You want an honest, nonfanboy post that posts only facts, upon which a decision is reached? Well here you go, I'll be including Wii in this as well.
To be honest, the company I've bought most is Nintendo. From NES to N64 to Gamecube to Gameboys, I've only missed SNES(friend had) and Wii(friend has). That said, the PS3 IS the best of the three consoles and here is why:
(360/PS3 tie)Controllers. Comfort goes to XBOX, ps3 second. Originality goes to Wii, ps3 second. Playability goes to PS3/360, 360's controller is better feeling on the hands but the button layout just isn't as good as the S controller (which was just slightly better than PS2), which puts it at even or just behind the PS3's layout since PS3 has improved from the PS2 with triggers instead of back buttons.
(PS3)Modifying: PS3 wins. They encourage installing alternate operating systems and dropping in laptop hard drives. Wii to my knowledge has the least(inform me if i'm wrong but thats what i've read)
(PS3/360 draw)Games: Right now my personal preference of games goes to the PS3, however shooter fans like the 360 better for Halo. Overall it looks even at this point. PS3 has a year to make up on 360, and at this point the 360 wasn't anywhere near the PS3's quality of games outside of it's big 2 and the PS3 has Haze(the halo killer if executed well), Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo 5 and theres a ton others that are coming out. Uncharted has amazing graphics, beyond anything I've seen on either system. 360 really only has Halo and Gears of War. Really in the end the games come down to personal preference. In the long haul Final Fantasy will have 2 major games at the very least of PS3 and SquareEnix seems to be making more RPGs for ps3 than any other console, giving PS3 the obvious edge in RPGs. Driving games are mostly cross platform but Gran Turismo vs Project Gotham isn't really a competition, GT is by far the better series. Heck I like ridge racer more than project gotham. As far as action adventure games, God of War is a playstation series, Heavenly Sword is already out for PS3 and most the other good ones once more are cross platform, once more the nod goes to PS3. Shooters has 360 winning with Gears of War and Halo 3 for XBOX and Uncharted for PS3. If Haze executes well though, I could very well see it beating or tying Halo 3 which would pretty much make it a draw there. Even with 360 winning though, the edge goes to PS3 has the other major genres and also strategy and puzzle games covered. According to all reporting sources I've heard the Wii's already weak set of games isn't going to be improved in the next year, which isn't good news.
(Wii)Overall Originality: Without a doubt Wii. The 360 is pretty much an upgraded xbox and the ps3 is a highly upgraded ps2.
(PS3)Online features: PS3. Playstation Network demos provide hours and hours of gameplay all for free. On top of that there are videos (some trailers, some anime, some interviews) of future games and trailers for future. Their message box system is like an instant messenger but better. 360 makes major headway with rankings and the message system works well but the payment part just isn't really worth it unless you have a lot of time. Wii has a bit to go to catch up imo.
(360)Online Play: Currently 360's system of online play combined with the games makes the 360 the big winner here. Halo 3 is the biggest online hit. Once more, if Haze executes, it can really turn this into a personal preference deal and with PS3 being free, it would get the nod. But for now at least the nod goes to 360. Wii's not really worth mention, nothing great for them once more.
(Wii) Cost effectiveness: By far the Wii. Very affordable and very easy to buy. XBOX starts cheaper but after you buy remote and pay the xbox live costs just for backwards compatibility, it becomes apparent that it isn't as cheap as it seems. With the PS3 price cut, they come out even, if not in PS3's favor, but both are behind Wii.
(PS3) Graphics: At this point the games that you can compare between the systems, some are better for ps3 and others are better for 360. For having a year's head start, you would think the 360 would be ahead, instead of just drawing even. In the long run, the ps3 has more potential and things will only go up. The 360 was rushed and wasn't built to the extent the ps3 was. Wii's graphics were never it's selling point and rarely surpass the gamecube's even.
(PS3) Reliability: According to GamePro magazine I believe (i was at the grocery store and it grabbed my attention lol), PS3 has a 0.001% failure rate. 360 has a 33.3% failure rate and Wii is just a bit behind PS3 but they have to replace a lot of controllers/straps. This said, microsoft does fix or replace faulty systems, but it can't be much fun waiting for them to send you your system or have to download and setup everything over multiple times. I'd much rather be playing during that time.
(PS3) Disc: Blu-ray discs hold more than HD-DVD or DVD PS3 and in addition, the ps3 automatically upgrades non HD content to HD for viewing on an HD tv(according to a best buy rep i talked to). HD has special requirements of the 360 which in many cases involves extra purchases. Blu-ray viewing is fully functional and it plays any dvd as well. You get the best of both worlds.
Overall which you pick is personal preference. I chose the PS3 based on it's potential, reliability(my XBOX was my favorite over the ps2, but it failed on me a year ago and microsoft wouldn't replace it and my ps2 is still going, it was two years older at that point too) and games. Heavenly sword was a game that pulled my attention and of course the Final Fantasy games in the future make it an easy decision for me. If Haze is as great as it seems like it will be, it will complete my happiness in the system.
The 360 was rushed to take advantage of being the first next gen system out. The argument that 360 has more unique titles isn't a valid one as PS3 has been out a year less and has many more that are already coming out or have been scheduled(see IGN, which is rumored btw to be paid by Microsoft for good ratings or see Gamespot). 360 will see good profits for a while, but in the long run the PS3 will take advantage of having more titles for their system and more graphics options(whether through more size on the disc or better hardware). Wii can be a lot of fun and can have a good run if they start producing more quality games, if they continue on this pattern of poor games, it will fade like the dreamcast.
Most Facts taken from: Best Buy, Gamestop, gamespot.com, or ign.com
To be honest, the company I've bought most is Nintendo. From NES to N64 to Gamecube to Gameboys, I've only missed SNES(friend had) and Wii(friend has). That said, the PS3 IS the best of the three consoles and here is why:
(360/PS3 tie)Controllers. Comfort goes to XBOX, ps3 second. Originality goes to Wii, ps3 second. Playability goes to PS3/360, 360's controller is better feeling on the hands but the button layout just isn't as good as the S controller (which was just slightly better than PS2), which puts it at even or just behind the PS3's layout since PS3 has improved from the PS2 with triggers instead of back buttons.
(PS3)Modifying: PS3 wins. They encourage installing alternate operating systems and dropping in laptop hard drives. Wii to my knowledge has the least(inform me if i'm wrong but thats what i've read)
(PS3/360 draw)Games: Right now my personal preference of games goes to the PS3, however shooter fans like the 360 better for Halo. Overall it looks even at this point. PS3 has a year to make up on 360, and at this point the 360 wasn't anywhere near the PS3's quality of games outside of it's big 2 and the PS3 has Haze(the halo killer if executed well), Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo 5 and theres a ton others that are coming out. Uncharted has amazing graphics, beyond anything I've seen on either system. 360 really only has Halo and Gears of War. Really in the end the games come down to personal preference. In the long haul Final Fantasy will have 2 major games at the very least of PS3 and SquareEnix seems to be making more RPGs for ps3 than any other console, giving PS3 the obvious edge in RPGs. Driving games are mostly cross platform but Gran Turismo vs Project Gotham isn't really a competition, GT is by far the better series. Heck I like ridge racer more than project gotham. As far as action adventure games, God of War is a playstation series, Heavenly Sword is already out for PS3 and most the other good ones once more are cross platform, once more the nod goes to PS3. Shooters has 360 winning with Gears of War and Halo 3 for XBOX and Uncharted for PS3. If Haze executes well though, I could very well see it beating or tying Halo 3 which would pretty much make it a draw there. Even with 360 winning though, the edge goes to PS3 has the other major genres and also strategy and puzzle games covered. According to all reporting sources I've heard the Wii's already weak set of games isn't going to be improved in the next year, which isn't good news.
(Wii)Overall Originality: Without a doubt Wii. The 360 is pretty much an upgraded xbox and the ps3 is a highly upgraded ps2.
(PS3)Online features: PS3. Playstation Network demos provide hours and hours of gameplay all for free. On top of that there are videos (some trailers, some anime, some interviews) of future games and trailers for future. Their message box system is like an instant messenger but better. 360 makes major headway with rankings and the message system works well but the payment part just isn't really worth it unless you have a lot of time. Wii has a bit to go to catch up imo.
(360)Online Play: Currently 360's system of online play combined with the games makes the 360 the big winner here. Halo 3 is the biggest online hit. Once more, if Haze executes, it can really turn this into a personal preference deal and with PS3 being free, it would get the nod. But for now at least the nod goes to 360. Wii's not really worth mention, nothing great for them once more.
(Wii) Cost effectiveness: By far the Wii. Very affordable and very easy to buy. XBOX starts cheaper but after you buy remote and pay the xbox live costs just for backwards compatibility, it becomes apparent that it isn't as cheap as it seems. With the PS3 price cut, they come out even, if not in PS3's favor, but both are behind Wii.
(PS3) Graphics: At this point the games that you can compare between the systems, some are better for ps3 and others are better for 360. For having a year's head start, you would think the 360 would be ahead, instead of just drawing even. In the long run, the ps3 has more potential and things will only go up. The 360 was rushed and wasn't built to the extent the ps3 was. Wii's graphics were never it's selling point and rarely surpass the gamecube's even.
(PS3) Reliability: According to GamePro magazine I believe (i was at the grocery store and it grabbed my attention lol), PS3 has a 0.001% failure rate. 360 has a 33.3% failure rate and Wii is just a bit behind PS3 but they have to replace a lot of controllers/straps. This said, microsoft does fix or replace faulty systems, but it can't be much fun waiting for them to send you your system or have to download and setup everything over multiple times. I'd much rather be playing during that time.
(PS3) Disc: Blu-ray discs hold more than HD-DVD or DVD PS3 and in addition, the ps3 automatically upgrades non HD content to HD for viewing on an HD tv(according to a best buy rep i talked to). HD has special requirements of the 360 which in many cases involves extra purchases. Blu-ray viewing is fully functional and it plays any dvd as well. You get the best of both worlds.
Overall which you pick is personal preference. I chose the PS3 based on it's potential, reliability(my XBOX was my favorite over the ps2, but it failed on me a year ago and microsoft wouldn't replace it and my ps2 is still going, it was two years older at that point too) and games. Heavenly sword was a game that pulled my attention and of course the Final Fantasy games in the future make it an easy decision for me. If Haze is as great as it seems like it will be, it will complete my happiness in the system.
The 360 was rushed to take advantage of being the first next gen system out. The argument that 360 has more unique titles isn't a valid one as PS3 has been out a year less and has many more that are already coming out or have been scheduled(see IGN, which is rumored btw to be paid by Microsoft for good ratings or see Gamespot). 360 will see good profits for a while, but in the long run the PS3 will take advantage of having more titles for their system and more graphics options(whether through more size on the disc or better hardware). Wii can be a lot of fun and can have a good run if they start producing more quality games, if they continue on this pattern of poor games, it will fade like the dreamcast.
Most Facts taken from: Best Buy, Gamestop, gamespot.com, or ign.com
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