Xbox 360 vs. PS3 – Which console is better?
Sometimes, my job is the easiest in the world. As it is today, when CNet has provided all the ammunition needed to create an article which could start a raging debate. Put simply, CNet has pitched the PS3 and Xbox 360 against each other in a ‘Prize Fight’. Over six rounds, which will emerge victorious? I’m going to enjoy this battle to the death…
Round 1 – Design
Here, the PS3 takes it, even though CNet thinks it looks like a George Foreman Grill, which I suppose it does from a certain angle. I can’t believe the Xbox 360’s controller is given top marks though because personally I find it a little too childish and gimmicky for my liking.
Round 2 – Features
PS3 = Blu-ray, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Xbox 360 = none of the above. A perfect score for the PS3, and rightly so, seeing as its feature set is probably the most rounded and fulfilling of that seen on any home console ever.
Round 3 – Online
The Xbox 360 takes this round comfortably thanks to the ease of using Xbox Live, and the new Netflix compatibility. However, I can’t understand the scoring really when PSN is free and isn’t as bad as CNet makes out. The judges clearly aren’t fans of Home but I’d personally rather have it than not have it.
Round 4 – Graphics
This round is a joke and for me, calls out the three judges as Xbox fanboys. On multi-platform games, the Xbox 360 apparently shades it – maybe, maybe not, but I think it’s too close to call either way. But platform exclusives? I’m sorry but the PS3 takes this crown by a mile. As stated, there is nothing that compares to Metal Gear Solid 4 or Killzone 2, so why the draw?
Round 5 – Games
Xbox 360 – Gears of War and Halo. PS3 – Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet. Woah, hang on a moment, why those two games? Why not Killzone 2 or God of War 3? Or Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2? Talk about picking your games to suit your own needs, which in this case is clearly an Xbox 360 win. I concede the backwards compatibility point though – it sucks.
Round 6 – Value For Money
Apparently, being the best Blu-ray player on the market and having an astounding range of exclusive games either out or coming out soon doesn’t warrant an extra $100. Sure, the PS3 could do with a price cut but I’d still say it’s very good value for money even at its current price.
The Result
It’s official. According to CNet, the Xbox 360 is better than the Playstation 3. Don’t worry that the presenter and main judge is a douchebag, or that we never actually get to see the other two judges give their opinions (if they even exist). CNet has spoken, and the Xbox 360 rules over the PS3. There is clearly no argument to be had.
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February 20th, 2009
*grabs popcorn and settles down*
February 20th, 2009
Yeah this is going to be great.
I have to admit though… CNET is notorious for hating on the PS3. Actually the few PS3articles I’ve read from the site were all ridiculously negative. Actually, I even left some vulgar comments on there site more than a few times in the past.
February 20th, 2009
meh….they only echo what the rest of the world thinks…
if the ps3 was as great as the resident fanboys claim, it wouldn’t be such a secret… or sitting in last place…
if the exclusive ps3 games were that great and stood on their own merits, they wouldn’t be relegated to the bargain bin 8 months after launch..*cough*MGS4*cough*
hey dave, you do know lbp won a ton of awards from the aias, right? maybe that’s why they used it….
February 20th, 2009
wish i could stick around and watch the fireworks, ladies, but the weekend is here…
go get ‘em CAD…
February 20th, 2009
Lmfao, here we go again.
IMO, it’s the PS3 but seriously this is flamebait.
February 20th, 2009
Kev,
*laughs* Yeah, CAD could never replace you, man, you’re one of a kind!
Seriously, though, the two consoles are pretty evenly matched when it comes to the important things. The extras (Netflix, Bluray) are just icing on the cake for gamers this generation.
I’m surprised, though, because of the price differential, that the 360 isn’t leading the PS3 by more than 7mil. I’ve always believed that the “elite” gamers would be attracted to the PS3’s features and history of exclusive franchises, but I never believed that this would help sales. Still, they reached 21 million units in about 2.5 years, so the rest of the world must have SOME interest.
-Arvis
February 20th, 2009
Cookies, blorge has a set of alarms that go off if the site hits get too low. At that point the ‘Dave Parrack’ AI system fires up and injects the site with the article that has the highest ‘flamebait’ rating. In this case however, I believe the ‘DP AI’ is faulty as there have been plenty of replies to artcles in the last 4 days. Mike F. needs to reboot the system me thinks.
Ill never understand why we insist on ‘rating’ these machines. Rate the fookin’ games.
I have all 3 machines and I don’t think I ever use any ‘extended’ features of any of them with the exception of a little FTP server on my Wii (homebrew ftw).
February 20th, 2009
I’d get a 360 to use as a media center if it wasn’t so noisy.
The PS3 definitely needs a hoist of better codec support, something like an ffdshow codec pack for PS3 would be sweet.
I’ve gotta agree with DP (a dubious acronym btw) about the 360 controller. Dualshock 3 all the way.
February 20th, 2009
Who doesn’t enjoy DP?
The erm… acronym. Right.
February 20th, 2009
“Round 5 – Games
Xbox 360 – Gears of War and Halo. PS3 – Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet. Woah, hang on a moment, why those two games? Why not Killzone 2 or God of War 3? Or Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2? Talk about picking your games to suit your own needs, which in this case is clearly an Xbox 360 win.”
Umm… maybe because none of the games you mentioned are actually available at retailers?
Now, if you would have made the point that they released this “prize fight” a week before Killzone 2 came out in order to seal the deal for the 360, maybe I would have given you some credit, but comparing games that are already out on one system to games that aren’t out yet on another is just ridiculous (and let’s be realistic, GoW3, Heavy Rain and Uncharted might not even make it out this year). They took the best exclusives currently available for purchase on each system and compared them, which makes sense to me.
“Round 1 – Design
Here, the PS3 takes it, even though CNet thinks it looks like a George Foreman Grill, which I suppose it does from a certain angle. I can’t believe the Xbox 360’s controller is given top marks though because personally I find it a little too childish and gimmicky for my liking.”
I agree that the 360 controller LOOKS like a toy, but I feel like I’m going to break my PS3 controller every time I pick it up because it feels like it’s MADE like a toy.
February 20th, 2009
tinyurl.com/byx9zl
umm… should I be scared???
February 20th, 2009
dave… this is beneath you… theres tons of other things to write about… this just feels dirty…
February 20th, 2009
Ooo kev, where is your carer taking you this weekend? Have fun!
If Live becomes free, I’ll keep a 360 on hand as a secondary console (for those stray games I can’t get elsewhere).
February 20th, 2009
CNET is obviously run by mentally retarded morons Microsoft cock suckers. CNET better watch we PlayStation owner my just crash their little website.
February 21st, 2009
“Xbox 360 – Gears of War and Halo. PS3 – Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet. Woah, hang on a moment, why those two games? Why not Killzone 2 or God of War 3? Or Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2? Talk about picking your games to suit your own needs, which in this case is clearly an Xbox 360 win. I concede the backwards compatibility point though – it sucks.”
Maybe because the other games you mentioned have yet to come to market… and many do not even have a firm release date yet?
February 21st, 2009
FLAME ON!
This is more like it! i love these old flamewars of the “old” blorge. God this brings back memories….
February 21st, 2009
umm… do the Cnet people know that there is a second Gears of War and a Third Halo?? jeez even I know that…
February 21st, 2009
This “game console” (read: not “entertainment hub/optional tech feature device”) review makes sense, is fair, and concedes to PS3’s strengths and main differentiation, which is, for the most part, not utilized in the majority of games on it, but rather for other non-gaming apps. The PS3 case has a nominally (.3 on scale of 5) better physical appearance (nothing to do with playing games)… it has better non-gaming features: blu-ray, wi-fi, and blue-tooth, all non-essential for gaming and not used by the majority of gamers (but they still are fair and give it a perfect score of 5 for these features)… 360’s online is recognized by IGN’s own Playstation team as being better, “the PS3 is still a long way from being the online equal of the Xbox 360″ ( ps3.ign.com/articles/947/947897p2.html ) and costs less than a dime a day for that added quality, or about $2.99 a month… the reason graphics were a draw is because while the 360’s multiplats usually have a slight edge, while there are a couple of exclusive titles (yet to come out, beyond MGS4) for PS3 that have a slightly better appearance… 360 wins in games because it has a better, larger gaming library overall; and while PS3 has a few good exclusives, it still has less than 360 in it’s top ten (and overall), let alone available online, and 360 has better bc with the last gen… value for money: “the 360 is a better GAMING console, while the PS3 remain a compelling do-it-all device”.
February 21st, 2009
“CNET is obviously run by mentally retarded morons” and you say this because they gave PS3 a higher product review when it first came out?
February 21st, 2009
erm… dammit… WHEN I get a 360… and IF I get ANY LAG!!! IF!!!
Im going to kill things… possibly things with lives and a soul… and no restarting…
Id say… with all the shit I go through with Street Fighter HD… Id pay for a premium online play…
which at the end of the day… means… the “FREE NET” thing becomes another bullet point in the back of the box… great for people who occasionally play online… but for people like me… who never even bother touching Single Player (unless with easy trophies) I need stable connection… Im keeping my eyes on you Street Fighter 4… better not fuck up…
and with the recent bargain… I heard and saw MS 13 month cards at like $30… thats not a lot to pay for a decent connection…
DAMN YOU SONY!!!
February 21st, 2009
if you want to get technical about the BC carlB….all ps3 can read PS1 games, and that library exceeds the Xbox one.
February 21st, 2009
@ CarlB,
“Maybe because the other games you mentioned have yet to come to market… and many do not even have a firm release date yet?”
I was thinking the same thing too. Dave Parrack seemed to get a little emotional in his blog also….
February 21st, 2009
so what game will push harry to the dark side?
February 21st, 2009
“I’d get a 360 to use as a media center if it wasn’t so noisy.”
The 360 is completely silent when running off the hard drive
February 21st, 2009
well.. Id say diaper duty and worrying about paying for college will put some rings under those eyes…
ohh.. also waiting for Alan Wake and after playing Halo Wars…
February 21st, 2009
I was taking that bc into account by saying only “last generation bc” phranc, not bc in general.
February 21st, 2009
can you provide the link to it harry?
February 21st, 2009
“umm… do the Cnet people know that there is a second Gears of War and a Third Halo?? jeez even I know that…”
In time, they’ll probably be more Halo games than there are galactic halos in the universe.
February 21st, 2009
You have to give both Microsoft & Sony respect for being at the top.
Both consoles have their good points. Gears of War vs. Killzone 2.
Same sh*t.
February 21st, 2009
good point… rpg’s on the other hand
February 21st, 2009
@ Carlb, what link?
@ phranctoast, currently I barely have time for my Left 4 Dead fix, haven’t been able to play it for around a week, so buying a new console is definitely out of the equation at the moment.
But hypothetically, if circumstances were different, I don’t think it comes down to games that would sway me, moreso the price of the console. If the PS3 dipped under $250 AUD then I would have picked one up, however I can’t see that happening for quite some time anyway.
February 21st, 2009
sigh… I sure hope Aussies get treated better by the gaming companies…
I would love to play with you harry… love to pump one off in your face in Killzone… I MEAN WITH A SHOTGUN YOU PERVERTS!!!
February 21st, 2009
DWH, i’d like to dip a pair on your eyelids in Halo 3. hahaha
February 21st, 2009
wait what??? I didnt get it… what kind of sick filth are Xbox players onto these days…
February 22nd, 2009
harry, sorry, thought you meant another blog from dave.
hs tb’s dwh…
February 22nd, 2009
DWH, ask your mum to explain it, she knows.
February 22nd, 2009
Nice article Dave, I like how anyone who doesn’t share your, -opinion- is a “douchebag”.
F-, resubmit.
February 22nd, 2009
ohhh… just say Tbag dumbass… dont try to trick me with your Non-American ised WITCHCRAFT!!!
February 22nd, 2009
Journos taking a pop at each other (douchebag, ffs).
Boring.
February 22nd, 2009
What exactly is a douchebag anyway? From what I understand, a douche is something that a woman inserts into her whispering eye. If that’s the case, i’d love to be a douche!
February 22nd, 2009
Yeh thats what I just read, thought I’d educate myself too.
Douche Bag – a bag for holding the fluid used in douching.
February 23rd, 2009
Ok I’ll add my bit
“Round 2 – Features
PS3 = Blu-ray, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Xbox 360 = none of the above. A perfect score for the PS3, and rightly so, seeing as its feature set is probably the most rounded and fulfilling of that seen on any home console ever.”
Besides Wi-Fi which can be added on, what is so big about Bluray and Bluetooth. Does not the Bluray and DVD do the same thing. Both play movies and both play games. Is a Bluray Movie of Batman different then the DVD version of Batman. In fact the Imax Sceens are included on the DVD version but are not included on the Bluray. Besides higher Resolution on a Bluray the results from both are the same. Lets also not forget that the 360 upconverts the resolution as well. Blutooth, exactly how is this great. You can only connect 7 devices and that’s it. That means if you had 4 people online at once on the same console that only 3 people would have mics and one person would be left out. How sad! Not even the PS3 blutooth remote could work with all that connected. On 360 I can connect all 4 controllers and 4 wireless headsets no problem and still use my 360 remote to. Also isn’t Netflix a feature?
February 23rd, 2009
Lets aslo not forget that the 360 also does TV Shows and Movies and Netfilx like I said before. Plus the Arcade and the VIdeos and the Trailers and he Demos and Community Games. All which the PS3 Ripped off from the 360. 360 should have won this category.
February 23rd, 2009
Extremely pro-360 website says “360 is the best”. -There I corrected the article’s title.
February 23rd, 2009
“In fact the Imax Sceens are included on the DVD version but are not included on the Bluray”
That is rubbish. I’d know, I own it on Blu Ray.
You can’t be that into your films if you can’t appreciate the difference between Blu Ray and DVD.
February 23rd, 2009
That is untrue*.
February 23rd, 2009
The Special Edition Batman on DVD had the Imax Scenes on Disk. The Bluray which I thought had it until my Buddy with a Bluray Player was showing me Batman on Bluray and I searched the whole disk and there was no Imax scenes on the Bluray.
February 23rd, 2009
also… Blu Ray eatz babiez…
February 23rd, 2009
The iMax scenes are part of the movie on Blu Ray, the screen ratio changes and everything. You can tell which are the iMax scenes, based on the quality.
I can scan/photograph the back of my Blu Ray case which even says it, if you want.
February 24th, 2009
Just like that Batman movie…… (:P)
For most people Blu-ray is totally over-rated.
I know, I have it (and I have the necessary HD TV & audio kit).
You need a really big HD TV (over 50″) to make much use of 1080p and if you haven’t got a very high standard & expensive speaker & receiver package you’re just kidding yourself if you think you’re hearing lossless audio properly.
Most people will never drop the sort of money required to get the full benefit so it’s all pretty acedemic.
(very high quality audio costs, it’s as simple as that, it always has done & always will do, the components and materials just can’t be had cheap)
February 24th, 2009
Barnabe, if the site was so pro-360 it would not have rated the PS3 higher when it first came out.
February 24th, 2009
Below is a pretty tame example, but I’ve seen much worse on there site. I’m pressed for time at the moment, but CNET does have a history of bias.
news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10063209-1.html?tag=mncol
Did you see all of the new PSP titles announced today?
Assassins Creed, Little Big Planet, Motor Storm, Madden, Rock Band and last but not least Hanna Montana!
February 25th, 2009
I thought HD was overrated when I first started using it a while back, but after, whenever I had to use SD it looked horrible. Like looking through dirty glasses.
Obviously DVD was a huge improvement over VHS. I accept that although HD is definitely an improvement over DVD, it is by no means essential for most people.
February 25th, 2009
@Happyhockum
You need to claim your poor eye sight with the dmv. You may need glasses.
I have a total sony HD setup and I can tell a big difference. compaire Superman returns and the Hulk in dvd vs BR and I can’t believe I waited this long to switch.
My wife doesn’t watch TV often and she says she can see a big difference also.
February 25th, 2009
Too bad reliability wasn’t it’s own category. It’s hard to play games on a broken console.
February 25th, 2009
I did not say there was no difference between SD & HD
(that’s just the typically predictable absurd Blu-ray fan nonsense).
The issue is whether it offers enough benefit with an under 50″ screen
(I don’t think so).
It’s also about whether most will ever get the benefit of the better audio it offers
(and I don’t care what the little light might say on your display, high quality audio costs a lot to enjoy, you need an expensive speaker set & a good – not necessarily cheap – HD receiver)
February 25th, 2009
“You need a really big HD TV (over 50″) to make much use of 1080p”
But it is all relative to your sitting distance.
Have a look at this. Interesting read (the link back to full article is above image).
s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html
June 3rd, 2009
look all you ps3 guys need to get a grip and realise that you have just got a over rated and expensive dvd player. games consoles areabout the games not a bloody dvd player xbox has the best online experiance and the things that they are realesing are going to wipe the floor clean of this argument sky tv and project natal omg its going to be ace. if anyone does not agree with me all i can say is just wait you will see
October 13th, 2009
Round 1 – Design
Here, the PS3 takes it, even though CNet thinks it looks like a George Foreman Grill, which I suppose it does from a certain angle. I can’t believe the Xbox 360’s controller is given top marks though because personally I find it a little too childish and gimmicky for my liking.
YOU CAN HAVE THAT
Round 2 – Features
PS3 = Blu-ray, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Xbox 360 = none of the above. A perfect score for the PS3, and rightly so, seeing as its feature set is probably the most rounded and fulfilling of that seen on any home console ever.
ALTHOUGH PS3 HAS BLU-RAY SO DOES MY BLU RAY DVD WHICH WAS MUCH CHEAPER THAN THE PS3. XBOX HAS WI-FI AS WELL YOU JUST HAVE TO BUY IT. WOW WIRELESS HEADSET XBOX HAS THAT AS WELL. BLU-TOOTHS RARELY WORK ANYWAY. BESIDE HARDLY ANYONE HAS A HEADSET ON THE PS3 ANYWAY. NETFLIX BEATS ANY FEATURE PS3 HAS
Round 3 – Online
The Xbox 360 takes this round comfortably thanks to the ease of using Xbox Live, and the new Netflix compatibility. However, I can’t understand the scoring really when PSN is free and isn’t as bad as CNet makes out. The judges clearly aren’t fans of Home but I’d personally rather have it than not have it.
CORRECT
Round 4 – Graphics
This round is a joke and for me, calls out the three judges as Xbox fanboys. On multi-platform games, the Xbox 360 apparently shades it – maybe, maybe not, but I think it’s too close to call either way. But platform exclusives? I’m sorry but the PS3 takes this crown by a mile. As stated, there is nothing that compares to Metal Gear Solid 4 or Killzone 2, so why the draw?
ITS CLEAR THAT XBOX HAS THE BETTER GRAPHICS. http://www.gamespot.com/features/6191251/index.html
FIND OUT HERE
Round 5 – Games
Xbox 360 – Gears of War and Halo. PS3 – Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet. Woah, hang on a moment, why those two games? Why not Killzone 2 or God of War 3? Or Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2? Talk about picking your games to suit your own needs, which in this case is clearly an Xbox 360 win. I concede the backwards compatibility point though – it sucks.
CORRECT MOST OF SONY’S EXCLUSIVES ARE COMING TO XBOX 360 NAMING METAL GEAR AND FINAL FANTASY. hOW MANY XBOX EXCLUSIVES ARE HITTING PS3. NONE
Round 6 – Value For Money
Apparently, being the best Blu-ray player on the market and having an astounding range of exclusive games either out or coming out soon doesn’t warrant an extra $100. Sure, the PS3 could do with a price cut but I’d still say it’s very good value for money even at its current price.
PS3 HAS NO INTERESTING XCLUSIVES AND ALL OF THE GOOD GAMES ARE ON BOTH SYSTEMS OR ARE JUST ON THE XBOX 360. I CAN BUY A BLU-RAY DVD CHEAPER. YES FREE ONLINE BUT NOT A GOOD ONLINE MULTIPLAYER SYSTEM BECAUSE THE GAMES ARENT WORTH THE PLAYING BECAUSE RARELY ANYONE HAS HEADSETS. THE PS3 CONTROLLER BREAKS EASILY DUE TO FRAGILITY. I AM A 122 POUND 5′2FT FEMALE MY R2 BUTTON SHOULDNT BREAK SO EASILY. IM BETTER OFF BUYING A PS2 (BETTER GAMES) A BLU-RAY DVD (CHEAPER) AND THAT ALONE IS A BETTER SYSTEM THAN THE PS3. DESPITE THE PRICE DROP AFTER RIPPING BILLIONS OF PEOPLE OFF WHO BOUGHT IT FOR 600 WITH NO BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY. WAY TO GO SONY; WAY TO GO.
The Result
It’s official. According to CNet, the Xbox 360 is better than the Playstation 3. Don’t worry that the presenter and main judge is a douchebag, or that we never actually get to see the other two judges give their opinions (if they even exist). CNet has spoken, and the Xbox 360 rules over the PS3. There is clearly no argument to be had
EXACTLY CNET IS QUITE ACCURATE
November 11th, 2009
Ugh I Hate Xbox Fanboys no matter what you say or how many features PS3 or any other system has they still say Xbox 360 is better!
#1. Netflix- It is coming to PS3 Soon
#2. Xbox LIVE- Ok i gotta admit it’s interface is better than PS3’s interface, but it costs and PS3’s internat play is free!
#3. PS3 Has Backwards compatability, just not with the PS2
#4.Internet browser- PS3=Yes 360=NO
#5.PS3 Has 6 axis which allows a better game play experiance 360 Doesn’t
#6.PS3 Has USB Chargable Batteries Built in to their controlers 360- Sold seperately
#7. 360 Games break easily- i saw a game my friend had he only had the game for about a week and out of nowhere it is broken!
So i think the systems are about even i mean dont be so hard on the PS3 it hasnt been out that long its been out about 3 years or somthing like that and the 360 has been around for 4 years you may think that that 1 year isnt that much but you can get alot done in a year!