I got £120 from the electricity company today, was gonna buy a graphics card but then it occured there are more console-exclusive games I want to play than there are games my PC can't already handle. So I decided to get a console, even though I hate the annoying control pads.

I have a few questions though, and I figured it was better to ask you guys than the soulless guy behind the counter in all the game shops I know of.

Anyway, first thing I wanna know: are PS3s and 360s backward compatible with PS2/Xbox games? I think I heard something about only specific kinds being so...

Second, anywhere I can find out about upcoming games exclusive to 360 or PS3 in the next few years? I could only afford one and don't want to be thinking I chose wrong a year down the line.

Third, can PS3s and/or 360s be played on PC monitors? I don't have a TV and don't wanna get a silly seven-inch beast to play what should be HD games on.

Fourth, are 360s still unreliable? Back when new I remember hearing about one in three being broken or something.

I'll probably think of more questions later... It's a chance for you fanboys out there to convert me to your system!

Ps3 I think not, and a 360 you have to download a patch which will let you play original Xbox games.

There are many sites which offer game sales, almost all of these have release schedules. Check GAME or your local retailers site.

I use a monitor designed for a PC so I think you can use the same monitor.

I have heard that newer ones are much more reliable and rarely break, older ones still have problems though. Try to get extended warranty, just in case.

I had my original 360 since release and it only died in October, which by 360 standards is quite good. I am pretty sure problems (with both consoles) were all fixed.

I can't say anything about ps3 but
XBOX360 is now a reliable machine.
Backwards with any original game i've thrown at it(about 25 from my old collection)
Yes they can be played on monitors that have HDMI inputs
Just google release dates/exclusives

Firstly, about 90% of opinions over which machine is better will be irrelevant.

360 or ps3, whatever the fanboys say, there's really very little in it, when you compare them to the last gen.

If blu ray is important to you, the ps3 is an option, or if you're using the PC for most of your entertainment, you could just get a drive for that.

I'm not saying you should go 360 tho, I'm saying take a look at the games, both out, and coming out, and primarily make your decision on those. Even then most games will end up on both.

I realise I haven't actually helped much, but just wanted to get in before we see 'omg mgs4 get ps3' or 'omg gears of war 2 get 360'.

As for backwards compatibility, I believe it's some to most, but I dont know for sure, someone will come in with facts at some point!

As for connecting to a monitor, I'd be amazed if there wasn't a cable out there.

I do believe 360's are past that period of unreliability now.

As a fairly neutral party, having played on both and owning neither, I'm leaning slightly towards 360, for cost and exclusives, tho its a personal thing, not being a fan of MGS and the other exclusives I've seen, and haven't seen LBP which looks interesting :D

I can't say much on a 360, but I've never had an issue with PS3's backwards combatibility (Megaman Legends yo)

Also, I enjoy using my PS3 as a web browser when the computer is being used and not having to pay monthly membership for the PS3 network like I'd have to do with a 360.

Though, I guess exclusive wise, 360 DOES have a better selection.

(Think the only EXCLUSIVES on PS3 actually are Resistance and Lair and MGS4)

Get an Xbox if you want to play a lot now, get a PS3 if you intend to be playing long-term. And like everyone is saying, check the interweb for lists of games that are BC.

Or, heck, just go and get a PS2 and original Xbox. Lord knows they're plenty of good games on both to hold you over for awhile.

(PS - I too am a recent convert to consoles. Last one I owned before my 360 was an NES. I like it and all, but seriously - if I had the money to ramp up my computer to play everything that's just come out, my Xbox would be buried in a pile of clothes right now.)

If your buying now I think its a good time to be a PS3 owner. There pritty much the same console for all intensive purposes, except PS3 is now awaiting a lot of exclusives.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Another question, is online play free? Outside usual ISP fees, that is.

Molikroth:
Thanks for the advice, guys.

Another question, is online play free? Outside usual ISP fees, that is.

Not on 360, although owning both I think paying to fourty quid a year is probably worth it. PS3 online is fine though, just not quite as streamlined or generally awesome. Slightly less lag on PS3 though, oddly enough.

You're going to be happy with either, but if I had to just keep one it'd be my PS3. Ol' faithful's never let me down, and has a bunch of my favourite games on it.

The 360 and PS3 are both great machines, if online is important, I would go 360, the PS3 is great for a media center and utility. I have an Xbox personaly, I love it, It has never broken on me.

I've got both of them and they're both pretty great. You can use both of themon a monitor provided your monitor has an HDMI port, component ports, or you buy a VGA HD/AV cable (I know the 360 has one of these, not sure about the PS3).

The PS3 is no longer backwards compatible. I'm not entirely sure why Sony made the decision to do that, but they did. If backwards compatibility is important though, and you want to go with a PS3, look around for a used 60GB one. Those are backwards compatible, but they'll cost a bit more than a new 80GB because of it. 360 on the other hand is backwards compatible, but not with all original Xbox games. Any big hits from the previous generation should work though, and you can find a full list of original Xbox titles that work on the 360 here

As for the exclusive games, you can go here for a list of 360 games coming out in the next six months or so I believe. As for PS3, you can check here. Unfortunately the PS3 site only lists upcoming games as far as the end of the year. I'm sure if you looked around on Google you could find some lists though.

360s aren't too unreliable anymore. In fact, mine is a launch console, and in the three years I've owned it I only had one problem that Microsoft was able to fix in a week or two. The newer consoles shouldn't have any problems. If they do though, just send them for repairs. It's free as long as you're still under warranty.

And as someone already mentioned, if you're looking to play online a lot then go with the 360. Xbox Live might not be free, but you get better quality games in my opinion. Less server crashes and lag and such. Provided you can ignore the little children and immature adults.

As for games and content, I still prefer the 360 exclusive titles, but I believe Sony is going to have some heavy hitters coming out in 09. inFamous and Heavy Rain are just a couple that I'm looking forward to.

Hope this helped.

Awesome post, Jobz! Thanks. Those links really help too. =D

Last question, I think... Probably a stupid one, but meh.

I notice consoles now have hard drives. Are there any uses for those other than memory cards being obsolete now?

Nah, I meant, other than saving games, is there any point in the larger hard drives? Rather than buying loads of games and having saved files on each I'd probably play a game then trade it for another, so unless there're other benefits in large hard drives I only need the smallest one.

i heard that microsoft was selling 360's which they knew where susceptible to the red ring of death and the fired the guy who leaked that information, so while the 360 is a good console don't trust microsoft

Molikroth:
Nah, I meant, other than saving games, is there any point in the larger hard drives? Rather than buying loads of games and having saved files on each I'd probably play a game then trade it for another, so unless there're other benefits in large hard drives I only need the smallest one.

The Xbox 360 has a music player, the PS3 might, I don't actually know. Demos downloaded from LIVE or PSN are also stored on there, as well as any XBLA games you buy (the PS3 probably has an equivalent). With the NXE update to the Xbox, you can now "install" games to the hard drive, for slightly reduced load times and a much quieter box (the disc spinner in 360's can get really loud). Other than that, though, if you don't plan to buy XBLA games or download demos, and you're looking for cheap and effective, the bottom-line Xbox is good.