Which is better the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3? (For my son's birthday who is turning 12)
My son hasn't had his gaming console updated in a few years and I agree that it is finally time. I want to know which is more kid friendly, which has a better variety of games and which is more affordable, including games?
The PS3 is far better. It comes with a built in blue ray DVD player.
Lesliebyars,
Thanks, that has actually been weighing my decision. I’d like to think that all the money that can get dropped on electronics, it would be ideal to have multipurpose systems.
One of the nice things about the PS3 is that there is no additional monthly fee to play online games, which a large majority of the games have as a major component. However, I would highly suggest that you give your son the ability to choose as they are relatively close in price especially for the games and if all of his friends have one or the other then it would not be fun to not be able to play with them online. At 12 he very likely has a very good idea of exactly which one he would prefer.
CZCZCZ,
No additional monthly fees is definitely appealing, I also like that is also serves as a blu-ray DVD player. Yet, my son has an Xbox and he may be partial to the Xbox and I believe his Xbox games will play in the Xbox 360. You are right th
The Xbox is better. Some people will argue that the PlayStation is better because the online play is free. However the disadvantage with that is that Sony can take that service down without needing to compensate you. Also when their network was hacked twice and significantly compromised they did just that.
Another argument that people invariably invoke for PlayStation is that it contains a blu-ray player. But the combination of this with a gaming console is a bad idea. It was originally done to promote the format. It just seems poor that one of the major reasons you bought a games console was for television. Surely y time III wanted games on it?!
That said watching TV through your console is becoming more popular. However rather than being stuck with a format of disc which will simply go out of date when the technology is superseded you will be better renting or buying movies digitally which the Xbox offers.
Bundu,
Thanks, well you are the first person to have a very game-specific preference. I hadn’t even put thought into service issues. Point also well taken about the blu-ray player and movie rentals. One of my fears or frustrations about gaming devi
Anas Ab Aziz,
You seem very sure of yourself. Can I assume that you have a PS3 and are quite satisfied with it?
Well, this is a particularly tricky question. Let's go by steps:
Which console is more kid friendly?
Well, to be honest, both of the aforementioned consoles have both kid friendly and more mature titles.
Which has a better variety of games?
The PS3 has greater access to Japanese roleplaying games (JRPGs) and the Xbox is the mecca of FPS (first-person shooter) games. Besides that though, I'd be hard-pressed to give you a better answer, since I'm a Nintendo person (I do have a PS3, but have all of like 4 games for it right now).
Which is more affordable, including games?
If memory serves, the X360 console is cheaper. Both consoles have games that retail at $60 and also titles that retail at lower price points.
I will offer that I did have a 360 once, and that it succumbed to the Red Ring of Death issue that a lot of the older Xbox 360 consoles had. Not sure how the quality is holding up nowadays, but the 360's game selection isn't doing it for me for me to risk it anyway.
So, all in all, I'd figure out what kinds of games your son likes to play and then determine which console allows more convenient access to them (most games nowadays are multiplatform anyway; meaning that they are sold for multiple consoles).
If you want my personal opinion, I'd get him a PS3.
P.S: (Or just get him a Wii U!)
(But, the Wii U's game library is pretty subpar at the moment, and it's pretty costly too, so you should wait a year or two if you actually want to take my semi-humorous, semi-serious "none of the above" suggestion to heart.)
Thank you for the input Winterfate. I want to get a console that is going to be relevant long enough. I also would like to buy games that are going to stand up to relatively long lives before my son grows tired of them. A gaming console isn’t a one-t
@Cantuhearmescream The next generation of consoles is coming out end of this year(PS4 and Xbox720), but most people won't make the switch to the new systems for a while, so you should be fine. Whatever you end up buying, buy the system new!
nintendow wii, get it softmodded, but still a good buy for kids. But if not that then a ps3.
Tmos,
Thank you for your input. Can I assume that you aren’t overly impressed with the PS3 or Xbox360 and so the suggestion of the Wii? Or are you just particularly fond of the Wii? Honestly, I am not even sure what softmodded means?
Not i'm not overy fond of any of them, I own all three systems. Actually I think I own just about every home console and a few hand helds. But for a early teenager, "a normal teen". Wii = kid friendly/family friendly ps3/xbox=mostly mature games
A child with a softmodded wii? There are plenty of kids games on ps3. Lego games are the best! rayman origins (awesome and $10), Fifa, NFL, nba jam etc etc.
I posted a hubpage about softmodding a wii check it out when you get time. lego games/rayman or Nintendo with Zelda, mario, metriod, Donkey kong a lot of in house games that the family would enjoy. Check out some of my hubs. My nephews and I enjoy it
Ps3. Free Internet. Xbox charges to play online. Ps3 has a bLu ray player and 3D capability. Xbox does not. Playstation plus is pretty cool too and allows you to download free games for $50 a year. I also believe that the parental locks on ps3 are superior.
But yes, it's all about what his friends have, because they can play each other online. He might also prefer a ps vita?
Cfin,
Thanks. I do like all of the features the PS3 has to offer. You are the second person to suggest what he wants and his friends have is important, which kind of sticks but I guess is true. I would’ve loved to surprise him with a new system but
Well, you could always ask his best friends mother or father. And remember, there are games that are good for kids on both consoles. It doesn't have to be all violence. Heck, my wife and I play board games on there. Its 2013!
PS3! It has the largest scope of games and Sony is a trusted brand. (yes PSN was hacked, like many corporations are, but thanks to that it is now a very secure service, not to mention they gave free games as compensation). Besides, I believe in the US you can use PayPal for purchases if you don't want to hand over your details to Sony.
PSN is also a 'free' network. You will have to pay a subscription to use Xbox online. PS3 also offers an optional subscription service called 'PSplus'. It really is great value as you get free highly rated games across all genres like Uncharted and Infamous and at the moment Sleeping Dogs. You also get exclusive discounts on PS1, PS2 & PS3 (and even PS Vita) games and other products like themes, avatars, downloadable content. You will also be able to access exclusive BETA's.
PS3 also has TV and music on Demand and Movie services such as Netflix not to mention it's own movie and TV store where you can rent or buy from a large library. Stuff like Spiderman, Sponge Bob, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Walking Dead, Downtown Abbey if that floats his boat. I think even Ben10 is on there. And because Sony has it's own movie corporation they can offer you early release of their movies like they have with the new Resident Evil movie.
Also it's worth pointing out that Sony is expected to announce the PS4 on the 20th Feb. The next Xbox is also expected to be announced in a few months time. It may be worth holding out for next gen but if you can't wait that long you should know that Sony will continue to support the PS3 for many years where Microsoft won't support the Xbox 360. Sony only stopped making PS2 consoles recently - that's how much they support their products.
I've had a PS3 since day 1. I'd be hard pressed to fault it. I have no regrets and I fully intend on getting a PS4 asap
Richard Craig,
Thanks. As someone who is really stabbing at the dark I can appreciate a confident answer. I guess I’m in the dark when it comes to these systems’ capabilities. The PayPal factor is definitely convenient. Also, I love the idea of the
First off, the PS3 isn't backwards compatible while the Xbox 360 is, so your assumption that it has the largest scope of games is false. And although the PS2 has continued to be made its games where stopped long ago, just like the Xbox.
The best way to answer this is to ask around with his friends parents and see what they have. Whichever one they say the most is what you should get him. Both systems are made for being social and playing games with friends, so why not let him get the same console as his friends so that they can play together.
For affordability, they are about the same. Games generally tend to drop in price faster on ps3(I'm talking about used games, new ones stay the same price on both systems for a long time), but both have the same amount of games and both have their own exclusive series(Halo and Gears of War for Xbox360 and Metal Gear solid for ps3).
For being kid friendly, that is up to the parent and what games they buy for the child. Both systems have parental controls that can be set.
I hope this helped!
Very good input. I had friends that had the XBox 360 so that's what I got. Later on I got a PS3. Very similar, but the blu ray feature was cool.
Gameguru,
Thank you. Yes, this helps. I have had a lot to think about and I feel much more informed now than I did before I asked this question. Would you say that it is common for 12 year olds to use the interactive multi-player gaming?
Cantuhearmescream
That is definitely not unusual. At the age of 8 i was playing first person shooters like call of duty (Which is a series with strong language and violence, it is a war game) That is how i relaxed and blew off steam after school.
He has actually played some of those Call of Duty series; but does his age play the kind that you connect to the internet and wear headphones and mics and interact with other players?
In this day and age, yes, I think it would be more than ok for him to do that. However, if you didn't want him swearing I would monitor who he plays with and see what he is saying from time to time.
No, I guess I don't care if he interacts with other players if that's what other kids are doing. I barely understand that stuff. I grew up on the Nintendo and Sega. What do you need to have the ability to go online? Do I have to buy other stuff?
You will need the internet cords to connect it to your router, an xbox live membership and a headset. This would in total run you about an extra 100 bucks
Gameguru,
Thank you. I don't mind paying for the extras. It's dropping all kinds of money, getting home to realize you still need to buy all kinds of things to have all the capabilities that frustrates me. Knowing in advance keeps the stress down.
Most Xbox systems come with a headset and a 3 month membership to Xbox live. Also, ethernet cables aren't that expensive.
My son has both PS3 and Xbox360 consoles, he prefers the Xbox360, and it does seem to have more age appropriate games for him, he's 13. So I would say go with the Xbox360. I actually got a good deal on a bundle, Gaming console, with the Kinect sensor, and 3 games for about $450.
Alphadogg16,
Thanks. I appreciate the kid-friendly answer. When I go into GameStop, I get amazed with how addicted some people are with these systems and new-releases. I think I’ve seen an adult knock a kid over; kids waiting patiently in line whil
This is like iPhone vs. Android and lots of other things. People are going to strongly defend what they have. I think it's pretty even. PS3 does have the blu ray player and their network is free. That said, their network is not as strong. You're going to be spending about the same on the console/games. If you are interested in a blu ray player that would be the deciding factor for me.
Taylorgang,
Thanks, I guess you're right. That being said, is it safe to assume that if someone owns a console and has no complaints that it's probably a pretty good console? But, what is it being compared to if someone owns just one a
Each console has its own pros and cons so basically it comes down to preference or what your son's friends play.
The PS3 is superior in terms of hardware and capability, where the 360 is superior in community, services and connectivity. Like other answers have stated, the PSN is free but has had severe issues in the past. PS3 has a built-in blu-ray drive, which the 360 does not. The PS3 is more powerful than the 360 with it's incredibly fast specs. The graphics and speed capabilities of the PS3 are superior to the 360. This also depends on which console is the preferred production choice. COD is made for the 360 so the performance on both systems is about the same. This is probably a better choice if your son wants a better dedicated gaming system.
The 360 has a superior online experience, which is worth the $60/year...to me at least. The online gameplay has always been far better on the 360 than the PS3, in my experience. I don't recall ever needing to wait for Xbox Live to have maintenance that shut down the service while I was trying to play. For me, communicating and playing with friends is easier on the 360. Being manufactured by Microsoft is another bonus since the Xbox will seemingly always be more computer friendly in terms of being able to connect to and operate like a computer. This is probably better if your son wants a better overall entertainment system with better online play.
If you are going for a purely affordability view, the PS3 would be more affordable in the end since the PSN is free and it has a blu-ray player. If your son will most likely play games solo, the PS3 would also be better for that. If your son would play online mostly and using other services online (on PSN/Xbox Live), I strongly recommend the 360. I grew up on playstation and currently own an Xbox 360 so I am fond of both systems. Hope this helps!
neco555,
Yes, thank you that does help. You gave a lot to think about and I actually took notes!
Having a PS3 one would assume that I would recommend getting one, as I am writing this from my PS3. I don't see anyone answering from a XBOX 360. From my experience most kids (7-16) prefer a XBOX. This is because more of their friends have one. I personally prefer the PS3 just because as it's old motto states "PS3 it can do everything", it can do pretty much everything. If this is going to be used solely as a gaming console than go with the XBOX 360. If you want more for your dollar go with the PS3. What I will say is PS3 has far better internet capabilities and Playstation Network is much better than XBOX 360. As for overall network security both suffer from the same issue "If there is a way to break it, man will find it". Either way he is sure to have a great birthday. Hope this helps.
Mr. NGR,
Thank you. Can I ask what your opinion is about why so many kids are partial to the Xbox? Because yes, my son will proabably want what his friends have. Whereas I would rather buy whatever the better system is regardless of which one that is
The XBOX 360's success is based on first person shooter titles i.e Call of duty, Halo etc... it also has a large number of children friendly titles and I believe this is the main reason children prefer it as opposed to the orginal reason....price.
On another note the XBOX 360 is the only gaming console that has and continuously does lose money each quarter. Just a fact.
The PS3 doesn't have better internet capabilities! It's widely known that Xbox's wireless data card far exceeds the PS3. Unless you plug both systems in you're better off with an Xbox!
@ braided Zero, and how much do you pay for xbox live, to simply even use the internet?
As people have been saying, check with his friends to see what they have. But to get right down to it Xbox owns the U.S. while PS3 owns the rest of the world. Xbox is more of a social machine while on PS3 you won't find a whole bunch of people using mics. The PS3 has a Blu Ray player but since your son will be using it he probably won't care. PS3 is for RPG (role-playing games) people while Xbox is for FPS (first person shooter) people. Unless he's a "nerd" he will be playing FPS games with all of his friends (and I can say this because I'm a nerd who plays lots of RPG and FPS games).
Yes you're going to run into a lot of problems with the parental control on the system but that will come with both systems. You have lots of people online (most of them children who are rising up against their parents who don't monitor them online) who use curse words as a normal part of any sentence.
Yes the Xbox costs a monthly charge for its online access but the network is more secure on Xbox as opposed to Sony. And as it was stated already, Sony can drop their network at any time without question and bring it back up whenever they feel like it. Yes it's free but that comes at a price (not money but power, on their side).
I personally have both systems but all of my friends are on Xbox so my PS3 is mainly used by my wife to watch movies since she isn't allowed to touch my Xbox.
And for all the talk about the Wii, please don't subject him to that kind of ridicule! The Wii is a family system and a child system, not a good system for a young boy who would like to use this thing for the next few years. My friend had a GameCube and we never went over to his house to play it. We were always at my house playing on the Xbox or even the PS2.
Braided Zero,
Ha...you're hilarious. Thanks for the laugh and the input. I'm pretty laid back mom, I bend the rules for video games because I know they come like that. He already plays games that shoot to kill and swear, so I guess I just gotta pick
I'm glad to see you're one of the Moms that have come to accept that no matter how hard they try their child will be subjected to that kind of stuff if you allow them to play games. It's going to happen. Just let him choose
I'm sure he hears worse at home I'm not exactly a poster soccer mom. I just want my kids respectful and have healthy self-esteems. Other than that; games are games. When I was a kid, I didn't go out and freeze people just because Subzero did.
Fully agree with Braided Zero, and would like to add that there still is a good number of RPGs on Xbox if your kid is interested. And he's totally right about the Wii (though I did like the other Nintendo consoles myself).
Yeah, I'm a huge Nintendo fan, grew up on one myself and the kids have 3DS, but the Wii is not really our cup of tea. He likes shooting games and inner city robbing types. RPG's are definitely his thing right now.
if you don't mind violence and the like, I'd definitely recommend the Elder Scrolls games and the Fallout games. Only the latest two of each are available for gen consoles, and all are M rated, but if he's mature enough they are amazing games.
Oh yes, I would advise the Elder Scrolls series as well. He won't be able to start from the very beginning but I'm sure you could buy Morrowind and Oblivion for pretty cheap. He might not like them because they're older but he will enjoy Skyrim.
Braided Zero, AM Hanson,
He gets the subscription to Gameinformer and I actually end up usually reading most of it. I was impressed with some of those titles (but have been away from gaming since about the Sega) He is unsure of them but maybe I shou
I would choose an XBoX as it is slightly cheaper - other than that it is down to choice of games, bit many feature on both formats.
If he will be playing online, the XBOX also needs an online account, which will add to the cost.
My advice would be to pick a bundle with new games he would really want, and then buy classic second hand games from eBay as their are so many, and incredibly cheap compared to new!
RolyRetro,
Awesome, thanks for the input.
I'd say that it really doesn't matter which you choose. If you want a system that can double as a laptop (with all the benefits and dangers that it brings) then pick the PS3. If you want a GAMING console, then either works fine.
I'd suggest looking more at what games your kid likes to play and seeing if any are console specific. I prefer Xbox, but that's most likely only because I started on it. I've played on both, and I enjoy playing on both, but I doubt that I'll be switching anytime soon. Ask your child if he has a preference, but don't let which one he thinks is "more cool" determine your purchase.
If he'll is interested in playing a lot of multiplayer games with friends, then it would be wise to try and get him one that would let them play together (as many games do not support cross-platform mulitplayer)
Game prices are pretty much identical either way, but with next gen consoles on their ways, you'll want to be careful not to simply buy the "newest and best" console or buying something which will become obsolete in the near future. There's less chance of being left behind in regards to new releases when the next gen consoles come out. Since so many people have PS3s and Xbox 360s, it's highly unlikely that either console will be dropping the older consoles for a good many years.
Both consoles have a huge selection of games (many of which are kid friendly). None of my friends or I have ever had any real problems with our consoles (there are 4 Xbox 360s and 3 PS3s in my apartment) and any that have been had were easily fixed by the respective support teams.
Really, what it comes down to in the end is if you want to be giving your kid a gaming console that is really fun or an entertainment system that is really fun and you can play games on it. While it may seem like the playstation is an all out favorite, remember that you will be paying for the extra as well...and all those extra things cost extra to use.
Am Hanson,
Thanks. He really isn't into interactive multi-player gaming yet. I just need a good gaming device; an upgrade from his Xbox and PS2. Since you have the Xbox, can you think of any downfalls?
not really, it's a good console and a lot of fun. You may want to watch out for the online content, especially Xbox Live Indy Games,which pretty much has no rules and a few games which would probably be inappropriate for a preteen
AM,
Thanks for the heads up. I'm not too picky of a mom over what he plays (there's graphic violence in quite a few of the games he plays now, but I know it's "gaming"). He's not accessing online content now anyway, so I'm not too worried about that.
If you choose the 360, don't have him join Xbox Live right away. Since he isn't that big on multiplayer, it won't have any negative effects and will keep him from questionable indy titles, and if he wants, he can register later and get a month free.
Awesome, I was originally leaning toward the XBox but then there was all of this hype about the PS3 so I really started to wonder. I'm only buying one console and I'd like him to get at least a couple of years out of it.
My roommates and I have the PS3 vs Xbox 360 debate often, but we agree that neither company will abandon this gen's consoles anytime soon. Too many people own them for either company to risk alienation by forcing their users to upgrade or not play.
That's a comforting thought. I was getting kind of sick of buying my kid's these hundred(s) dollar electronics only to find out that there is already "the next best thing" out. I refuse to try to keep up with the newest or the best, but if I'm droppi
For a 12 year old? Xbox 360 for sure. Besides, Sony is changing their format so the PS3 games wont work on the PS4 when it comes out.
ItsRainingcoffee,
That's discouraging that the PS4 is going to knock the PS3 down like that. That is the epitome of what I am against. You can't possibly try to keep up with the newest and best because there is always something newer and better.
by jonte2020 12 years ago
Which one do you prefer, Xbox 360 or PS3? Do you have any of these?Personally I own them both, but I prefer the PS3. The only thing Xbox does better is the cross chatting (playing a game while chatting with a party on Xbox Live)
by Edward Zhang 12 years ago
Which console is better, the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, or the Wii?What are your thoughts on this?
by Wadey101m 15 years ago
I'm looking to buy a new console, but am not sure which one is the best to buy. I've been continuously told how great Xbox live is, how fantastic the Ps3's blue ray player is and how fun the Wii is. With the funds to only get one, it's a little difficult to choose.
by nanderson500 11 years ago
For you videogamers out there, do you prefer the Wii, XBox 360, or Playstation 3?
by jonsswagger1978 12 years ago
I have both game systems and they are both excellent, without a doubt. But the fact is Sony has far more experience than Microsoft in the video game industry. The PS3 has an SPU opposed to the XBOX 360 which still used CPU. Look it up guys, come on. Worldwide it sells better and has more games. PS3...
by chasemillis 11 years ago
Is Xbox 360 or the PS3 better?
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