XBLA vs. PSN vs. WiiWare/Virtual Console Comments by Dan Whitehead

Of course Wii owners don't cry foul, duh! Everyone knows that Wii-ware is still in its infancy, generally only sports over-priced legacy games, has some serious technical issues (storage), and hardly a decent or unique game yet.

On the other hand, Live Arcade and PSN are much closer to each other, so there's room for debate. But the reason why this thread has exploded is simply because most multi-platform console owners will disagree and back PSN for having the best games, and many have done so for a year. In fact, August was the one month in which Live Arcade finally got some decent games, and this seems to have skewed the article, because before August, it would have been PSN also, thanks to games like PixelJunk Eden ...

But I guess the article has the worst of luck now being released just when PSN has been reaching even bigger heights, with Burnout, WipeOut and MegaMan 9 released on the same day.

It's a bit of an eye-opener that articles can take that long to publish ... what's this, print media? :D

Incidentally, I'm thinking Super Rub-a-Dub, had it been released today (it did, by the way, just upgrade to version 3.0), I'm willing to bet it would have gotten a higher grade. It's a great casual title for all audiences, except, apparently, some hardcore ones who never got used to motion controls ... . I'm clearly not one of them though and I've got my gold duck to prove what I'm talking about ;) (though now with the 3.0 update there are 8 ducks to unlock, and I'm missing 3)

EDIT: and again, I'm willing to bet a lot of people here complaining actually have two machines or more.

The Thursday argument still seems weak, for an online store - if it's out on Thursday, then people who want to go 'out' to go 'shopping' on a Friday will surely be happy that the shopping windows have some nice new stuff up, despite that people have been preparing this the night before?? Not to mention, when do movies premiere again?

@Dan

Well clearly the claims of bias were OTT, but I dont remember Tekken DR being mentioned either.

Regarding GT/Warhawk/Burnout and 360 owners getting upset, could the same not also be said of PS3 owners in the VS threads, when the 360 is the lead development platform for the vast majority of these games (which are mostly crap anyway)? Since when has sensitivity been an issue?

Also, while the article mentions that the 360 gets more regular updates than the PS3 or Wii, the fact that 95% of these games are by your own admission, crap, does this deserve a mention?

Good article. Fanboy opinions aside, I'd say the 360/Wii edge the PS3 in terms of variety and scale. For me, Braid set's XBLA above the rest on its own.... but with that said, I'd give my right bollock to have Super Metroid in my arcade collection. So I guess in a round about way Wii wins..... Damn

The Wii's online offerings actually come in for much more sustained criticism in the feature than the PS3, yet there's a peculiar lack of Wii owners crying foul...

Probably because Wii owners, myself included, realise that all the points in the article are entirely justified! It's overpriced and it's yet another example of Nintendo not knowing their arse from their elbow when it comes to online service.

From GAF :

Eurogamer, the Fox news of video game information.


/jokes


edit

btw he forgot Siren blood curse.

"But the reason why this thread has exploded is simply because most multi-platform console owners will disagree and back PSN for having the best games, and many have done so for a year."

FACT!

heh.

@Vic

Regarding GT/Warhawk/Burnout and 360 owners getting upset, could the same not also be said of PS3 owners in the VS threads, when the 360 is the lead development platform

Lol! You're really clutching at straws now.

@MasterNameless

Just went to try and the Playstation Store is down for maintenance!

I'll give it a try later, thanks for the tip!

Well clearly the claims of bias were OTT, but I dont remember Tekken DR being mentioned either.

There are plenty of titles on XBLA and Wii that weren't mentioned either. The idea wasn't to just list everything on every system, but to take an overview.

Regarding GT/Warhawk/Burnout and 360 owners getting upset, could the same not also be said of PS3 owners in the VS threads, when the 360 is the lead development platform for the vast majority of these games (which are mostly crap anyway)? Since when has sensitivity been an issue?

Sensitivity isn't the issue, and I've explained why downloadable versions of boxed games weren't included. I was merely pointing out that whatever you include or omit, there's always someone who'll get annoyed.

Also, while the article mentions that the 360 gets more regular updates than the PS3 or Wii, the fact that 95% of these games are by your own admission, crap, does this deserve a mention?

Yes. The 360 and Wii are quite clearly criticised - several times - in the feature for their poor ratio of quality-to-crap games, just as the PS3 is praised for its quality over quantity approach.

btw he forgot Siren blood curse.

"It's also notable that the PS3 is the first console to start delivering larger games via download, with recent well-received games like Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty and Siren: Blood Curse snuggling into the gap between impulse buy downloads and full-priced retail games."

Seemed like a balanced article, even with the omisson of Wipeout HD for PSN (because 360 owners could easily pull some other XBLA game out that was never mentioned. Assault Heroes perhaps?).
Basically its hard to argue with XBLA's massive catalogue even when you do have Warhawk, Siren and Wipeout HD. But the PSN shopping experience - mostly not having some tossy little points system - (which very often puts me off purchasing XBLA titles) is so much better, and the article points this out quite clearly.

On the subject of the varying release days, I tend to see it like this:

XBLA Wednesday - Good. Its midweek, you've played that retail game you bought last friday so now its time for something to tide you over till this friday.

PSN Thursday - Ehhh, it gets the jump on Fridays retail releases, but only just. Something to play on the night when you get home, and if you cant get to the shops till Saturday...

Wii Friday - Pants. Totally clashes with retail releases so its effectively dividing its own market.

Just my 2p.

Why wasn't Duke Nukem mentioned? FFS, this site is sooo stupidly bias it makes me vomit over my own legs....

@toybrain

o_O
Without meaning to sound too offensive, do people really have so little to do that they plan their lives around the online store updates??

@ Kryron

I cant believe those bastard PS3 owners talking up their console.

Have you tried bitching about it?

"Though to be fair, it seems the majority of people who own all three machines do prefer the PSN over XBLA and Wiiware.

@Vic

That's such bullshit!
There's no mention of Black, Fable, Chaos Theory, Indigo Prophecy, Psychonauts, Ninja Gaiden Black, Burnout 3, Jade Empire, Pirates and Halo CE in this article but noone's complaining, SDF ;)

"o_O
Without meaning to sound too offensive, do people really have so little to do that they plan their lives around the online store updates??"

Hardly, and I think you know that wasn't really what I was getting at.
Similar to how some games are heald back or pushed forward so as not to 'collide' with the release of a GTA or FIFA, it makes sense to make sure your online games do not collide with the release of your retail stuff - thus ensuring a constant flow of interest in your console without overcrowding. MS has this more-or-less spot on. You check the shops on friday for new games... nothing take your fancy? OK well then check online in a few days to see if there is any DLC you want instead. It keeps the console more... uhhh.. this is going to sound dumb but.... 'active in your mind' (told you it was dumb).
Whereas with the PS3 you have this Thursday/Friday perid of new content, then nothing for almost a week till the next lot, and for Wii owners its all on one day.

Its just about maintaining peoples interest and not clashing with your own market y'know.

One man against all odds, on a mission to enlighten the world to the immense untapped power of the cell before it's too late for humanity. Vic (played by Rick Moranis) must begin his quest to bring down the powerful and biased journalists of EG, but it won't be easy as he seems to get pwned at every turn by a rotten to the core journo, a man only known as Dan Whitehead.

The PWNAGE

In theatres this fall. Certificate 12A.

"One man against all odds, on a mission to enlighten the world to the immense untapped power of the cell before it's too late for humanity. Vic (played by Rick Moranis) must begin his quest to bring down the powerful and biased journalists of EG, but it won't be easy as he seems to get pwned at every turn by a rotten to the core journo, a man only known as Dan Whitehead.

The PWNAGE

In theatres this fall. Certificate 12A. "

very funny lol.

it seems odd that wipeout wasnt included, especially when "danwhitehead"(of wipeout review fame) wrote its review... but we all err so i wont dwell on it.
its good to read that the stores are close in terms of quality, as a ps3 owner ive often wondered how good xbla was.... with microsofts xbox having a reputation for an unparalled online experience i was afraid my ps3 was a lacking. its good to know then, that my free service is not behind a subscription based service in terms of quality.

"PWNAGE"

Its words like this that cement your position as a dickhead. You're probably about 12 and living at home with mummy and daddy who paid for your consoles.

The idea of two adults discussing the article is beyond your comprehension. There should be a kiddies section where people like you can use your made-up words.

Calm down Victoria, no need to get your panties in a twist, jeez, some people really can't take being PWNED.

People (SDF) still bitching and moaning? Look PSN has some great titles up there (some fantastic ones in fact) but it's totally eclipsed by XBLA. Live with it.

I find it amazing that some of the best and most original games of all time (many found on Virtual console) are slated by so called gamers because theyve played them before, yet spunk flies over the latest versions of PS1 games because they're in HD (its still wipeout FFS). Maybe the PC can be brought into the argument then? (how many years ago was Half-Life 2 available as download only?, so PS3 HD is old news if fanboys are going to try to champion Wipout because of the higher resolution) The 'best' should be about value for money, and that can only be measured on how many hours we spend playing, not how far we shoot our load.

And why would Sony price the Wipeout HD code the same as a boxed item in the shops? the price is right, its not cheap
As soon as Nintendo and Microsoft start to offer full retail games from XBLA and VC, this argument is dead.
Not that I give a fuck, my Pandora will be here soon and I'll catch up on the best games of all time that I didn't get time to play. Stop trying to make out Nintendo are the only ones interested in your wallet.

Also,

The idea of two adults discussing the article is beyond your comprehension.

"Boohoo, Waaah! Change the article you biased bastards, it's not fair, you didn't include every single PSN game in the article so you're obviously biased, Boohoohoo, you hurt my feelings when you do face off articles because all teh games are 360 lead platform titles, Boohoo *sniff* WaaaAAaaaAAAaaah, I want my mummy!"

That's the essence of what you were saying, and you call that an adult conversation? LOL!

I can't even use PSN because I am not prepared to use my debit card details with it. That doesn't stop me from using XBLA or the Wii shop (whatever) because of the handy points cards available for the 360 and Wii.

Rather pathetic of Sony to still not have some prepay cards available after all this time.

"wii vc =3rd place over priced games no hd only sd whic sucks on high end tvs "


If your HDTV cant display SD properly.. it's not a "high end" tv...

@ Kryon

No. I was talking about my conversation with Dan. You're not old enough to qualify as an adult.

You've just seen your arse. :D.

Hey Smelly...






Guess what?







Mario sucks cocks in hell!...What say you?

Vic, your conversation with Dan (the one where you got PWNED) was exactly how I described it. You're basically crying because you feel PSN has been done a severe injustice at the hands of EG. If there's anyone who needs to mature a little, it's you.

I know why you really dont like the PSN...its because mum and dad wont let you have that debit card yet.

Says the kid who just threw his haribo out of the pram because he didn't agree with something he read on the internet, lol!

LOL

PWNED

Haribo

...I started seeing a common theme long ago. Thats the problem with schoolkids these days. They're so pent-up with frustration, that their way out is with blogs and forums.

Dont worry mate, GOW2 will be out soon. You're homoerotic needs will be well taken care off.

Shit I've got to run. 3:30 tomorrow?

"Thats the problem with schoolkids these days. They're so pent-up with frustration, that their way out is with blogs and forums. "

Jesus! Somebody call the emergency services, quick! I've got a 9.6 on the Irono-meter right here!

XBLA is easily the best - for the new material such as Braid, Geometry Wars 2, Castle Crashers etc if nothing else. Played Live Arcade games for than Retail releases recently!

Neither Wipeout HD nor Duke Nukem 3D was mentioned.
So it's equal omittance....calm down everyone :)

So XBLA beats the PSN, but only just? And how many years was it out first?

xb360lol

/oh wait...damn.

The only omission I can think of is not mentioning games like Warhawk and GT5 Prologue, which were launched on disc and download. And I can guarantee that if I had included those, 360 owners would be grumbling that they didn't count.

Rather silly argument. How can they not count? They are on the PSN, as is Burnout Paradise. You can't just pretend they are not there because of some 360 owning crybabies. The fact they are also on disc is irrelevant, on the contrary Sony's policy of not having a file size limit is one of the big factors that differentiates it from the others. It's a pretty glaring and clumsy omission.

Jesus christ, this has devolved into bollocks, I think I'll leave it here!

"If you ask me, the clear winner here is the consumer"

I love comments like this, sounds like something an anchorman would say.

Who cares if Mr Whitehead mentioned every single PSN game? He didn't mention every single XBL game either, get over it! He has already explained that this article was an overview of the services, not an intricate game by game study. Besides, most PS3 owners wouldn't bother downloading games that they can buy in a retail outlet for the simple reason that they need that HDD space for all the forced installs that are pushed upon them, so it's kinda inconsequential anyway...

Todays article has been sponsored by letters X, B, O, X and numbers 3 6 0 :)

EG DIDN'T MENTION ZHE XNA IMPLEMENTATION ON XBLa!!! Z0MG! U = ALL T3H PSTRIPPLE BIASED!

I see nobody has mentioned the real crime here, and that is the glaring currency conversion error!

Kryon's Late Night Limericks

There was a young gayer named Vic.
Who enjoyed a quick choke on the dick.
He takes the girls role.
To get cock in his hole.
That funny old bummer named Vic.

The End

Why no mention of Xbox Originals?

Oh dear, it appears Kryon has taken my digs personally and is having a meltdown in front of his PC as I type :D

XBLA is teh best and 360 rulez!! PS3+ Wii suck and are PWned!!

Wow it's gettin messy in here! As far as I can see it guys Sony needs to do just 3 simple things to blow everyone out of the water in terms of online offerings:

1. Increase and improve the PS1 line up - seriously, Sony, someone needs firing and replacing. Get it sorted!
2. Increase and improve the PSP line up - seriously, Sony, someone needs firing and replacing. Get it sorted!
3. PS BLOODY 2 YOU STUBBORN NIMROD TWATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! - seriously Sony someone needs SERIOUS firing, stringing up, nuts chopped off, skinned, gutted, shot for good measure, cremated, sprinkled on a northeners Saturday night kebab and shat out on Sunday morning hangover poo and replacing. Get it sorted!

3 things only and boom Sony shoots to number 1 again!

@MasterNameless

Got it working now, thanks a lot for your help! :)

I own a 360 and WII and love both download services my favourite games this year are geo wars 2, braid, and mega man 9 bought both versions wii being the better version also love virtual console. I find the prices quite reasonably priced and think this is the way forward. One of the best features of this gen.

Why is Thursday an awkward day? Why is it worse than Wednesday or Friday..? I don't get it. Only 'awkward' day I can think of would be Sunday, since that would just be cruel teasing as you wander off to work the next day..

Why no mention of Xbox Originals?

"The one area where Microsoft still seems rather uncertain is its retro Xbox Originals range. Additions to the list are sporadic at best, with no clear schedule or reasoning behind what goes up and when, and there doesn't seem to be much urgency on Microsoft's part to change that state of affairs. For shame."