I love Grand Theft Auto. A lot. I have enjoyed the shit out of GTA III and Vice City and San Andreas on my beloved PC. GTA IV comes out at the end of April, and my loyal Game Art Design students tell me that this time around, if I want to play it, I will need to break down and finally buy a console, as a PC version of the game isn't expected until 2009, if at all. I think I'll go ahead and buy one of these things (and a couple of games), just to practice with that wacky controller with all the buttons on it. This way, when GTA IV comes out, I can buy it and play it and fall in love with it along with all the other dorks in the world.

Here's my question:

I go with an XBOX 360 and not a PS3, right?

I've done some research, and there are way more games for the XBOX than there are for the PS3. (And don't talk to me about the Wii. There will be no Wii.) I also know that there have been some durability issues with the XBOX, but it's still the best way to go, isn't it?

Help a captain out!

My 5th grade students would agree with you. They like XBOX 360 better (those that can afford both). Many of them would be thrilled to have either.

One upside to the PS3 is that it plays Blu-Ray discs. If that matters. Also, with XBox 360 you have to have some sort of adapter or something to play regular XBox games.

The 360 can play XBox games, that's good.

Go with a 360 over PS3.

Just do.

Cheaper, more games, better system.

The overheating only happens if you play like 10 hours a day, and with the newer models isn't likely to happen even then, so it's a very small issue.

Not like you know, but there's a thread on this in my Fanclub, much has already been discussed.

I don't know we have the Wii.

I can pretty much guarantee that I will never under any circumstances play a game for 10 hours in a day.

Thank you for the recommendation, Jacob.

This surprises me.

Why?

Go for a classic.

I was deprived as a child. We had the "Tandy" version of Pong from Radio Shack, whatever they were calling it.

Xbox 360. I've all three and while the PS3 blows the Wii out of the water on graphics, there is a very uneventful difference in quality between PS3 and XBox360. I've NEVER had the Xbox overheat. I mostly use the PS3 for blu-ray. As long as you don't need the blu-ray option, the Xbox is the way to go.

Oddly, we still play the Wii the most. For get-togethers and parties, it's a much more useful socialization tool than either of the other two consoles.

Sounds like the XBOX is the way to go, so far.

The ONLY reason to go with a PS3, as far as I can tell, is if you're looking as much for a Blu-Ray player as a game console. It's one of the better players going. X-Box has every other advantage.

another advantage to the PS3 is the backwards compatability to PS2 and PS1...there are tons of older games out there...just watch out, i believe the less expensive PS3 does not have the back-compat software...

I'm still waiting for Trevor's answer.

It doesn't seem like your cup of tea.

It is completely my cup of tea.

Explain that.

Nah.

You are welcome.

Yes.

If you're into HD movies, that's a big plus for the PS3. It's a good BR player and despite being an expensive console, it's an affordable BR player. The backwards compatability is nice, but sadly it's being phased out. Unless you know which model to buy, you might get screwed on that.

I feel like the 360 is a better system overall. Better library, great features, etc.

Also, if you're buying for GTA IV, guess what? The 360 will have two exclusive downloadable mission packs that add about 10 hours of gameplay, according to Microsoft. So that's cool.

They're phasing out the backward compatibility? Why on earth for? It's what made the Wii a no-brainer for us, since the kids could still play their old GC games. Nintendo has made the wiser move here, I think.

I'll try some mindreading. The purpose of the game is to steal Automobiles. You seem to be very much against theft or breaking the law. Why would you enjoy a game that encourages such a premise.