Topic: I'm thinking of getting either a PS3 or Xbox360...

[TJ Spyke]

My decision boiled down to reliability.  The PS3 has no Red Ring of Death so that's why I picked it.  Ten years ago if you told me I would pick a SONY console because it's more reliable I would have laughed at the thought.  Funny how things go.

Being the Japanese console, and with me being more interested in Japanese games than American ones, I figured the PS3 would be better for attracting Japanese developers.  Honestly most of the game I was, and am interested in, are multiplatform.  I just needed some other console besides a Wii to get access to them.  Though so far one of my favourite purchases has been LittleBigPlanet which is a PS3 exclusive.  Sony actually has a really strong first party lineup right now.

But the two consoles are so similar that I think you'll be content with either decision.  Either way there will be something you miss out on but you want something to compliment the Wii and either console will accomplish that.

The RRoD has been taken care of, the Xbox 360 is pretty reliable now. If you don't care about system exclusives, I would recommend a Xbox 360 because the controller is vastly superior.

[broodwars]

My decision boiled down to reliability.  The PS3 has no Red Ring of Death so that's why I picked it.  Ten years ago if you told me I would pick a SONY console because it's more reliable I would have laughed at the thought.  Funny how things go.

Being the Japanese console, and with me being more interested in Japanese games than American ones, I figured the PS3 would be better for attracting Japanese developers.  Honestly most of the game I was, and am interested in, are multiplatform.  I just needed some other console besides a Wii to get access to them.  Though so far one of my favourite purchases has been LittleBigPlanet which is a PS3 exclusive.  Sony actually has a really strong first party lineup right now.

But the two consoles are so similar that I think you'll be content with either decision.  Either way there will be something you miss out on but you want something to compliment the Wii and either console will accomplish that.

The RRoD has been taken care of, the Xbox 360 is pretty reliable now. If you don't care about system exclusives, I would recommend a Xbox 360 because the controller is vastly superior.

Considering I'm still reading complaints from 360 owners about their consoles Red Ringing, even after their 2nd or 3rd time sending the machine in to be repaired/replaced, I'd say the problem has not been taken care of.  Let's say for the moment that it actually was, though.  Why on Earth should anyone believe Microsoft's claims that they've fixed it, given that it wasn't the last couple of times they said they fixed the problem?

That's the big problem with the 360: Microsoft released a POS right out of the gate, and now they have a major PR perception that I don' t know if they'll ever shake that they make defective consoles.  I  want to buy a 360 for a handful of exclusives (Tales of Vesperia [the PS3 version isn't being localized], Alan Wake, the two Mass Effects, and a handful of XBLA games), but I don't want to go through the Russian Roulette that is the 360's hardware failure rate.

[MysticGohan]

Yeah, that seems to be a big issue with xboxes and I don't want to go through that, Are there any good exclusives out or coming for ps3.

[ShyGuy]

I bet the Xbox 360 slim is announced at E3

[MysticGohan]

I don't think you can make an Xbox slim :p

[NWR_insanolord]

They're going to make it so Natal is built-in, so not only won't it be slim, it'll be even bigger than before.

[BlackNMild2k1]

They're going to make it so Natal is built-in, so not only won't it be slim, it'll be even bigger than before.

That would be kinda ridiculous since I'm sure alot of people don't have the room to put an entire Xbox under their TV where the camera can see them.

[MysticGohan]

lol makes sense!

[NWR_insanolord]

They're going to make it so Natal is built-in, so not only won't it be slim, it'll be even bigger than before.

That would be kinda ridiculous since I'm sure alot of people don't have the room to put an entire Xbox under their TV where the camera can see them.

They've accounted for that; it's going to be so big that you set your TV on top of it and it replaces your entertainment center.

[Spak-Spang]

I have the hardest time thinking about buying a new system this late in the generation.  To me you have 2 more years of new games and the old games.  Is that worth it yeah, maybe...but at the same time the next generation is so close...it is a hard sell for me, because I have limited funds in general.

[MysticGohan]

who knows when the next gen will row out, seems rather pointless to come out with new controls and then a new system that'll just eat each other, I'd say it'll be another year or two, depends.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm not sure we're that close to a new generation. It's in both Sony's and Microsofts best interests to keep this one going as long as they can, because launching new platforms would mean them losing money for a while, whereas right now they're both profitable. Nintendo launching new hardware might force them to upgrade, but the Wii's sales are far too good right now for Nintendo to be moving on, especially with the 3DS coming soon; I doubt they want to launch two systems that close to each other.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I'm predicting that this is the last big Xmas for Wii and something new will be introduced next year.

Analyst agree.

They're going to make it so Natal is built-in, so not only won't it be slim, it'll be even bigger than before.

That would be kinda ridiculous since I'm sure alot of people don't have the room to put an entire Xbox under their TV where the camera can see them.

They've accounted for that; it's going to be so big that you set your TV on top of it and it replaces your entertainment center.

I hope it has a built in game rack and a place to put my cable box and my Wii.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm predicting that this is the last big Xmas for Wii and something new will be introduced next year.

Analyst agree.

I don't necessarily disagree with this statement, but, considering what analysts have predicted in the past, using them to back up your argument is akin to quoting sales numbers from VGChartz.

[BlackNMild2k1]

But no one can prove me wrong..... yet
that's the biggest difference.

And some Analyst don't just blindly throw darts, some are reasonable with their predictions and base them in reality. You don't hear much about those guys because there is no controversy.

[MysticGohan]

We could make one

[Spak-Spang]

I said within 2 years.  I can see 2012 being the year of new hardware...and I can actually see new hardware releasing potentially before 2012 Christmas.  I actually think March or April would be a good time to launch a new system.  Yes, it would not have the Christmas hype, but if you had 8-9 months lead time on sales to build hype and get more games to people before the big Christmas hype that could be good.

And yes, Wii sales are still good, but they are going to start dropping off, and it would be a good idea to ready a new console sooner since Nintendo could use its momentum rather than losing it potentially to aging hardware and Sony and Microsoft.

[Ian Sane]

Are there any good exclusives out or coming for ps3.

Sony has the following big first party titles:
Resistance 1 & 2
Uncharted 1 & 2
Killzone 2
God of War 3
LittleBigPlanet
Ratchet & Clank: Future (2 games)
Infamous
ModNation Racers
 
With third party titles there is less to pick from but Valkria Chronicles and Metal Gear Solid 4 are two major exclusives.  For PS3 exclusives you're mostly looking at first party titles.
 
Regarding next gen I think Sony and MS would be stupid to go up another level when they overreached to begin with.  They should let their motion control be their next gen.  Nintendo needs to match the hardware of their competitors with a Wii 2 at some point but I doubt they would top it.  Sony and MS do not have to worry about Nintendo gaining a hardware advantage with a new console.  I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo cheaped out and didn't even match the PS3.

[BlackNMild2k1]

You also forgot Demon's Soul

That is one game I wanted to play on PS3.

[broodwars]

You also forgot Demon's Soul

That is one game I wanted to play on PS3.

I really don't understand the hype with that game.  Seemingly everything about it reeks of what I hate in RPGs games in general, especially the difficulty.
 
From Ian's list, I'd probably remove the first Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet.  Both are merely average experiences, one has a dramatically better sequel that doesn't require playing the first game, and the other is looking to get an ambitious sequel.  I'm also not that fond of the first Ratchet & Clank Future game or Infamous, though in the later's case that's probably my low tolerance for Open World games.
 
I definitely second the recommendation for Valkyria Chronicles, though.  And although it's not an exclusive and I know it's an odd pick, I recommend the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark (which is the only version that isn't a POS) for a fun sub-8 hour romp.

[MysticGohan]

Sounds good, I like Metal Gear, How does MGS4 fair? And is Blu ray a big leap from dvd? Just curious if there was a notable difference.

And what is Demon's Soul about?

[broodwars]

Sounds good, I like Metal Gear, How does MGS4 fair? And is Blu ray a big leap from dvd? Just curious if there was a notable difference.

And what is Demon's Soul about?

Couldn't comment on Metal Gear.  I've only played Twin Snakes, I didn't particularly like it, and what I played of the MGS4 demo wasn't promising.  It has its fans, though.
 
As for Blu Ray, yes it is a big step up from DVD in terms of gaming.  Just case in point, observe the Final Fantasy XIII versions: 1 Blu Ray disc for PS3, 3 DVDs for 360 and the 360 version looks noticeably inferior (though to be fair, Square-Enix supposedly used sub-par coding for the 360 version).  As for movies and whatnot, your mileage will vary.  To me, what looks the best on Blu Ray is animation, which looks gorgeous on the format due to the richer colors.  CG animation in particular benefits because you also don't have compression artifacts.  The recent Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 1 and Fullmetal Alchemist - Part 1 Blu Ray sets look stunning, for example.  I pretty much don't buy animation DVDs anymore, sticking to Blu Ray.  For Live Action stuff, there is a difference but it's not incredibly noticeable unless you're a videophile. 
 
And of course even Blu Ray can't help a series or movie if the source material hasn't been kept in good shape and cleaned up for the format.

[Ian Sane]

Sounds good, I like Metal Gear, How does MGS4 fair?

Fun to play but has a stupid and embarassing story that interupts the gameplay every five minutes.  So typical Metal Gear Solid.   If you enjoyed the other three games then you'll enjoy MGS4.  As dumb as the story is, it ties up numerous loose ends, references all the other games and provides a clear end to the saga.  And its flaws are all things that if they bothered you, you would have given up on Metal Gear Solid long ago.  I question why the people who complain about the cutscenes being too long are playing a Metal Gear Solid game in the first place.  It has too many references to the other games though to be worth playing if you have not beaten the other three.  You'll be lost if you're not familiar with the material.
 
Someone who is knowledgable of the subject should list which version of notable third party games is considered superior and why.  broodwars pretty much stated that the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII is the one to get.  So how about this for other titles?

[MysticGohan]

Right, sounds really good. I really like animation movie/Anime and etc.

Heh, the less discs I have to change out, the better.

I wish Capcom would come out with a new Breath of Fire game, it's been awhile, I-III were my favorites, especially II.

[MysticGohan]

Sounds good, I like Metal Gear, How does MGS4 fair?

Fun to play but has a stupid and embarassing story that interupts the gameplay every five minutes.  So typical Metal Gear Solid.   If you enjoyed the other three games then you'll enjoy MGS4.  As dumb as the story is, it ties up numerous loose ends, references all the other games and provides a clear end to the saga.  And its flaws are all things that if they bothered you, you would have given up on Metal Gear Solid long ago.  I question why the people who complain about the cutscenes being too long are playing a Metal Gear Solid game in the first place.  It has too many references to the other games though to be worth playing if you have not beaten the other three.  You'll be lost if you're not familiar with the material.
 
Someone who is knowledgable of the subject should list which version of notable third party games is considered superior and why.  broodwars pretty much stated that the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII is the one to get.  So how about this for other titles?

Agreed! I liked to know what other titles are better on PS3, I'm thinking of getting that, sounds like the better bet of the 2. I'm looking forward to Zelda Wii and what goodies for PS3, I just hope the motion whatever it's called doesn't continue to look like a dildo :p