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Hi all,

So after a busy December I find myself with a chunk of my bonus still left to spend, the reason being, I can't make up my mind on what to get!

At first I was quite keen on procuring an XBox 360, but then I thought to myself, my PC is still perfectly spec'd to handle any title that comes out which would also be available on the Xbox. The only reason I might consider an Xbox 360 would be for the Kinect.

Then a mate of mine bought a Nintendo Wii, which, while seeming to be a lot of fun while we use it, would probably lose it's novelty after a while.

Last night, however, I picked up the Hifi Corp catalogue and saw the PSP300 on special for R1800 incl. Gran Tourism and Retribution. Which got me thinking, perhaps it would be cool to get a handheld device again (the last one I had was a game boy WAY back). After Googling a bit this morning, there's a lot of contention around which is better, the PSP or the DS. The PSP seems to be a better overall package with better hardware and music / movie and net support. But a LOT of people say the range of quality titles for the DS is far superior to the PSP. Both are similarly priced.

So my question forumites, please can those of you that own and utilise these systems shed some light for me.

This is really a difficult question. We have all of them (yes - excessive I know) and they are all really good - depending on what you like. At the moment it is the Xbox and the PS3 that get used the most. Xbox perhaps because it is new though. I play mainly PC and PSP games and the kids play everything. I have not had a chance to play the xbox yet though but the PS3 and Wii are awesome too. You really have to look at the price of the games, what is available and what you want to play. If you want exercise then Wii is great. I believe the Dance and Rock Band are awesome but we don't have those. Yes the Kinect would also give you the same but you have to pay extra for it while it comes with the Wii.

Good luck - difficult choice. Oh - I love my PSP but not for real games. Arcade type stuff and quiz games work well. I would not buy FPS or RPG games for it though - just my personal opinion.

My preference in order:

Xbox 360, DS, Nintendo Wii, PSP

However, as you have stated you don't need a Xbox 360.
I would say the DS is better than the PSP because of battery life and games.
However I would hold off on buying a DS until the 3DS is launched locally. Its said to be an amazing console.

KillerByte wrote:My preference in order:

...the 3DS is launched locally. Its said to be an amazing console.

Any ideas when this would be? Read something similar online. Was looking at the DSi XL but people say the bigger size at same resolution makes everything incredibly blocky.

I'd go XBox 360 but that is just me. The thing has a better rep than the PS3 and a PSP is just a waste. DS is a long gone platform for me and Wii actually damages your tv screen from the research I have seen.

RuadRauFlessa wrote:Wii actually damages your tv screen from the research I have seen.

The most likely way you are going to damage you TV with a Wii is if the controller slips out of your clammy hand and smashes the screen....

Aparently the signal sent through to the screen for some or other weird reason goes outside the frequency ranges which most screens can handle or so I understand the issue.

I'm not a mobile gamer. But in order, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DS. The Wii and DS are dedicated gaming devices and will not do anything else. Sadly while the Wii has some awesome games the console is outdated and even with component cables (note: component and not composite) on an hd tv it doesnt look too good. PSP will be your portable media center.

Between PS3 and Xbox I would go PS3. Reason as said is that games that come for xbox might find its way to pc while ps3 games might not always go that way. And ofc bluray functionality. That said if, and only if, you have an HDTV go for the xbox. But you must want to sit and play with a controller instead of a mouse and keyboard. I know a guy that religiously refuses to play on a console.

StarBound wrote:I know a guy that religiously refuses to play on a console.

Actually, you know two

jamin_za wrote:

StarBound wrote:I know a guy that religiously refuses to play on a console.

Actually, you know two

count me in and you can make it 3

the psp2 is apparantly going to be (officially)announced later this month. As mentioned before 3DS is also coming so dont go handheld just yet.

wii , only get it if you like the exclusive games(which is why I'm planning on getting ons)
ps3 does have the move and its online multiplayer is free
xbox360 has a larger games library(and I personally love that controller more)

And to be honest I dont think you'll go wrong with any of the consoles

as for the console haters. You're missing out on a lot of good exclusive games.

PS3 if not the Kinect setup.

Ok i got a DS and a psp , the psp looks way better in terms of graphics, but the DS is just so damm fun. For hard core go psp for FUN go DS.
**note DS3d is on its way this year**

Also I'd advise not to get the kinect just yet. There is a lack of good games for it.
CHeck this out : http://forums.pcformat.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=38925

Also about the PSP2. There has been a lot of rumours and most from reliable sources that the PSP2 is on its way. One of the rumours is that it is going to be as powerfull as the PS3 http://kotaku.com/5732402/sony-telling- ... l-as-a-ps3

According to Kotaku 27 Jan might be the day it's being announced
http://kotaku.com/5731545/psp2-megaton- ... ewcomments

Yes, right now is not the time to buy a handheld. StarBound is right about many of the 360's "exclusives" finding their way to the PC. Heck, Mass Effect 2 is due out on the PS3 soon.

deepends on what you want dude. Are you looking for mobile gaming, kinect style gaming ? are you going to use this machine for games only or a media centre.

Consider all these factors before you decide on which item to buy, cause lets face it is costly and today money is tight with the increase on well everything. So dont let the fanboys give you false impressions.

Personally I would look at this question like so:

- Do i want innovative and fun? if yes then i consider you look at the nintendo 3DS (the touch screen on the NDS has made many simple games brilliant) or the Wii cause the games on the kinect are not so great yet, but the next thing you must ask yourself is are the nintendo titles your type of gaming ?
- If you want a power house that supports motion sensors then Xbox is your choice the PS move is pathetic IMO.
- Finally if gamming on the go is your preference then you will have to decide on PSP vs 3DS, which brings me back to my first point are the games supported by the system your cup of tea
- Lastly consider this how long will this console last you and is it worth it ? yes the Wii with its games are currently superior but the Xbox kinect will evolve to eventually be superior (or be scrapped)

these are just some of the questions one must ask themselves when buying a console.

My choice would be an xbox but i havent played on a Wii or a 3DS so i cant really comment as its unfair and baised and also I do not own a PC powerful enough to handle the new games comming. The best way would be to play with all of them and see which one you like the best

D3PART3D wrote:Yes, right now is not the time to buy a handheld. StarBound is right about many of the 360's "exclusives" finding their way to the PC. Heck, Mass Effect 2 is due out on the PS3 soon.

And final fantasy, metal gear solid, tekken etc. is now xbox and ps. It makes more sense.

From my point of view, the solution is simple: opt for the platform that has the games you would like to play the most.

Buying a handheld console now is nuts.

As for regular console, the 360 gets my vote. I faced the same choice, went 360, and I'm still glad I did.

Aparantly the PSP2 will be announced today.

So have you decided yet?

Yip, it went something like this - considering the 3Ds is coming soon but with the hefty price tag, I ruled that one out. Then I read up about the Kinect in Stuff Magazine and vetoed that because only 2 people can use it per time and there's a lot of lag. So what I decided was to get a new graphics card for my pc, an Amazon Kindle 3. I also managed to procure a Nintendo Wii from a relative that no longer had use of theirs, so I think it was a pretty cool solution!

Nice. Recession shopping. High 5.