.:A Desert Lifestyle Article:.
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 vs. Sony’s Playstation 3
By: Jamal Brown
Photos by: Terry Mayes
As long as gaming consoles have existed, gamers have discussed and debated about who makes the best unit. Over the years, this topic has escalated to an all out console war. Today, the gaming industry provides a console to suit just about every need and desire. Two consoles in particular are very similar in terms of price, performance, graphics, game selections and online support. Let’s take a look at Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3).
Books could be written in great depth when comparing these two colossal consoles. The gaming language can be very confusing and the technical terms overwhelming. While you have to pick the one that best fits you, I simply want to supply you with the a few eye openers to aid you in making the best decision before shelling over your hard earned cash.
Currently, I have both consoles at home. My initial purchase was the Xbox 360. About two years ago, the Xbox 360 had a huge advantage over the PS3 in terms of software. This was due, in part, to the fact that Xbox 360 released in September 2005, while PS3 did not hit shelves until November 2006. Microsoft had a one year advantage over Sony, which was huge. This meant that the majority of game developers made the Xbox 360 their primary focus for software development. If you wanted to play the latest and greatest games in the fall of 2006, chances were you had to play them on an Xbox 360. In fact, during that time, the battle for High-definition (HD) supremacy was raging. Xbox 360 offered a savvy attachment that allowed gamers to watch select movies in HD. While this feature has been discontinued, the PS3 still offers an internal Blue-Ray player. Almost two years later, the tables have definitely turned. For starters, consumers can now purchase most of the same software titles on both systems, with the exception of a few console specific exclusives. Furthermore, the Blue-Ray/HD Battle is over and the winner, by a knockout, is Blue-Ray.
So, which console should you buy? As I stated earlier, it depends on your needs and wants. Console makers are taking different approaches to designing their products. Some go for hardcore processing power, others focus more on online gaming. Are you going to use your gaming system to watch HD movies? Do you want to play your games online?
*I personally have switched from the Xbox 360 to the PS3. Quite frankly, I could not be happier. Aside from gaming, I love movies. Not only do I love movies, but I also love my movies in HD. At one time I owned the Xbox 360’s HD attachment, but today, it’s pretty much useless. I like the fact that as a PS3 owner, I also own a Blue-Ray player. It’s a two-for-one deal that’s hard to beat. If you have recently priced some of the Blue-Ray players on the market, you will find that the PS3 can be quite an inexpensive and smart way to own a quality Blue-Ray player.
**Graphically, both systems look very similar. On paper, the PS3 seems superior, but most people can’t tell the difference. I was happy with the graphics on both systems. Initial game loading time is a little lengthy on the PS3, but overall, I find loading speeds to be fairly decent throughout game play, just as on the Xbox 360. I own the 80GB version of the PS3 and have plenty of space for my game downloads and multi-media content. Xbox 360 offers a 160GB version for those needing even more space.
Online gaming is free on the PS3, but not the Xbox 360. Xbox users must pay a monthly or yearly subscription to play online. I will be the first to admit that online game play on the Xbox 360 definitely rivals that of the PS3. Xbox Live has a larger online community with greater depth in terms of customization, online tournaments and gamer awards. Personally, I’m content with online gaming on the PS3 as I simply don’t have the time to immerse myself in an extensive online gaming community.
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either console. In my opinion, they are both quality pieces of gear. These days, they are similar in price, depending on which version you pick up. The Main Exchange has a great selection for both systems. My advice? Study the specs for each system before you buy. Remember, each system offers different versions to suit different consumer needs. Look at exclusive games for each system and see which tickle your fancy. If playing games is all you want to do and you’re big into online gaming, go for the Xbox 360. If you like to play games, but are also into watching HD movies, then you may want to take a closer look at Sony’s PS3. So, what are you waiting for, you have homework to do. Happy gaming!
