PS3 Versus Wii

Postby **VideoGameCritic** » December 17th, 2006, 12:27 pm

I was just reading the latest issue of EGM, and I was a bit surprised by their PS3 vs. Wii cover story. The magazine offered a fair analysis of both machines, several reviews of games for each, and pronounced the Wii as the unanimous winner.

I've been predicting this for many months now, but it heartens me to see EGM is finally coming around. Usually magazines like this are disproportionately influenced by overblown technical specifications, which Sony's hype machine has been touting for months.

EGM's conclusion is basically that the PS3 isn't offering anything more than the Xbox 360, except at a must higher price tag (and poor availability). While the Wii isn't a big step up in terms of graphics, the interesting games and innovative controls are something to get excited about.

I think the mainstream media is finally coming around to what readers of this site have known all along: graphics are nice, but it all comes down to the gameplay. That's why the original Pac-Man or a Turbografx game is just an enjoyable (if not moreso) than the latest next-gen first-person shooter.

On the downside, unless Santa unleashes the mother of all surprises on me, the VGC will not be getting a Wii or PS3 this month. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to snag a Wii in January, but the PS3 may be further out.

bluemonkey1 · Postby **bluemonkey1** » December 17th, 2006, 1:37 pm

Don't forget though that there are many gameplay elements besides graphics where the Wii's lack of power will hold it back compared to the 360 or PS3.

ZeldaTights · Postby **ZeldaTights** » December 17th, 2006, 1:43 pm

I think the PS3 is going to crush the Wii. Have you played the thing? The control for FPS is terrible as are the games. The new golf game stinks as so does the fishing game. The only thing it has going for it is Zelda and party games. I think it is too early to tell, let's revisit this in a year. The Wii better get some decent third party support or this will be another GC affair. My prediction is that the system is going to appeal to the Nintendo faithful and grab a few people but, the PS3 is going to crush all competition. There have been over a 100 million PS2's sold, so Sony has the fanbase and the money to make the PS3 work. Keep in mind it was also EGM that predicted (this must have been the last issue) that the outlook was much better for the PS3. In my opinion the gimmicky controller which is actually inferior to the analog system will ulitimately fail. I can't wait to play the next Zelda on my PS3. VGC you should get a Wii and then make a statement, just be careful that the cheap controller strap doesn't break and ruin your tv.

ZeldaTights · Postby **ZeldaTights** » December 17th, 2006, 2:46 pm

So each machine has been out for a month now and they are predicting a "winner"? What a joke. What happened to your objectivity and why is the VGC such a nintendo fanboy?????? I can't believe you have jumped on the Nintendo banwagon so much considering you hardly have a 100 reviews for the Gamecube and N64 combined! Where are all the amazing Nintendo games that you have reviewed or are planning to review? I'm done with this site, your reviews stink and you should look up the word objectivity when you have a chance. Seems like you have run out of it.

Adamant1 · Postby **Adamant1** » December 17th, 2006, 3:15 pm

[QUOTE=ZeldaTights] the PS3 is going to crush all competition.[/QUOTE]

Oh really? The thing is 600$, about twice the price of an Xbox 360? Exactly why should Joe Average shell out that much cash for the thing when the 360 offers about the same? Just because it's Sony?

I really doubt Sony will come in first this generation. They're getting way too cocky for their own good, and it's biting them in the ass as we speak.

Leo Ames · Postby **Leo Ames** » December 17th, 2006, 3:36 pm

I thought the PS3 was 499/599, depending on hard drive size.

The 499$ model offers everything you really need, unlike a $299 Xbox 360. In my opinion, there is only a $100 difference between a Xbox 360 and a PS3, unless you need a lot of hard drive space for non gaming related activities.

feilong801 · Postby **feilong801** » December 17th, 2006, 4:01 pm

[QUOTE=ZeldaTights]

So each machine has been out for a month now and they are predicting a "winner"? What a joke. What happened to your objectivity and why is the VGC such a nintendo fanboy?????? I can't believe you have jumped on the Nintendo banwagon so much considering you hardly have a 100 reviews for the Gamecube and N64 combined! Where are all the amazing Nintendo games that you have reviewed or are planning to review? I'm done with this site, your reviews stink and you should look up the word objectivity when you have a chance. Seems like you have run out of it.

[/QUOTE]

This is the sort of mean spirited jab we've come to expect from certain trolls and lurkers (or perhaps other people who are giving themselves a new name?). Why not disagree in a manner that is intelligent as opposed to the tired "fanboy" commentary? Why does the number of games he has reviewed for the Nintendo systems have anything to do with it? He's reviewed a ton of Playstation titles, in fact there are more reviews for PS1 and 2 than for N64 and Gamecube. His system reviews for the same systems clearly show the obvious fact that the Playstations have, so far, had a better, wider variety of games.

So in other words, I really don't see this Nintendo bias.

Also, (this to another poster) I occasionally hear that the Wii's limited power (still more power than anything from the last gen, but I guess that's not good enough) will hamper gameplay. Please tell us what these things are. I'm willing to bet they are ambiguous concepts and not anything clear cut.

Back to the person I quoted: Why is it so terrible to you that Nintendo is doing well? Isn't this good for the industry? We know that Sony will survive this generation no matter what, they are too big to die from one console. So isn't good that Nintendo is pushing the envelope and changing some minds? Doesn't this make the other players in the game more accountable, leading to better games and systems at more reasonable prices? If you are a Sony fan, I would think that Nintendo's success should be celebrated, as one would think it would cause Sony to change directions and create a system that makes a gamer pay out $600 to afford.

People forget that you can connect any Gamecube controller to the Wii, plus you have the Classic Controller out there... so nobody is stopping someone from developing a game with standard controls on the system, such as Smash Brothers Brawl will be.

bluemonkey1 · Postby **bluemonkey1** » December 17th, 2006, 4:25 pm

Each PS1 downloaded game = 500MB.

Cheap PS3 lacks extendability, you limit yourself to that size hard drive permanently (except for externals I guess) and no HDMI.

m0zart1 · Postby **m0zart1** » December 17th, 2006, 4:30 pm

[QUOTE=Leo Ames]

I thought the PS3 was 499/599, depending on hard drive size.

The 499$ model offers everything you really need, unlike a $299 Xbox 360. In my opinion, there is only a $100 difference between a Xbox 360 and a PS3, unless you need a lot of hard drive space for non gaming related activities.

[/QUOTE]

There are other differences. The 20GB model also lacks the integrated Memory Stick/SD Card/Compact Flash reader, 802.11b/g wireless, and HDMI output. These are all be standard in the more expensive model.

When I get a PS3, it will definitely be the more expensive model. The differences are enough to make an extra $100 worth it to me.

Leo Ames · Postby **Leo Ames** » December 17th, 2006, 4:40 pm

Not true, the 20gig model has HDMI ports. And you can easily use media like SD cards on the cheaper model. And I've heard that you can add wifi support and a larger harddrive to the 20gig model for well under 100$, though I don't see having to use a ethernet cable as that big of an issue anyways.