360 Disgaea or PS3.

[wildpokerman]

So I won a sales contest at work, finished number one in the nation! Yeah recession or whatever, I may still lose my job like anyone else but the cool thing is that the prize is $1500 to turn into gift cards at pretty much any establishment I would like. Yes my work has already decided that State Liquor is not on the list.

So instead of giving in to my worst fears and getting it for a sporting goods store to stock up on guns and ammor, and instead of doing the practical in a recession thing and getting a Walmart card and using it for the next 3-4 months of groceries I'm going to blow some on entertainment.

My choices are:

1. A new PC. My work has a every three years program which pays 20 percent of the cost of a computer. My three years is up and the new machines have nice nice numbers like 4 gig RAM while I have two, I'm three years behind on the video card department and it would be nice to have an extra around the house, my oldest kid is now 8 and between the wife and the kids it's no longer MY machine as much as it used to be. Upsides: Practical for more than gaming. Downsides: Most expensive option, I already have a PC that works fine for what I want to do, all I play on the PC lately is WOW and I'm not sure there will be a bunch of new big blockbusters during a recession.

2. PS3. This is what I'm leaning towards, I really really want to play Disgaea 3. However I already have Disgaea 1 and 2 and when I'm not playing WOW this is what I play. Is 3 really a $450 upgrade? Also blue ray the "winning" format for the format wars and PSP download stuff. Upsides: Disgaea 3, blue ray. Downsides: Blue ray may be soon worthless due to online downloads if iTunes, Amazon and Netflix get their way. This could be months or it could be years. Expensive and there's only one game I'm dying to get.

3. X-box: I'm torn but this is for some reason my least favorite option. I would only buy it to move into the next console generation. X-box live sounds cool. Fable sucked so much that I don't really want to try Fable 2. I love Japanese RPGs and this console has seen just as many as PS3 but none have been stellar have to gets as far as I know. Upsides:cheapest option. Downsides: I don't know of anything I'm dying to play on it and if I spend all my time playing games I already own I'm wasting my money.

Groupthink help me to decide and let me know what I don't know about these options and what's already out and what's coming out.

[Moggraider]

A new PC. PCs are best. We Borg think it logical.

Three words: Left 4 Dead.

[malkav11]

Actually, the 360 has seen a lot MORE Japanese RPGs than the PS3 to date. In fact, the only currently existing PS3 JRPGs I know of are Elemental Arms (a port of the 360 version), Disgaea 3, and Valkyria Chronicles. Now, those latter two are reputedly exceptional, but I have this feeling that now is not the the time to get a PS3, if JRPGs are your bag.

Also, Fable 2 is significantly better than Fable 1 (although I liked that one too.).

Mind you, $1500 in gift cards will get you all three current generation consoles and some accessories and games to boot.

[Dave Long]

If you have an HDTV, go with the PlayStation 3 for the Blu-ray movies, Disgaea 3 and Valkyria Chronicles. There are a bunch of other good games you'll probably enjoy on there, too.

[awdougherty]

do you have a high def tv? that card would get you the tv and then the 360 with some JRPGS to boot.

[Rock8man]

For $1500, you could get a 360, a PS3, and all JRPGs on both systems, and Fable 2, and a bunch of other games.

[wildpokerman]

For $1500, you could get a 360, a PS3, and all JRPGs on both systems, and Fable 2, and a bunch of other games.

But I'm married. So deduct the standard "you just got a bonus and we need some stuff for the house and the kids need new clothes" tax and you can see that I can really only get one.

[Moggraider]

Aha! Then computer. Make the most of it.

[aphoristic gamer]

PS3 because its exclusives are true exclusives, and don't get ported to the PC months later, plus it still retains many great current multiplatform titles

barring a few 360 exclusives that don't get ported to PC, in my view PS3 and PC is an awesome combo... I liked the two Mistwalker 360 RPGs and Operation Darkness, but apart from that I didn't like the other 360 RPGs I played... you're probably going to be able to play Demon's Soul and White Knight Chronicles next year on PS3, as far as japanese RPGs go

glad to see a fellow Disgaea nut, who thinks that Fable sucks on top of that!

[Hanacker]

However I already have Disgaea 1 and 2 and when I'm not playing WOW this is what I play. Is 3 really a $450 upgrade?

It's a definite upgrade, but not a $450 one. The graphics are barely better than the PS2 version and the gameplay tweaks aren't all that large. I don't regret my PS3, but I have little interest in console racing, shooters, or multiplayer so I think it was the better choice than the 360 for me.

[malkav11]

The thing is, yes, the 360 shares a fair number of titles with the PC, and the PS3 mostly doesn't. But unlike last generation, eliminating those titles still leaves the 360 well in the lead in terms of things worth playing.

[gordonrumble]

I'm not sure that thinking of a PS3 as a $450 upgrade for Disgaea is fair; there are many great games on the system, and you would be able to play all the other games on it as well. I only play games on my PS3 (no time for PC and no need for xbox), and have found it to serve my needs really well both as a game machine and as a center for movies and playing music. I also use it sometimes to show youtube videos to an audience. Personally, I'd definitely recommend it.

That being said, it's your money, and I guess you'll have to make the call yourself. Neither I nor anyone else here will be able to pinpoint your gaming and lifestyle habits and tell you 'Aha! This is the option for you!'

Congratulations on winning the award.

[KaoFloppy]

If you're a real Disgaea nut, you can siphon a bit of money to pick up either a PSP + Disgaea 1 + Disgaea 2(coming?) + Yggdra Union + Riviera, or DS + Disgaea DS + FFTA2.

[EvilIdler]

I say either a computer or a 360 Elite. The growing library of JRPGs will pay for itself. The PS3 is still not worthy, in my opinion. There ARE games to keep kids entertained with a 360, also. XBLA is a goldmine of fun.

[Dave Long]

Be careful with the "There are JRPGs on 360" claim because while they do exist most of them have reviewed in the average range, whereas both Valkyria Chronicles and Disgaea 3 are pretty universally regarded as very good to great.

Also, the ones on 360 are mostly Final Fantasy style and not strategy role-playing like Disgaea.

[Pumpkinhead]

As a Disgaea fan I can say that there is no way that Disgaea 3 is worth $50, let alone $450. You would be much better off getting a PSP and playing Disgaea on the go.

[Dave Long]

I agree with that. If you're buying PS3 only for Disgaea 3, that's a mistake.

However, don't expect blu-ray DVD to be eclipsed by downloads anytime soon. Far too many bits to transfer, far too small a disk storage medium on the console side and far too slow a transfer rate for that to happen in a long time, IMO.

[aphoristic gamer]

Even if the stages and enemies are procedurally generated, Disgaea can be played for thousands of hours if you still find it entertaining, how's that for bang for your buck? In that view paying a few hundred dollars mainly to play Disgaea 3 isn't that senseless.

But of course a PS3 offers much, much more. I'm particularly enamored with PSN at this point. The Last Guy is only 5 bucks and is loads of fun!

[Pumpkinhead]

Even if the stages and enemies are procedurally generated, Disgaea can be played for thousands of hours if you still find it entertaining, how's that for bang for your buck? In that view paying a few hundred dollars mainly to play Disgaea 3 isn't that senseless.


Sure if the same thing couldn't be said for Disgaea 2 on the PS2 or Afternoon of Darkness on the PSP.

[gordonrumble]

But of course a PS3 offers much, much more. I'm particularly enamored with PSN at this point. The Last Guy is only 5 bucks and is loads of fun!

I think I've actually spent about half as much on PSN as I have in disc games. Downloadable services are the devil; casually click open store, and then you can have that fun little game in five minutes, for only ten dollars! It's a strength of the console, for sure, and for people less able to dedicate a ton of time to large, complicated, lengthy games it's a godsend.

[wildpokerman]

I think I've actually spent about half as much on PSN as I have in disc games. Downloadable services are the devil; casually click open store, and then you can have that fun little game in five minutes, for only ten dollars! It's a strength of the console, for sure, and for people less able to dedicate a ton of time to large, complicated, lengthy games it's a godsend.

Interesting. Remember how digital downloads on PC would never fly because we all want to get hard product? Remember how the success of consoles was directly a result of this?

[Traumahound]

I bought a PS3, more or less, for Disgaea 3. I loved the game (enough to put in about 90 hours and beat Uber Baal), but I don't think I've even turned my PS3 on since I've finished it. In fact, I think it and Uncharted are the only games I've played(*).

The 360 is the best gaming console by far. Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are both good (but not fantastic) JRPGs.

So, either a 360 or a PC. Maybe that's not much help. I guess this is what I'm trying to say: As a Disgaea fan, D3 is good, really good, but it's not buy-a-PS3 good.

* - I bought the 80GB bundle with MGS4. I played that just far enough to know that, yes, I still hate Metal Gear.

[Jakub]

However I already have Disgaea 1 and 2 and when I'm not playing WOW this is what I play.
You seem to have answered your own question.

Your PC is outdated, your primary game is WoW, and then Disgaea comes in second. WoW isn't a system hog but it runs so much nicer on a good rig.

[gordonrumble]

Interesting. Remember how digital downloads on PC would never fly because we all want to get hard product? Remember how the success of consoles was directly a result of this?

I don't remember that! It sounds like crazy person talk to me. Of course digital downloads of smaller games are a good idea; they're convenient to get and play, which is in my books the most important thing for a consumer product as people are lazy. I'm pretty sure Steam is doing just fine, and there are a few other services up like Impulse and Good Old Games which are doing something similar. In my opinion, it's a big deal on consoles since the ability to get the games is built right into every machine from the start, so even casual consumers without the knowledge and drive to get something like Steam can check the store out really easily. I know people whose only online purchases in their lives have been over the PS Store or Xbox Arcade.

[wildpokerman]

I got the certificates and headed out to Best Buy. I got $1000 in best buy credit so I figured I could get whichever system I wanted and have a little left over for maybe a video camera.

The store was pretty packed, there was a line to the door at the returns counter. Yeesh, from now on I'm giving gift cards.

When did Best Buy become the Guitar Hero/Rock Band outlet? Almost a fifth of the store, a whole center section of it was different consoles with plastic guitar hookups. The music was cool but I'm still in the camp of hey dude get a real guitar. For that amount of time and money you may as well learn to play some real songs.

I picked up a PS3 and carried it around for a bit. Problem was the only game I really wanted for it was Disgaea 3. Everything else looked ho-hum or was just average on my wish list. I know I've seen many more games that I wanted for PS3 at Gamestop though.

I put the PS3 down in a random place. Now I noticed that there were PS3s all over the place kind of put down randomly on shelves. I guess PS3 is the console of choice for people who like to walk around with an item to see if they feel good about it.

I didn't feel very good and I saw that all the Xbox 360s came with two games! Yes I have no real desire to play Kung Fu panda but the kids would like it right?

I picked up the X-box to feel the heft and then looked over at the display. The Xbox in the display had the red ring of death. Oh yeah that's why I don't want an Xbox.

I wandered around the store, maybe I just want a 24 inch widescreen monitor and a new DVD burner? Maybe a few TV series and I can keep playing WOW.

I finally forced myself to buy the PS3. It's now on my floor, I played a few minutes of little big planet with my daughter. Tomorrow it's the Disgaea 3 marathon.

[The Bird Flu]

Yay!

Have fun with Disgaea 3. I recommend the Double Jump strategy guide. It's cheap and well worth the price. The game is amazing, I've spent 100+ hours with it already.

Check out the Valkyria Chronicles demo on PSN. It's another PS3 exclusive SRPG and also happens to be quite fun.

[Dave Long]

Spend a lot of time in the PlayStation Store. There are a lot of superb games you can download for very low prices. Also, demos for a lot of top titles, too.

Valkyria Chronicles is something you really need to try out given your enjoyment of Disgaea.

[bigdruid]

Congrats, wildpokerman - you'll have fun with the PS3. I hope you have an HDTV, because BluRay is pure, delicious love.

BTW, I've got both (PS3 and 360) and I'm not at all sure where all the love is coming from for the meager PSN offerings - is this just coming from folks who've never experienced the cornucopia that is XBLA? PSN seems to have the weakest of the download offerings for the 3 consoles - am I missing something?

[wildpokerman]

Yay!

Have fun with Disgaea 3. I recommend the Double Jump strategy guide. It's cheap and well worth the price. The game is amazing, I've spent 100+ hours with it already.

Check out the Valkyria Chronicles demo on PSN. It's another PS3 exclusive SRPG and also happens to be quite fun.

I ordered the double jump guide on Amazon last night, I've played a couple hours of Disgaea 3 and I can see I'm going to need it. It seems like there's a lot more to learn on this one than in the past games. I haven't found any "secrets" yet except for the chests lying around.

My DSL is only one single modem hooked up directly to my computer so I'll need to unplug it and then plug it in again to use wi-fi. I had a wi-fi modem for cable but for some reason chose DSL when I moved here. Maybe I should just fork out another 20-30 bucks for a wi-fi router.

Spend a lot of time in the PlayStation Store. There are a lot of superb games you can download for very low prices. Also, demos for a lot of top titles, too.

Valkyria Chronicles is something you really need to try out given your enjoyment of Disgaea.

Thanks for the tip on Valkyria Chronicles. I forgot about downloaded content. I was going to go to Gamestop later today and see if I can find 3-4 more games I actually want to play.

Congrats, wildpokerman - you'll have fun with the PS3. I hope you have an HDTV, because BluRay is pure, delicious love.

BTW, I've got both (PS3 and 360) and I'm not at all sure where all the love is coming from for the meager PSN offerings - is this just coming from folks who've never experienced the cornucopia that is XBLA? PSN seems to have the weakest of the download offerings for the 3 consoles - am I missing something?

I do have a HDTV but here's the problem, whenever I use HD it starts to overheat and flicker. This is a well known issue with my model that I didn't really think to research before I bought it, I just reached for the cheapest model of the size I wanted. I'm buying a new TV within the next couple of days too, scaling down a bit on size but scaling up on quality.

I'd love to get a good blue ray set of some nature show like planet earth or something just to impress myself about how nice it all looks.

[Dave Long]

Games available on PSN that are worth trying out...

PixelJunk Monsters
PixelJunk Eden
The Last Guy
Wipeout HD
Calling All Cars (2 to 4 players a must)
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Age of Booty
Echocrome
Elefunk
Everyday Shooter
PixelJunk Racers
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
Super Stardust HD
Prince of Persia Classic
Super Rub 'a' Dub
Mega Man 9
Lumines Supernova
Gripshift

There are also a number of PSX classics that are available including the recently released SRPG, Suikoden. You should definitely have a look through those. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is excellent too.

Also, if you have a Bluetooth headset, it will work for any online games you might get.

[Warning]

There are also a number of PSX classics that are available including the recently released SRPG, Suikoden.
If it's the original Suikoden, it's a pretty traditional Japanese RPG, not really a strategy RPG.

[Dave Long]

If it's the original Suikoden, it's a pretty traditional Japanese RPG, not really a strategy RPG.
Sorry... yeah, it's the original.

[MattKeil]

If you want to narrow that very generous list to the cream of the crop:

The PixelJunks
Super Stardust HD
Everyday Shooter

Everyday Shooter is probably the most-played game on my PS3.

[Rock8man]

If you want to narrow that very generous list to the cream of the crop:

The PixelJunks
Super Stardust HD
Everyday Shooter

Everyday Shooter is probably the most-played game on my PS3.

Pixeljunk Eden is the most-played game on mine. It took me a while to warm up to it, but once I figured out which things to collect for health/time, and how the game operates, its really very relaxing and fun. Stardust was a bit of a disappointment for me personally. It's a great concept, but there's just something about their execution, I can't quite put my finger on why, but I got tired of the game pretty fast.

Everyday Shooter, I won't say anything about, because if you haven't got something nice to say...

[Rod Humble]

I finally forced myself to buy the PS3. It's now on my floor, I played a few minutes of little big planet with my daughter. Tomorrow it's the Disgaea 3 marathon.

Yay! You have kids? Buy Toy Home on PSN plus the expansion <important.

The expansion has a mode where there is no timer and your kids can drive around a bedroom full of toys in a toy car tilting the controller to steer :) My son really enjoyed that game and it set him up well for Burnout :) See if your daughter can find the hidden mouse house :)

[Dave Long]

If you want to narrow that very generous list to the cream of the crop:

The PixelJunks
Super Stardust HD
Everyday Shooter

Everyday Shooter is probably the most-played game on my PS3.

You wouldn't include The Last Guy? That game is super cool.

Also, Calling All Cars gets a lot of grief, but it's an awesome multiplayer game, especially with kids or at parties. Good times.

And since this is the only console he has, Bionic Commando, Mega Man 9, Lumines Supernova and a bunch of the others are definitely worth playing.