Korean Job Discussion Forums

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I live in the boonies..and when winter comes...and my social options become limited...I'm considering buying a video game console.

I havent bought a video game system since I was "burned" by getting a Sega CD...so its been a while.

Any advice on what I should I consider. I feel like this is a rather dumb post as it might come down to personal preferance...but I thought I would try anyway.

thanks!

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

In the boonies? Get a modded 360 and burn games yourself. Alternately you could order games online from somewhere like play asia.

Ps3 is a fine system as well from everything I've heard. But, you can't mod it.

Both systems have a ton of good games. So, you really can't get burned buying either.

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

the only setback with a modded system is that I cant play online right?

Where could I go about getting a decent system for a fair price?

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

You could always get a Wii and get some exercise as well. The game selection isn't quite as good though.

Darkray16 · Joined: 09 Nov 2008

Here are the pros and cons of each. I am very experienced with all systems and modding;

Wii - Has many different type of games, very friendly for casual gamers and has quite a few gems for more avid gamers(Super Smash Bro Brawl, New Super Mario Wii, Mariokart, House of Dead, Punchout). Has games of all genres. Best choice for covering all types of games. Has many party games for two or more people, but tons of great single player games like punchout, metal slug, megaman 9, metroid, mario galaxy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_games

Xbox 360 - is the best option for "hardcore"(I don't like to use this term, but it's the most widely used one for these type of gamers) gamers. it has loads of shooters, first and third person. Has a lot of very popular console exclusive games. Very weak in the traditional Japanese RPG area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_360_games

PS3 - Has, in my opinion, the poorest choice of game of the three. Having a blu ray player is nice, but not so useful here in Korea unless you are streaming from PC to PS3. There are a few great ps3 exclusive games, not many though; Little Big Planet, MAG, Disgaea).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_3_games

Modding for the three consoles varies heavily. Games in Korea cost WAY more than back home. I don't really understand why the pricing is so different even after currency exchange rate is considered. So playing copied games is saves you even more money here than back home. Just so you know, since you haven't bought a console in awhile, Xbox 360 and PS3 games cost 60 USD and Wii 50 USD back home.

Wii - The wii is the most easily hacked console of the three. After doing a software mod you can play games from a usb drive, play online with backups, and even remove the updates from discs so you never need an update. This console is a modders dream. I wouldn't pay more than 50,000won for a software hack. The modchip is outdated and an outdated choice considering the compatibility issues, so go with software hacking.

xbox360 - DRM security(copyright infringement protection) on this console is quite heavy, though most of it is related to Xbox Live(online access). The security checks are done when you go online and if you are detected and banned, the ban from xbox live is permanent. If you only play offline or NOT be an idiot and use only correctly patched discs then this isn't an issue. The mod the cake is a lie for this console costs a bit more than the wii because it involves opening up the console and flashing the dvd drive so I would say 80,000won is reasonable.

PS3 - Due to their 7 cell architecture security, this console cannot be hacked and probably won't be any time in the near future. That makes this a very poor choice.

Online Play - I would say Xbox live probably is the best of the three online networks. Plenty of downloadable content, though it costs money and there is the inherent risk of hack detection. Online play is free for both the PS3 and Wii, while Xbox live is fee based.

In the end, figure out what kind of gamer you are and look at the selection of games available for the consoles, then decide which one to buy. Look at the games on the list that are console exclusive for PS3 and Xbox 360, virtually all of the Wii games are Nintendo exclusives. If your decision is to buy a PS3, rethink it and choose again until you come up with a different choice.

Personally, I am a PC gamer as it is the superior gaming platform. Oh and there is also mobile gaming choices like NDS(great portable console) and PSP/PSPGo(shitty portable console).

I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision. If you do buy a Wii or Xbox 360 console, I can mod it for you later for a price, just send a pm if interested.

the bomb dot com · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Location: Gwangmyeong

Depends, but skip the Wii.

Do you have friends who play online? If so, get whatever they have.

The argument for exclusives is pretty weak, especially if you haven't picked up a console in 15 years. The biggest games come out on both the 360 and PS3 (PS3 has the Little Big Planet, God of War, Metal Gear, and Gran Turismo series; 360 has the Halo, Mass Effect, Gears of War, and Fable series).

I think the PS3 is the better buy since its online play is always free, and I'm guessing you'd like a little online interaction if you're in the boonies.

If, however, you don't want to play online, and want to pirate everything, then the 360 is the no-brainer. Just be warned that you will be banned from XBox Live.

Both are fine choices, don't let anyone tell you different. They're both multimedia centers, as well, which is great if you're downloading music and movies.

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

Nice post Darkray. I can't find a bit to disagree with. Sadly, I am far to lazy to provide such a thorough write-up. Very Happy

My last firmware update for my 360 ran 20,000W in Yongsan, so that's damn cheap.

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

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Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

The Wii explained perfectly.

Darkray16 · Joined: 09 Nov 2008

I've been gaming for close to 20 years across all consoles. I used to put in 40 hours a week on counterstrike, everquest, world of warcraft. In my free time, I scour the net for articles on gaming, I blog about it, and I play in clans. But not for a second do I believe the bullshit that the elite "hardcore" gamers have been spouting since the rise of the Wii.

Gamers who have been around for awhile are calling the Wii a console for "casual" gamers. This is just another way that elitism rears it's ugly head. Gaming evolves, it changes and improves on itself. Gamers who can't seem to understand the concept that gaming is moving beyond JRPGs, WW2 FPS, and generic MMORPGs which are churned out every week. I'm not saying that everything being produced out of the Wii and it's new style of input is an improvement or more evolved form of gaming, but it's moving in that direction. Without the wii remote, such things as NATAL would never be produced. But all the "hardcore" gamers, Zero punctuation included, can do is grasp desperately onto their antiquated concept of video games. If you actually watch the video in the link above, you will find this ignorant bias in Zero Punctuations comments and see how he tries to dismiss the contributions of the Wii to the evolution of gaming. Actually, watching Zero Punctuation talk about the Wii reminds me of watching Fox News, or Tea Party meetings.

Sorry for going off topic, but this issue bothers me quite a bit.

P.S. console exclusive games are very important and are arguably the best of the best among the selection of games a console has to offer.

dc'79 · Joined: 01 Jun 2008

I own all three consoles of this current generation. The PS3 probably gets the most playing time with the Wii getting the least.

Some things to consider:

The XBOX 360 has a long history of hardware failures (google XBOX RROD). Supposedly been fixed with the latest models.

The PS3 has been known to get disc drive failures. Not as common as the RROD.

XBOX live is excellent.

Bluray is amazing.

The PS3 hard drive is easily replaced with a standard laptop SATA and does not void the warranty.

The XBOX brand hard drives are way overpriced. I've read you can mod it yourself, but I can't be bothered. (I have a newer arcade model. Found a XBOX hard drive on sale and slapped it on.)

The PS3 has a built-in web browser.

If you don't install games onto the hard drive, the XBOX is very very loud.

Mulitplatform games tend to be visually better on the XBOX.

XBOX tends to lock up exclusive DLC for the multiplatform games.

Many people prefer the feel of the XBOX controller over the PS3. I agree for FPS's the XBOX controller is superior. For anything else...I prefer the PS3.

The Wii is for casual gamers. Razz

spanky1off · Joined: 21 Aug 2006

do what i do

modded xbox 360 for offline gaming n sports like nhl/forza 3/fifa 10 which u can downlaod and burn...seen systems going on daves for less than 200 bucks with everything u need. U CANNOT play online with this now thanks to the lovely Bill Gates

a ps3 for ur online games and despite what someone said above i think it does have a strong case for good exclusives over xbox...metal gear solid...little big planet...god of war 3 coming out..unchartered 2...400bucks. essentially the exclusives argument can be won by either console it will come down to what titles suit you.

pc for fps! rpg and strategy...dragon age looks simply amazing on the pc. and i need the mouse/keyboard control for cod waw2. gonna buy both today hopefully. i hate the joypads for fps games. about 600 bucks for a system good enough.

so for 1.2 mil u can play them all !

ballinseoul · Joined: 30 Aug 2009 Location: Gangnam, Seoul

You can for sure use a modded XBOX online.
Its rare that u ll get caught, been doing in for 2.5 years and never had a problem. But if you do get caught then the box is disabled from online play. if you go through games quickly and like variety then go xbox. If you like to take you time and only rotate between a few games go PS3.

Darkray16 · Joined: 09 Nov 2008

You need to make sure all Xbox 360 backups are stealthed patched. You also need to know which firmware model you got.

firmware 1.5 will not play newer "Wave 4" games

1.51 will play all games but there is no check to make sure the backup is correctly patched, therefore if you play a badly patched discs online you will get banned sooner or later.

firmware 1.6 will also NOT play newer wave 4 games

1.61 will play newer games and correctly checks all games to make sure they are safe to play online.

When you log on to Xbox live, if your disc or drive fails the security check then it is recorded, meaning even if you aren't banned immediately, you probably will when they do the mass ban waves.

My suggestion is if online play is really important then make sure you get a 1.61 firmware hack or play backups offline and buy original discs for online play.

BTW to the poster above who said Wii is for casuals, what makes a hardcore and a casual gamer? Number of hours? Super Smash Bro and Mario Kart are games that I've seen plenty of people play more than games like Modern Warfare. I've known lots who don't play FPS past the single player campaigns, while others put in 20 hours a week playing their Wii.

dc'79 · Joined: 01 Jun 2008