So, E3 is this week (how I'd kill to be there! You! You, random person! Let me kill you!), and the big press conferences are hitting. Since I'm currently a little disappointed with Nintendo, I'll focus on the Box vs. the PS3.
Oh? Whyfor am I disappointed with Nintendo? Let me outline my thought process there for you:
no HD?! you bastards! stop doing that! I like SOME oomph with my game system... oh, Zelda you have... yes, I buy... same story every console....
Etc.
Now, I have to admit on the front end here that I'm not an uber fan of Microsoft in any sense. In fact, it's fair to say I'd like to see their business (on the computing end) wiped off the planet. I'm not a Box hater, but it wasn't my favorite console of this generation. I HATED the original controller, and with the exception of the Halo franchise (and maybe Ninja Gaiden), nothing's really grabbed me on the Box. I just don't like the style of most of their games. I concede that they have the best graphics in this generation. I don't spit upon my Box (often).
That said, when compared to the PS3, I think the 360 looks like a piece of shit.
Where to begin? There was a nice piece at Macworld today that summed up my first concern:
That comparison in change from the Xbox to the 360 and the PS2 to 3 is exactly what I thought. Now, this could be because the PS2 just didn't have the best graphics to begin with, so the jump is more astonishing... or it could be because the PS3 just really looks FAR better.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Aaman
XBox Live Silver includes online gaming, not just downloads.
Sony's choice of Blu-Ray and lack of a XBox Live-type service could be big issues, particularly if Microsoft uses it's weight to push HD-DVD
2 - LegendaryMonkey
Okay, I didn't hear that in the press conference, so it raised some suspicions for me. So long as it's included, no problem. Thanks!
As for HD vs. Blu-Ray, it's my understanding that Toshiba and Sony worked out some deal between each other to handle problems between BR and HD. So while I think that was a fear, it's fading.
3 - Mike
Interesting. I have been following the console wars since I'm investing in nVidia. I got scared when I heard that Msoft's 360 was out soon. However, my scares are long gone. Most people will wait for the PS3 just by looking at it. Imagine what happens when they read the specs...
4 - Dexter
Here is a link to more information on Sony and Toshiba working out a deal.
5 - Vicious
Oh dear, you are obviously very biased indeed. You say that you are objective however you make several contradictions which show that basically you are a Sony fan-boy.
Example: "but I'll take a better gaming experience over extras any day of the week. To me, that's what sells a system."
If that's the case, why did you prefer the PS2 to the Xbox? Surely you would have gone for the Xbox.
I could go on and on but can't be bothered.
I completely reserve judgement until I see them both in action, I have a PS2 and Xbox and put it this way, the Xbox wins hands down, far superior. If I feel the PS3 is better than the 360, I'll get a PS3, simple as that. The controller on the 360 looks far better than the PS3 as does the console itself, but as you say "It's all about the gaming experience..."
6 - Vlatro
Here's a fun fact. Blu-Ray discs are designed for VC-1 codec playback, wich requires payment of a licensing fee to it's creator... Microsoft. Sony will have to use MPEG to avoid paying microsoft royalties on every game shipped. That comes at the cost of a larger processor burden, and larger capacities needed. that helps close the gap for microsoft. PS3 will most likely win out over the 360, but in the end microsoft will get their money. They always do.
7 - LegendaryMonkey
Oh dear, you are obviously very biased indeed. You say that you are objective however you make several contradictions which show that basically you are a Sony fan-boy.
Well, as a girl, I guess I'd be more of a fangirl. :p
No, I'm biased. I admit it. I prefer Sony overall, and have since the Playstation was released. I feel that overall (not that they haven't had problems, because they have), they've been the most consistent system. Yeah, they don't have the ease of Xbox live, and the graphics weren't as good as the Box. But I find the selection of games to be better.
Maybe if sports games and stealth action were my primary areas of interest, I'd be an Xbox fangirl. To me, Xbox has Halo and very little else going for it on the current system. Especially since they've got the Final Fantasy creator on board, I was hoping to see some big changes for the 360 - on game style, as well as an upgrade in technology and graphics. I've watched game clips carefully, but have yet to see anything besides the games like Lost Odyssey that really grab my attention.
I think with me, the fundamental disconnect is much the same reason why the Box didn't do well in Japan - the games, as well as the bulk of the system. They fixed the bulk, but it's still a mini computer (which I don't need) and unless they change the games drastically... eh. I'll get one, but I'm not rushing. Maybe the next three days will change my mind.
I think Sony took the bigger step forward with the PS3 than Microsoft is taking with the 360. That's the long and short of it. My opinion is biased, sure... but what gamer isn't biased? It doesn't invalidate my opinion. It means you take it when a grain of salt.
8 - Kev
I'm increasingly concerned about people arguing what is the better console from what it looks like. The 360 may look better than the PS3 but the PS3 clearly outclasses the 360 in terms of graphics, the class of the games that has seen displayed so far, and the as an overall package the it is more appealing to me.
Also who cares what was the better console last time round in terms of graphics. The Xbox was released almost 2 years after the PS2 so they can't really be compared. With the PS3 sony haven't put a foot wrong so far. Stunning graphics, in games and tech demo's and what looks like excelent games. Microsoft?? Showed what looked like excelent demos for about 3 days until sony showcased the PS3 and blew them out the water. All the game sites are saying how the Xbox 360 is dissapointing. Why? Because it is.
9 - The Demigodd
Jesus! It's not about the consoles, it's about the games!
10 - Victor Plenty
WWJB? (What Would Jesus Blog?)
Well, whatever He would blog, I'm sure our Lord already knows it's not about the consoles, and doesn't need us to tell Him that.
11 - FilteringCraig
Personally, I am waiting to see some more proof. It is far too early to make a decision. I am probably in the minority here, but I am also looking for the extras of having the media gateway in my living room. Up until this point, I haven't seen enough affordable options to bring my MP3 jukebox to my home stereo, not to mention downloadable video.
But in terms of the video game wars, I am not a typical fan. I had PS1, got tired of the controllers. Grabbed and loved the Dreamcast until they went belly up and the controllers on that thing were very similar to the XBox controllers, so when that finally came out, I couldn't resist the machine with the HDD.
12 - ragnarok2040
After thinking for a while, I like the boomerang style of the controller. With the current ps1/ps2 controller, you have to bend your thumb down in order to control the analog. Holding it left or right tends to get hard to do for very long since it tends to slip. With the new style, you can hold it kind of like the N64 controller.
As for the framerate issues for the Xbox 360, it's been said that all the demos currently for it are running on alpha boxes which run at 1/3 the performance of the Xbox 360. I find it hard to believe that there's no fully powered Xbox 360 as of yet with its release date within this year.
13 - Unraveler
I saw some of the PS3 demos, particularly KillZone. Have to admit they look great, but, they also look like they've been CGI enhanced.
Right now, we're all salivating over a lot of Marketing hype, and engineered demos...which is exactly what they (MSoft and Sony) want us to do. It's fine to debate which is better, but I'll wait until both are out, and judge them then.
14 - ben p
shut up u loosers
15 - tim
From what I saw at e3, Sony appears to have the more powerful system. I don't need raw numbers stacked side by side on some kind of chart to tell me Sony has the better system, all I need to do is take a look at that Fight Night footage which they swear is real time and I'm sold. Those boxers look 100% freaking real! Although the 360 appears to be a very capable system, It doesn't appear to be able to do the things the ps3 can. Unless Sony is telling outright lies about what their console can do they are definitely ahead of the game technologically speaking, and this is coming from a guy who is a very happy and loyal Xbox owner. I thought Microsoft would still be interested in having the most powerful console on the block, but it seems they might be trying to branch out to other services besides just games with all of the up talk they are giving the music, video, tivo, ect...the 360 will be able to do. I can do all that on my computer allready. I want something that is going to play the best and most bad ass games, not another friggin way to listen to music on the internet.
16 - e pokits
all of yall some haters 360 rocks dude
17 - Anatoli
PS3 is quite something, however I will not dismiss the X box 360 because once that thing is hacked (sure it will only take a few weeks) I will have 3 of them running servers in Linux. For games PS3 is mine!
PS3 has 256 MB RAM running at 3.2 Ghz! The other 256 MB running at 700 Mhz, compare that to the 512 @ 700 Mhz on the 360, PS3 RAM is 5.57 times faster.
Cell CPU is amazing, although the number of cores seems to jump from 9 to 7 on various sources, but I saw a diagram with 9, one being the main cpu, the other 8 secondary cpu's.
Cell has 2 Teraflops, frigging amazing, and double of what the 360 can do.
PS3 controller? What are you all whinning about? Have you even held it yet? Don't pass judgemnt on the look, I'm sure it will be an orgasm for your hands!
HDTV? PS3 supports 1080ip on TWO SCREENS, X-box 360 does not support this!!! 360 can only do 1080i, so for us Hardware junkies the PS3 OWNS hands down no contest.
Nintendo is a joke, as before they failed us, and to tell the truth the new Zelda game for gamecube looks like the N64 version with minor graphical improvements, nothing spectacular, LAME!
Microst will sell consoles, but at a LOSS to people like me who will use them as servers and linux boxes, hell man for $299 can't get a better deal!
But for games, PS3 will deliver, and KILLZONE will rape Halo 3 now that it will be developed properly, imagine that Killzone 2 comes out with PS3 launch killing Bill Gate's plan of overshadowing PS3 launch with another lame Halo game, those games SUCK I played them Halo is just BAD GAME DESIGN, it's not scary or fun and does not deliver any great experience other then a "look at me I bought Halo and think it's great"
To those of us with good PC's (mine's custom built by me), FPS like Halo don't mean jack! I got CS and that's 10 times better then Halo, not to mention Half Life 2 and Doom 3.
X-Box 360 games line up looks like shit, nothing special, even the new DOA looks crappy! The girls are so gentle it's hard to believe they can take a single hit and still walk!!! Unreal BS, stop it MS no one gives a damn about Asian chicks that look like straws fighting!
PS3 is blazing guns will Killzone, GT4, Tekken 4, and Warhawk to name a few. Kudos SONY!
18 - Matt Paprocki
"HDTV? PS3 supports 1080ip on TWO SCREENS, X-box 360 does not support this!!! 360 can only do 1080i, so for us Hardware junkies the PS3 OWNS hands down no contest."
Right, becuse all Americans have 2 HD's in their house. Great feature, but there's no way developers are going to support it, just like the link cable on the PS One.
"Microst will sell consoles, but at a LOSS"
What's that have to do with anything? As lon as it can play games, MS will make their money on software.
"But for games, PS3 will deliver, and KILLZONE will rape Halo 3 now that it will be developed properly,"
Because you'e played them both, right?
"PS3 controller? What are you all whinning about? Have you even held it yet? Don't pass judgemnt on the look, I'm sure it will be an orgasm for your hands!"
I have held one. It was called the Alps Interactive Gamers pad. It sucked.
"Zelda game for gamecube looks like the N64 version with minor graphical improvements, nothing spectacular"
You are such a fanboy it's not even funny. You obviously know nothing about what you're talking about.
"Unreal BS, stop it MS no one gives a damn about Asian chicks that look like straws fighting!"
So, almost every entry in the series this gen made it to Platinum Hits why? So you didn't enjoy DOA2 Hardcore on the PS2?
You're a Sony fanboy and blinded by hype, just like those Nintendo fanboys who think they know what the Rev can do. Yes, Sony put on the best press conference. That doesn't mean it's going to be the best system.
19 - Michael
Yah good games and im happy as long as theres good games the graphics on ps2 and xbox are already so good that it would be hard to tell the diffrences
20 - Matt Paprocki
I'm sorry, I AM AN IDIOT, I JUST WATCHED THE PS3 DEMO AND ANATOLI IS RIGHT!!!!!
21 - Matt Paprocki
What PS3 demo? The pre-rendered one? Nice try with the name, but ask anyone who knows anything about games and they'll tell you how almost everything they showed was not in game footage.
22 - tim
The good folks at Sony swear up and down that the footage is actual gameplay, so unless they are telling bold face lies the ps3 just looks better so far when stacked against the 360 stuff we saw. In the end it may not be this way, but for now the ps3 shows a lot of promise. If the execs at Sony are lying to us about the performance of the ps3 I will be all for stringing them up next spring. I am not a fanboy of any company, I have an xbox now and absolutely love it. I just go for what looks best and plays the sickest games. In the next gen it looks like the ps3 will have the most to offer.
23 - tim
Oh yeah, I also heard that the ps3 will sell for around $370.00. This is the same launch price as both previous versions of the PS! If sony can deliver everything thew showed at E3 and keep the price below $400.00 Microsoft will probably have a hard time competing. The friggin blue-ray support alone is worth that! I'm not making any final decisions until I can get my grubby little hands on both systems to compare, but to say I am excited about the ps3 is an understatement
24 - ps3 sucks
major nelson works at microsoft and he has said that the xbox will be more powerfull in everythin, xbox 360 was only running 25 % of its power at e3 sonny was just showing videos that were really inhanced
25 - tim
Funny that Major Nelson would say something like that. Something tells me he may be a bit biased on the side of Microsoft, what with him being an employee of said company and all.