Console choices

[SwordsMaster]

So, SM has given into the demands of his gf for 2 player gaming, and is now considering purchasing a console or 2...

Since this is to be my first console purchase since the MegaDrive, I need input:

Here are my current selections:

Nintendo Wii: Pretty much in, as the woman likes the sports, Michael Jackson, and the whole 'wave-your-arms-about-as-a-possessed-person' aspect of this. So what I need is game suggestions for this that would make it palatable for me. Also some other 2 player games would be nice. My MJ moves are despicable.

Xbox 360/PS3: One of these should be in for me to retain my sanity. Decision will be made on availability of fighting games (the tekkens for example, or dragon ball), and guitar hero/rock band. Also please recommend any other 2 player games that are not strategy or split-screen (hate split-screen).

As I'm keeping my PC for strategy/1 player shooters, that's not an issue.

Are there any consoles on the horizon I should hold out for?

If there are any other recommendations I will be glad to hear them!

Cheers!

[Drunk Clown]

Don't buy the Wii. If you really want Nintendo, just wait for Wii U.

[Reenk Roink]

PS3 over Xbox for the exclusive Demon Souls would be my recommendation.

[Fragony]

PS3 over Xbox for the exclusive Demon Souls would be my recommendation.

Awesome game but it isn't for everyone. Heard the developers felt the game was too easy so they are making Dark Souls harder. wut

But I would also recommend the PS3 over the 360, more exclusives you won't be able to play on the pc (which could be ALL 360 games in the next windows version). The xbox seems to have more raw power though, xbox version is almost always superious

[Drunk Clown]

It's the other way around. The PS3 is stronger than the Xbox 360.

[Vladimir]

Wait; for your girlfriend? You gotta get the Wii. Please don't make me explain it to you.

[SwordsMaster]

Wait; for your girlfriend? You gotta get the Wii. Please don't make me explain it to you.

I know. But with a PS3 or a 360?

[seireikhaan]

PS3. Demon's Souls is awesome. Valkyria Chronicles is pretty cool too. Halo not so much. Aside from that, the games are all pretty much similar, as far as I'm concerned.

[Marshall Louis-Nicolas Davout]

The Wii!Only the WII!

[Centurion1]

wii is actually a lot of fun you dont need the others.

use your computer for hardcore games and just have some innocent fun on the wii.

wii sports is literally worth thousands of hours of fun and everyone loves playing it and like go kart and stuff. just light hearted amusement.

[Chaotix]

If you're going for a Wii, the best multiplayer games are (barring Wii Sports, which comes packaged):

Mario Kart Wii (racing)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (multiplayer platformer)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (fighter)

These three are the triumvirate. Easily the most addictive and satisfying multiplayer on Wii, and single player is good, too.

Other Multiplayer:

WarioWare: Smooth Moves (very wacky)
Wii Sports Resort (don't have it, heard it's good)
Wii Play (decent if you get bored of Wii Sports)

For rewarding single-player experiences:

Super Mario Galaxy (platformer)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (ditto)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (adventure/puzzle)
Metroid Prime Trilogy (first person shooter/adventure)
Donkey Kong Country Returns (platformer)
Okami (adventure/puzzle)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (strategy rpg)

The top four of these, though single player, do tend to be gf-friendly. Engaging experience, fun without frustrating, etc.

Hope that helps. I have a Wii and a ton of games for it, though I tend to know more about what's good for single-player rather than for parties and such. Still, can't go wrong with the top three.

[a completely inoffensive name]

If you are going to choose between a PS3 or xbox, I guess I will be the lone person here who says go for the xbox. PS3 is great and all...when the internet isn't down for a month.

[Kekvit Irae]

If you are going to choose between a PS3 or xbox, I guess I will be the lone person here who says go for the xbox. PS3 is great and all...when the internet isn't down for a month.

As opposed to paying 10 dollars a month for the same experience with worse graphics? All that money does add up.

[lars573]

If your intent on getting a PS3/Xbox level system. Your reasons for making the choice are not all that elaborate. And don't believe the hype on the power of the big boys. It's dead even. I've yet to see any proof that either the PS3 or 360 is more powerful than the other. And the days of 3rd party developed console exclusive games are over. Yes there are some hold outs like Metal Gear and Final Fantasy (and even then only certain entries). But 90% of 3rd party games are multi-platform. So what games are available exclusively to each system are limited too what M$ and Sony produce internally. So games like Tekken and Dragon ball (Dragon ball raging blast is the current gen series BTW) fighting games are available for both platforms.


So your choice between the two comes down to these factors:

1. Do you want a bluray movie player?
2. Do you hate the idea of paying $60 a year ($5 a month) plus applicable sales taxes for online multiplayer
3. Do you want to play games like Uncharted or Resistance (which are internal Sony games)
4. Do you want to play games like Halo or anything from Rare (which are owned by M$)


And for full disclosure I'm an Xbox fanboy, and have been since the first system came out.

Now for "on the couch multiplayer" games that aren't split screen, and will appeal to the females (I assume). Well that's a limited field to say the least. But for me Lego games are an easy sell. They are cutesy as all get out, fun and simple to play. The have 5 at current brands, Star Wars (with games focusing on the superior prequel trilogy, the inferior old trilogy, and the Clone Wars), Indiana Jones, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter. Also there is Marvel Ultimate alliance 1 and 2. Which are described as action RPG's, but play like brawlers with an XP and leveling system. And 1 is better than 2, but I'm a fan of superheroes.

[Centurion1]

all you really need is wii sports. its almost unfair how ridiculously fun that game is to play with your friends.

[SwordsMaster]

Well, I'm not going to be paying for multiplayer, I will play multiplayer on my PC if I do, it was for something we could enjoy socially, for us, some friends maybe. Hence my focus on Rock band, Wii sports, Guitar Hero, and maybe some other sports/fighting games...

[a completely inoffensive name]

As opposed to paying 10 dollars a month for the same experience with worse graphics? All that money does add up.

LOL you want to talk about graphics? Get a PC if that is what you are looking for. By choosing a console, you should already be making the conscious decision that you are sacrificing graphics for the benefits of a console.

[Centurion1]

At least xbox live doesn't crash every two weeks.......

[Husar]

Only the XBox itself dies every two weeks...

[Vladimir]

In the PS3 vs. Xbox challenge the course seems clear: blu ray.

I'm not sure about the games although I preferred the original Xbox.

[Fragony]

Only the XBox itself dies every two weeks...

Been fixed ages ago. Still, why not wait for the Wii-U, new controller looks truly awesome, it's fully backwars compatible, and more powerful than both the 360 and the PS3

[Greyblades]

Been fixed ages ago.

This is true apparantly, though some joke that all they did was take out the red LED.

[lars573]

Well supposedly the new 65 nm manufacturing solved it. But really if anything is going to it's the redesigned slim system. Which has a big fan sucking in air from the top of the machine (if it's lying flat) and circulating it out to the sides.

Been fixed ages ago. Still, why not wait for the Wii-U, new controller looks truly awesome, it's fully backwars compatible, and more powerful than both the 360 and the PS3

But much like the Wii it will be about the 360/PS3 and a half. And the controllers look like they're going to cost almost as much as the main system with all the hardware Nintendo is talking about shoving into it.

[Fragony]

Well supposedly the new 65 nm manufacturing solved it. But really if anything is going to it's the redesigned slim system. Which has a big fan sucking in air from the top of the machine (if it's lying flat) and circulating it out to the sides.


But much like the Wii it will be about the 360/PS3 and a half. And the controllers look like they're going to cost almost as much as the main system with all the hardware Nintendo is talking about shoving into it.

Controller not controllers, only one tablet per Wii-U it doesn't support more, classic and wiimote are still the main controllers. That sounds bad but the tablet will be a great enhancement of single player, you can put the whole interface there. And it's also basicly a handheld if you don't stray away too far, you can keep playing on the tablet , awesome.

[lars573]

Which is one way to side step the $200 price tag it will carry.

[Drunk Clown]

If Nintendo would give the Wii U a higher price tag than 400 € they would be stupid. And I don't believe they will.

We all (including Nintendo) know how PS3's sale went, when it was 500 €.

[Fragony]

If Nintendo would give the Wii U a higher price tag than 400 ? they would be stupid. And I don't believe they will.

We all (including Nintendo) know how PS3's sale went, when it was 500 ?.

250 to 300 pound according to Eurogamer, that's very reasonable if true

[Sjakihata]

About the consoles ps3 and xbox360:

If there is any specific titles that you must own, make sure to check for what console the title is available for. That would override any of the below.

Xbox360:
Controller (+): It has the best controllers on the markets. To me this is actually the most important aspect. It rests perfectly in your hand and has a perfect layout of buttons. Additionally, yyou can purchase (for €20) a kit that has a recharge station and 2 battery packs.
Xboxlive (-): Well, the network hasnt been hacked yet, however, you will have to pay something like €5 pr month in order to play online. You can download games etc etc for without that cost, it is only for online play.
Kinect (+): I give this a plus. I would never buy it, but that the option is there derserves a plus. It is sort of like the Wii, so sounds like a good compromise if your GF likes the motion thing.

PS3:
PS(Network)N (+): It is free, but can get hacked.
The playstation is probably for the more mature games, but for mature games I play them on PC anyway.
Speed (-): Although the hardware seems to be better, all titles i've played on both, the xbox is the faster console in actuality (loading times etc).
Blueray (+): Since this is a Sony invention, only the PS3 has it.
WiFi (+): It is integrated in the new PS3 slim, for Xbox you have to buy a stick, which sort of make up for the price difference (xbox is cheaper).

Take notice, that if you have friends with either of the consoles and you want to play with them, you need that type too (xboxlive and PSN doesnt share networking capabilities).

A very good game for 2 player without splitscreen is Fifa 11 (soon 12), although this is probably more for your male friends than you girlfriend.

[Drunk Clown]

About the consoles ps3 and xbox360:

If there is any specific titles that you must own, make sure to check for what console the title is available for. That would override any of the below.

Xbox360:
Controller (+): It has the best controllers on the markets. To me this is actually the most important aspect. It rests perfectly in your hand and has a perfect layout of buttons. Additionally, yyou can purchase (for €20) a kit that has a recharge station and 2 battery packs.
Xboxlive (-): Well, the network hasnt been hacked yet, however, you will have to pay something like €5 pr month in order to play online. You can download games etc etc for without that cost, it is only for online play.
Kinect (+): I give this a plus. I would never buy it, but that the option is there derserves a plus. It is sort of like the Wii, so sounds like a good compromise if your GF likes the motion thing.

PS3:
PS(Network)N (+): It is free, but can get hacked.
The playstation is probably for the more mature games, but for mature games I play them on PC anyway.
Speed (-): Although the hardware seems to be better, all titles i've played on both, the xbox is the faster console in actuality (loading times etc).
Blueray (+): Since this is a Sony invention, only the PS3 has it.
WiFi (+): It is integrated in the new PS3 slim, for Xbox you have to buy a stick, which sort of make up for the price difference (xbox is cheaper).

Take notice, that if you have friends with either of the consoles and you want to play with them, you need that type too (xboxlive and PSN doesnt share networking capabilities).

A very good game for 2 player without splitscreen is Fifa 11 (soon 12), although this is probably more for your male friends than you girlfriend.

First thing is true. Which I would stick to.
Rest is almost completely bull.

1) Which controller you like is completely subjective, I like the PS3 controller.
2) Playstation 3 has "Move", which is better than the Wii.
3) Microsoft could get hacked as well; the hackers could have just as well chosen Microsoft to hack. If anything Sony is now much more aware of hacking.
4) Xbox360 has just as many Mature games as PS3; most games are released on both consoles. As for the exclusives; both have their mature and "Kiddy" games.
5) I don't know why you would get 2 of the same titles, just to play on a different platform. But the difference would be likely to the fact that it were games who were distributed first on the Xbox360 and later on the PS3. Not all of course, but I wouldn't conclude something like that out of your personal experience. Unless you tried a lot of games on both consoles and you have also tried on a lot of different Xbox's and PS3's.

[lars573]

About the consoles ps3 and xbox360:

If there is any specific titles that you must own, make sure to check for what console the title is available for. That would override any of the below.

Xbox360:
Controller (+): It has the best controllers on the markets. To me this is actually the most important aspect. It rests perfectly in your hand and has a perfect layout of buttons. Additionally, yyou can purchase (for €20) a kit that has a recharge station and 2 battery packs.
Xboxlive (-): Well, the network hasnt been hacked yet, however, you will have to pay something like €5 pr month in order to play online. You can download games etc etc for without that cost, it is only for online play.
Kinect (+): I give this a plus. I would never buy it, but that the option is there derserves a plus. It is sort of like the Wii, so sounds like a good compromise if your GF likes the motion thing.

PS3:
PS(Network)N (+): It is free, but can get hacked.
The playstation is probably for the more mature games, but for mature games I play them on PC anyway.
Speed (-): Although the hardware seems to be better, all titles i've played on both, the xbox is the faster console in actuality (loading times etc).
Blueray (+): Since this is a Sony invention, only the PS3 has it.
WiFi (+): It is integrated in the new PS3 slim, for Xbox you have to buy a stick, which sort of make up for the price difference (xbox is cheaper).

Take notice, that if you have friends with either of the consoles and you want to play with them, you need that type too (xboxlive and PSN doesnt share networking capabilities).

A very good game for 2 player without splitscreen is Fifa 11 (soon 12), although this is probably more for your male friends than you girlfriend.

The 360 slim has a built in wireless N hardware.