Consoles & Accessories

[Agent3012]

One of the common videogame questions we come across in Twelpforce is which console is better, the Sony PlayStation 3 or Microsoft's Xbox 360. I can say that the definitive winner in this case is the Atari 2600.

Okay, so I’m kidding about the clear winner, but as an owner of both the PS3 and 360, I do have some thoughts on why you might choose one console over the other. Both have their strengths depending on what features are most important to you, so let’s look at where they shine.


Games

Most games released today are available for both systems, so if you’re looking for a difference here, it’s with those titles that are only available on one system or the other.

Playstation 3:

• God of War series
• LittleBigPlanet
• Metal Gear Solid 4
• Ratchet & Clank series
• Resistance series
• More

Xbox 360:

• Halo series
• Gears of War series
• Left 4 Dead
• Fable series
• More

Online Features

The online capabilities of each system are where the true differences between the consoles begin for many gamers. 

Microsoft has an advantage in that they’ve been working on Xbox Live since its initial 2002 release on the original Xbox console.   Many Live features are free to all owners, such as the ability to purchase games, videos and other content such as free demos via the Live Marketplace.  However, some of the more interesting features of Live, such as online multiplayer game play or Netflix streaming movies, require an ongoing subscription that costs about $49.99 for a year.

The Sony PlayStation Network, on the other hand, is free to all PS3 owners.  The downside is that the PSN is a younger product, having launched in November of 2006.  While the number of online features and multiplayer support isn’t as robust as Microsoft’s, Sony has been pushing development of the PSN with a number of unique features, such as PlayStation Home.


Movies

It’s clear that both Microsoft and Sony want their game consoles to become a central hub for video entertainment, though they approach that goal in wildly different ways.

Sony created the PlayStation 3 as a showcase for the newer Blu-ray video disc format, which means that every house with a PS3 is also a house with a pretty decent and feature-filled Blu-ray video player as well.  Although Blu-ray video player prices are dropping rapidly, there’s a lot to be said for the $299.99 price point of the PS3 slim getting you not only a gaming console, but an HD BD player on top of it.

Microsoft, on the other hand, believes strongly in the idea of digital downloads in increasingly broadband accessible markets.  The Live Marketplace has a large library of HD and SD movies and television shows available for rental or purchase to be downloaded through a high-speed Internet connection and played on the Xbox itself.  If you have a Netflix account and a paid Gold Xbox Live account, you can watch most Netflix Watch Instantly library titles right on your 360.

The ability to watch Netflix videos is great if you have cable or DSL broadband Internet and can find something to watch in the limited online library currently available.  On the other hand, for those without high-speed Internet, or who would rather pay for a physical disc, the Blu-ray option may be a better choice.


Accessories

For the most part, both systems have a similar number of accessories, including additional controllers like steering wheels and the like. 

One interesting feature of the PlayStation accessories is that they use Bluetooth technology to connect to the console, allowing a number of advantages in performance.  The downside is that the PlayStation console does not allow the use of a standard universal remote control without an additional infrared controller for video playback.  Another interesting feature available only to the PS3 is the ability to interact wirelessly with a Sony PSP portable.

Microsoft controllers have another advantage in that they have removable batteries.  This can reduce charging time if multiple batteries are purchased, though controller docking stations are available for both systems to allow charging when not in use.


Hardware Reliability

It's not really fair to talk about the PlayStation 3 versus the Xbox 360 without addressing one of Microsoft’s more well-publicized issues: the infamous Red Ring of Death.  It's hard not to go through a gaming forum without at least one reference to articles on a higher failure rate for Xbox 360s due to hardware issues.

Yet, even with the greater failure rates, the Xbox continues to sell well.  Part of the reason for this is that Microsoft has acknowledged the problem by extending the normal hardware warranty for RROD issues to 3 years.  There have also been a number of design upgrades over the release lifespan presumably to reduce hardware issues. 

Of course, regardless of whether you choose to go with an Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3, we always recommend looking into our Geek Squad Black Tie Protection so you're covered either way.


Conclusion

There's a lot to go through when looking at either console system, so let me try and sum up everything above:

If you're interested in online multiplayer games, find yourself interested in the Netflix streaming video option, or just want a gaming library that includes titles like the Halo or Gears of War series, the Xbox Box 360 may be for you.

If you're looking for a Blu-ray player, don't find online multiplayer games all that compelling, have a Sony PSP already, or just want a gaming library that includes games like Gears of War or LittleBigPlanet, then a PlayStation 3 may be for you.

If you want the best looking vintage 1970s gaming experience available via online auction sites, designed around minimalist graphics, with a game library that includes titles like Combat or Asteroids, then an Atari 2600 may be for you.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

Dude. I have TWO orignal Atari's.

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

Recheck your last comment on the PS3, Gears of War are for Xbox 360 not PS3.  And thanks for the list that will come in handy.

[HonestGamer]

Hi Agent3012, I think you left off a couple of things:

I don't think that the xbox service will compare with an actual  Blu-ray movie will it? Blu-ray delivers 1080p HD and also will support 7.1 digital surround sound. Does the xbox download movie? Also, PS2 will support standard DVD and will automatically upgrade its picture to HD too. I'll take a look at Bestbuy.com, but I think stand alone Blu-ray players sell for a couple hundred $$, right? So there's a big bonus it you're a gamer AND like HD movies.

All PS3's come with built in wi-fi. To add wi-fi to an xbox, it costs about $100 to buy a accessory, right?

What % of xbox's have a rrod? I read over 50%. How long does it take to get a replacement?

Just confirming; to play any games on line, it is free with the PlayStation 3. To play games on-line with xbox, you need to pay $50 per year, correct?

PS3 DS3 controllers come built with rechargeable, lithium batteries. To get a recharge pack for an xbox controller, you need to buy a $25 kit, right? So, you don't need to buy any batteries at all for PS3.

Blu-ray games for PS3 can have up to 50GB of data. The biggest a game can be on xbox is 9GB right? So, many games are only possible on PS3.

With remote play, you can access your PS3 with your PSP, and even play games! That's only possible on PlayStation 3 too!

Just trying to tell this story from the value, reliability, great games, and real HD side. I don't think it's hard to check most of the boxes on the PS3 column.

[Agent3012]

mstng87gt: 

You are absolutely correct, the PS3 statement in the Conclusion should read:

If you're looking for a Blu-ray player, don't find online multiplayer games all that compelling, have a Sony PSP already, or just want a gaming library that includes games like God of War 3 or LittleBigPlanet, then a PlayStation 3 may be for you.

Sorry for the confusion, Gears of War is not available on the Playstation 3.

HonestGamer:

You are correct, there are more features for both systems that I didn't get to in the original post.  I encourage everyone to add their own reasons for going with one system or the other here.

[HonestGamer]

Or, even if you do find on-line games compelling, they are free to play on PS3.

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

Honest

One problem I have with the PS3 is the remote and the included rechargeable battery.  When the battery no longer takes a charge that's it go spend another $54 on another remote.  The 360 just spend $25 on a battery or use double AA's for about $3 a battery if your buy the 36 pack.   Sony is not even giving you a choice.  So far I don't find the graphics as good on the PS3 as they are on the 360 and the controller is easier to use on the 360.  Just some other things to point out.

[itsnickj]

mstng87gt:

how often does a controller decide not to take a charge? probably a lot less often then when batteries die. Plus you say the graphics on ps3 are worse than 360, the ps3 has a bigger grapics card in it and its processor system is set up to multi task rather than focus on one thing, unlike the 360.

[mstng87gt Trusted Contributor]

I don't know how long the batteries last as I have only owned it about a month.  My 360  remote on Energizer batteries lasted 5 months before they needed to be replaced.   I wound up getting a recharge station with 2 batteries for $20 from Best Buy.  Atleast I have the option of replacing the batteries unlike the PS3. That is my problem with Sony.  You would have to buy a new $50 remote were as the 360 just spend either $20 or whatever 2 alkaline cost.

[bluedoggy1]

id like to comment on the original post.

i dont rly see why having a removable rechargable battery is a PLUS because with the PS3 controllers you can just connect them via usb chord AND still use them at the same time, furthermore you need NOT buy spare rechargable batteries.

also you can pay a ONE-TIME fee of around $19.99 at the moment to purchase a playon license to be able to stream Netflix on your PS3 which is superior to paying $49.99 a year on the xbox live membership. not to mention you need to purchase a $99.99 wifi adapter for the xbox 360 in order to simply access xbox live if its not near a router.