So You Want to Buy a Console

[cheezMcNASTY]

So You Want to Buy a Console

I'm making this just as a guide for people who are considering buying an XBOX 360, a Playstation 3, or a Nintendo Wii. I had to know this stuff for my days working at gamestop. If you have a pro or con you think would benefit the list, please post it so I can have a look?
heregoes

Microsoft XBOX 360
$120-300 USD
Pros

• Best broad game selection (generally ages 13+)
• Reasonably priced
• Best online connection
• Competes for best graphics
• GREAT customer service
• Longest warranty (3 years)

Cons

• Online requires paid subscription
• Almost guarenteed to break before warranty expires (though can usually be fixed for free)
• If moved while playing, game could be damaged beyond repair
• Plays many original xbox games, but not all

Overall: The system that looks the best, but has a greater than 33.33% chance of breaking from the moment it's built. This is redeemed by the most common errors usually being fixed free of charge.

Sony Playstation 3

Pros

• Competes with XBOX for best graphics
• Best system hardware-wise
• Online is free
• Blue-Ray player built in

Cons

• In general the most expensive
• Bad customer service
• Does not play many Playstation 2 games, and zero Playstation 1 games

Overall: Mostly geared towards the most mature audiences, the ps3 offers the most 'under the hood' but a lot can go wrong and Sony will rarely pay for it.

Nintendo Wii

Price: $199.99

Pros:

• Best console for younger audiences
• Runs almost entirely on motion sensor
• Relatively cheap
• Very extensive online marketplace (mostly nintendo games for download)
• Durable console that is the hardest to break of the 3
• Plays all Gamecube games, older titles can be downloaded and played
• Online Play is free

Cons:

• Has little to offer to mature audiences
• Lowest quality graphics
• Controllers must be bought in two parts
• Very few 3rd party games

Overall: A fun console regardless of your age, but is made to appeal to the more 'casual gamers'. If you prefer late nights of matchmaking this is not the console for you.

 

[Aions]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

wii does not have a lot of 3rd party games for the hard core
the only ones i can think of are

no more heroes 1-2
metriod other m
mad world
Muramasa: The Demon Blade


all others are like mini games or for casual play

 

[Tyloric]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

You didn't do very much research. o-o

 

[Evan]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

^Well what would you like to add. He said from the start to post more pros and cons. I think his research was fine and to the point. It was a brief overview of the three consoles and included enough pros and cons to make an informed decision on which to purchase. Good job Cheese

 

[Evan]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

I'd like to add something to the con list of PS3. the controllers are bull****

 

[Tsuyu]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

The PS3 and 360 are on equal terms when it comes down to graphics. Most of the times it depends on the game you're running if it looks better on the 360 or PS3. There is no set rule.

 

[Gikoku]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

You didn't do very much research. o-o

My thoughts exactly. Back to the ol' drawing board, Cheezy.

PS3: All PS3s play PS1 games, only the 20GB, 60GB, and 80GB (4 USBs) play PS2 games. The 4-USB 80GB models play 70% of the PS2 library, but the software emulation isn't perfect as a good portion of the games suffer from graphical glitches.

Breaks easily? :ninja: Compared to the Xbox 360, I want proof of this.

Xbox 360: mid-range graphics ? It's still neck & neck with the PS3 with the exception of Uncharted 2 & FFXIII

Wii: Very few 3rd party titles. Cheez, 80% of Wii's library is nothing but 3rd party shovelware.

You really have to fix your post, McNasty.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

**through trying to edit and catch some replies i missed, like an idiot, i double posted.**

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

My thoughts exactly. Back to the ol' drawing board, Cheezy.

PS3: All PS3s play PS1 games, only the 20GB, 60GB, and 80GB (4 USBs) play PS2 games. The 4-USB 80GB models play 70% of the PS2 library, but the software emulation isn't perfect as a good portion of the games suffer from graphical glitches.

extremely useful! thanks scott

Breaks easily? :ninja: Compared to the Xbox 360, I want proof of this.

Xbox 360: mid-range graphics ? It's still neck & neck with the PS3 with the exception of Uncharted 2 & FFXIII

I phrased it wrong, that was my error. I probably should have used "delicate" instead. PS3s are not known for their portability.

Wii: Very few 3rd party titles. Cheez, 80% of Wii's library is nothing but 3rd party shovelware.

Again, my error. I should have researched before adding Aions suggestion.
But now that I'm thinking about it again I'm not sure the amount of 3rd party games is of much help when considering buying the console. The targeted age group may be sufficient, though please tell me if you think that is a mistake.

You didn't do very much research. o-o

correct you are. the info i started with is what we are expected to tell a customer who is considering buying a console. part of this was my hoping to see what vital information a gamestop clerk can leave out.

The PS3 and 360 are on equal terms when it comes down to graphics. Most of the times it depends on the game you're running if it looks better on the 360 or PS3. There is no set rule.

this is interesting, because after reading it i did some research and found a gamespot article claiming that most cross-platform games have better graphics on the xbox (mostly from lack of trying to improve it for the ps3).

your suggestion has been added, good sir!

I'd like to add something to the con list of PS3. the controllers are bull****

what problems are you referring to? i tried researching and couldn't find much.
if they are unreliable that would be a vital addition, as they have a rechargeable battery built in which can't be changed by the owner if something goes wrong with it...

You really have to fix your post, McNasty.

i was planning on it from the start
thanks everyone for the helpful comments, i will begin to amend the original post as soon as i click 'submit reply'

keep the good info coming, i really appreciate the help everybody.
<3

 

[Aions]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

play station move is coming and same with project NATAL for the 360

 

[goatfeasters]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

XBOX 360, hands down. I prolly only like it more than the PS3 cause I'm too lazy to learn the PS3's controls, but, hey, I'm a lazy man.

 

[Steve]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

Nice write-up. However, one alternative: PC. After sampling modern gaming on a fast rig, I'm finding it hella' hard to go back to console gaming. I can't think of any games I'll be buying for consoles outside of exclusives such as Gears of War 3, Halo: Reach, maybe Alan Wake...

As far as consoles go, though, 360 all the way. Just a damn shame that multiplayer gaming on XBL is a bit pants IMO. Also, all this motion control junk such as "Natal" and "Move" just further help turn me away from console gaming.

 

[Angel]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

Here's my quick guide:

PS3 - if you want an over-priced placemat, this is the console for you

XBOX 360 - if you want to be ripped off by Microsoft in ways you only imagined in your nightmares, buy this one

Wii - if you're aged under 12 or over 40 - go nuts.

I think that's a very balanced and objective guide. I'm so awesome...

 

[Azer249]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

Here's my quick guide:

PS3 - if you want an over-priced placemat, this is the console for you

XBOX 360 - if you want to be ripped off by Microsoft in ways you only imagined in your nightmares, buy this one

Wii - if you're aged under 12 or over 40 - go nuts.

I think that's a very balanced and objective guide. I'm so awesome...

EHHE! awsome just awsome and then theres a PC coustom build 6gb of ram = pure ownage

 

[Arseface]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

Cool, now do a SNES vs Genesis one :w00t:

 

[Gikoku]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

Cool, now do a SNES vs Genesis one :w00t:

The console that gained the invincibility token, fling it across the room and it'll still work.

 

[Fenrir]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

^ Lies! When I flung my Genisis across the room something broke and it didnt work any more.

 

[underdogwill]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

xbox cons
they charge you for everything

wii cons
bad games and graphics

ps3 cons
bad gaming experience

 

[Wonderfoole WINO]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

XBOX 360 and PS3 cons
Fanboys of either one will never STFU and owning both is almost blasphemy.

I'd like to get a PS3 but I just don't have an arm or leg to spare right now, and PS3 does not have very many exclusives that interest me. Free online is a major selling point for me though. I'd game on PC if mine wasn't such a piece of kit. I'm not interested in a Wii at all.

 

[Tsuyu]

Re: So You Want to Buy a Console

XBOX 360 and PS3 cons
Fanboys of either one will never STFU and owning both is almost blasphemy.

I'd like to get a PS3 but I just don't have an arm or leg to spare right now, and PS3 does not have very many exclusives that interest me. Free online is a major selling point for me though. I'd game on PC if mine wasn't such a piece of kit. I'm not interested in a Wii at all.

A year of XboxLIVE costs the same as two monthly fees of a MMORPG.

It is nothing, considering all the games you can play.