PS 3 or X-box 360 - Which should I get ?

[Coded-Dude]

less glitches and bugs? What solar system are you gaming in?
360 has more games(about 12 dozen varieties of first person shooters), but again; is not showing a lot of RPG potential.
(at least not like the PS3 is)
And if you are interested in older games, PlayStation has the largest library of games period.
(although that could change once Nintendo releases a ton of cartridge classics to the Wii Store)

As for the bugs; well.....PS3 has no major issues whatsoever, whilst 360 has quite a few.

 

[asxtb]

Since people are playing the price game...
While the 360 is still cheaper, the PS3 is probably the cheapest here in Japan than anywhere else. I just picked up a new 20GB PS3 for 47000 (Under US$390) You can get a used one for about 40,000 (US$330) The 60GB is about 57000 (US$470) Compared to a Core 360 going for 28,800 (US$240). I think the PS3 has more features and is a better value. Although everyone says XBL is great (though more money to pay) and the 360 has more games. Just depends on what you want from a gaming system. Just thought I'd throw out the PS3 pricing for you to think about.

 

[asxtb]

And if you are interested in older games, PlayStation has the largest library of games period.

Which can be played on the PS3. As well as PS2 games. That's a whole lotta games!

 

[Coded-Dude]

thats what I mean; out of the box PS3 has the largest B/C

Nintendo's library is larger, but not 100% available out of hte box, you kind of have to wait on them to realese them for download.
Microsoft has already said they are giving up on extensively fixing B/C.

One of my top games right now is Jet Moto(PS1 game downloaded via PSN), and I am anxious to see it in HD now.

 

[AppleinJapan]

Since people are playing the price game...
While the 360 is still cheaper, the PS3 is probably the cheapest here in Japan than anywhere else. I just picked up a new 20GB PS3 for 47000 (Under US$390) You can get a used one for about 40,000 (US$330) The 60GB is about 57000 (US$470) Compared to a Core 360 going for 28,800 (US$240). I think the PS3 has more features and is a better value. Although everyone says XBL is great (though more money to pay) and the 360 has more games. Just depends on what you want from a gaming system. Just thought I'd throw out the PS3 pricing for you to think about.

Dude, since you are in Japan (im too) - Im concerned about if Im able to play online with my friends overseas on the PS3. Have you tried that ? So is it true that PS2 games arent region-free (games shops here in Akihabara tell me different stories)...Im thinking of getting a PS3 now because it has more features out of the box, they just released firmware 1.8 which allows streaming video from my mac and free online play - and the games will get better.

Sorry guys, I do like the X-box 360 (and I really wanna play gears of war) but after I looked at the costs - it adds alot to the game - eg: monthly fees/each maps

Correct me If Im wrong please

 

[Coded-Dude]

Some games will be region free, but as I understand it; in order to log into and play on a "localized" server, you must have two things.
An Account for that region, and the game from that region.

Example: Motorstorm - if you are in Japan/America(NTSC) you should still be able to import the PAL version of the game, log into your EU/PAL account, and play EU/PAL users.
Visa/Versa for each region as well; USA/EU can import JPN games and login with JPN account and play JPN servers.

Symantically speaking; it is regions free, but to prevent high ping, low framerate, etc.....the game for each region will only let you login to its respective localized server.
But like I said this will not be for all games, and should be less of an issue as PSN matures.

Might want to take that into consideration when buying online games.
Will you be playing solely with friends from another region, or both, or even all.
Kind of sucks having to buy the game more than once to play different regions though.....

 

[asxtb]

Dude, since you are in Japan (im too) - Im concerned about if Im able to play online with my friends overseas on the PS3. Have you tried that ? So is it true that PS2 games arent region-free (games shops here in Akihabara tell me different stories)...Im thinking of getting a PS3 now because it has more features out of the box, they just released firmware 1.8 which allows streaming video from my mac and free online play - and the games will get better.

Sorry guys, I do like the X-box 360 (and I really wanna play gears of war) but after I looked at the costs - it adds alot to the game - eg: monthly fees/each maps

Correct me If Im wrong please

I don't know anything about the online stuff. Sorry. I'd listen to Coded-Dude above for that stuff. I have yet to hook mine up to the internet.

The Akiba stores say that PS2 games are regionless? Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but PS2 games ARE regioned. You can only play Japanese regioned (region 2) games on a Japanese console. PS3 games are region-free. I wish it was the actual console that was regionless though. Of course I could be wrong. I myself am a newbie for next gen game consoles, but I've done some research since I was just in the market for a console.

 

[AppleinJapan]

Some games will be region free, but as I understand it; in order to log into and play on a "localized" server, you must have two things.
An Account for that region, and the game from that region.

Example: Motorstorm - if you are in Japan/America(NTSC) you should still be able to import the PAL version of the game, log into your EU/PAL account, and play EU/PAL users.
Visa/Versa for each region as well; USA/EU can import JPN games and login with JPN account and play JPN servers.

Symantically speaking; it is regions free, but to prevent high ping, low framerate, etc.....the game for each region will only let you login to its respective localized server.
But like I said this will not be for all games, and should be less of an issue as PSN matures.

Might want to take that into consideration when buying online games.
Will you be playing solely with friends from another region, or both, or even all.
Kind of sucks having to buy the game more than once to play different regions though.....

I will be playing online with a friend who lives in Australia - most of my Japanese friends hate playing online. AND to tell you the truth, I kinda hate playing RPGs in Japanese because it takes a long time to read and get into the story

 

[kuebby]

Thats a good point - Does any body know if you can play friends who happen to live overseas ??? I have a mate in OZ with a PS3 - there's no country restriction.....on the PS3 or X-box 360 (sorry Ive only played online via games not using X-box live etc etc)

It all depends on what country you select as your PSN account. For example, on my PS3 I have a Japanese account set up so I can download Japan-only demos and videos, but if I was to play online with this account I would be playing with Japanese gamers, so in voice chat I'd be kind of lost.

On the other hand, I believe, that living in Japan you could set up an account with the US as the country and you could play online with US gamers. I think that you can see the motivation behind having US and Japanese gamers play on seperate servers (language barrier).

 

[asxtb]

Hey AppleinJapan, just a heads up.... Just got back from the store (Sofmap) if you buy a PS3 now you get 007 Casino Royale BD free.

 

[MRU]

Hey AppleinJapan, just a heads up.... Just got back from the store (Sofmap) if you buy a PS3 now you get 007 Casino Royale BD free.

Really ? Here they charge you €629 for a copy of Casino Royale, and give you a PS3 free

 

[0098386]

Lol. Casino Royale. I watched that in the hype of it being "The best Bond film ever".
I've been told BluRay and HD-DVD makes films better but I think some are just beyond help.

 

[asxtb]

Lol. Casino Royale. I watched that in the hype of it being "The best Bond film ever".
I've been told BluRay and HD-DVD makes films better but I think some are just beyond help.

I agree, it's not a very good Bond movie, but... a free movie is a free movie. Better than nothing. Just trying to help the OP out.

 

[gkarris]

Lol. Casino Royale. I watched that in the hype of it being "The best Bond film ever".
I've been told BluRay and HD-DVD makes films better but I think some are just beyond help.

I loved CR. Yes, high def DVD does make a difference as long as you have a set that you can tell the difference on and the movie was mastered or remastered for HD.

I've got the XB360 HD DVD drive and a couple of movies I watched on DVD I know have on HD DVD and it is a better experience.

 

[MRU]

I've got the XB360 HD DVD drive and a couple of movies I watched on DVD I know have on HD DVD and it is a better experience.

Yeah I have both the HD-DVD addon and a PS3 - with a good share of BD and HD-DVD movies. Quality wise - there is nothing apart between the two formats really.

As for better than DVD. As a rule yes. But there are some suprising movies that HD really does not benefit. Take a CGI laden 'Sky Captain & The World of Tommorow'. Because of the post effects used on the film itself, there is no real difference between HD and SD versions.

Also a lot of films which were shot in low light, have a tendency to have their Film Grain realllllly stand out on HD and at times it does take away from the HD aesthetic.

Also back to CGI - a lot of movies on DVD you never really notice a 'ropey' cgi effect, but on HD - CGI effects can really stand out, and often look out of place and off colour. Again destroying the benefit of HD somewhat.

So it depends on the movie if it will look better in HD, and surprisingly you would think newer films would all look better than older films in HD, but this isn't necesserily the case either.

A bit of pot luck - but generally they are better than DVD.

Better enough to 'replace' DVD as the mainstream though ? That is the real question, until SD & HD are packaged on the same disc, and HD players of either format come down dramatically (sub $100) in price - I still dont think either format will threaten DVD for a long long time.

And by the time it does, there may be an easier faster way for us to access HD movies. A better picture / clearer sound, does not always win the hearts of consumers.. Price and easibility does.. you only have to look at MP3.

 

[AppleinJapan]

Hey AppleinJapan, just a heads up.... Just got back from the store (Sofmap) if you buy a PS3 now you get 007 Casino Royale BD free.

Thanks Mate, I just saw it on display in my local tsutaya. I'm getting a PS3 now - Ive decided........The X-box 360 is at the back of every store from Yamada denki to book off so even if its selling in Japan - there's not so many games for it.

and Casino Royale was the first bond film in a long time that I really enjoyed.....so its sold for me

NOW - what game should I get ?

 

[gkarris]

Yeah I have both the HD-DVD addon and a PS3 - with a good share of BD and HD-DVD movies. Quality wise - there is nothing apart between the two formats really.

As for better than DVD. As a rule yes. But there are some suprising movies that HD really does not benefit. Take a CGI laden 'Sky Captain & The World of Tommorow'. Because of the post effects used on the film itself, there is no real difference between HD and SD versions.

Also a lot of films which were shot in low light, have a tendency to have their Film Grain realllllly stand out on HD and at times it does take away from the HD aesthetic.

Also back to CGI - a lot of movies on DVD you never really notice a 'ropey' cgi effect, but on HD - CGI effects can really stand out, and often look out of place and off colour. Again destroying the benefit of HD somewhat.

So it depends on the movie if it will look better in HD, and surprisingly you would think newer films would all look better than older films in HD, but this isn't necesserily the case either.

A bit of pot luck - but generally they are better than DVD.

Better enough to 'replace' DVD as the mainstream though ? That is the real question, until SD & HD are packaged on the same disc, and HD players of either format come down dramatically (sub $100) in price - I still dont think either format will threaten DVD for a long long time.

And by the time it does, there may be an easier faster way for us to access HD movies. A better picture / clearer sound, does not always win the hearts of consumers.. Price and easibility does.. you only have to look at MP3.

Yea, generally, comparing it to my DVD's, a few of what I have so far:

Tomb Raider, The Mummy - only slightly better
Pitch Black - Nicer blacks
Forbidden Planet - I actually made a side-by-side with the original release and the remaster is really nice.
Aeon Flux - much nicer
King Kong - Awesome!

I don't have a PS3 but I hear that Casino Royale is absolutely stunning...

 

[gkarris]

Thanks Mate, I just saw it on display in my local tsutaya. I'm getting a PS3 now - Ive decided........The X-box 360 is at the back of every store from Yamada denki to book off so even if its selling in Japan - there's not so many games for it.

and Casino Royale was the first bond film in a long time that I really enjoyed.....so its sold for me

NOW - what game should I get ?

I don't know about the Japanese game releases.

As far as movies, try to get the ones encoded in VC-1 or MPEG-4. I hear that the studios will be re-releasing some of the Blu-ray titles originally in MPEG-2 in the newer codecs...

 

[kuebby]

It depends on what kinds of games you like. Resistance is an excellent FPS. The Godfather is an ok sandbox game, I'd say just rent this one and wait for GTA4 if you like this kind of games. Tony Hawk's Project 8 is the best Tony Hawk game in a couple years.

 

[MRU]

I don't have a PS3 but I hear that Casino Royale is absolutely stunning...

It's ok. It varies from location to location.

The outside scenes are beautiful, crisp, sharp.

The interior locations just by the nature of how they are filmed (on err film) have a huge amount of film grain, and they dont look as good.

It's a good transfer - but certainly not a 'pinacle' release by any means.

District B13 on BD looks better..

 

[asxtb]

If you like baseball, Puroyakyu Spirts 4 is a good game. I'm extremely impressed by the detail put into the game. Also, Ridge Racer 7 is a fun racing game. Other than that, don't know many other games. If you or your girlfriend are decent enough in Japanese there is a Mobile Auction sight for the keitai that you can find games for cheap. A few English games as well.

 

[AppleinJapan]

If you like baseball, Puroyakyu Spirts 4 is a good game. I'm extremely impressed by the detail put into the game. Also, Ridge Racer 7 is a fun racing game. Other than that, don't know many other games. If you or your girlfriend are decent enough in Japanese there is a Mobile Auction sight for the keitai that you can find games for cheap. A few English games as well.

Thanks mate - Im lucky cause my gf is Japanese but Ive also lived here long enough to be quite good at the language - So whats the name of the site ???

I usually use Gdex, Messe and Game-shop in Akihabara to buy all my English language titles...Oh by way guys, Im going to get a 32" Sony Bravia J5000 - it was just released (I saw it in Nojima denki and I guy was playing RR on it soooo beautiful - the tv that is not the guy)

 

[asxtb]

Thanks mate - Im lucky cause my gf is Japanese but Ive also lived here long enough to be quite good at the language - So whats the name of the site ???

I usually use Gdex, Messe and Game-shop in Akihabara to buy all my English language titles...Oh by way guys, Im going to get a 32" Sony Bravia J5000 - it was just released (I saw it in Nojima denki and I guy was playing RR on it soooo beautiful - the tv that is not the guy)

Haha! Sorry! When I first posted I didn't had my cell and intended to post the sight when I had me phone on my but forgot. Sorry.

Anyway, the sight is http://www.mbok.jp/ Oh, it's 300yen a month though.

My girlfriend also is Japanese and she buys and sells stuff all the time through it. So I browse the games and when there's something I want I tell her to bid on it. My Japanese is good enough to navigate through the sight and find what I'm looking for but when it comes to buying and all the shipping and payment stuff, I rely on my GF.

 

[elppa]

Whilst I wouldn't class myself as a gamer, having spoken to people who have had experience with both consoles, they almost universally rate the PS3 higher.