What console......gaming newbie!

Gordon_Hose

PS3, huge catalogue and you won't have to pay to play online (if that takes your fancy).

PenguinJim

I agree that the PS3 edges it over the 360 (just!) due to being able to dip into the free online play, but also consider picking up a DualShock 4 pad to go with it, as it's a significant improvement over the PS3 pads.

Although if online gaming is "not an issue" because you have no desire to game online at all, I'd suggest the 360, as you'll have better versions of 99% of the games that released on both consoles, as well as the 360 controller.

If you're looking to get "into" gaming properly, a £600 PC would have better-looking games than both the PS4 and Xbox One, as well as working out cheaper over just the first two or three years (much cheaper games + free online), not to mention also having most of the best games from the 360/PS3 catalogues, as well as a few hundred thousand other games, a huge choice of control options, and its usefulness apart from gaming. But as you say "I fancy playing the odd game", I think a PC might be overkill for your needs.

PS3 if you'll have the odd online dabble, 360 if you don't think online will be needed at all.

techno12

The problem with PC gaming is you can't just loaf on the sofa in the lounge with a wireless controller - you have to be sat at a PC (tho there are probably convoluted ways to get a similar experience, though I bet not as easy as just using a console).

For this reason alone I mainly stick to my PS3/4 nowadays - unless I'm messing with the Oculus ;-)

PenguinJim

What you are describing is as simple as connecting a wireless controller and setting Steam to load into Big Picture Mode on boot. Yes, you'd be "limited" to Steam games if you then did not want to use a keyboard and mouse in future, but that catalogue dwarves the catalogues of the PS3, PS4, 360 and One combined. (I'd recommend simply investing £20 in a wireless keyboard/mouse option to allow full access to everything "PC" from the comfort of your sofa, though.)

If connecting a wireless controller and setting Big Picture Mode to come up automatically is "convoluted" for you, then I strongly recommend that you do not purchase a Rift. Mine can take anything from a minute to ten minutes to get working with new games/demos.

Phennarch

I have an Xbone, 360 and PC, and of those 3 I recommend you pick up the 360. Nice and cheap, huge catalogue of games (some ridiculously cheap - I've picked up a few on Amazon for 1p plus £1.99 postage!). Absolutely do not get the Xbone - You will spend money you don't want to and end up regretting it. I have a lot of the brand new games and still my most played game on the Xbone is Minecraft. Says it all really.

Cycrow

techno12 wrote: »

The problem with PC gaming is you can't just loaf on the sofa in the lounge with a wireless controller - you have to be sat at a PC (tho there are probably convoluted ways to get a similar experience, though I bet not as easy as just using a console).

For this reason alone I mainly stick to my PS3/4 nowadays - unless I'm messing with the Oculus ;-)

i have exactly that setup, it wasn't difficult at all.

i have the pc sat under my tv with the rest of my consoles/blu-ray, etc

i use a wireless xbox controller and have steam run automatically on boot in big picture mode.

i find it easier to use than my xbox 360, plus i have alot more games for it

captain_oats

I have owned an Xbox One and I got rid because I found it very frustrating, althought the master chief collection looks good.

PS4 I own and I do like it but there are not many good games out yet. I only really play destiny on there at the moment however the ps plus is nice.

I also own a Wii U and this is easily the best console out of the 3. Bayonetta 2, MArio Kart 8, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, and Super Mario Bro's 3D world, and shovel knight are some of the best games in recent times. Thats even before Super smash bros and Captain Toad come out next month. Then there is the backwards compatability withh the huge catalouge of wii games and the virtual console for all the retro stuff

RichardD1970

^^^ and it's the cheapest at about £170 for the basic pack.

Tropez

techno12 wrote: »

The problem with PC gaming is you can't just loaf on the sofa in the lounge with a wireless controller - you have to be sat at a PC (tho there are probably convoluted ways to get a similar experience, though I bet not as easy as just using a console).

For this reason alone I mainly stick to my PS3/4 nowadays - unless I'm messing with the Oculus ;-)

Doesn't have to be convoluted at all. Most graphics cards have HDMI connections so can be connected to a TV. PC cases can be quite small and compact (HTPC cases, for example) and some companies that provide pre-built systems offer these units. As Cycrow said above, you can boot your PC straight into something like Big Picture mode and get a console like UI.

They support wireless controllers so are completely fine for loafing on the sofa.

Sure, it can take a little bit of basic setting up but it is nothing particularly difficult and as a lot of the former problems people had with PCs (such as driver updates) can now be automated there's no real reason to dismiss PC gaming as inconvenient as it can be easily adapted to any situation.

Given the number of inexpensive digital download options for PC gaming, most of which can be set to run from Steam even if not bought from Steam, it's quite suitable for the incredibly lazy who don't want to faff with discs

squirrelchops

RE the questions about PC's. I suppose in my head I have never quite got my head round how it works! Me being daft as common sense bit says to me that you would connect to TV via HDMI, get controls and off you go.