I have been thinking lately about some risky decisions involving the plunge from the 360 to Sony's almighty Playstation 3. I'm about had it with Microsoft's hardware issues regarding the 360 from red rings of death (I dealt with it four times), stratching discs, and so on. If you're going short-term, the 360 is still a viable console, but people eventually have to realize if your console is manufactured from launch to last year, that thing is going to die out eventually. If you're able to get a Jasper 360 (the newest model out now), you're safe from any RROD issues. I'm been a supporter of this system ever since its launch getting it on the first day three years ago. Now, after five strikes, I have given them so many chances and it is about time to make a change. The Xbox has pretty much reached its peak last year and this year as their lineup for 2009 exclusives-wise looks bleak for now (Halo Wars, Alan Wake, Halo 3 ODST). Sure, they have been making strides to get former third-party exclusives to their system ever since the 360's launch (GTA IV, FF XIII, Tekken 6 BR, DMC4), but since their hardware issues have probably prevented them from getting more sales, the 360 is running out of life.
With my likely jump to PS3 sometime soon, I would give up a lot of stuff and memories the 360 provided me for three years. From 56,030 achievement points, Xbox Live Arcade, Rock Band and Guitar Hero taking my money week after week, and shooter-heaven with Halo and Gears, Microsoft has been pulling the right strings in terms of giving people more games that people want on their system. I don't mind being rhythm game-less for a year till the inevitable Rock Band 3 and Guitar Hero 5 come out. Their Live service has been proven a success over time even though you have to pay 50 bucks a year to subscribe and play against others online with XBL Gold. I spent so much money on anything Marketplace related from themes, gamer pics, Rock Band songs, DLC, XBLA games, and so on. Plus, I will leave behind a friends list of 60+ people even though 20 of them are worth playing against (Gears 2, SSFIIT HD Remix). I am keeping my 20 GB HDD in case as I have an extra 20 GB that came with the Halo 360 to sell off.
I still feel that it is not too late to get a Playstation 3 right now considering that their 2009 lineup is stacked compared to 360 and Wii. There is still time to catch up on past games that came out the past two years (MGS4, LittleBigPlanet, Uncharted, Resistance 2) till the new year's batch of first-party games and exclusives (Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, God of War III). Sony's PS3 is a little open towards external devices compared to Microsoft's strict hardware policy on 360 specifically in terms of hard drive space. You can actually use external hard drives on PS3 rather than the 360-only hard drives that are expensive for how much space contained. Sure, I have to buy a new set of accessories for the PS3 (PS Eye, another Dual Shock 3, the ugly chatpad, the awesome PS3-branded Bluetooth headset that comes with SOCOM), but the system itself is more reliable compared to the 360's hardware issues.
If the plunge happens, I want it to happen this weekend. I had enough with the 360 and their stupid hardware problems. I'm tired of wasting money on DLC, themes, and pics. The Playstation Store seems more friendly now with less themes, quality over quantity PSN titles to buy (double dip for SSFIIT HD Remix, WipeOut HD, and upcoming original and innvovative games like Flower and Noby Noby Boy), and Home (it had a rocky start, but the potential is still there to be special compared to the 360's NXE). I also have to cancel my Xbox Live subscription and sell everything Xbox related (my Halo 360 in its current shape, all of my games that I have now, guitars, RB1 drums, controllers, and other accessories) to get enough store credit to pay the system for less. Sorry, Microsoft, I gave you too many chances, but now it is time to join the light side.
UPDATE - The 360's other major hardware issue, stratching discs, has reached the front page of Yahoo. Think about that too if you're still enjoying their system.
If anyone thinks I'm changing to a PS3 fanboy after this, then that's your opinion. I still like the 360 because of its advantages, but its weaknesses are turning to a boiling point for me. Do you still want to believe in the past and present ways Microsoft provides you, or believe in the future with Blu-Ray and more originality with Sony? That's your call...
Will my tag change?? - Hopefully no... My PSN ID will be the same (G Unit Ver1)
UPDATE 2 - This plunge is officially going down this weekend!!!
Games I would buy on PS3 that I want now...
- LittleBigPlanet
- Metal Gear Solid 4
- Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
- WipeOut HD
- SSFIIT HD Remix
- Pixeljunk Eden
- Buzz Quiz TV
- SingStar
PS3's current 2009 lineup that is stacked...
- Skate 2
- Street Fighter IV (now I have to change my pre-order from the 360 version)
- Flower
- Noby Noby Boy
- Killzone 2
- Resident Evil 5
- Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion
- Infamous
- God of War III (probably 2010)
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Final Fantasy XIII / Versus XIII (2010 as well)
