by Sutton Dagger
©2009 Steven Sutton
At OXCGN we are first and foremost gamers. Even though we run a dedicated Xbox platform site, we all play and own various other consoles. While some console specific sites maintain their user base by downplaying the good aspects of the ‘competing’ systems, at OXCGN we like to recognise the great features that make each system unique. Without further ado, OXCGN presents the 3 best features of each console.
Xbox 360
Xbox Live Service
Xbox live is the online multiplayer gaming and digital media service provided by Microsoft for the Xbox 360console (its roots started with the original xbox), which has a user base of over 20 million subscribers.
Though the service is a paid one, the integration across games and the media of Xbox Live is second to none, with online multiplayer, video services(coming soon to Australia) and social integration the key features that make up this rapidly growing online network.
Xbox Live Arcade
Distinct from the actual Xbox Live Service is the Arcade service, whereby classic franchises and new and unique experiences are created in bite sized arcade form.
As a prerequisite, all arcade games must have a demo, this gives the consumer a free ‘sneak peek’ of what they can expect from the full product.
Xbox Originals also fall under this banner, with some of the classic original Xbox titles (hence the name), available for download to the Xbox 360 harddrive.
Hardcore and Casual Covered
Though not exactly a feature of the Xbox 360 in regards to hardware, the range of casual and hardcore games for the platform is certainly a plus.
The Gears of Wars, Halos and Mass Effects are contrasted by the Banjo Kazooies, Scene Its and Lips titles, effectively catering for most types of gamers on the one console.
The Xbox 360 has always had a strong userbase of hardcore gamers who tend to flock to the 360′s solid shooters, but with the recent reveal of project Natal, it seems Microsoft will continue to aggressively pursue both markets.
Playstation 3
PSP Connectivity
One of the benefits of having a handheld system which operates beside your home console offering is the ability to connect these devices in unique and interesting ways (you listening Nintendo?).
Sony have adopted this philosophy and have a range of features that can be used when the PS3 and PSP are connected.
One of these ingenious features is the ability to play downloaded PSOnetitles on the PSP. Another is the Remote Playability which displays a PS3 system screen (XMB) on the PSP.
Blu-Ray
Sony always seems to be ahead of the curve with their disc based media, effectively launching both the DVD and Blu-Raydisc formats into the homes of the consumer by incorporating it into their game consoles.
With up to 50gb of storage, Blu-Ray offers huge capacities for both PS3 games and Hi-Definition movies. The benefits for games include, uncompressed textures and stunning 7.1 surround sound in-game.
First Party Studios
With Sony’s dominance in the console market for the two previous generations, Sony had the means and foresight to invest heavily in First Party studios.
These First Party studios are some of the most talented developers in the industry and effectively maintain the Playstation platform as third parties move to a multiplatform model.
Sony’s studios outnumber the First Party support of both Microsoft and Nintendo combined, an impressive ace up the sleeve when the ‘console war’ is raging.
Wii
Virtual Console
With a back catalogue of Nintendo properties stretching as far back as the Nes, the Wii’s virtual console has a plethora of classic titles to choose from.
With Nes, Snes and N64 titles on the service you would be hard pressed finding a genre that isn’t covered.
In a brilliant move by Nintendo, they have also incorporated some of the greatest classic games from yesteryear’s competition, including the Master System, Mega-Drive(Genesis) and even some titles from the Commodore 64. They have Secret of Mana on the service…need I say more.
Motion Controls
Even though both Microsoft and Sony are looking at delving into the motion controller market (sorry, Six Axis doesn’t count), Nintendo have incorporated these controls into their system from the start, and are now synonymous with the motion control phenomenon.
Though some may not connect with this non traditional control scheme, it has certainly captured a new market, which ties directly with my next feature.
New Audience
Though not a feature in the traditional sense, I think it’s important to recognise the huge strides Nintendo have achieved in getting the traditional casual players and even ‘non-gamers’ to embrace this industry we enjoy.
I thought it would be a cold day in hell before I would see my 60 year old father pick up a controller, but thankfully the Wiiis breaking the stereotype of the ‘traditional gamer’ being a spotty faced, pre-pubescent male teen.
Well there you have it folks, OXCGN’s 3 best features of each console. With such a diversity in readers here at OXCGN, we expect people to have their own opinions on what constitutes their favourite feature.
So tell us in the comment section below what you like about each console, as it’s time to toss fanboyism aside and embrace the gaming industry as a whole.
©2009 Steven Sutton:
Please share us around
Filed under: 1st Party Titles, Console gaming, Editorial, Game Industry News, Handhelds, Microsoft Games, Wii News, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 News, Xbox 3rd party exclusives, Xbox Originals, XboxLive Marketplace Tagged: | Casual Gamer, console war, Console Wars, First Party studios, OXCGN, oxcgn news, Playstation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Originals, XboxLive
Another poor attempt at a feature article by OXCGN to milk hits via n4g.com. Seriously, how are the “features” mentioned stand out and are the “best” for each console?.
For the Nintendo “New Audience” is hardly a feature of the actual console.
“First Party Developers” for the PS3 is hardly a great “feature” as well. Microsoft could buy several companies out of no where, which will mean sony loses that “feature” ??
Maybe if you actually play consoles other than the 360 you might be able to find some real features to include in your list, after all you could only muster up three for each, and even then the features you listed are hardly features of the actual console. Software and audience isn’t a “feature”.
Though, it seems you aren’t very good with destinguishing features anyway, look at some of your “feature” articles.
Mate, you’re the only one that seems to think that, and it’s obvious you’re a “fanboy” of a certain variety – that’s as plain as day.
Thing is, which will probably really piss you off is, that many Sony fans enjoy our site because we don’t pick the platform to pieces or try to make one out to be better than the other.
We have simply chosen one to be our favourite platform for various reasons, yet still have others that we play regularly.
The author picked just 3 from each as that’s all he felt like doing. Not a detailed breakdown of every feature of every platform.
Just 3 main features of the 3 platforms.
DO read the title, that explains it quite clearly.
It’s a shame you can’t get over your biased thoughts and simply enjoy gaming for what it is, fun, rather than trying to turn what is a decent article into a war of some sort.
Either grow up, or head to another site – please.
If you “bother’ to read many of the other comments, you’ll find priase and acknowledgment, and the same goes for N4g, that is of course if you bothered to read those comment at all?? – probably not.
We are after all a Xbox-centric site, but we will and do play and feature PS3, PC and iPhone etc titles and news where we see fit. Tell you what, here’s a plan for you . . . why not go and start your own site up . . . there’s a thought, and let’s see just how far you get with an attitude like the one you have now.
this article made me happy inside. Its good to see an xbox website not bashing a ps3 for the first time
Great article.
Fits with my mood at the moment. I’m currently playing:
Star Ocean (360)
Prototype (360)
Red Faction: Guerilla (360)
inFamous (PS3) – love that game, my fave of the month
Killzone 2 (PS3)
and working out finances to see if I can save up for a Wii for
Mario Galaxy (Wii)
MadWorld (Wii)
de Blob (Wii)
What a great read, not too long but sweet and simple! Straight to the point. i enjoyed this article! ^_^
Nice to see someone looking at all of the consoles without the fanboy bias. I do have to disagree on Blu-ray as a plus. Blu-ray has nearly bankrupted Sony and is the main reason for all of their current financial problems. It wasn’t need for games in the first place.
There are not that many titles that use multiple disc on the 360 and most multi-plat games look as good or better on the 360. The change in architecture with the Cell has killed most hope that developers will take advantage of any extra power the PS3 might have. Only first party companies, and a few others, even make the effort.
HD video on Blu-ray looks better than DVD. But when it comes to games, there is nothing Blu-ray can do that hasn’t been equaled by larger hard drives. Microsoft could kill any advantage Blu-ray might offer with space by simply offering large hard drive solutions. That would make the huge investment by Sony to develop Blu-ray wasted money. A hard drive of at least 500 MBs(could cost them less than $50), cheaply upgraded and download to own 1080p movies in the next generation would make Blu-ray obsolete.
Whoa, when I saw where the article was coming from I expected a pretty slanted list (ie – “The Playstation offers a network service that’s subpar to the 360, but it’s free!”). I’m really pleased to see something that’s both well-written and not biased to any one side. There seems to be a lack of that anywhere today. I’ll be returning to see what else this site has to offer. Don’t let us down. Great job.
Great article! It is about time a site gives a insightful view of all systems and no be biased. We need more articles like these. I am a 31 year old gamer and all the fanboy crap is getting really tiresome. I own a 360 but I don’t condemn those who purchased a PS3 or a Wii. Everyone has the right to choose which console they prefer to play. In the end I would just like to say keep on gaming on whatever platform you choose to play.
Thanks for the positive comments everyone, well mostly everyone.
The thing is, people will always have features that they believe are more important, or just more important to them in each console. So if you don’t agree with the features listed, let us know your own favourite features, we would love to hear them.
I’m glad to see there are still level-headed, mature gamers out there. Peace.
I’m unashamed to say that Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain are two of my biggest anticipated games, even if I’m mostly a 360 gamer.
I’m also very excited by Alan Wake, Bioshock 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction for 360.
Then there’s the multi platform games….Assassin’s Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2..
It’s a good time to be pleased with the quality of entertainment we’ve been getting and are going to get, regardless of console. If I didn’t have all of them, I’d be jealous of the exciting games I didn’t have, but I would be proud of whatever console I had (well…maybe not Wii so much…).
Actually there’s those two on my list as well, plus another . . . That being GT 5 when it does ship, god knows when . . . Heavy Rain of course, which sadly is being touted as arriving in 2010, or so some sources say
has always interested me from the get-go, and the only thing that comes close to it for the 360 is Alan Wake, which will also be on my must-have-list naturally.
If I could afford a PS3, I’d have one in a flash, but they still are not ‘cheap’ here, running in at between $AU650-$AU700 depending on where you go, while a 360 will set you back a little over $AU260-$AU290 . . so you can see the huge difference here in Australia. But if god or Sony dropped on on my lap fpr testing, I’d have one in a heartbeat . . .
I liked your article but I would choose the PS3s full integration as a central media device over psp connectivity as not everyone who has a PS3 also has a PSP and not all who have both bother connecting them. But I guess these had to be things that the other two didn’t have or something :/
By that, full integration…, i mean its beyond blu-ray functionality/central media hub.
Exp: right now im writing this from my PS3 while sitting back on my living room couch with my wireless controller and was linked here from browsing N4G.
Earlier I was playing Soul Calibur 4 here and before that i was watching a movie that i had downloaded to my PS3s HDD.
External devices, media streaming, chatting with friends on PSN while on myspace or any other social networking site or whatever else i might want to do.
It just seems like a bigger deal to me but i guess because the 360 can do similar things it’s over looked.
Anyways, these two devices (i dont know anything about the wii) are such a big leap from their predecessors its astounding, It’s not just HD gaming, it’s an everything machine, its like a…
“Comfortable/Relaxed PC”
This post has got to be one of the most refreshingly non-biased pieces of journalism I’ve read in a long long while. You guys really deserve a pat on the back for this one. I’m a die-hard Sony fan, owning a PS3, PSP and most certaining will not be considering any other consoles. As a former videogame store sales representative however (as well as an avid reader of videogaming news) I feel it honest and appropriate to mention that your commentary on the positive nature of the features discussed were spot on. Every console this generation offers more than any other console previously released -combined!- To be rational and fair enough to point out only these positive qualities of EACH console and to not mire your opinion in the rhetoric of the ongoing debate that is the ‘Console Wars’ only goes to exemplify your level-headedness and bravery in the face of your constituency and pundits alike. Bravo guys.
Despite the fact that OXCGN repeatedly stated they are NOT trying to start a console war, there had to be one idiot fanboy who got the wrong impression and started freaking out anyways. God you guys are pathetic. I’m not going to say which side of the console war this idiot is on, you can find out for yourself. It doesn’t matter anyways. Just stop the contention. Quit being a butt pirate. F*ck. Just enjoy the article.
Great article OXCGN. I’m glad at least one website that supports my console is trying to make peace.
Kudos to you mate, was almost tempted to reply to said comment, took 10 breaths, went and got a cuppa, and came back and saw your (and a few others) . . . which I think most ppl should do, and then see how idiotic their replies would have been if they replied in the heat of the moment.
The idea is not to “COMPARE” and say one is better than the other, as no one platform is – they each have their failures, benefits, supportive areas and strong/weak points. Look and see what each offers YOU, and your fellow gamers. If a time came when we could play on live and PSN at the same time, cross platform, I’d love that, as would countless millions of others. WHo cares who would get there first, or how, if it could be achieved, think of the possibilities !!
Gaming is for “Gamers” – fanboys.
If we wanted to have a “pissing” competition, we’d reverse time, go back to primary school and head around the back of the toilet block and see who could get up the wall the highest. But we’re not, although it does seem many are either STILL at primary school, or simply not realized they have to grow up and be part of the real world where it does NOT revolve around them all the time.
This article, and others we do always get attact and made into a comparison style, when that is b=never our aim or intention, but some ppl take them in that direction. It’s great to see that some are adult enough to look past that rubbish, and come here and make solid, sensible comments. If we gave OXCGN Bubbles (hmmm looks at implementing that soon???) then you’d get 5 marte, as would all those that look past the “yeah but mine does this better than yours” . . .
Sorry for the typos, it’s late here.
When people are willing to buy Rock Band, or all the other ridiculously pricey accessories out there. How can people still whine about the price?
I but my first 360 pro at launch, you want to guess how much I paid for it? The technology in the PS3 is a year newer, and there is a blu ray drive in it. The price is right for what it offers. If you want a true gaming experience you should be willing to fork over a bit more to get the best, otherwise just buy a wii and be done with it.
But worth every penny.
I think PSP is really the only part of PS im willing to go for anymore, not because i dont like them, its just that i already have psp and PS3 is just so damn expensive,
great article
Sony has had motion control since the eye toy for the PS2. You’d be surprised at the technology packed into the original eye toy.
In fact, if you want to do some research on the topics you cover, you might want to check out this great video (old but very relevant): http://lang.stanford.edu/courses/ee380/2003-2004/040121-ee380-100.wmv
It’s a little lame that the best features of the 360, the PS3 already has covered. XBox live is pretty good, but Sony offers practically the same service for free. Sure it is worse in some areas, but it is much better in others. This is subjective.
Nintendo also has strong first party support, in fact the 360 is the only system that does not.
You should replace the PSP connectivity though, although it is very impressive, and no other platform can compete in that area. What the PS3 really has as the strongest feature above the comptetitors is hardware specifications. The PS3 titles are pulling ahead by a mile in all areas. Graphics, Physics, Animations, Character Amounts, etc, etc etc.
The 360 has had nothing to compete with the original Uncharted to technology-wise. Uncharted 2 made it abundantly clear nothing is going to come close to what the PS3 offers. (Heck there are already rumours of a new xbox flying around). Through in games like GOW3, GT5, The Last Guardian, Killzone 2 etc. etc. etc. … This is just a painfully obvious one.
For Nintendo the strongest feature has been affordability. For the 360 the strongest feature has been a year head start to mask poor sales.
You are such a blind fanboy. Ignorant one at that as well. If you knew anything about computers you would know that the ps3 is a joke and should be named “bottleneck 3″. The ps3 will be last place because they f”d up. Forcing blu-crap down our throats and mandatory installs. That is crap and you know it. I really do hope that Activision drops sony because they deserve it and people like you need to play in front of a cement truck.
I’m still baffled by the PS3 PSP connectivity, its horrible.
Pretty good article, doesn’t seem biased at all, not what I’d expect for a fansite, good work
@ Chase lewis
Thanks mate, we really do make a concerted effort to do our best. We will continue “Reviewing” (what we now call Game Impressions) games on the PS3, PC, iPhone and Wii platforms like we have done in the past. But sadly, we have to NOT call them reviews as such, as that goes against Metacritics Guidelines if you want to be a member of Metacritic. We have to ONLY review the platform of our choice.
So biased can often be forced on sites by outside, so we find ways around that.
While OXCGN might well be Xbox Centric, the team are gamers first and foremost, which is what we think really matters in the end. Fanboys are not welcomed here.
For me, you only got down like one thing I thought was the best feature for each console. I didn’t like the article much.
@ CrimsonFox13
Wow, that was insightful . . . ?
So what is it you think is the best of each one, and what didn’t you like, you can actually write as much as you want in here mate, you’re not resitricted to just one line of text like so many other sites . . .
So have a go, let us know those thoughts which you seem to have!
I liked this article. Good stuff.