Help me decide...

[spagmasterswift]

I'd suggest you get a 360, then if you want to pick up a second console in a year or two you can always buy a Wii.

[C']

Easily the 360 at the moment.

You should never buy any console on potential (I got my PS3 earlier this year from the US to ensure I got the full BC model and whilst I’ve enjoyed Ridge Racer 7, Tekken 5: DR and Virtua Fighter 5 I don’t think I would have purchased one had the first lot of PS2 BC issues come about).

I think you'd hard pressed not to find anything that doesn't interest you on the 360.

[crocky-chocky]

The only thing that'd sway me in favour of PS3 is Mr.Ringofdeath. It's only happened once with my 360, but it shouldn't happen at all. All my other consoles have not busted on me!

That said, 360 has better games by a great distance. Also, before you've even played a single new release, there's a plethora of older, budget priced delights to try.

[ascender]

At the moment it has to be the 360 surely, for the sheer amount of games, many of them pretty damn good, which are available.

I don't think anyone's doubting that the PS3 won't be a must-have console at some point, but it seems to be lacking quality games at the moment which is a wee bit of a drawback.

[funkydan]

If I was you, I'd get a PS3 - Motorstorm, Warhawk and Resistance are all excellent. Heavenly Sword is great fun, and you'll have the new Ratchet and Clank and LittleBigPlanet to play/look forward too as well. Plus the online gaming comes with no additional charges and works very well (I've had no reason to complain yet! )

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Yes, if you're into games that are, you know, out now and available to play then you're best off with a 360.

Depends though. If he doesn't like FPS's, or isn't particulary bothered about online play, that cancels out most of the 'must-haves' on the 360.

[Nisa]

I'd have to say 360 as well.

Like others here I have both but the PS3 just sits gathering dust and the 360 gets played pretty much every day.

[egparadigm]

I would personally recommend the 360 for it's range of software - there's just stacks of great games for it. The best are: Crackdown, Halo 3, Gears of War, and Dead Rising. I also like Lego Star Wars II and Hitman Blood Money...

There's tonnes coming in the next few months, too - e.g. Mass Effect and the Orange Box.

You have to bear in mind that your console will probably die prematurely from the 3RL, however. You can extend the console's life by using the play and charge kit before powering down, but it is a severe and intrinsic problem with the console, which has yet to be adequately fixed by MS. Most stores will swap the console out and there is a 3 year warranty for the red lights, but it is not a hassle-free choice as far as hardware goes.

[Swallow]

Saying it will "probably" die is a massive overstatement.

[egparadigm]

It's not an overstatement. It might arguably be an understatement. All 360s with the launch-standard hardware will die if they are used enough to melt the innards.

[Concept]

360. Though the PS3 looks more attractive since the pricecut, and is looking like it may end up being a more long-term proposition than the 360, the fact is the comparison in current game quality weights heavily in the latter's favour.

Couple that with the accessible and feature rich online infrastructure and the 360 games (exclusives/lead-format) still to be released this year which will likely be rated highly, and you have your reasons.

[Champloo]

If your worried about MGS, then go hire yourself some Chuck Norris Delta Force movies, it's got the same quality of story writting that you get in an MGS game

I think you're being a little too generous on the MGS series there.

To make things a little more fair, the PS3 does have some good looking games coming out, Little Big Planet, White Knight Story, FF XIII and Versus, Steambot Chronicles 2 (alright, I know, i'm on my own on that one) and most importantly, a new Team Ico game. Folklore also looks really quite nice.

360 has a lot more no doubt. Although to be fair, with either console you'll have enough to keep you busy i'm sure, once the PS3 gets going anyway.

[Myth]

I've had both consoles since they've launched and 360 all the way, PS3 isn't worth a purchase at the moment at all.

[Brats]

It's the types of games added to your own patience. The PS3 will undoubtedly be a devastating machine for stuff like JRPGs, but it depends on:

1) How much you like them
2) How long you are prepared to wait for them

The 360 has good titles in nearly every genre (ignore them who say it's a FPS machine - it isn't) but will ultimately be beaten by the PS3 in some.

If you're just simply after quality though regardless of genre, the 360 wins easily. Even if no more good games came out for it ever, you'd have a very decent catalogue to enjoy.

[k0pp0]

It's not an overstatement. It might arguably be an understatement. All 360s with the launch-standard hardware will die if they are used enough to melt the innards.

I've got a friend who recently has lost 2 360's in close succession, and although the service he received from MS was exceptional, it does worry me.

HOWEVER, saying that, the undoubtable praise for the 360 in this thread as pretty much swayed me completely. So, 360 it is.

Thanks folks, I'll be sure to post here when we start thinking of names for the new nipper.

Cheers!