Xbox 360 vs. PS3

After talking to my buddy Jeremy about the differences between the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Sony Playstation 3 he convinced me to post what I had to say. I have to start off by saying that I have had my 360 for over a year and just got my PS3 last week and that both are great systems. For the 360 the game to own is Gears of War, a different take on first/third person shooters. It not about jumping around dodging bullets, it's about cover and tactics. You might just have to play it to know what I mean, because when I first picked it up, I didn't think I would be able to beat it, but now it is one of my top 10 games of all time, really. Well, on the PS3 I don't officially have a game for it, but I have been playing the Motorstorm demo, and like I have said before this game is the most beautiful and fun racing game I have played in a long time. Both systems have wireless controllers, High Definition graphics, and online capability.

Now with all of that out of the way, my main reason for this post is that I wanted to point out the price difference between the systems. Most people are bad mouthing the PS3 for being so expensive at $499 and $599. Yes, this is the most expensive system to date, even $100 more than the top of the line 360. There are two models of the 360 and they sell for $299 and $399. I do have to admit that with all of the criticism that Sony has received prior to the release, I didn't think that people would be that excited about the system. As all of us have seen the loads of people camping in front of Best Buy and how much they have been going on Ebay, but the attitude most people have in their quest to find one, I have to say them seem really excited.

If you really want to compare the system prices we need to compare them apples to apples. First if you look at the PS3 Premium model ($599), it comes with a 60 GB HD, WiFi, memory slots (CF, SD, MS) 4 USB slots, and Blu-Ray. The top of the line Xbox 360($399) comes with a 20 GB HD, 3 USB slots, and a DVD player. Hmm, seems we are missing a few things to compare the two, so to make them comparable, we will need to add to the 360 a HD-DVD player($199), and the WiFi adapter($99). Wait a second, $399 + $199 + $99 = $697. That is $98 more than the top of the line PS3 sells for. Hmm, if you ask me which is a better value if you want HD movies and Wireless capability, then I have name the PS3 a better value. Oh, and don't forget that the HD-DVD player is the size of a Wii, so it will take up some more real estate, so put that $199 towards a Wii.

I need to add one more paragraph, so my Xbox 360 friends don't dump me. Remember when I said that Gears of War is in my top ten, yeah, I am serious and that game alone is more enough of a reason to buy a 360. I also have to say the interface on the 360 is much more attractive and the online play is superb. If the Xbox 360 came out with a version with built in WiFi and a Blu-Ray player, then I would say it would be more comparable, but until that happens (if that happens, since MS in my opionion is against the Blu-Ray just because it is in the competitions console) I will have to say that the PS3 is a better value.

Leave you comments, I would love to hear your thoughts. And if you feel I left something important out, let me know.