Battle of the Game Consoles, article + questions + discussion *crosses fingers* Options

[superstitious]

First off, I'd prefer this to stay here and not moved to News because the real reason I'm posting this is to get a feel for what next gen console would be the best choice for me (um, and Iz, of course).

Hope Fades for PS3 as a Comeback Player
In Battle of the Game Consoles, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox Widen Leads Over Sony's PlayStation
By DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI

TOKYO -- For most of this year, Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 videogame console seemed finally to be taking off after a slow start. The PS3, trailing Nintendo Co.'s Wii and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 consoles, was closing in on the No. 2 Xbox 360, with new games and quarterly sales growth at twice the speed of last year.

But early results from this holiday season aren't promising. U.S. sales of the PS3 fell 19% last month from a year earlier, while sales doubled for the Wii console and rose 8% for the Xbox 360, according to research firm NPD. Analysts say they expect PS3 sales for this month to be flat or lower than last year, while sales for its rivals are likely to rise. And Sony may not reach its goal of selling 10 million PS3 consoles in the fiscal year through March, analysts say.

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more here

Last year (2008, so almost last year) was a very financially straining year, so I decided to wait until I receive my tax returns to get a new console. I had my mind on a Wii for a while, but after visiting a friend who has a 360, I'm sort of conflicted now. Then I had read a few comments on Amazon (I was browsing through some games) and a few reviewers were singing PS3 praises and I became even more conflicted.

I'm sure many of you have one (if not more than one) of these, so I was hoping that people might find a bit of time to give me their take. Also, does a potential financial fallout have much of an impact? I mean, I'd hate to spend so much money on something that will possibly be obsolete in the near future. Maybe "obsolete" isn't the best word to use, but I'm not sure how else to phrase it.

I swear, I'm not always so cautious when it comes to game related purchases. I bought the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox without much thought. It's just that the new equipment seems like more of an investment as a whole.

If you could be specific as to why/if you have a preference, that would be great. :)

[*BOSS*]

Well your point was that MIcrosoft was the clear cut winner against Sony. However, I refuse to believe a company with a rig that doesn't work is better than a solid one with blu-ray

[mipadi]

Well your point was that MIcrosoft was the clear cut winner against Sony. However, I refuse to believe a company with a rig that doesn't work is better than a solid one with blu-ray

As if Sony's hardware is significantly better. Remember the widespread problem with the PS2's optical drive, which caused it to slowly fail over time? Hell, my roommate's PS2 experiences disc read errors over 50% of the time when trying to load a game.

[smoke]

As if Sony's hardware is significantly better. Remember the widespread problem with the PS2's optical drive, which caused it to slowly fail over time? Hell, my roommate's PS2 experiences disc read errors over 50% of the time when trying to load a game.

This is true. In all honesty, everyone I know who owns a PS2 has either had a disk drive issue or had to buy a whole new system. In some cases, multiple times. I had to buy a second one. At least Microsoft is giving you a brand new Xbox 360 in return for free. That's why I've never understood PS3TARDS case about the Xbox failure rate. PS2 was Sony's second console. Xbox 360 is Microsoft's 2nd console. It's a learning process. One that I'm confident will be corrected next gen.

There was an article I read a year back that talked about Sony always bragging about how big sales are for the PS2, but they never mention the failure rate and what a large percentage of those sales are people having to rebuy a PS2 after their first, even second PS2 crapped out. I've no idea where that article is now, but I will most certainly look for it.

Oh, and that PS3TARD crack isn't referring to anyone here. I just like using it to rag on fanboys. I don't like any kind of fanboy. 98% of them are ignorant beyond comprehension.

[*BOSS*]

This is true. In all honesty, everyone I know who owns a PS2 has either had a disk drive issue or had to buy a whole new system. In some cases, multiple times. I had to buy a second one. At least Microsoft is giving you a brand new Xbox 360 in return for free. That's why I've never understood PS3TARDS case about the Xbox failure rate. PS2 was Sony's second console. Xbox 360 is Microsoft's 2nd console. It's a learning process. One that I'm confident will be corrected next gen.

There was an article I read a year back that talked about Sony always bragging about how big sales are for the PS2, but they never mention the failure rate and what a large percentage of those sales are people having to rebuy a PS2 after their first, even second PS2 crapped out. I've no idea where that article is now, but I will most certainly look for it.

Oh, and that PS3TARD crack isn't referring to anyone here. I just like using it to rag on fanboys. I don't like any kind of fanboy. 98% of them are ignorant beyond comprehension.

Thats ironic, cause I never knew anyone that had to get their PS2 replaced. I guess its just perspective. Yeah so what, if they are on their 2nd console, still 2009, they've been in business long enough to know a lot of eyes are on them. Microsoft also knew they had a problem, but they didn't fix it or rather refuse to double check. I can't pull up the article though.

I'm not defending Sony either. They are full of shit. Constant promises never fulfilled, and all the exclusives lost. When FFXIII was announced for the 360, I was seriously thinking that I should've bought an Xbox.

[smoke]

Thats ironic, cause I never knew anyone that had to get their PS2 replaced. I guess its just perspective. Yeah so what, if they are on their 2nd console, still 2009, they've been in business long enough to know a lot of eyes are on them. Microsoft also knew they had a problem, but they didn't fix it or rather refuse to double check. I can't pull up the article though.

I'm not defending Sony either. They are full of shit. Constant promises never fulfilled, and all the exclusives lost. When FFXIII was announced for the 360, I was seriously thinking that I should have bought an Xbox.

Guess so. Yeah, I know. After all the heat Microsoft has been taking, I'm sure they've realized where they went wrong. In all honesty, I think they were trying to keep the price down, so they probably didn't use the best hardware out there. It worked. People who couldn't afford a PS3 went with the 360 and got hooked.

Well good I'm glad you realize that 'cause that's my biggest beef with Sony. I honestly think the PS3 is not a bad system itself. It's just in the wrong hands. I don't respect Sony as a company. I loved my PS2 and I hated the first Xbox. Sony promised this console that people dream about, called it the PS3 and I was sold. I'm just glad I didn't buy it at launch 'cause I was seriously let down after all that bullshit. So, I went with the 360 'cause everyone was raving about it and I love the thing. Best console I have ever owned.

You don't even have a 360? If you can afford it, I think you should pick one up. The hardware issues are over with. Like I said, that was just the first batch of consoles made. They even started using better disk drives in the newer ones. It's best to have both. I assure you, you won't regret it. Most developers always say they go with the 360 because it's easier to design for, and you get the same results. Hence the reason the 360 has been the choice for exclusives. Not to mention Microsoft loaning money to keep it that way, but still. Not to mention the user base is double that of the PS3. That's why a lot of PS3 exclusives go multiplatform. It's all about $$$ son.