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PS3 and Wii — Head To Head

1up has a piece looking at the Wii vs. the PS3, running down the particulars on graphical power, online capabilities, launch titles, and control scheme. For the most part, they're siding with the PS3: "Traditionally, Nintendo's never been much for online gaming (the GameCube had two online games&ever), but Wii appears poised to finally bring Mario and Co. into the multiplayer arena. Wii will use a modified version of the DS' Wi-Fi Connection software to facilitate online matchmaking. (Most likely, you'll only be able to play against players who give you 'friend codes' first, just like with the DS.) Like the PS3, the Wii will offer online gaming free of charge."

38 of 269 comments (clear)

  1. Proofreading? by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the article (no this is not a mistake*):

    PlayStation 3

    Online plan: Traditonally, Nintendo's never been much for online gaming (the GameCube had two online games&ever), but Wii appears poised to finally bring Mario and Co. into the multiplayer arena. Wii will use a modified version of the DS' Wi-Fi Connection software to facilitate online matchmaking. (Most likely, you'll only be able to play against players who give you "friend codes" first, just like with the DS.) Like the PS3, the Wii will offer online gaming free of charge. Other elements in Nintendo's online plan include WiiConnect24, a feature that allows your Wii to receive pushed content downloads even when the system is turned off, and the Wii Browser, a modified version of the Opera web browser optimized for the Wii-mote. This comprehensive online plan has one massive flaw, though: No games shipping in 2006 are expected to offer online play. Oops.

    Wii

    Online plan: Traditonally, Nintendo's never been much for online gaming (the GameCube had two online games&ever), but Wii appears poised to finally bring Mario and Co. into the multiplayer arena. Wii will use a modified version of the DS' Wi-Fi Connection software to facilitate online matchmaking. (Most likely, you'll only be able to play against players who give you "friend codes" first, just like with the DS.) Like the PS3, the Wii will offer online gaming free of charge. Other elements in Nintendo's online plan include WiiConnect24, a feature that allows your Wii to receive pushed content downloads even when the system is turned off, and the Wii Browser, a modified version of the Opera web browser optimized for the Wii-mote. This comprehensive online plan has one massive flaw, though: No games shipping in 2006 are expected to offer online play. Oops.


    Here's the kicker:

    Winner: PS3 BEST ONLINE PLAN

    Um, ok.

    * On my part, anyway
    ** The amperstand after "games" is really there. It's not an HTML glitch.
    1. Re:Proofreading? by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If I was going to buy a console exclusively based on online play I would get an Xbox 360. I'm going to get a Wii because I want to play fun games with my wife and kid.

    2. Re:Proofreading? by Liselle · · Score: 5, Funny

      I saw that, too. Maybe both have us have been fooled, and this isn't really an article: it's actually a application for the job of /. editor.

      --
      Auto-reply to ACs: "Truly, you have a dizzying intellect."
  2. Technically, PS3 wins - Heart, Wii wins by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And I'll be lined up with five teens who are dying to get a Wii on Sunday - none of them are interested in getting a PS3, so in the end, the Wii wins.

    It's the games.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    1. Re:Technically, PS3 wins - Heart, Wii wins by mdobossy · · Score: 4, Funny

      Is it that they aren't interested?? Or did they all get turned down for the mortgage they needed to purchase a PS3?

    2. Re:Technically, PS3 wins - Heart, Wii wins by Jearil · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I think your title hits something that the article didn't really mention: The difference between technical superiority and an actual fun system. Very very rarely is the system with the highest "stats" the winner in any console race.

      I present to you:
      * Nintendo DS vs. PSP - PSP processor is faster, the screen is a higher resolution, it has more function, yet bombed compared to the DS.

      * Original Xbox/GC vs. PS2 - Both the original Xbox and gamecube had better graphical power than the PS2 and yet the PS2 sold a ton more units and games.

      * N64 vs. PS - Granted what made the PS the winner in this case was using an optical drive for media, but the power of the N64 was higher than the PS1.

      * Nintendo Gameboy vs. Sega Gamegear - I remember having a Gamegear. It was in color and had better graphics than the gameboy of the time. Yet it still died and the gameboy lived on.

      It really is the games. For what I've been seeing on the PS3, everything looks done. Either I could get it on the PC/360 or it looks remarkably similar to a dozen other games I've played in the past. It's difficult to find something really exciting about the system, but the Wii seems to have that excitement. It may not look as good, but as Gabe on penny-arcade spoke about Zelda: "You'll never even think about the graphics while you're playing it".

      That's what I'm hoping Nintendo can pull off with the Wii.

    3. Re:Technically, PS3 wins - Heart, Wii wins by harrkev · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Is it that they aren't interested?? Or did they all get turned down for the mortgage they needed to purchase a PS3?
      You nailed it.

      I freely admit that the PS3 is more powerful with better hardware. But... how does eye candy make a game more fun? If your character in a FPS now had individually-rendered arm hair, does that make the game somehow better? Would Daikatana be any better with greatly improved graphics? I think that we are approaching the point of diminishing returns in graphics.

      The key here, though, is price. By definition, half of the US population makes average income or below. Those are the sorts of people who are MUCH more likely to pick up a Wii than a PS3. Sony has effectively alienated a full half of the population from purchasing their product. Nintendo, on the other hand, is the best bet for those whose pockets do not run over, and they are also cheap enough to be picked up as a 2nd system for people who have deep enough pockets to get a 360 or a PS3.

      Overall winner: Nintendo.
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      "-1 Troll" is the apparently the same as "-1 I disagree with you."
    4. Re:Technically, PS3 wins - Heart, Wii wins by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Informative

      By definition, half of the US population makes average income or below.

      By definition half the US population makes median income or below.

      More than half of the US population makes below average income because of the Bill Gates and other outliers that drag the average up.

      Sorry, just a pedantic pet peeve.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
  3. Let the customers decide by PIPBoy3000 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm getting to the point where the fanboys arguing over which system is better has gotten quite dull. When Wikipedia has to lock down their entries, things are getting silly.

    Sometime in January, we'll see sales results and then someone can declare a "winner". Even that seems silly, since the two systems seem to cater to different audiences.

  4. Re:Proofreading and one sided article by EmperorKagato · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Also, the article talks about the promising lineup of 2007 PS3 not 2006 PS3 and then compares it to the lineup of 2006 Wii not 2007 Wii. Therefore, after comparison you can only declare PS3 the winner.

    Am I the only one that feels this article is too biased or unfair to the Wii?

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    ----- You know you have ego issues when you register a domain in your name.
  5. Most Promising Software Lineup by DumbWhiteGuy777 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think this is all depending on who you ask, really. The Wii's whole approach was to appeal to other types of people than hardcore gamers, and it looks like the PS3's whole lineup is for hardcore gamers. So, it's a little bit like comparing apples and oranges, I think.

  6. Who writes this shit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    Most likely, you'll only be able to play against players who give you "friend codes" first, just like with the DS.


    I don't have a single friend code in my DS and still can play online against other people. You don't see their codes, but you don't need them to play online. They're only useful if you want to play against specific people.

    Maybe the author should do some research instead of pulling "facts" out of thin air.
  7. I hope they trade their 360s in.. by Channard · · Score: 4, Insightful

    .. because that way there'll be less sweary kids on the 360's Live service. I'm still on my free month and given how many annoying trash-talking kids there are, I probably won't be buying a year's subscription to the service. I know you can mute them, but you still have to run into them first to know who they are, and rep doesn't help much. It'd be interesting to see how Sony and Nintendo tackle this. Nintendo in particular have a reputation as being family friendly. Imagine the outcry there'll be when parents discover little billy has been called a 'flaming cocktard' by some high-school kid.

    1. Re:I hope they trade their 360s in.. by soft_guy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Imagine the outcry there'll be when parents discover little billy has been called a 'flaming cocktard' by some high-school kid.

      This is exactly why I will not buy any of these new consoles. I can get called a "flaming cocktard" for free on Slashdot.

      --
      Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    2. Re:I hope they trade their 360s in.. by normal_guy · · Score: 3, Informative

      Wii will use a system similar to the DS (and the Microsoft Games that come free with XP.) You are only able to send pre-selected text messages to people not on your friend list. For those on your friend list, full voice/whiteboard chat are enabled (if the game supports it.) Adding someone to your friend list requires an exchange of information...so the idiot factor is low. Unless you start exchanging friend codes on http://wii-are-idiots.net./

      --

      Linux: Free if your time is worthless.
    3. Re:I hope they trade their 360s in.. by jbrader · · Score: 4, Funny
      You're such a flaming cocktard.

      P.S. Cocktard is not covered by the FF spell checker.

      --
      You are so boring that when I see you my feet go to sleep.
    4. Re:I hope they trade their 360s in.. by Aceticon · · Score: 3, Funny

      "flaming cocktard"

      Well, if you say it in a different way: "cocktard flambe'" it sounds like a french chicken dish.
    5. Re:I hope they trade their 360s in.. by normal_guy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      In my experience on the 360, only about ten percent of voice chatters have anything worthwhile to say. Everyone else is a complete idiot or worse, a griefer. The only worthwhile voice chat experiences I've had were those few times I was with a coherent squad - people already on my friends list. For team-based games, I think a radio system like the Battlefield series would work - and it's much more immersive. Point the reticule toward an approaching enemy, press a button, and your character says "Enemy humvee spotted," etc. A few other options for quick orders (get in, defend here, thanks, sorry, need help) is all you really need to coordinate in-game.

      --

      Linux: Free if your time is worthless.
  8. Biased much? by chrismcdirty · · Score: 5, Informative

    I like how the writer assumes that friend codes will be involved, and completely missed the whole concept of them. You can play anyone in most games without a friend code, but you'd have to settle for random matchmaking. Animal Crossing is the only game I can think of off the top of my head that required a friend code.

    And I especially like how he says Nintendo is entering the world of multiplayer gaming. First, they've had the WiFi Connection running for more than a year. Second, just because they haven't participated much in online multiplayer gaming, he ignores all of their other great multiplayer and party games. The way I see it, online games are second fiddle to offline multiplayer. I'd rather be together with my friends, but if that can't happen, we resort to using the internet to play together.

    --
    It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    1. Re:Biased much? by anlprb · · Score: 4, Insightful

      One thing I do not understand is why Friend Codes are so hated. They do exactly what Nintendo wants. Keep their kid safe image. With friends codes, you only play with the yahoos who you KNOW PHYSICALLY. There isn't much chance of getting caught with a predator when he doesn't know your friend code or name. There is no chat, no way to get heavy breathing over the DS. It allows friends to play and parents to feel safe that little Jill can be playing with her friends over the internet and they don't have to worry about looking to censor it. It works PERFECTLY for kids. Friends can play friends and the wierdos don't know who you are. And yes, I know there are web sites that allow you to put friends codes out there. But, you have to do that yourself and if you are doing that, you can use a computer and a chat room too. At that point, a DS game is the least of the parents' worries.

      --

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    2. Re:Biased much? by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Funny

      One thing I do not understand is why Friend Codes are so hated. They do exactly what Nintendo wants. Keep their kid safe image. With friends codes, you only play with the yahoos who you KNOW PHYSICALLY.

      I don't think kids should be knowing each other physically.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
  9. Re:Proofreading and one sided article by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Am I the only one that feels this article is too biased or unfair to the Wii?

    Nope. All it really says is: "We (the author(s)) are REALLY, REALLY, REALLY excited about the PS3. Here's some boilerplate stuff about the Wii. See how the PS3 is cool?"

    I'm glad they're excited, but they should probably be more upfront about it rather than pretending to have journalistic objectivity. A better solution might be to pit a couple different authors (with two different opinions) against each other. It would make for a more interesting read, at least.
  10. Multiplayer != online play by Phisbut · · Score: 5, Insightful
    TFA says :
    but Wii appears poised to finally bring Mario and Co. into the multiplayer arena.

    That's strange, I remember playing Mario Kart in multiplayer mode, with friends, in the same living room. Oh, and I had Super-Smash-Brothers Melee too, multiplayer, same living room.

    Heck, Nintendo has been making multiplayer games decades ago with Mario Bros.

    Yep, your old games still work-Sony promises full backward compatibility with all PS1 and PS2 games
    Funny... that's not what I heard...
    --
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  11. Re:Pointless Comparison by revlayle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apples: Tart, high acidity, the skin is relatively non-edible, the #1 fruit for breakfast juice.

    Oranges: Tart, high acidity, the skin is relatively non-edible, the #1 fruit for breakfast juice.

    WINNER: Apples - Great in pie!

    OOPS... did I forget to proofread? ;)

  12. there are plenty of wii games by cowscows · · Score: 4, Informative

    I won't be surprised if the PS3 ends up with more games than the Wii, but the article seems a bit unfair to nintendo in terms of games. An example being that they talk about Madden specifically for the PS3, but didn't bother to mention that it'll also be available for the Wii (customized for the controller even). Instead just panning the Wii for its lack of third party games.

    They only listed seven Wii games, while Nintendo's website has a list of 30 that will be available within 5 weeks of launch. That's a pretty damn impressive lineup, especially compared to what we're used to from Nintendo.

    --

    One time I threw a brick at a duck.

  13. This is kind of a stupid article. by Tarlus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You have to keep in mind that, as one other Slashdotter just said, 1up is comparing apples and oranges.

    The PS3 takes the cake with graphics because that was their goal. The best graphics hardware was not Nintendo's goal.

    The Wii takes the cake with controls because that's what Nintendo's goal was... Sony instead chose to remain somewhat conservative by continuing to use its tried-and-true PSX controller layout.

    So of course each one is going to win in each of its given categories, because it's the opposite of what the other company wanted to do with their respective console.

    ...And what's this about "extra functionality?" The PS3 plays PS2 and PS1 games?
    NEWS FLASH: The Wii is capable of playing games from NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, TurboGrafix, Genesis, and probably more...
    And the PS3 can play Blu-Ray movies? Woop-dee freakin' doo. I don't know about everybody else, but I'm going to buy a gaming console to play games. If I want to watch movies, I'll buy a movie player.

    --
    /* No Comment */
    1. Re:This is kind of a stupid article. by chrismcdirty · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I find an MP3 player that is 6 inches long, has an 8 hour battery life, and a maximum capacity of 2-4GB inefficient.

      --
      It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    2. Re:This is kind of a stupid article. by SoapDish · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If the PS3 plays Blu-Ray the same way PS2 played DVD, you would need a seperate player.

      Many times, having multiple tools to do the job of one tool is more efficient and more useful.

  14. PS3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii by ConfusedSelfHating · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's not a competition between just the Wii and the PS3. In fact I would say that there are very few people who are deciding between those two systems. The PS3 and the Wii are just too far apart. You are willing to pay for high definition graphics or you are not. You either want the traditional controller scheme or you love the idea of the Wii controller. I would suggest that the competition is Wii vs. Xbox 360 and PS3 vs. Xbox 360.

    First, the people who buy a PS3 before Christmas are going to be hardcore Playstation fans. The PS3 is in such short supply and costs so much, it will not be a casual purchase. Even if you're rich, you will have to track one down or pre-order it. The Wii is half the price of the PS3 and there will be an ample supply of them because Nintendo doesn't have production problems.

    A price sensitive gamer will ignore the PS3. The Xbox 360 will become more affordable once Microsoft cuts it's price. Even with a price cut, the Xbox 360 will be more expensive than the Wii. But it won't be twice the price. Meaning that someone who is willing to pay for a Wii doesn't have to pay that much more for an Xbox 360. It comes down to consumer choice.

    A gamer looking for high definition graphics will be comparing the PS3 and the Xbox 360. The Wii is limited to 480p, so someone who wants HD will ignore it. A gamer must decide whether they want to pay $100 to $200 extra for the PS3. There are certainly Xbox 360 games with high quality graphics. We will have to wait and see how PS3 games look.

    I think that Xbox 360 demand is pretty high in the US. I only say this because there are deals being offered in Canada that are not being offered in the US. Maybe Americans tend to spend more on Christmas than Canadians.

  15. Re:Proofreading and one sided article by Fozzyuw · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Nope. All it really says is: "We (the author(s)) are REALLY, REALLY, REALLY excited about the PS3. Here's some boilerplate stuff about the Wii. See how the PS3 is cool?"

    I agree with you. However, this day an age, journalism, with the advent of the online medium, is shifting towards opinion pieces than objective journalism. One only has to look to traditional media to see biased reporting, on many levels.

    I personally attribute this to the fact that I think people are drawn to news of scandal and such in much the same say they're drawn to 'negative' news. It's more enjoyable to talk about. Afterall, why else would 'reality TV' be popular, rarely see 'good news', the explosion of online journals (blogs), etc. Women have always known this. They've been watching Soap operas forever. =P It's all about the water cooler gossip. It's not fun to debate something if everyone agrees!

    Cheers,
    Fozzy

    --
    "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
  16. Re:Power Glove? by Chris+Burke · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The power glove flopped because it was an expensive add-on and there were basically no games designed for it, so it was a glove that had to somehow act like a Nintendo controller. I never had one (see price), but from what I heard it was fun to play Punch-Out with and that was about it. The NES was really not a great system to try innovative motion-sensing control schemes on, considering how few NES games even used all 8 binary game pad directions. Funny, because even a decade later I was reading about hobbiests praising the power glove for actually being a pretty good glove that could do things like detect how far you had curled each finger that other similarly priced gloves couldn't do. So basically total overkill.

    The Wiimote is built into the console and is the foundation of Wii gameplay, is cheaper if you want extras, and is matched to a system capable of doing something useful with the nuanced input it is getting. I completely agree that it's appropriate to wait and see how it feels after using it a while before passing judgement good or bad. I just disagree that history gives me reason to doubt.

    P.S. speaking of failed Nintendo add-on controllers, I don't hear many people mention whatever the hell they called that ridiculous light-bazooka for the SNES. Seriously, it was the size of a small shoulder-fired rocket launcher and was intended to be held the same way. I don't know what the hell that was about. A relative accidentally bought me a game that needed it, so I never played it, making it only a slightly better gift than Donkey Kong 3 was.

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  17. It's NOT the *Nintendo* Power Glove by LKM · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Power Glove wasn't a Nintendo product. It was made by Mattel. There were a grand total of two games made for the Power Glove. Two crappy games. The Wii controller will be different.

  18. Re:Proofreading and one sided article by Grey+Ninja · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah. I had my suspicions when I read the summary on Slashdot, where it said that the DS only allowed you to play online with people who's friend codes you had. I guess I was just hallucinating when I was playing Mario Kart and Metroid with completely random strangers. Anything that incorrect is bound to be backed up by further nonsense.

  19. Why the illusion of a controversy? by OldeTimeGeek · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Why not "Ferrari vs. Hundai, a side-by-side comparison?" It makes just about as much sense.

    The PS3 and Wii are aimed at two different markets - the PS3 is definitely not aimed at the cost-conscious gamer (why buy an HD-ready system if you can't afford HDTV) and the Wii is never going to please the people who want high-end, graphic intensive games, so comparing them feature-for-feature is useless. People who can't afford a PS3 won't get one. People who aren't interested in a Nintendo won't get one. People who can afford a PS3 may also get a Wii. For most people, it isn't a binary decision, so why the illusion of controversy?

  20. Or... by dolson · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe it says "we are REALLY REALLY REALLY excited about the Wii, but we know that the supply dwarfs the demand, so here is some negative things we can say about the Wii in hopes that people will believe it, and not show up to buy a Wii, so we have better chances of getting one ourselves."

  21. 1Up Is Awful by Hazrek · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Please stop linking to 1Up. I come to Slashdot to read interesting articles (haha), not the ridiculous grade-school crap that 1Up consistently posts.

  22. Re:Wii and PS3 aren't competitors by Omestes · · Score: 4, Insightful
    People who love Nintendo games, a child-friendly console at a lower cost will choose the Wii.


    I'm getting sick of this "kid friendly" thing. Sure, there are some Nintendo games that are going to be for kids, as there will be on the 360, and PS3. There will also be some "hardcore" gorefest games on the Wii, though in a lower proportion than to the other consoles (RE4 on GC?). But then again the only games that make the PS2 worthwhile to me happen to be the more kid friendly ones, like katamari, where the emphasis is more on fun than how many polys you can render gibs in. Most violent games are not actually for adults, they are for the 16-30 crowd, mature players realize that they were drawn to gaming for fun, pure and simple, and not pure violence.
    --
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