dvdsteve2000

PLEASE DON'T TURN THIS INTO A BASH-FEST OF YOUR LEAST FAVORITE SYSTEM!!!

Here are MY opinions of the 3 new systems including system, controller, and online:

XBOX 360:
PRO's:
system--
Easy to navigate menus
Media Center connectivity
Plays DVD's
HD DVD add-on
20GB HD

controller--
Great feel, nice weight
Wireless
Quick-charge battery charger (dual)

online--
Live arcade
Trailers
Movies
Demos
Upgrades (levels, cars, etc...)

CON's:
system--
Some disc freezing
somewhat noisy at times
no wifi
No HDMI

controller--
none, IMO

Online--
Not free, but keeps some of the dregs out
-----------------------------------

PLAYSTATION 3:
PRO's:
system--
Quiet
WiFi
Plays DVD's
Built-in BluRay
60GB HD

controller--
Wireless
USB charger included

online--
Trailers
Demos
Upgrades, updates

CON's:
system--
Auto-feed
No Frickin' component/HDMI cables included
Semi-tough menu navigation
colorless & boring menus

controller--
Too small
too lightweight
Have to connect via USB to charge

Online--
Free, but unbearable at times
----------------------------------

Wii:
PRO's:
system--
Easy to navigate menus
Some cool channels
small
WiFi
Mii's
Plays Gamecube games

controller--
Very unique & fun (mostly)
wireless
speaker in the controller

online--
Retro games
Mii's
weather & news

CON's:
system--
Doesn't play DVD's/HD/BluRay
Non-HiDef
Not enough internal memory (Need Memory cards)

controller--
Batteries, ugh
Connection between Wiimote/Nunchuk, Wiimote/classic
Doesn't seem right for some games, like Cars

Online--
Haven't done enough to judge this yet
-------------------------------------

This is MY take on the systems. I'm sure I left some good & bad points out (forgot) for each system, and I didn't want to get into the games for the system as that's more of a personal preference.

Share your thoughts & opinions about the systems, but please don't turn this into a hate thread.

chess

Meh to your lists.

360 has the best library (at least for now)
360 has the best online strategy (but I'd never pay for it)
360 has the best traditional controller of the three
But it's notoriously loud, hot and unreliable.

PS3 has the most features, most power, most graphical potential
PS3 has a free online strategy
Blu-ray is a nice feature, though it was shoved down our throats
But it has no games, costs too much, and has an awful controller

Wii is the most innovative and the most fun with the most potential for great games
Wii is the greatest party system ever...i.e. you can play drunk
Wii has the best game of all three systems in Zelda with Wii controls
Wii is the most inclusive system for nongamers
Using AA batteries was great since most folks have rechargables anyway...easily swapped out
But it is underpowered compared to the other systems and the controls will limit some ports

DodgingCars

Of the non-portables, I only have experience with the Wii. Anything I'd have to say about Xbox or PS3 would be just things I read.

So for the Wii:

Pros:
Great controller. This has so much potential. I loved the play in Zelda and it's great fun for games like Warioware. This is only the beginning!
Great exclusives. I forgot how much I like Nintendo. It's been a long time, but Nintendo just knows how to make good games and they have great franchises.
Gamecube compatible. I've never played any GC games, but I'm going to start. GC can be had pretty cheap. Now I just need a controller.
Virtual Console. I've been impressed with the title selection so far.
Easy Menus - I love the menus/channel. Easy to use. Nice to look at
Miis - Cool idea. I like how they randomly show up in games too.

Cons:
Though I don't mind much, it's underpowered compared to the 360 and PS3.
It lacks a hard drive -- hopefully a usb ext. is supported in the future.
VC games are too expensive. I honestly believe the prices should be about half: $2 NES, $3 SNES, $4-5 N64.
Lack of games. This is typical at launch though. Considering I don't have a lot of money for games anyway, this isn't much of a con, because there's at least 2 games I want to buy right now but just don't have the money for.

darkside

This pretty much nailed my feelings on the next gen systems.

MovieExchange

I'd have to debate your choice of DVD capability as pros / cons. I buy a game system because I want to play games, not because I want to play DVD's. I buy a DVD Player for that. I don't buy a DVD Player because I want to play games, do I?

IMHO, the PS3 having a Blu-Ray player built in is a major negative as that's what shot the price of the system through the roof and severely hindered sales.

The closest thing to a negative for the Wii not having DVD capability should be that unlike the 360, they didn't release an optional add-on that would allow you the choice of whether or not to pay the extra $$$ to make your game console a DVD player also.

As for the Wii's internal memory, I don't see a problem with it. Since you can delete a game and then download it again for free, even if you somehow find a way to take up all that memory I don't see a problem with management.

Michael Corvin

I have to agree, not having DVD playback shouldn't be a con. What household doesn't already have a DVD player hooked up to every tv? Hell with consoles I have 2 dvd players per tv. I don't need any more.

Well if you want to hop into a quick game of Mario Kart, you would have to spend about 15 minutes navigating to the store and redownloading it. That is definitely a negative.

I agree with chess for the most part, just changed a couple things. In bold:

dvd182

I disagree. It should be listed as a pro, but with a con that reflects a raised price point. Just as the Wii should have no dvd playback listed as a con, but a pro reflecting it's lower price.

It definitely matters if these devices play movies or do other things, especially since the consoles now are practically on par (on the PS3's case, better) than many standalone units.

You may not care about playing back movies on a console, but many do. The PS2 was the first DVD player in a lot of households; the idea of movies on consoles isn't going away any time soon.

Save Ferris

The 360 comes with the capability to play with replaceable/rechargable AA batteries.

Michael Corvin

Difference being everyone already owns a DVD player nowadays. That wasn't the case when the PS2 launched. Therefore it was a good deal to get playback on a system back then.

DodgingCars

dvd182,

I agree that DVD/Blu ray, etc can be seen as both a pro and con. If PS3 was $400 with Blu Ray, I don't think anyone would have seen it as a negative.

However, I don't see Wii's lack of playback as a con. Certainly it's a feature missing when compared to the other 2 next gen systems, but I know I didn't buy a wii to play movies on.

SunMonkey

I'm not too familiar with the warranties offered by Sony and Microsoft, but the 1+ year, completely hassle free, lightning quick warranty Nintendo offers is a pro.

DarthMarino

Also add that the Playstation 3 controller doesn't have rumble.

dvd182

Yeah, that's fair. Wii is somewhat trying to break the traditional console mold as is, and Nintendo consoles have never played movie format (outside of those weird hybrid gamecubes), so you're right, it's not so much a con as it is a missing feature.

Josh H

Wii

Pros:

-Price of $250 is nice, but still $50 to high. But is a pro compared to the competition
-Controller works well and offers the opportunity for innovation
-Will have all the killer 1st party Nintendo stuff which are among the best game series in the world
-Some free features-weather, news etc.
-Virtual console, great to be able to play all the old games again

Cons:

-woefully underpowered graphically compared to the competition
-current lack of games, nothing aside from Zelda has remotely interested me yet
-third party support looks to be lacking again in terms of exclusives.
-multiplatform games and ports will mostly suck do to the different control scheme and underpowered graphics
-VC games are too expensive, I'd buy many more if the tiers were $2-3 cheaper.
-No HD support for those with HDTVs
-potential for continued overload of lame tech demoish mini game collections/party games. Just not my cup of tea.
-Will will be lacking in M-rated games as developers (see Capcom's recent comments) perceive it as a more "kiddy" console than the others

Xbox 360

-Best traditional controller. Ever.
-Best online service
-Killer graphics, even on SDTVs (see Gears of War)
-HD support
-decent game library (Gears, Oblivion etc. with stuff like Halo 3 and Mass Effect right around the corner)
-good third party support, looks to be grabbing more and more previous sony exclusives

Cons:

-$400 is too much for a console IMO
-awful lot of problems with overheating, disc read errors etc. for a $400 investment (hopefully the rumored new CPU will solve this)
-lacking platformers, Japanese RPGs, and good Japanese developed games in general
-$50 a year for X-box live (minor con as you get what you pay for)


Playstation 3

Pros:

-it's Sony so they should have the third party support as in the past, at least initially
-will have the best graphics eventually, once developers get used to programming for it
-HD suppport
-Will have Sony's first party games--GT, Ratchet, Sly etc.
-Blu-ray movie playback

Cons:

-$600 is WAY to much for a game console, especially for those with no interest in Blu Ray
-no rumble in the controller
-controller design is pretty much the crappy dual shock. Again.
-half assed motion sensing functions
-losing third party exclusives left and right lately
-bulky and ugly console design
-game library currently sucks, nothing I remotely want to play that I can't get elsewhere
-an HD system/blu ray player with no HD cables in the box on top of a $600 price tag. WTF?

chess

I was simply responding to the OP listing AAs as a "con" for the Wii...which is not true...at least for me, since I have rechargeable AAs all over the place.

I also forgot to mention price in my list.

I think the Wii is worth every penny of $250, and so do consumers apparently
I'd probably never pay $400 for a console...
There's not a chance in hell I'd pay $600

DodgingCars

Agreed. And depending on the games and future features, I can see myself buying a PS3 or 360. Just not at these prices.

When the premium version drops to around $250, I'll look into buying. I didn't buy a PS2 until it was $150.


But then again, I may feel no need if the Wii satisfies. I can see even more potential if they eventually offer the ability to add an ext HD. Good games and internet on my tv. That's pretty sweet.

I do like X-box's potential as a movie download machine.

RichC2

I'll go by innovations:

Xbox360 - Fully integrated online features into standard console use.
PS3 - A complete multimedia station, and apparently it plays games, too.
Wii - Motion-based wii-mote with focus on fun over flair and multimedia.

I do believe the PS3 will turn out to be graphically superior to the "glorified pc" xbox360 and the "outdated" Wii, but at this point, I just don't care. I'm probably alone when I say this, but I'm flat out sick of sequels, even the bigger series (Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, and hell Zelda) hold little of the appeal they once did. Whichever console gets the better original titles (non-sequel) will have the ultimate pro.

slop101

Whoa whoa whoa - the cheapest I've seen was $10 a month - where do you get $4?

Josh H

It's $50 a year. 50/12= $4.17 a month.

DJ_Longfellow

Well, since I own a 360 and PS3, I'll throw my hat in.

XBOX 360
Pros
- XBOX Live (Worth $50/year easily)
- Controller (best ever)
- Great Library (stealing some 3rd party exclusives even)
- Accessories (HD-DVD, Camera, Headset)
- Component cables included

Cons
- Lack of HDMI (might be added)
- Noisy (should be fixed)
- HDD Size (should be updated eventually)
- Two SKU's (the Core was not the best idea)

PS3
Pros
- Free Online
- Blu-Ray included
- Sixxaxis
- Graphic
- Built in Wireless (60GB)

Cons
- Horrible PSN service (just broke as far as downloads and online matchmaking)
- Controller is not that great (feels awkward compared to 360)
- Cables included with system
- Price
- Cannot replace batteries in controller (rumor is Sony will replace for free if they die?)
- Current game library

I know there are more.....but well, they have been covered

slop101

Ah. I don't think I ever noticed the yearly rate, as I felt it was just too long of a commitment for me.

RichC2

I see the yearly package (12 + 1 Month free) for $39.99 pretty regularly.

dvdsteve2000

Here's why it's a 'con' in my eyes...less components to hook-up & operate, less remotes to look for, and more space for other things in my entertainment center. I have all three systems hooked up to my 61" HDTV, so I'm glad I don't have to have more wires & crap connected to it, and this also eliminates excessive wires laying behind the TV. And I, actually, DID buy a PS3 to play movies on, with playing games a second priority (for now). How isn't this a 'PRO' for a system? I LOVE the 360 for gaming, and it was my only 'in-use' DVD player until I grabbed a PS3, but I really dislike the Wii's non-DVD capabilities. I do own all three systems, and I'm not hating the Wii, but it gets the least use in my house. If you aren't playing a game on it, it's basically a paperweight. Multiple-functionality is what this gen brings with the 360 & PS3, .

Josh H

It's certainly a personal con for you, but its hard to list as an "objective" con as so many people could give a shit less about having DVD playback on a console.

The quality is substandard to a decent standalone player, and I don't like putting the extra wear and tear on my game consoles.

So at best I'd list it as an *'d con with the * being that it's a draw back only to people who want to play DVDs on their consoles.

rfduncan

But standard SD memory cards are super cheap. I just got a 2GB card with a USB reader included for 20 bucks.