are starting to seem more and more valid. Yeah, MS gives you options... options to make THEM richer.

Are you too cheap to pay $3.85 a month for XBL? And too bad XBL Silver is free.

And when has a company repairing your console for free been a bad thing?

The only disadvantage to owning a 360 is the whole RROD thing, but that seems to be happening less now, so don't base your console purchase on it.

IF I HAD to give someone a definite suggestion on a console, it'd have to be a 360. Now don't get me wrong, PS3 is an awesome console, but the problem is you get stuck in these little pits of time where literally NOTHING comes out. When I say nothing, I literally mean it.

There was once a time before the PS3 came out where I was sitting in front of a 360 box at GameStop and I was like "I want that, but Sony claims PS3 will be best so I'll wait and see". Let me just shorten it for you: every day I regret not buying that 360.. It has taught me a valuable lesson: Don't listen to sony's hype, because they can easily fail.

NOW, In about a year when all these new titles for PS3 have come out, I may change my mind, but for now, meh...

[QUOTE="Zhengi"][QUOTE="SSCyborg"][QUOTE="Zhengi"]

[QUOTE="SSCyborg"]There are no disadvantages to owning a 360.SSCyborg

RROD? Paying for online?

Only fanboys would see that there are no disadvantages with any of the systems.

Those are hardly disadvantages. With the RRoD, it allows you to get a fixed, and better 360 from Microsoft free of charge. And we have the choice to pay for the superior online service. Those aren't negatives. If anything they're positives.

:lol:

Wow at the fanboyism. RROD is good now because it gets you a fixed and better 360 from MS? How about making a reliable console from the start that won't break down.

Yeah, and if you choose not to pay for it, even the Wii is a better online console EVEN with the crappy friend codes. So yes, paying for Live is a disadvantage. And that example people keep bringing up, $50 for 5 years = $250 for online are starting to seem more and more valid. Yeah, MS gives you options... options to make THEM richer.

Are you too cheap to pay $3.85 a month for XBL? And too bad XBL Silver is free.

And when has a company repairing your console for free been a bad thing?

Are you too rich to accept something for free?

And it's bad compared to not having to return it to be fixed cause it works the first time and every time. That's the point.