Currently only got a Wii which the kids love, but i'm thinking of getting something better for playing proper games on. Question is, which platform to go for? XBOX? PS3? What are the pros and cons of each from a gaming prospective, and also the additional functions each might have (doesn't the PS3 play blu-rays?).

Ta!

PS3 plays blu-ray discs, has the capabilities for better graphics, Xbox has Sky and Forza.

I've got an Xbox, but will be getting a PS3 as soon as there is a game that warrants me getting one

If you want online play but aren't a harcore gamer , then the PS3 has the advantage of not charging for access , so if you don't use it for a while it's not costing you anything.

Only £200 at Sainsburys at the mo as well.

One thing that puzzles me is that both the XBOX and PS3 have big (100GB ish) built in hard drives - what use can these be put to? Don't you play the games direct off a disc?

One thing that puzzles me is that both the XBOX and PS3 have big (100GB ish) built in hard drives - what use can these be put to? Don't you play the games direct off a disc?

You can store music, films, photos etc on the hard drive.

Personally I download movies on the laptop then stream them to the PS3 and watch on tv

rough breakdown of consoles:

Xbox:

+ Cheaper to buy, bigger choice of games, more reliable online play, Microsoft and unique content, Sky, some say a better controller

- You have to pay to play online (£5 per month IIRC), unreliable (search red ring of death), does not play blu-ray

PS3:

+ Free online play, more features with regards to media content, ever expanding choice of games, more reliable/ better build quality, plays blu ray discs

- online can be a bit unreliable with some games, less choice of games, some people find the controller too small, more expensive

Graphics they are pretty much of a muchness dont let people tell you otherwise tbh.

I bought a PS3 because:

- Its more reliable

- Free online (didnt want to fork out more each month than I already do)

- Media player options

Unless you are a mega fanboy PS3 imo

My PS3 has a 320Gb hard drive I think I paid about £60 at the time it's now around about £40, you can install a massive 500Gb drive & it's a relatively easy task to upgrade it.

Play.com (UK) : Western Digital (WD) Scorpio Blue WD5000BEVT 500GB 2.5" Internal SATA Hard Drive (Sony Playstation PS3 Compatible)

You can also use an HDMI cable with the PS3, which is ideal if you have an HD Ready Widescreen TV, my 26" Sony is great for playing games, when I can be bothered to or when I'm not on the net!

Xbox isn't unreliable any more, however.

Agreed, and also Xbox Live gold membership can be had for around £37 a year

You're still having to pay £37 for access though. PS3 players don't.

One thing that puzzles me is that both the XBOX and PS3 have big (100GB ish) built in hard drives - what use can these be put to? Don't you play the games direct off a disc?

With the XBOX, you can either play the games off the disk, or install them onto the hard drive and play from there. The installed games load faster, and when playing from the Hard drive the console is quieter. However, the game disk does still need to be in the drive to play. The PS3 requires most games to be installed, and this can take a while. Both consoles download game updates to the HD, and with XBOX live you get a lot of downloadable content for games which are saved onto the HD.

Graphics wise, there is little in it. They both handle 1080P perfectly, and both have high performance graphics chipsets.

At the end of the day it may well boil down to what type of games you like to play. Each console has exclusive titles, so if for example you want to play Forza then you must buy an xbox. I have a 360, had one since just after launch and dont regret it at all.

I've just been watching trailers for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on PS3 and I just don't see the attraction to these games!

Every damned game seems to have guns, killing etc... Bring back Pacman & the 80's retro stuff!

You're still having to pay £37 for access though. PS3 players don't.

Very true, but it's an extremely good service with benefits above just the gaming. I suppose it all comes down to what you want, although I don't actually play online anyway so it's academic to me

Like you Indiana I can't see any attraction in shoot'em ups. Games i'd be into would be racing cars, flight or at a push old school platform games - but mainly the car ones!

Pac-Man

Defender

Arkanoid

Asteroids

Yay!

One thing that puzzles me is that both the XBOX and PS3 have big (100GB ish) built in hard drives - what use can these be put to? Don't you play the games direct off a disc?

You do , but on the PS3 at least you often need to download patches to the console as well or downloadable content such as extra map packs.

You can also buy games online as a complete download which will take up a lot of space , and also use it as a media centre for music and videos.

To be honest, there isn't much between the two consoles these days. If either has exclusives your really interested in, then go for that.

Otherwise, if you only intend to game, get an Xbox, if you are into Multi-media (especially Bluray) as well as games, get a PS3.

Pac-Man

Defender

Arkanoid

Asteroids

Yay!

All available for the XBOX 360 in the XBOX Live Arcade, along with Gauntlet, Joust and a lot more.

All available for the XBOX 360 in the XBOX Live Arcade, along with Gauntlet, Joust and a lot more.

Or you could just run MAME on a PC (or old X-box if you just want vintage stuff)

The virtual console on the Wii also has a lot of gems, albeit mostly console oriented, but the prices are a bit steep considering. I just take the PC/emulator route too, although it has to be said that in the light of current technology the old games really don't hold my attention for that long anymore. Forza 3 or Pole Position.. hmm...

MS is such a nice company: BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft disconnects Xbox gamers

MS is such a nice company: BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft disconnects Xbox gamers

This is not new though, they have been doing it for years. Playing pirate games and modifying the firmware of the console to enable them to be played is in direct violations of the terms of service you agree to when joining xbox live. MS tend to carry out the bans at regular intervals, all that happens is those who are banned go out and buy new consoles with the money saved by playing illegal copies. Dont forget these are only Console bans, the member can still login fine from an unbanned console. The banned console will also still work fine, it just wont connect to live.

If you want to play pirate games then you must have an xbox360. The BDR blank media needed by PS3 games is still more expensive than most games, so at the moment the PS3 is largley immune from piracy.

MS is such a nice company: BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft disconnects Xbox gamers

Erm , what's the problem here?

People chipped their consoles to play pirate games and got caught.

Are MS not supposed to do this for some reason?

The BDR blank media needed by PS3 games is still more expensive than most games, so at the moment the PS3 is largley immune from piracy.

No it isn't.

Dual layer blanks are still over a tenner , but single layer ones are a hell of a lot less.

Blank Media - Blu-Ray Media - Ebuyer

MS is such a nice company: BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft disconnects Xbox gamers

:confused:

Actually, they are nice, they make it so easy to do in the first place and unless you go online, they can't do anything about it.

Tool

BBC - Newsbeat - Xbox gamer 'gutted' after cut off

One Radio 1 listener Raz says he was gutted to be cut off just as he was about to play the new Call of Duty game.

I wasn't expecting it. I was just like, 'OK, what do I do now? Is this just a joke?' So I thought, 'Let me restart the Xbox'. I restarted, signed in again, same message. I did that three times, same message. I was pulling my hair out thinking, 'No, why me?'

It's like telling someone their dog's just died. It was pretty much like that for me. I love it, I love playing Xbox live. I play with my mates all the time. It's just a good laugh, we all sit there chatting, playing games. Now I don't know what to do.

Don't know what to do? Buy a new one you gimp.

:rofl:

Edited 12 November, 200916 yr by daiking