PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Head to Head, PS3 Reviews and other Miscellanea

Game sites are doing head-to-head comparisons of the two Next Gen systems. They take games developed for both systems, run them side-by-side and create either side-by-side videos or pictures where you can see the differences:

• GameSpot (roll-over comparative pictures)
• 1Up.com (transition videos and side-by-side pictures)
• High-Def DVD Players and the Console Wars (Joystiq)

Other PS3 Video Issues:

• Joystiq (Motorstorm – What Sony promised at E3 2005 and what it delivered)
• Joystiq (PS1 and PS2 video quality is worse on the PS3 vs. original Xbox games which look better when played on the Xbox 360)

So far the Xbox 360 seems to be winning in almost every comparison I’ve seen and read. The graphics and frame rates are consistently the same or better on the Xbox 360 version of identical cross-platform games. Motorstorm is particularly disappointing – It was that E3 video and the controversial E3 2005 Killzone video that made me most interested in the PS3.

PS3 Reviews: Here are some detailed PS3 reviews – not terribly flattering to the PS3 at this point:

• ars technica (multi-page detailed review)
• New York Times (3 platform comparison)
• CNet (a rather positive review here)
• IGN
• Business Week
• PC Magazine
• PC World
• Entertainment Weekly
• Blog Critics

Dale’s PS3 Mini-Review (based solely on what I’ve read)

Pros:

• Powerful Machine – lots of promise
• Built-in Blu-ray player – if you want a Blu-ray player the extra $200 is well worth it)
• Sixaxis – presumably somebody wants this
• Attractive
• Quiet – especially compared to the Xbox 360
• Thousands of PS1 and PS2 backward compatible titles – but with serious video display issues
• Included WiFi – Xbox 360’s WiFi adapter is an extra ~$100
• Integrated web surfing – though tedious to use
• Online service charges you in real currency – vs. Microsoft’s silly point system
• 60 Gig hard drive – vs. Xbox 360’s 20 gig hard drive

Cons:

• Expensive – $599 U.S. for the high end unit with one controller and no games – compared to $399 U.S. for the high-end Xbox 360
• Built-in Blu-ray player – if you don’t want a Blu-ray player you still must pay for it – compared to the optional HD-DVD available with the 360
• Poor launch line up and very few games – all but a few of the launch titles are available on the 360 – obviously this will change over time but so far there are no PS3 exclusives I’m dying to play
• Abysmal online service compared to Xbox 360 – the Playstation Network is free – you get what you pay for)
• No rumble/force feedback – important for shooter fans – not so much for others
• Controller too light
• No included headset – the Xbox 360 includes a headset for communicating during online play.
• Poor user interface – the PSP-style ribbon interface is being largely slammed by the critics whereas the 360’s interface is winning awards
• No background downloading – unlike the 360 if you download something, the PS3 cannot be used for anything else (possibly for hours) until the download is complete.
• Multiple wireless controllers problems – syncing, sticking during game play, short recharge cable, no recharge cable with second controller
• Difficult/time consuming to setup
• No Guitar Hero backwards compatibility – different connectors are used
• Bigger and heavier than 360.
• Good luck finding one before February or March of 2007 in North America – Sony launched with fewer consoles than did Microsoft despite having an extra year to get it right!

Just for Fun -Halo 3:

• Latest Halo 3 CGI-rendered Teaser
• 1UP.com (Luke Smith) Blow By Blow Discussion of the Teaser (I suggest clicking on the “Watch Larger Format” option in top right corner)

Other 360 Goodies:

• Assassins Creed Demo

Full Disclosure: I preferred the Xbox over the PS2 and, owing largely to the Xbox Live online feature-set, I have an decided initial inclination favoring the Xbox 360. I have owned the 360 since launch and have been unable to get my hands on a PS3 yet. That said, I will purchase a PS3 when: (i) I can get my hands on one; and (ii) there are games on it that I care enough about to purchase it – so far, none of the launch titles are compelling enough for me to make the purchase even if I could. As a significant computer of OTA HD (and hopefully soon downloadable HD content to my 360), I have no desire for either a Blu-ray player or an HD-DVD player. In the end, I have no doubt that the PS3 experience will get better over time as it updates its janky online service, developers get used to developing for this complicated platform and more first party and exclusive titles are released.

Related Posts

• Newsweek Alleges Kutaragi Dropped the Ball on PS3 3rd Party Exclusives
• Is the Lack of Force-Feedback in Sony’s PS3 Controller a Technical or Legal Issue?
• Sony 3D Artist Fired for saying “Xbox 360 is better” than the PS3

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