Current Generation Video Game Console War: Defend Your Favorite Console!

Well, let's try to keep this as civilized as possible.

Just a good ol fashion debate. Discussing the pro's and con's of all three mainstream video game consoles.

This includes

Nintendo Wii
Sony Playstation 3
Microsoft Xbox 360

No, PC doesn't count. PC isn't a current generation console. It's been around for ages, and I think it'll get too techy if people start complaining and arguing why PC gaming is the best. PC's will always be able to achieve more graphically and community wise since the PC is an ever-evolving machine.

Also, please understand the line between OPINION and FACT.
Saying, "Playstation 3/Wii/Xbox 360 sucks!" without backing it up will get you no where. In fact, it'll make you look like a dingleberry.

So for discussion's sake, let's start teh battle!

I'll start by listing the pro's and con's in my opinion of each system. Then a overall closure.

I'll order by sales in the U.S.

Nintendo Wii
Pro's.
-Wide market, and a decent variety of games to please different tastes
-Usually innovative, and coming up with more out of the box ideas on how to play games.
-Adding peripherals and additional add-ons to freshen gameplay and the way we play games.
-First party (developed by Nintendo) games never cease to amaze me, always top notch quality.
-Easy pick up and play mechanics for most games.
-Software side has a lot of good deals and packages.
-Launched at $250.00 and hasn't moved, making it the second cheapest console on the market.
-Free online play, as well as a variety of online channels, such as Weather, News, Online Shopping.
-Virtual Console games, bought using Wii points, similar to Microsoft Points or Sony Cash Card.

Con's.
-Incredible amount of shovel-ware mini-game collections.
-Motion controls can be clunky sometimes.
-True lack of quality third party software titles on the market.
-While innovative, loses it's gimmick after a while.
-Fails to please the "hardcore" crowd, with only a few true adult titles shipping.
-While free to play online, only a few games support online multiplayer.
-The games that do support online multiplayer often have laggy servers.
-Friend codes are required to add anybody on your friends list, which makes it incredibly hard to have an active community.
-Barely any microphone implementation in multiplayer gaming, apart from "Animal Crossing".
-Nintendo really hasn't grown with it's audience.
-Price hasn't dropped down to $200 to meet the Xbox 360 Arcade Console.
-Too much hype brings down otherwise decent games.
-No possible way to add hard-drive, over-use of SD memory cards.

Microsoft Xbox 360
Pro's.
-Very large library of games, ranging from kids to adults. Good selection of genres for most players.
-Very active online community.
-Xbox Live Marketplace is frequently updated.
-Netflix use is quick and easy, also convenient.
-Hardware priced in tiers, like Playstation 3.
-Cheapest system is $200.00 making it the cheapest system on the market.
-Different amount of space on different hard-drives that are geared towards the frequency of the player (20, 60, 120 GB), like Playstation 3.
-Good third party support, as well as first party support.
-Has a good share of exclusive games, and for multiplatform, often has exclusive content (Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto IV)
-Consoles come with HDMI slot, make accessibility easier.
-User friendly online service, easy to use.
-3 year warranty to cover and hardware failure after Red Ring scare.

Con's.
-Console hardware failure has given consumers quite a hassle.
-Fee of $50 dollars for 13 months of online play (although this can be disputed, Xbox Live Subscriptions have been dropping in price recently.).
-A large flood of mediocre third person and first person shooters.
-Not enough Japanese Role Playing Games in game library.
-Customer support is shit.
-Horrible implementation of the last minute "family-friendly" fad ruined a lot of the hardcore audience.
-HD-DVD drive is garbage.


Sony Playstation 3
Pro's.
-Free online multiplayer.
-A good variety of games to play, comparable to Xbox 360.
-Quite a few exclusive games.
-Blu-ray support.
-Bluetooth intergration makes things quick and easy.
-User friendly online service (not as easy as Xbox Live, but easy enough to use).
-Good line-up of games to be released in the coming years.
-Controller that is packaged with the system is already rechargable.
-Hardware is priced in tier pricing, like the Xbox 360.
-Different amount of space on hard-drives, like Xbox 360.
-Built in HDMI port makes accessibility easier.
-Hardware is powerful, can graphically achieve more than the Xbox 360.
-Blu-ray discs can hold more content than a normal disc would.
-LITTLEBIGPLANET. That is all.

Con's.
-Currently the cheapest new system is $400.00, the cost of the highest Xbox 360 console and 2 and 3/4 Wii's.
-Online servers can be laggy sometimes.
-HOME is still in beta, and not as accessible as could be.
-While there is a decent library of games, many are multiplatform, and system selling games are turning out to be medicore at best.
-KILLZONE 2. That is all.

Nintendo Wii Closing Statement.

Nintendo's main problem is they really haven't learned how to grow with their audience. While ushering in a new era of gaming accessibility, Nintendo forgets and leaves behind their beloved fanbase from generations past. While there is some hardcore support (Super Smash Brothers, MadWorld, House of the Dead, the upcoming DEAD SPACE) it really lacks in that area. Nintendo caught a hold of this casual fad, and now they are only interested in the digits.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Closing Statement.

It's been four years and with each passing year the Xbox 360 gets progressively better, and progressively worse. At first it was over-heating consoles, now it's complete hardware failure. While this is a huge setback, the amount of titles and the quality of many of those titles continue to be a steady stream of entertainment. With Microsoft looking to jump on the casual gamer bandwagon fad coming into 2009, we can only hope that this system won't turn into a Nintendo clone. Microsoft has done a lot of things right, but some of the major decisions are coming out on the wrong side of the tracks.

Playstation 3 Closing Statement.

I feel bad for Sony fanboys and loyal Sony consumers. I honestly do. A company that was once synonymous with video gaming has failed in marketing and sales, and the Playstation 3 console gets hit hard. With many of the best selling games being multiplatform, the reason to spend the extra 200 dollars on a Playstation instead of a Xbox or Wii doesn't show itself. While it's a very good deal for a cheap (but excellent) Blu-Ray player, it's become more of that, and less of a gaming system. Although there is a lot of mystery coming up in 2009, we can hope that the Playstation 3 will catch up in sales.


Disclaimer: I have all three systems. I do NOT play them all equally. I play Xbox 360 the most, Playstation 3 further behind, and Wii almost never. I am not bias on any of my statements or opinions, and I'm trying to keep it as fair as possible.

Let er rip, kids.

I must disagree with the X360's "Customer support is shit". Mine Red Ringed (yeah, hardware failures, you're right about that) since I had the first generation Xbox evar released in Europe (manufacture date January 2006), one call with Microsoft and I had it back within 2 weeks, fully repaired and all.

Otherwise I'm not gonna discuss which one's better. I have all three, and I think they're all awesome. The Wii's innovative and it's got some great games (Zelda, Mario, Okami, etc) but to be honest there is a lack of good games in general and obviously power-wise it's just a tuned up Gamecube.

The Playstation 3 has the most amazing graphics and has been natively compatible with 1080p since the beginning, something we cannot quite say of the 360. Even now, with the so called 1080p support patch, I wouldn't say it beats the PS3. Obviously the PS3 is capable of more, graphics-wise, but I dislike the controller and it hardly has any good exclusives (though I must say, I can't wait for God of War III). Also, free online service. Built in Blu-ray drive is a huge plus though. It's super expensive though, which is obviously not a good thing.

Lastly, the 360. I play it most and I love it most. Perfect controller (imo), best online service (though paid), best dashboard out of the three, and flat out the best game library. It's been out the longest, meaning developers have had the most chance to explore the capabilities of the machine the most. The difference between the 360 and PS3 in graphics is notable, but not big whatsoever. The - way better worked out - achievement system compared to the PS3 is a huge plus for me as well. I must also disagree with you on the "too little JRPGs on the list" thing. I name an Inifinite Undiscovery, a The Last Remnant, an Eternal Sonata, a Tales of Vesperia.

All in all, I must say I agree with you. I play my 360 the most, PS3 further behind (use it more for watching Blu-rays really) and I hardly play my Wii, though I can't say I really dislike the system.

Good pros and cons list. I agree with you on most points.

I only have a Wii and Xbox 360. I play Xbox the most because it's got the best games, best online stuff, best features, and best accessories. The Wii has a bunch of meh games that appeal to people who are unfamiliar with gaming.

This casual gaming fad is ruining gaming IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

This casual gaming fad is ruining gaming IMO.

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TRUTH!

I don't see how casual gaming is ruining the industry. It's just attracting a market that previously didn't exist. To be fair, the Wii has turned terrible since Nintendo became synonymous with casual gaming, but that's because I'm not the market they are now appealing to. I'm a 'hardcore' gamer, I like my games actually good etc etc...

I have both a PS3 and 360. The PS3 has better hardware, but the Xbox has better software. They're so evenly matched right now it's hard to tell, however, I feel that the 360 has reached its peak, whereas the PS3 hasn't.

Three words:

Modern Consoles Fail

For one simple reason: consoles were about going over to friends' houses and playing games together, having fun at it and all.
Sure, single player was great too, considering how console controllers provide more comfort and such than a keyboard, but nonetheless.

Now that all the consoles have an Internet connection, they are basically just downgraded PCs made specifically for games and whatever other limited functionality they hold.

As far as I'm concerned, actual consoles no longer exist.
Anything that has a net connection fails at what made consoles great and separated them from PC gaming.
Bah, humbug.

That is so typical you, Merlock. Haha.

In all honesty, I don't think casual gaming is ruining the industry. Games do become more casual-player orientated, I must give you that - however, I do think Nintendo has been ruined by casual gaming. They are focussing too much on the casual gamer, the "family" as a target group. Gaming being a mainstream hobby is a good thing in my opinion, but developers shouldn't take it too far. There's studios that make games pretty much only for casual gamers (EA?), and there are studios that keep making good games, regardless of whether the "mainstream gamer will like it" (in other words, will it sell millions). And as long as it stays that way and the good studios keep making good games, then I couldn't care less about casual gaming orientated studios.

Though I must say some game series should stop now. I mean, let's face it, some game series that used to be good have become so commercial and suck ass now. :(

Yes, TweaK, but can you agree that most of the "good" games are now becoming easier and easier, and shorter and shorter. I rarely buy games anymore because I know it's going to be a waste of money if I do. I rent games by the double nowadays and beat them both within the 5-day due date. I suppose this would be fine, but for many of these titles, there isn't much replay value.

Yes, definitely. I got my Wii modded simply because there's so much games that aren't worth buying but will be fun for a couple of hours. :/

But I must agree with you that a lot of games are becoming way easier and shorter.