New to online gaming your views please...

[daveeboi]

I have just had my broadband connection fitted and I am looking to purchase a console to play some online games with friends. I would like to hear any views on which console I should buy and which games are the most popular at this present time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Triffid]

Well i would get a XBox 360, it has a good online gaming system (you have to pay a subscription though) and plenty of games to play with your friends.
Call of Duty 4 is a great multiplayer game, can be frustrating if you have just started playing it as there are soo many good players out there and you will be spending most your time dead on the ground.
Can't think of any other games off the top of my head. Look into getting a 360.

 

[wiileg3nd]

If you have a good enough PC just use that money to buy games.

If you are looking for a large community buy a 360.

If you are looking for a more mature, smaller, but free community, get a Ps3.

If you are not a hardcore gamer, get a wii, or if you don't mind bad graphics. Wii has free online, and the games are improving.

 

[Spartan Erik]

A 360 if you're a hardcore gamer, love first person shooters, and are willing to shell out $50 a year for a GREAT multiplayer experience.

Wiileg3nd is pretty accurate in his description as well.

 

[kkenny]

Here is my view of it.

If your looking for good family games, or party games, or just want to have casual non hard core (most of the time games) and don't want to shell out any money, then get the Wii, although I recommend you have WiFi at your house, or buy the LAN adapter ;P

If you are looking for pretty organized online gaming, willing to spend money to play online each month for one of the greatest communites for the console, go get the Xbox 360, it's totally worth each bang for buck, because their community is great. The only problem is getting used to their console (it's a little confusing at first, but it gets easier as you go along) the GUI or the system it uses is pretty cool too, a plus if you use msn chat/listen to music and play videos.

I don't know much about the PS3, although it is pretty expensive and their isn't really much of an online community... hopefully their will be something coming out soon, but comparing sony to microsoft, they cant pull any big guns out... yet.

 

[wiileg3nd]

Ps3 isn't expensive anymore, well at least in Canada. No one bought it so the price is equivalent to the 360.

 

[noerrorsfound]

Ps3 isn't expensive anymore, well at least in Canada. No one bought it so the price is equivalent to the 360.

Seems similar here (cheapest versions of each console I saw):
Xbox 360: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Cons..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1210886058&sr=1-1 $349.99
PS3: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98007-Pl..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1210886028&sr=8-1 $399.99
Between the two, I'd get the PS3 due to it having a larger hard drive, more powerful hardware, free online service, and capability to easily run Linux. I recall someone saying it was actually a menu option to "Install Other OS" but I'm not sure if that's true. You can install Linux on the Xbox 360 but it seems a little more complicated: http://www.free60.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

[wiileg3nd]

sweet wow LINUX ! LOL i never knew that, that's amazing.

 

[golden1]

Yes, it is more complicated than that but there are step by step tutorials on the net to show you how it's done. From memory - You need to have a certain game in order to save something (downloaded files) in the memory which will then be used to boot and then allow you to install linux. I could never get a hold of the game myself, so I just gave up. I think it was mechassault or metalassault - not sure which version.

 

[Spartan Erik]

Seems similar here (cheapest versions of each console I saw):
Xbox 360: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Cons..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1210886058&sr=1-1 $349.99
PS3: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-98007-Pl..._1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1210886028&sr=8-1 $399.99
Between the two, I'd get the PS3 due to it having a larger hard drive, more powerful hardware, free online service, and capability to easily run Linux. I recall someone saying it was actually a menu option to "Install Other OS" but I'm not sure if that's true. You can install Linux on the Xbox 360 but it seems a little more complicated: http://www.free60.org/wiki/Main_Page

Yes there is an option to "install other OS". I'm currently trying to sell my PS3 so I haven't bothered experimenting with a new OS. The hardware on the PS3 is great statistically, but whenever I'm using it I am bored to death by the massive loading times. For such a high end console, it is extremely bulky and slow. I'm sticking to the 360. Paying for great multiplayer is definitely worth it.

 

[Clinton]

Anything but Wii. Don't let anyone tell you that the PS3 doesn't have a competent online component. While it may not be as robust as the 360's features, it's free.

I own both and recently canned my Live gold account. I can't be bothered to spend money on something I don't use much of.

Either way you're good with a PS3 or 360.

 

[imaran]

Installing Linux or Windows on a PS3 is simple. you put in the disc and install like you would on a computer once you go to Install other OS. Really easy, the person who posted above must have been talking about a ps2 or xbox/xbox360.

As for which to buy, I suggest the PS3, especially if you don't have much money. The 360 has a $50 a year subscription for online play, so after 2 years you'll have paid more than the ps3's cost. The ps3's online play is free and really simple. It works great, it just doesn't have as many features as the 360. If you have the money and all you plan to do is play online, get a 360. Otherwise get a PS3.

If you're in it for games, get a PS3. Really has the best quality selection and upcoming selection. 360 has more games but only a couple quality ones. The best games for the most part are for both consoles so it's not really a big deal.

The PS3 has more game+media features overall (outside of in the online aspect) and it plays Blu-Ray movies (it's as cheap as any other blu-ray player or cheaper for the most part). It also has a .01% fail rate compared to the 33% or so for the 360 (and yes that statistic was found after the red ring of death thing was "fixed."(Electronic Gamer Monthly))