AAAAAAHH!!!! I seriously can't decide which format to standardize on!

[Wolfpup]

This is getting nuts-I seriously can't decide whether to standardize on the Xbox or Playstation. There are like at least a half dozen or more games I'm buying soon, and I don't know which format to get them for!

This is really random, and I'm pretty much expecting weird rude comments from this forum, but I've been surprised some times, so just SHUT UP if you have nothing nice to say :)

Okay, my list:

Xbox:
-Super loud-this alone would have me just getting PS3 format stuff, but it's apparently getting fixed with the firmware update next month
-Terrible d-pad. Not so good for RPGs and Street Fighter 4...
-Still somewhat questionable reliability (although my Falcon's okay so far, though I don't put THAT much time into any individual system.
+More exclusives I care about, though I do want stuff like Infamous

Playstation:
-no real wired pad, and wireless pads have lame sealed battery
-Sony dosen't care about backwards compatibility anymore
-Not sure if download/activation service lets you move content an unlimited number of times, as you sort of can on 360 (once per year)

I probably wouldn't have bought a PS3-at least not yet-if I'd known Sony was ditching backwards compatibility and Microsoft was (hopefully) addressing the noise issues, and getting Final Fantasy 13 (though it remains to be seen if the port's any good).

Oh well, I'll never decide at this rate. The thing is, game-wise I think I could get by with just a 360, but not just a PS3, so that sort of makes me think I should go 360. But geez that thing is loud and has a terrible d-pad...for now.

[GuardianE]

I don't think standardizing is the right way to go about it right now.

These decisions really need to be a game by game basis and it's not even as clear cut as you've outlined it in your post. Other factors like Downloadable Content, Online Play, Achievements/Trophies, Future Support/Patches, and Load Times all should play a factor. Then it becomes prioritization. You're going to have to give up something to have something else, as there is rarely a straight up better version (although The Orange Box slaps me in the back of the head for saying that).

It really comes down to what's more important to you. Given a choice of extra DLC or faster load times, which would you pick? Given a choice of terrible d-pad vs. less reliable online play, which would you pick?

Microsoft is planning on making a better d-pad for their controllers and I don't really see why Sony's abandonment of backwards compatibility should bother you. If you already have a backwards compatible system, they can't UN-backwards compatible it. I find that complaint kind of moot.

[emeraldgsl]

Go with Xbox 360 for games....I also have both systems. The games are pretty much the same when available for both formats, but the community aspect is where the real difference is. (1)You'll get updates sooner from MS than Sony (2)MS Live servers are more reliable than Sony servers (3) Joining your friends online and accessing them is easier (4) achievements for everygame since launch if your into that.

Dont get me wrong, I like my PS3 but prefer my 360 any day over it. The PS3 still feels like a 1-2 player console. The 360 feels like an open multiplayer experience.

[Wolfpup]

These decisions really need to be a game by game basis and it's not even as clear cut as you've outlined it in your post. Other factors like Downloadable Content, Online Play, Achievements/Trophies, Future Support/Patches, and Load Times all should play a factor. Then it becomes prioritization. You're going to have to give up something to have something else, as there is rarely a straight up better version (although The Orange Box slaps me in the back of the head for saying that).

It really comes down to what's more important to you. Given a choice of extra DLC or faster load times, which would you pick? Given a choice of terrible d-pad vs. less reliable online play, which would you pick?

Microsoft is planning on making a better d-pad for their controllers and I don't really see why Sony's abandonment of backwards compatibility should bother you. If you already have a backwards compatible system, they can't UN-backwards compatible it. I find that complaint kind of moot.

I hope Microsoft does fix their d-pad, but what I've heard is it'll just be some special controller released in Japan and Europe :(

I don't really care about online. The PS3 is better for me for that as at least I can dabble with it, but that's not enough to keep me from standardizing on the 360. Don't care about, and kind of dislike achievements/trophies and the like.

The backwards compatibility thing comes down to it being fairly useless if future systems don't have it. I'll have to buy spare PS2s even despite my current PS3 having it. So if I have to own those anyway, I no longer need a PS3 just for backwards compatibility.

(And honestly, I doubt I would have standardized on the PS2 if not for backwards compatibility.)

[Wolfpup]

Go with Xbox 360 for games....I also have both systems. The games are pretty much the same when available for both formats, but the community aspect is where the real difference is. (1)You'll get updates sooner from MS than Sony (2)MS Live servers are more reliable than Sony servers (3) Joining your friends online and accessing them is easier (4) achievements for everygame since launch if your into that.

Dont get me wrong, I like my PS3 but prefer my 360 any day over it. The PS3 still feels like a 1-2 player console. The 360 feels like an open multiplayer experience.

Yeah, no I might feel like that but I don't care about online gaming, so the PS3 is better for me in that regard (but not enough to standardize on it...though it has occurred to me I'd actually be able to mess with Little Big Planet if I bought that, unlike with online 360 stuff).

[Dr Mario Kart]

Its to your advantage to continue to be undecided. The prices will continue to come down in the interim.

[GuardianE]

The backwards compatibility thing comes down to it being fairly useless if future systems don't have it. I'll have to buy spare PS2s even despite my current PS3 having it. So if I have to own those anyway, I no longer need a PS3 just for backwards compatibility.

(And honestly, I doubt I would have standardized on the PS2 if not for backwards compatibility.)

I don't think I understand what you're saying. If future systems don't have backwards compatibility, who cares? You still have it. Why would you have to buy a PS2, as your current console will have it? If you have the 80GB PS3, my understanding is that the emulation will still run new release PS2 games, there's just that percentage that won't run.

Again, why standardize? I don't really see a point unless you're hurting for money and need to sell a system quick.

Oh, and depending on what version XBox you have, you may not have access to HDMI, if that matters.

[BoneMonkey80]

my xbox isn't loud you must have a old model

[Wolfpup]

I don't think I understand what you're saying. If future systems don't have backwards compatibility, who cares? You still have it. Why would you have to buy a PS2, as your current console will have it? If you have the 80GB PS3, my understanding is that the emulation will still run new release PS2 games, there's just that percentage that won't run.

It actually does EVERY PS2 game I throw at it just fine-even ones that are on the incompatible list, so they must have updated stuff.

But the point is, it doesn't allow me to avoid keeping a couple of PS2s around to retain access to my older games. I still need to pick some up eventually as there will be no other way to play those games if/when my current system goes.

Again, why standardize? I don't really see a point unless you're hurting for money and need to sell a system quick.

I don't know, it's just less annoying to me. I gets expensive :(

my xbox isn't loud you must have a old model

Nope. I've got a Falcon, and it has a BenQ drive. It's CRAZY loud, though "quieter" than my older models. I wouldn't even give it a second thought, and standardize on the PS3...except the update next month means the drive can be spun down when you're playing a game. Since playing demos from the hard drive isn't too outrageous (similar to the PS3), I'm assuming that full games will sound the same-basically just the same as when you're at the dash.

[benjamouth]

If you've got both systems you may as well keep them.

I've standardised on my 360 now, but thats cos I've built up such a big library of games for it (144 retail including 30 still sealed and 42 XBLA games) I know there's no point getting a PS3 as I'll not use it (like I don't use my Wii)

You've got the best of both worlds though, no point missing out on stuff like LBP, Wipeout etc for the sake of the value of a second hand PS3 IMO.

[GuardianE]

It actually does EVERY PS2 game I throw at it just fine-even ones that are on the incompatible list, so they must have updated stuff.

But the point is, it doesn't allow me to avoid keeping a couple of PS2s around to retain access to my older games. I still need to pick some up eventually as there will be no other way to play those games if/when my current system goes.

I don't know, it's just less annoying to me. I gets expensive :(

So, you're basing it on the off chance that your current PS3 dies? I think you're good for a few years at the very least, as Sony has a stock of BC PS3s specifically for repairs.

And going multiplatform shouldn't be costing you anything more than the initial price of the console. In fact, you'd be saving money because you have more options when price drops/clearances happen.

Maybe you're concerned with how much room you have or something, but it really shouldn't be costing you any more. I'm very very happy that I can have both systems to choose the version that works best for me. This way, you never get shafted with content.

[Wolfpup]

I'm probably just weird even wanting to standardize.

Yeah, honestly I'm starting to get a bit excited about Little Big Planet, and I do want Infamous...although the 360 still has more exclusives I want (and both have a TON of games the other system has!)

Hopefully that firmware really will fix the noise like I'm expecting it to :)

Blu Ray's not really a consideration for me, as the players aren't too badly priced anymore, so I can just pick up another one when I need it (and continue using my PS3 for it!)

I wouldn't mind if the 360 had a Blu Ray drive...although at this point it would probably be (at best) around half the price, if they could sell it for around $150, versus around $250-300 for full stand alone players.

[Wolfpup]

So, you're basing it on the off chance that your current PS3 dies? I think you're good for a few years at the very least, as Sony has a stock of BC PS3s specifically for repairs.

And going multiplatform shouldn't be costing you anything more than the initial price of the console. In fact, you'd be saving money because you have more options when price drops/clearances happen.

I've got a LOT of PS1/2 games though that I don't want to lose access to. Since Sony's dropping BC, even owning a BC PS3 really dosen't affect the spare parts and stuff I need to keep around for those games :(

And going multiplatform shouldn't be costing you anything more than the initial price of the console. In fact, you'd be saving money because you have more options when price drops/clearances happen.

That's a good point I hadn't thought of. But the thing is, I want a minimum of TWO backup systems for anything I've i invested in, extra controllers, etc. That's part of the reason I ditched my 'Cube stuff, even though I love the system.
It would be SOOOO much easier/cheaper to just have one set of stuff I have to keep around.

Plus, I kind of hope that Microsoft's going to take backwards compatibility more seriously than Sony from this point forward. They actually are on the 360, weirdly enough. They had a real reason they couldn't do BC any way besides emulation-they didn't own the Xbox hardware. That apparently won't apply to their next system...I guess. Well, who knows. But at any rate, it would be nice to just keep one set of spares around. Although I have to admit I have a lot more faith in the PS3 than the 360 for reliability, even though the former is using a brand new Blu Ray drive...

[GuardianE]

I'm probably just weird even wanting to standardize.

Hopefully that firmware really will fix the noise like I'm expecting it to :)

Blu Ray's not really a consideration for me, as the players aren't too badly priced anymore, so I can just pick up another one when I need it (and continue using my PS3 for it!)

I wouldn't mind if the 360 had a Blu Ray drive...although at this point it would probably be (at best) around half the price, if they could sell it for around $150, versus around $250-300 for full stand alone players.

A firmware update will not fix your loud 360. Bonemoney was commenting that it's a newer hardware that might fix the loud fan, but you won't get that unless you buy another 360.

Again, if you think you can just "buy another player" when you need it for Bluray, then obviously money's not an issue. Just enjoy having both consoles.

The 360 will never have a Blu-ray drive. And even if they did, there's no way they'd sell it for less than market price.

[GuardianE]

I've got a LOT of PS1/2 games though that I don't want to lose access to. Since Sony's dropping BC, even owning a BC PS3 really dosen't affect the spare parts and stuff I need to keep around for those games :(

I have over 100 PS1/2 games. I think I really just don't understand what you're talking about. You need spare parts to keep the PS3 working? Are you going to repair it yourself? Like I said, if you're sending it in to get repaired, they HAVE backup BC consoles in stock specifically for repairs and spare parts when you send it in.

If you're doing your own repairs... then go buy another 60/80GB console for spare parts. You said you like to keep spares around. There's never been a better time to. And consider that you're not going to have backups for your 360 down the line as simple as you might think. With newer hardware updates, your older 360 will be obsolete and SOME parts will be changed completely. That being the case, you're going to have backups for some spare parts and not others, just like the PS3.

[Wolfpup]

A firmware update will not fix your loud 360. Bonemoney was commenting that it's a newer hardware that might fix the loud fan, but you won't get that unless you buy another 360.

The fan's not where 90% of the 360's noise comes from though. When it's just at the dash or playing demos, it's roughly comparable to the Playstation 3 when running a game off disc...I mean I haven't pulled out my sound meter, but they're at least within the same sort of range.

I'm assuming that since (post update) you'll be able to keep the drive spun down, that it'll sound the same running full games as it does with demos, and be similarish to the PS3.

If I'm wrong though-if my reasoning on this isn't right, I'll definitely end up switching over to PS3 whenever I can :-/ Would not even give the 360 a second look for multiplatform games if they weren't addressing the noise finally.

The 360 will never have a Blu-ray drive. And even if they did, there's no way they'd sell it for less than market price.

Market price is about $150 (EDIT: well, maybe $180 now, guess it's gone up a bit). That's with the company making a profit off of it though, and including third party software for playback. Microsoft should be able to sell it for less though if they wanted to (to eliminate that difference or whatever).

But...yeah with full players not costing a whole lot more anymore, I'm not sure they'd do it.

[jkam]

I feel like if you try to standardize on one format you will drive yourself crazy. I tried to do this back with the Cube and PS2 and it never seemed to work out. It is annoying at times. Too many consoles too many games...but its a good complaint to have. I guess if you had to choose one over the other I would go with the 360 since if anything really goes wrong it would be cheaper to replace the system at this point in time.

[GuardianE]

The fan's not where 90% of the 360's noise comes from though. When it's just at the dash or playing demos, it's roughly comparable to the Playstation 3 when running a game off disc...I mean I haven't pulled out my sound meter, but they're at least within the same sort of range.

I'm assuming that since (post update) you'll be able to keep the drive spun down, that it'll sound the same running full games as it does with demos, and be similarish to the PS3.

If I'm wrong though-if my reasoning on this isn't right, I'll definitely end up switching over to PS3 whenever I can :-/ Would not even give the 360 a second look for multiplatform games if they weren't addressing the noise finally.



Market price is about $150 (EDIT: well, maybe $180 now, guess it's gone up a bit). That's with the company making a profit off of it though, and including third party software for playback. Microsoft should be able to sell it for less though if they wanted to (to eliminate that difference or whatever).

But...yeah with full players not costing a whole lot more anymore, I'm not sure they'd do it.

Your PS3's drive is just quieter. Your 360 drive is louder. I don't mind it really with my consoles. Even with installed games, I'm assuming the 360 will still have to read/load games just as the PS3 does and it'll be based more on whether or not the development team of the game utilized the installation feature well. If they did, then you'll around the same noise on both consoles. If they don't, then the update will mean pretty much nothing for you in terms of noise. Think Call of Duty 4, where the 360 has to spin the disc almost constantly because there's no installation feature.

It's my understanding that Sony has some stock in BluRay, hence the format wars of Bluray v. HD-DVD being based heavily in gaming. It could end up being that their share is not very substantial, but I do know that they play a role in distribution and manufacture. As such, I find it doubtful that a 360 will ever see a BluRay drive in the near future. Microsoft seems set on downloadable media in their future, not endorsing a new disc format.

[lordxixor101]

In reading this, it sounds like you have both a PS3 (bc one) and the 360, and you want to get rid of one (to standardize) for the sole reason of convenience.

If this is true, I really can't help you (and I don't know if 99% of the people here could). Most people would rather have a quieter system, but at the end of the day that isn't the selling point one way or the other. Also, you got rid of older systems just because it was too much of a hassle to keep it around.

The only thing I could say is, if you are this undecided, and these are the factors your using to decide, maybe it's worth waiting a few months and see if the decision gets any easier.

That, or go with the PS3, since you are really bothered by the noise of the system. Personally, my 360 is loud, but it doesn't hamper my enjoyment.

[Wolfpup]

Your PS3's drive is just quieter. Your 360 drive is louder. I don't mind it really with my consoles. Even with installed games, I'm assuming the 360 will still have to read/load games just as the PS3 does and it'll be based more on whether or not the development team of the game utilized the installation feature well. If they did, then you'll around the same noise on both consoles. If they don't, then the update will mean pretty much nothing for you in terms of noise. Think Call of Duty 4, where the 360 has to spin the disc almost constantly because there's no installation feature.

My understanding is this is completely developer independent. That it works with every 360 game ever made, and the drive will TOTALLY spin down after a disc check...
If I'm wrong about that though, correct me, as that would make this easy. 360 games are less fun to me just based on the noise. The first 360 game I've ever been absorbed by was Mass Effect-even Bioshock and Lost Odyssey I couldn't really let go and enjoy it completely because of the blender-ness.

In reading this, it sounds like you have both a PS3 (bc one) and the 360, and you want to get rid of one (to standardize) for the sole reason of convenience.

Well, I'm not planning on getting rid of either-at least not while they're still "active" and they may have games I want. But it would just be less annoying, and might mean 4+ years from now most of the games I own would be on a single format and I could just ditch the other completely after it's dead.

The only thing I could say is, if you are this undecided, and these are the factors your using to decide, maybe it's worth waiting a few months and see if the decision gets any easier.

Yeah, that's a good idea, but I want to take advantage of all these sales :-/ If I knew for SURE how the 360 was going to be after the update. I mean for all I know they'll ditch that at the last minute or something.

That, or go with the PS3, since you are really bothered by the noise of the system. Personally, my 360 is loud, but it doesn't hamper my enjoyment.

Well...but it'll be a moot point IF the update fixes it. If not, then...

[ArthurDigbySellers]

A console is a sunk cost. The money you recoup from selling one or the other isn't going to be worth it in the long run. The last major game I played for my Wii was Mario Kart Wii and that was months ago but I would never think of selling it for the sole reason that there will be games coming down the pike that I do want to play.

Just be glad you already spent the money to own both HD systems and just enjoy the games that come out for those systems. Having a choice is never a bad thing.

The NXE update will fix the loudness problem provided you load every game you want to play onto the hard drive. Playing the game will require that you have the disc in the tray, but it will not actually spin the drive constantly which is, as you stated, where all the noise comes from.

What I wish the NXE update would do is allow you to downgrade the spin speed of the actual drive. That is an option that some of the custom firmware mods allow you to do and it makes a huge difference. You deal with longer loading times, but the noise reduction is significant.

[Wolfpup]

Yeah, that was the only thing I could think...I mean I knew technically installing it to the drive would fix it, but I *NEVER* dreamed they'd actually allow that!

So glad they are :)

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Yeah, that was the only thing I could think...I mean I knew technically installing it to the drive would fix it, but I *NEVER* dreamed they'd actually allow that!

So glad they are :)

Of course they are going to allow it, it will mean that they can get Metal Gear Solid 4 to run on it. ;)

[Casiotech]

so you bought your ps2 to play ps1 games and your ps3 for ps2 games?

[Vinny]

I'm happy with my PS3. Sure the PS3 doesn't have the exclusives that the 360 does but that line is slowly being blurred and now, I feel that software wise, the quality of PS3 games have caught up overall though the 360 has more games and variety.

Other things I like about the PS3 versus 360:
-Free online (while not as good as LIVE, it's good the same basic features)
-Easily upgradable HD (no overpriced propitiatory HD)
-Build in Wi-Fi (no need to buy an overpriced Wi-Fi adapter)
-Better media function
-Blu-Ray movies are orgasmic
-Best all around controller
-Fantastic first party line-up

Things I don't like about the PS3:
-No background downloading with some PS3 games (and all PS2 games), and no standby downloading
-Required installations
-Not many good games (original or ports) on the PSN
-Very few 3rd party exclusives
-Where are the RPGs? The PS1/PS2 were the RPG kinds of their respective generations...
-No more BC... really gay how I have to keep my PS2 around still.:-(

[leveskikesko]

ps3.

much less likely to die on you. Pretty big reason there.

-blu ray
-free/advanced browser (being able to watch hulu on your tv is pretty awesome)
-free onlineplay
-ps2/ps1 libary (if you can get a ps3 with BC) (huge library, no one can deny the ps2's awesomeness. It's nice to be able to play these in addition to the ps3 games out there...I think I play more ps2 games than ps3 games on my ps3)
-built in wifi

One thing that really annoys me about my ps3 is that my controller is constantly shutting down, this really sucks during onlineplay. I could be alone on that though. The other thing that annoys me are the slow download times, expect to wait hours as opposed to minutes on the 360.

Honestly though a 360 wouldn't be that bad of a choice either. Especially if you have a lot of friends who play exclusively on 360 when online gaming. Halo is pretty awesome too. Oh and the amount of demos available is pretty impressive, iirc every xbla game has a demo.

I have both, but I strive to buy more games on the ps3. I think you'll be happy with either one.

[Wolfpup]

ps3.

less likely to die on you. Pretty big reason there.

-blu ray
-free/advanced browser (being able to watch hulu on your tv is pretty awesome)
-free onlineplay

Wait...Hulu works on the PS3's browser!?!?!?!

I had an episode of Chuck preempted (plus it's on opposite Terminator) and ended up just renting it for $2 from Amazon through my Tivo...I could have just used my PS3!?!?! DOH! I read you couldn't do that. Well that's awesome if it works!


-ps2/ps1 libary (huge library, no one can deny the ps2's awesomeness. It's nice being able to be able to play these in addition to the ps3 games out there...I think I play more ps2 games than ps3 games on my ps3)

Well that was a HUGE selling point for me, as it was for the PS2, but Sony's wrecked that now by removing it from the new units :(

I have both, but I'm strive to buy more games on the ps3.

I was going to go PS3 for all the multiplatform games when I bought it because of the noise...but now that's supposedly fixed as of next month. I seriously just keep going back and forth. The PS3's games do seem like they're manufactured better, for what that's worth. A lot of my 360 games have streaks and weird things through them.

[TimPV3]

I was going to go PS3 for all the multiplatform games when I bought it because of the noise...but now that's supposedly fixed as of next month.It's not getting fixed, it's just a work around. You have to install each game to the hard drive, if the game you're playing isn't installed then it's still going to be loud.

I'd go with PS3 just for free online, the only thing it lacks opposed to the 360 is in-game private chat and two years worth of trophies/achievements.

[Wolfpup]

It's not getting fixed, it's just a work around. You have to install each game to the hard drive, if the game you're playing isn't installed then it's still going to be loud.

Yeah, but I mean that basically fixes it...I think/guess(?)

I mean I'd just make it standard procedure to install every game before I played it. If that didn't work for some reason, there's no way I'd standardize on the 360. (Or honestly, if I'd ever had a 360 chew up one of my games, I'd never trust it...but thankfully that's the one problem none of mine have done, though I've seen one at a store...)