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Post Info TOPIC: Games console help please


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Date: Feb 11, 2009
Games console help please


Ok, so I'm thinking about buying a new games console for the children.  My budget is dictating either an Xbox 360 or a Wii.

Cian's championing the Xbox because his friends have them and he could therefore play with them online.

Natalia & I are after the Wii (I think) because it's easy to use (and I'd like to be able to play the games too but can't be doing with learning what all the buttons do!).

Can anyone help me decide please?

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The wii is more of a 'party' console - it really only comes into it's own when two or more people are playing with it. But when it does, it's bloody fantastic. My main problam with it, though, is lack of decent games. Lots of stuff aimed at kids - probably not that much for the grown ups.

The x-box (or playstation - they're much of a muchness) on the other hand is much better for the single player stuff - or playing online with mates. There are plenty of two+ player or party games available for it - singstar or buzz type things. It's also a bit cheaper.

I think generally, you'll all get a bit more out of the x-box. You'll get used to the controllers - well designed games are usually quite intuitive and you'll get pretty much anything worth playing on it. Also it plays DVDs and I believe Xbox Live has a VOD service with someone like netflix.

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I guess I'm lucky...My computer came with Solitaire already on it...Ben

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I'm going to be a rebel and suggest the PS3 instead, because of its blu-ray player and its capability to upscale normal DVD to Blu-ray. If you were planning at any point to have an HD TV then you'll be really happy you got the PS3.

Additionally because there is a plan to use Blu-ray as the game format in the PS3 in the future, and no plans to do that with either the x-box or the wii - I think the PS3 is more 'future proof' -

thats my 2 cents.

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Hmmmmm.  Lots to think about.  Thanks chaps.  aww

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Date: Feb 12, 2009

Truckman wrote:

I guess I'm lucky...My computer came with Solitaire already on it...Ben




Ben has a very good point here. None of the game console options have enough raw processing power to run a decent game of Solitaire!

JonnyStead wrote:

I'm going to be a rebel and suggest the PS3 instead, because of its blu-ray player and its capability to upscale normal DVD to Blu-ray. If you were planning at any point to have an HD TV then you'll be really happy you got the PS3.




I don't disagree with this, but the PS3, awesome as it is (and it is awesome), is over twice the price of the cheaper Xbox 360s and none of Cian's friends have one.

There are a couple of things to think about with the Xbox though:

The £130 model has no hard drive. Some games won't play without a hard drive. Others will have limited play options - I believe Burnout Paradise (a racing game) won't go on-line without a hard disk. Also if you want to download videos, demos or games from Xbox Live, you need a hard disk to store 'em on. So if you're going to buy one, you should avoid the £130 'Arcade' version. There are 20, 60 and 120 gb versions. I'd go for a mid-range one unless you're feeling flush. 20GB doesn't go very far these days!

There's also an ongoing cost associated with online play on the xbox - something like £35 p.a., which is a pain in the @ss. The Playstation and Wii and PC all let you go online for free, so it kinda feels like they're peddling you old rope.

Still - Cian will get an awful lot of pleasure playing with his mates online!

On a slightly different (and not entirely relevant) note, as far as blu ray movies go on the PS3, they are gloriously fantastic! However I just have this niggling feeling that VOD (Video On Demand) download services will take hold before Blu-Ray ever replaces DVD as the format of choice. Microsoft already have stuff in place and speculation is that Sony are working to bring it in 2009. Virgin currently provide a limited version through their set top box and Sky are set to follow this year.

It's all very exciting.

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ddvmor wrote:

I don't disagree with this, but the PS3, awesome as it is (and it is awesome), is over twice the price of the cheaper Xbox 360s and none of Cian's friends have one.

There are a couple of things to think about with the Xbox though:

There's also an ongoing cost associated with online play on the xbox - something like £35 p.a., which is a pain in the @ss. The Playstation and Wii and PC all let you go online for free, so it kinda feels like they're peddling you old rope.

Still - Cian will get an awful lot of pleasure playing with his mates online!

On a slightly different (and not entirely relevant) note, as far as blu ray movies go on the PS3, they are gloriously fantastic! However I just have this niggling feeling that VOD (Video On Demand) download services will take hold before Blu-Ray ever replaces DVD as the format of choice. Microsoft already have stuff in place and speculation is that Sony are working to bring it in 2009. Virgin currently provide a limited version through their set top box and Sky are set to follow this year.

It's all very exciting.


I dont disagree however I would say that the 360 is still plagued with reliability problems (which instead of fixing, MS have adopted an extended warranty to cover) and as the Ps3 gets cheaper as time goes on, Cian would be at the leading edge rather than getting in whilst everyone else is getting out.

I agree about VOD totally - but still think Blu-ray will become the format of choice for games developers and that ages the 360 real quick and remains the Ps3's knock out blow.



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Date: Feb 12, 2009

Oooh. Look at us claiming not to not disagree with each other and then promptly disagreeing.

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lol yep cool arent we!

I do agree with you about VOD and film mate - i think the game issue blurs it :)

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I'll take arrogance and the inevitable hubris over self-doubt and lack of confidence.

"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face" - Mike Tyson



I am the Jammie King!




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Posts: 12736
Date: Feb 12, 2009

I don't disagree...

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