by Clayton Magsanay

Created on: August 31, 2010   Last Updated: September 01, 2010

To say that the "Xbox 360 vs. PS3" debate is a heated argument is an understatement. On virtually any messaging board, be it gaming or otherwise, this discussion nearly always comes up. If you search "xbox vs ps3" on google, you get over 120 MILLION hits in under a second. So maybe you've come to this article seeking another gamer's opinion, or maybe you're locked in an internal struggle over which console to get. Fear not, virtual brother! This article aims to give you facts as well as my own personal opinion.

Pros (Xbox 360):

• Great online community, boasting 20 million users

• Amazing exclusive titles ranging several different genres. Some of these are: Mass Effect 1 and 2, Crackdown 1 and 2, Fable 2 and 3, the HALO series

• Xbox LIVE is a near-seamless way to stay connected with friends through cross-game party chat and messaging as well as private chat.

• Relatively low price

• (OPINION) Remarkably comfortable controller design; easy to grip, thumbsticks spaced well

Cons (Xbox 360):

• Pay-to-play online system; $7.99/month, $19.99/3 months, $49.99/1 year

• RRoD General Hardware Failure (Though the new Xbox and old fixes for the "classic" 360 have all but eliminated this)

• Slightly lacking in graphics when compared to the PS3

• (OPINION) The new dashboard

Pros (PS3):

• Free online play

• As with the 360, great exclusive titles (Killzone, God of War 3, Heavy Rain, LittleBigPlanet)

• Price cuts have made it more affordable

• Sleek looking dashboard

• Can make new online accounts without having to pay

Cons (PS3):

• When it comes to online features, you get what you pay for. No cross-game chat, only text messaging

• System Updates can take a very, very long time, especially if you haven't played the console for 1 month or longer

• A sometimes confusing User Interface

• (OPINION) Controller designed exclusively for small hands; thumbsticks too close together, overall very small

• (OPINION) Odd trigger buttons; not really triggers at all

Comparisons:

I, having both consoles, have had plenty of experience with both, and will say that I am much more impressed with the Xbox 360 on a whole. The graphics issue isn't as big as some people would point out. For the vast majority of games, the graphics between the two consoles is on par. With the exclusives however (Heavy Rain, Uncharted) the PS3 has markedly better graphics. The pay-to-play feature also isn't as bad as most people would make it out to be. In fact, I would say it is better than the free experience offered by the PS3. One reason being it just looks and feels more streamlined and professional. The features are responsive and quick, while the PS3's online seems...disorganized, and sometimes confusing.

In conclusion, I can only say that I prefer the Xbox 360 over the Playstation 3. I have offered my opinions - marked by the big (OPINION) tags - and have also given facts. It is ultimately up to you, the consumer and player, to choose which one is better. I only hope I have given you some insight as to which that will be.

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