PS3 wins the Console War (PS3 vs. 360. vs. Wii)

[The Spartan (Returns)]

Back in '06 and '07 the 360 had the upper hand with it's cheaper price and better exclusives, because it was released earlier.

Now in '09, the PS3 has many quality exclusives. Heavenly Sword, Little Big Planet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, and Infamous. Tekken 6 and Final Fantasy XIII were supposed to be PS3 exclusive but became available to the 360 as well. Also games like God of War III, a new Metal Gear Solid game, and MAG, have been announced.

A PS3 price cut is also inevitable. If the PS3 was $299, price will no longer be a flaw of the PS3.

Regarding the Playstation Network, I have found the connection to be just as good as Xbox Live's connection, and the Playstation Network now has the same amount of users as Xbox Live's.

For big games like Final Fantasy XIII, blu-ray disc is a HUGE advantage:

The demo of long awaited RPG blockbuster Final Fantasy XIII has unveiled an unpleasant truth for Xbox 360 owners: the demo alone is 5GB, more than the capacity of a single layer DVD, and of course the full game will be many times larger.

The capacity of a Blu-ray disc is 25GB for a single layer, 50GB for two, whilst a single layer DVD is 4.7GB and a dual layer one 8.5GB. Unfortunately, the Xbox 360 only has a DVD drive.

2ch provides its impression of the situation facing Xbox 360 owners when the game finally finds its way onto the platform next year:

This was what it was initially thought to be…


Expectations have however increased…


With the size of games ever increasing, suddenly the economy of including a standard DVD drive does not seem so wise. Much disc-swapping appears to be on the horizon…

Via Hachimaki.

So PS3 pros:
Better Exclusives
Inevitable $50-100 price cut
Less hardware problems than the 360
Playstation Network is just as good Xbox Live
Blu-Ray Drive

Cons:No more PS2 game compatibility

360 Pros:
Xbox Live
Gears of War, and Halo 3
Cheap

Cons:
No blu-ray. The next generation of Xbox consoles might not even have blu-ray installed.
Not many new quality exclusives... at least that I don't know about.
Red ring of death plus new "E76" bug

Microsoft has released a new bug for their successful Xbox 360 console, complementing the popular “Red Ring of Death”, which for years has been ensuring a steady stream of broken consoles are supplied to end users.

The new bug, known only as “E76”, adds an exciting new graphical element to the business of sending consoles to Microsoft’s support centers; Microsoft describe the problem:

“One part of the power LED lights up, but additionally the error message ‘E76’ will be displayed on screen. The cause is quite different to that of the ‘Red Ring of Death’.”

Microsoft asks that those afflicted send their consoles to a support centre in the usual fashion.

The hardware defect is already proving popular, with Google Trends data showing a sharp and sudden increase in incidences of the issue from a zero starting point, starting August of 2008.
Fans speculate that this could be due to a GPU malfunction, though Microsoft is not spoiling the excitement by revealing the cause.

Via Technobahn.

Sony is not content to let Microsoft lead in this way, and lately has been rolling out its own line of drive malfunction on the PS3… Only time will tell whether Microsoft’s lead is indeed too far advanced.

Your thoughts?

[Ramses II CP]

I don't own any of them, but my understanding is that worldwide the Wii has 30 million more units sold than the PS3 and that Nintendo either turned a profit or broke even on every one of them. If the 'console war' is about making money then it was over around Xmas 2k7 and it's all been beating a dead horse since.

The DS has reportedly sold over twice as many units as the PSP as well.

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'll admit, that made me laugh. I remember when final fantasy games came on 4+ discs for the original PlayStation, but no one really thought so much of them then so I can't see how they would now. Yeah the storage would be nice but coming from a PC user who has games that take up 5+ discs (half-life 2 anyone?), the idea that because someone has to swap out discs is an overall mark against the system is not one I can agree with. I put up with it in the Ps1 days and never even thought twice about it.

Regarding the Playstation Network, I have found the connection to be just as good as Xbox Live's connection, and the Playstation Network now has the same amount of users as Xbox Live's.

Sorry but "just as good" isn't going to cut it for games like MAG, PSN is going to need to beat the pants off of Live in order to really support the numbers they are talking about with minimum lag. Gears of war 2 only supports 5v5 and I routinely get lag (mainly because there is no such thing as dedicated servers). If Mag is supported by ded servers then maybe.. but still.. we're talking about 256 people. I'll have to believe it when I see it, sadly. It sounds amazing, but if a man tells me he's jesus you can bet i'll check the wrists.*

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Microsoft has released a new bug for their successful Xbox 360 console, complementing the popular “Red Ring of Death”, which for years has been ensuring a steady stream of broken consoles are supplied to end users.

The new bug, known only as “E76”, adds an exciting new graphical element to the business of sending consoles to Microsoft’s support centers; Microsoft describe the problem:

“One part of the power LED lights up, but additionally the error message ‘E76’ will be displayed on screen. The cause is quite different to that of the ‘Red Ring of Death’.”

Microsoft asks that those afflicted send their consoles to a support centre in the usual fashion.

The hardware defect is already proving popular, with Google Trends data showing a sharp and sudden increase in incidences of the issue from a zero starting point, starting August of 2008.
Fans speculate that this could be due to a GPU malfunction, though Microsoft is not spoiling the excitement by revealing the cause.

Sony is not content to let Microsoft lead in this way, and lately has been rolling out its own line of drive malfunction on the PS3… Only time will tell whether Microsoft’s lead is indeed too far advanced.

Via Technobahn.

I take care of my 360 and i've not had a single problem in the year and a half of its use (knock on wood). It's still going strong with little signs of wear, despite its heavy use. The only problems I have had with it are the occasional freeze that seems to only happen if I have it sitting horizontal. From what I understand the console in that position has no way to vent the air that gets trapped under the disc drive and therefore ends up freezing... Its my one complain about the 360.

Though to be fair i remember when Sony released a firmware update early on after the Ps3 launch that, if downloaded, effectively bricked your console. Yeah, both of the "next gen" systems have had rocky roads of imperfection and neither really reached "the city on a hill" outlook that they tried to be.

If we want to be perfectly honest Nintendo is the most likely candidate for winner of the "console war" as the Wii has outsold both Ps3 and 360 combined, though the poor thing seems to be losing steam after all this time and might be sputtering out. I actually hope the ps3 gets another price-cut, that way i can justify buying one.



*Shamelessly stolen from penny arcade

[Meneldil]

Nintendo won the console war a while ago.

The 360 is terrible and the PS3 is a joke.

A quick summary :

Wii - 48 millions
360 - 25 millions
PS3 - 20 millions
Nintendo DS - 86 millions
PSP - 43 millions
GBA - 86 millions

As of march 2009, Nintendo sold more than Microsoft and Sony combined.

[Xiahou]

Nintendo won the console war a while ago.

That's what the data would seem to indicate.

I own a Wii and a PS3, but I can't think of any metric under which you could say the PS3 is winning out. I like the PS3, but I'd put it in last place in the "Console Warz".

Also, on a personal note, a BIG con of the PS3 was their decision to drop PS2 compatibility. Man, what a bad idea that was....

[The Spartan (Returns)]

I'll admit, that made me laugh. I remember when final fantasy games came on 4+ discs for the original PlayStation, but no one really thought so much of them then so I can't see how they would now. Yeah the storage would be nice but coming from a PC user who has games that take up 5+ discs (half-life 2 anyone?), the idea that because someone has to swap out discs is an overall mark against the system is not one I can agree with. I put up with it in the Ps1 days and never even thought twice about it.


Sorry but "just as good" isn't going to cut it for games like MAG, PSN is going to need to beat the pants off of Live in order to really support the numbers they are talking about with minimum lag. Gears of war 2 only supports 5v5 and I routinely get lag (mainly because there is no such thing as dedicated servers). If Mag is supported by ded servers then maybe.. but still.. we're talking about 256 people. I'll have to believe it when I see it, sadly. It sounds amazing, but if a man tells me he's jesus you can bet i'll check the wrists.*

If we want to be perfectly honest Nintendo is the most likely candidate for winner of the "console war" as the Wii has outsold both Ps3 and 360 combined, though the poor thing seems to be losing steam after all this time and might be sputtering out. I actually hope the ps3 gets another price-cut, that way i can justify buying one.

As a PC Gamer, I don't necessarily find swapping discs a great flaw, but if Final Fantasy XIII was really like that on the 360, (I know it's really exaggerated) then it definitely is a flaw.

Well you're right there as well. I've played Madden one on one on both consoles online, and Tekken 5: Online one on one online, and it can lag sometimes to where it's troublesome. I find it astonishing as a PC gamer, because I may be playing 60 players on Red Orchestra one day with no lag at all.

Well in my opinion what "wins" a "console war" is the console that performs better and has better games (exclusives). I'm sure if the PS3 was the same price as the 360, it would sell better.

Also, on a personal note, a BIG con of the PS3 was their decision to drop PS2 compatibility. Man, what a bad idea that was....

Forgot about that one...

Also IIRC, you can play any game internationally with any PS3 right? So, I could buy a Japanese exclusive game, and it work on an American PS3 correct?

[Tratorix]

This just in- Ps3 gains ground on second place competitor, somehow wins console war.

[pevergreen]

This just in- Ps3 gains ground on second place competitor, somehow wins console war.

+1

PS3 is the biggest joke of the current gaming systems.

Now in '09, the PS3 has many quality exclusives. Heavenly Sword, Little Big Planet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, and Infamous. Tekken 6 and Final Fantasy XIII were supposed to be PS3 exclusive but became available to the 360 as well. Also games like God of War III, a new Metal Gear Solid game, and MAG, have been announced.

You havent really named a good game yet.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of Daughters of Cousins of Dogs of Owners of Liberty

Killzone 1, sucked before, what made you think we want it [Killzone 2] more?

Wii has so much more. It lacks proper gaming games, but sells way too much.

Perfect gaming combo IMO would be a GBA + Xbox 360. Ultimate handheld console and an ok system.

[Husar]

I happen to have a PS3 so I may be a little biased but keep in mind I am a Microsoft fanboy as well and decided for the PS3 anyway.
I can agree with the OP and would even say he left some things out, for example that watching a movie on Blu-Ray, if it's done well, is absolutely superior to watching a movie in any other format, except if you can/could stream 1080p movies perhaps. the detail and sharpness that are possible are absolutely amazing and I only got a 24" PC monitor with a TN panel....

The wii obviously wins in numbers sold but for me it was not even worthy of consideration, how many serious games does it have? From what I've seen it's mostly kitty kittens, jumpy jump, and hack your enemies to pieces in colourful ways Nintendo doesn't even really want on their "family console", that may appeal to many people and especially, as intended, families but from a sort of "old school" gamer POV it's not offering a whole lot.Doesn't mean it's bad, just a completely different target group...

Handhelds are nice but my iPhone has the better hardware anyway.
And EA and others are making some really nice games for it as well.
Not sure how many units they sold though, but from a gaming POV you'd have to include the iPod touch which is cheaper but very similar.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I know, I know, mentioning the iPhone is really wrong and mean and it's still a bit like the Wii in terms of games offered so far but then the DS has the most kitty and doggy and horsie games I've ever seen on the shelves....oh and the iPhone is really quite capable...

[frogbeastegg]

My PS2 was my favourite console of the previous generation. Quite probably my favourite console ever. I own more games that it than for anything else. Out of 14 years of gaming and countless platforms, it houses the greatest percentage of my favourite games. I expected the PS3 to carry this on.

There can be no disputing the fact that it's a wonderful bit of hardware. Well made, well designed, pleasant to use, quiet, and just shiny for lack of a better catch all happy word. It's a wonderful movie player and it's hands down the best version of the PS2 in existence. Upscaling, wireless controller, faster memory card access, quieter console - there's everything to love about a backwards compatible PS3. As a PS3 it gets little use from me - there's so little on it I want to play. The exclusives have been very disappointing so far; if you don't play shooters then there isn't much left over. The majority of the appealing ideas spoken of early in the PS3's life have not materialised or have failed to reach Europe - where is my huge selection of downloadable PS1 classics? Where's the rest of my software driven backwards compatibility? Where's the amazing wow-ness that the xbox couldn't handle without melting?

The 360 is the last console I brought out of this gen's trio, and it's the one I didn't expect to bother with. 18 months on and it's the one I own most games for this gen, the one I play the most, and the one which has the largest proportion of games I enjoyed on. The snag? As hardware it’s not very nice. It feels a bit cheap and flimsy; I particularly dislike the eject button for the disc tray. The disc drive is very noisy, the cooling fans are loud; installing games to the hard drive helps a lot but the problem is never entirely cured. I do prefer the controller to the PS3’s; the analogue stick has more resistance to it and is better located.

I brought my 360 because of a turn of events I never expected: it got the JRPGS. That's a niche that the Playstation family has dominated for 2 generations and is famous for. That kind of sums up the whole situation for me. The PS3 lost many of the things which the earlier machines had won, and in doing so it lost the appeal they had.

As for FFXIII, I shall do as I always do when it comes to multiplatform releases and get it for whichever console looks set to give the best experience. It would be nice if for once that were the PS3.

I remember when games routinely came on 4 or more discs. I think 6 was the largest number for a single game I owned. Often the data was divided up so you had to swap discs like a crazed DJ just to walk across a small town

IMO the DS is the winner. It has sold the most units, has the largest library of games, has the widest variety of game types, has loads of outstanding titles, makes its unique selling point work, and is good hardware. The only thing disqualifying it from the standard race is the fact it doesn’t connect to a TV. I love mine.

[Tratorix]

IMO the DS is the winner. It has sold the most units, has the largest library of games, has the widest variety of game types, has loads of outstanding titles, makes its unique selling point work, and is good hardware. The only thing disqualifying it from the standard race is the fact it doesn’t connect to a TV. I love mine.

If there's one thing Nintendo knows, its handheld games. They've pretty much dominated that market since they got into it.

[Meneldil]

The wii obviously wins in numbers sold but for me it was not even worthy of consideration, how many serious games does it have? From what I've seen it's mostly kitty kittens, jumpy jump, and hack your enemies to pieces in colourful ways Nintendo doesn't even really want on their "family console", that may appeal to many people and especially, as intended, families but from a sort of "old school" gamer POV it's not offering a whole lot.Doesn't mean it's bad, just a completely different target group...

Zelda + Smash Bros. + Mario Kart = 0wnage

I can't think of any game on PS3 or Xbox 360 that would provide half the fun as Mario Kart does. To be honest, though I somewhat agree with you (these 3 games are more or less the only ones I play on Wii), I find the other consoles' games to be quite dissapointing.

Resident Evil 8 ? Yoohoo. Final Fantasy XVIII ? Not nearly as good as FF6 and 7 were. MGS 4 ? Looks like I've played this already. Gran Turismo 5 ? Same things but fancier. Not that these aren't good games, but they definitely lack something.
Nintendo is of course rehashing the same old games, but the Wii controler makes it a new experience.

When I tried FF7 at a friend's place, it made me want to buy a PS right away. There's no such game on either the 360 or the PS3. I think these two consoles have huge potential, but clearly do not live up to expectations.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

I happen to have a PS3 so I may be a little biased but keep in mind I am a Microsoft fanboy as well and decided for the PS3 anyway.
I can agree with the OP and would even say he left some things out, for example that watching a movie on Blu-Ray, if it's done well, is absolutely superior to watching a movie in any other format, except if you can/could stream 1080p movies perhaps. the detail and sharpness that are possible are absolutely amazing and I only got a 24" PC monitor with a TN panel....

The wii obviously wins in numbers sold but for me it was not even worthy of consideration, how many serious games does it have? From what I've seen it's mostly kitty kittens, jumpy jump, and hack your enemies to pieces in colourful ways Nintendo doesn't even really want on their "family console", that may appeal to many people and especially, as intended, families but from a sort of "old school" gamer POV it's not offering a whole lot.Doesn't mean it's bad, just a completely different target group...

Handhelds are nice but my iPhone has the better hardware anyway.
And EA and others are making some really nice games for it as well.
Not sure how many units they sold though, but from a gaming POV you'd have to include the iPod touch which is cheaper but very similar.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I know, I know, mentioning the iPhone is really wrong and mean and it's still a bit like the Wii in terms of games offered so far but then the DS has the most kitty and doggy and horsie games I've ever seen on the shelves....oh and the iPhone is really quite capable...

Unfortunately, I don't own a PS3, but I am planning to get one.

Exactly. Even though the Wii sold the most units, there's only four games worth getting. No More Heroes, Super Smash Bros, maybe Zelda, and some Mario Games. Like Party, Kart, and Galaxy.

The Wii is obviously not for the hardcore gamer, which seems most of us are here.

The IPhone and ITouch actually has the best hardware compared to the other handhelds. Not just being able to support MP3, vids, and touch... but it also has better graphic capability.

[tibilicus]

Wii is the real winner. Everyone wrote Nintendo of after the gamecube but it looks like they're now the ones laughing all the way to the bank..

In regards to the 360 vs PS3 debate I think your wrong. Put it this way, a group of my friends, including me own 360's. We have access to more games and access to a more accessible online system so in short, we play more often.

My other group of friends who own PS3's all seem to own the same two games, metal gear and which ever FIFA game is currently out. A few of them have picked up Killzone 2 but it ends there. This shows a lack of game choice but also highlights that PSnetwork is also a lot less accessible than LIVE. There's no point even arguing other wise as everyone knows LIVE makes PSnetwork look poor.

Of course this argument is irrelevant as everyone know the real winner is whoever makes the most money. That of course has been nintendo.

Who knew that marketing you game console towards middle aged women who are to lazy to go to the gym so use Wii fit would be such a profitable business venture.

kudos to nintendo..

[frogbeastegg]

Exactly. Even though the Wii sold the most units, there's only four games worth getting. No More Heroes, Super Smash Bros, maybe Zelda, and some Mario Games. Like Party, Kart, and Galaxy.

You mention Mario Party, aka a maggot-ridden pile of rancid bowel movement on a disc, and leave off Metroid Prime 3?! And Okami?! My poor little froggy soul just died a little. What about Resident Evil 4? Trauma Centre? And you can't get much more hardcore than Fire Emblem. Zack and Wiki? Some good stuff on the virtual console too, buried amongst the dreck.

I do agree that the wii does need more games aimed at the traditional crowd; there are lengthy gaps between the titles I do play where the console has nothing to do. I'd like to see fewer games with half-baked waggle controls bolted on. Either use them decently or let us play with the classic controller or something.

There are several promising looking titles on the horizon though, and if they would just bring the new Fatal Frame/Project Zero to Europe ....

[pevergreen]

And you can't get much more hardcore than Fire Emblem.

I do agree that the wii does need more games aimed at the traditional crowd; there are lengthy gaps between the titles I do play where the console has nothing to do. I'd like to see fewer games with half-baked waggle controls bolted on. Either use them decently or let us play with the classic controller or something

Fire Emblem is fast becoming my favourite series of games ever. Even though I have only played 6/7/8/10/11, and out of them, only 7 to the end, they are great.

The DS's main attraction to me (being a new owner of one) is the backwards capability. Thats what made me choose a DS over a DSi. IMO, all the good games are on GBA.

Wii offering virtual console is the best move they could have made. I can now have OoT and Majoras Mask, Lylat Wars and more? *drool*

I am dissapointed with the lack of real games on the Wii, but between it, a DS and my PC, I have enough to do. And if that isnt enough, I've got an XBox hidden away that I picked up for about $40US.