I would like all you fanboys to be silent and read. Then respond.
It seems like I can't go on to a video game forum without there being something relating to whether the X-box 360 or the Playstation 3 is better. I could describe this charitably as being annoying. But ignoring charity for a moment, I find it idiotic and really immature. If you have not seen any gaming forums lately, it may in fact be due to this. I know I avoid them like the plague (take your pick: Bubonic, Malaria, AIDS) because it always degenerates into ‘nu uh' against ‘yuh hu.' So let me just say, as someone who has all the consoles in the house, that I consider none of them inferior. Well, except maybe the Wii, because Nintendo betrayed me and all hardcore gamers.
So, I'll just throw down the gauntlet and challenge anyone who wishes. Here's the breakdown.
X-Box 360
I'll start with the most popular system in every country not named Japan. No matter how you want to look at it, it's hard to argue the fact that the 360 is certainly the dominant system in North America and Europe. It's affordable (sort of), contains a large list of games, supposedly doesn't randomly die anymore (though this is Microsoft we're talking about here, so I say it's only a matter of time), and is something that adds to Microsoft's dominant empire. It's biggest selling points are its huge library, the X-box Live support, the fact that owning one makes you cool in college, and the fact that of the hardcore systems, it is the most affordable.
Allow me to note that I doubt very much that this is new news to anyone. I just wanted to make my points clear. Now let me note the main issues. The huge library is all well and good, but most of the games I want for X-box end up on the PC with a graphics up and a load of new free content. Sure, I have to wait a little longer, but since I stuck to my PC all day anyway, why shouldn't I play games on it? The X-box live bit is probably the largest reason I would buy the X-box, but...well, allow me to say that I understand why the grammar of most of these internet forums could be corrected by a seven year old. Most of the community is egocentric, arrogant, and enjoy teabagging a lot. I find a lot of people telling me that using a sniper rifle in close quarters in Halo is a cheap tactic (actually happened). Lastly, despite being less expensive, it's still almost twice the cost of a Wii and the middle model (which I'd buy to save sanity) is only $50 behind the PS3's less expensive model.
By the way, it is probably important to note that you are also helping to fuel Microsoft's evil empire by buying the game.
Playstation 3
Well, now I get to illustrate the big black titan that is the Playstation 3. I would first like to say that despite what most people think, I very much doubt that Sony is planning to throw in the towel after losing Final Fantasy 13. My reasoning may be odd, but it is that the PS3 sells a whole lot better in Japan. That, and comparing Microsoft's empire to Sony is like comparing the kingdom of China to the Roman Empire. They're both effectively able to buy heaven and earth, plus some property in hell, and come out with a nice profit. The selling points for the PS3 are Metal Gear Solid 4, future potential, being able to say you own one, and the promise of better graphics. Now, yes, MGS4 is amazing and as a game I enjoyed it more than any game I have played in a while, but it's hardly the make for the console that it needs. The future potential thing I can understand a bit after the latest update. Now there are trophies, the inclusion of movies for money on the net, a very much improved interface, and some stuff on the sides.
Of course, a lot of it was just ripped off from X-box Live, but since they just blatantly ripped off the Mii channel, I'm going to go ahead and decide that that's not an issue anymore. As for the promise of better graphics...well, I hear a lot of junk on forums. At this moment, most games are going to look better on the 360. Reasons are varied, but it mostly has to do with the fact that it is much easier to take advantage of the 360's abilities. In short, the library of games on the PS3, in particular exclusives outside Japan, is pitiful. Aside from a few gems, the console has nothing the 360 doesn't have. That, and many games that come out for it exclusively are crap, but then the same can be said of a lot of games. Barring some amazing material this coming year, the PS3 is likely to remain in last place in the console war.
Oh, and even though I'm technically only comparing for games, Blu-ray did win the media battle. HD-DVD is officially dead, so PS3 owners can be happy to know that they can enjoy HD movies once everyone else switches over.
