Xbox 360 + Kinect vs. PS3 + Move - thoughts?

[Atreyu]

Long story short, I'm in the market for a console. :)

I've been exploring my options and I'm weighing up between these 2 (I've discounted the Wii for reasons below). At this stage I'm leaning towards the Xbox, however I thought I'd pick people's brains here for some advice.

In general, here's my present circumstances and what I'm aiming for:
* Streaming TV content - over the last 6 months I've been doing this quite regularly due to shiftwork to catchup with missed programs. At present I've been plugging my laptop into my TV to stream that way (or even just onto my PC when I can't be bothered setting that up) so I'd hope to do that with the console.
* Fitness - I already do my own exercises at home (can't be bothered joining a gym) so would be looking at some of the motion-sensitive fitness software to use with the console in hopes of doing a more disciplined fitness regime.
* Casual Gaming, most likely in a group - I don't game much these days but would like to have the opportunity to have the odd game here and there if it takes my fancy. More importantly though, I'd like to be able to easily play games with friends if/when they come over of for some fun (nothing complicated, probably sports games and other things that are very easy to get into).
* Play movies (obviously) - whiehever console I choose will most likely become my primary player for my smallish DVD collection. I have no Bluray discs however and have no intention of acquiring any in the forseeable future (I tend to share DVDs around with my family and no one owns a Bluray player at present). It's for this reason that I'm not fussed about the PS3's Bluray capabilities.
* Online gaming - can't see myself doing much of it at this stage, but might be an option down the track depending on how much I end up gaming on the console.

I've discounted the Wii because I don't see much use with it except as solely a gaming device. As you can see from my list, gaming is actually of secondary importance compared to the other more general media capabilities of the console.

I'm leaning towards the Xbox because most of the PS3's strengths (Bluray, higher quality graphics) aren't really a big deal for me and the Kinect strikes me as more suitable for the casual gaming side of things (no need for controllers and extra bits of plastic). Your thoughts? Anything in particular I should be considering that I may have missed?

EDIT: forgot to add - price wise both consoles are looking around about the same - I can get the Xbox + Kinect bundled for around the same price as a PS3 + 2 Move controllers (everywhere I've read says you'll almost certainly need an extra one, especially if you plan to play with friends).

[Crusader]

If you want to use the X360 for sports I highly recommend Ubisofts's Your Shape 2012 for some serious workouts. I really like my kinect for exercises and just some unserious fun since the controls are not perfect and responsive as you want them to be.
PS3 move is basicly a better version of the Wii Motion Plus. The controls are sharp and responsive but you can not do more with them than with a Wii Mote. Heavy Rain is basicly the most immersive game that you can get for Move.

In the end it all comes down to what your friends already have and money. So if you don't care Blu Ray I guess the Xbox is the way to go since a full set of Move controller costs quite a fortune (one camera, 2 dildos plus a nunchuck for each).

[Atreyu]

Thanks Crusader for the info. As far as I know only one of my regular group has a console (a Wii) so it's up to me on that front. I'm going with an Xbox so will probably purchase it later this week. :)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Good choice. :):thumbup

[Crusader]

With E3 next week I would wait for at least a week since they could be anouncing a price drop. Oh and please don't buy the 4GB version. You will regret it. Trust me!

[Morgan Evanar]

I second Crusader's advice. Getting the 4GB model is a recipe for regret.

[Atreyu]

No worries, I was always planning to get the 250gb version (I did play around with pricing a 4gb version and buying another hard drive via ebay, but the overall savings were negligible). :)


With E3 next week I would wait for at least a week since they could be anouncing a price drop. Don't suppose anyone would have an idea of how much a price drop could be? I ask because some stores locally are having sales right now which was why I was enquiring (officially the RRP in Australia from Microsoft is $499 for Xbox + Kinect + game bundle; yet I've seen the same bundle advertised locally for as cheap as $435).

[Kyran O'Hurn]

I just did a quick google search on a price drop, and it looks like it "could" happen, but it's not as likely as a PS3 price drop.

If I was going to guess, I think it's more likely that the package might get a price drop, but that the Kinect is the part that is getting the price drop since they can lop off $50-75 and it seems like a decent amount, where as the same amount off the Xbox is nothing, they usually like making price drops $100 at a time.

[Crusader]

I heard rumors that all the kinect bundles might get cheaper by $50 and that means more money for at least one more game :D

[Atreyu]

Hmmm, my only concern is that if I wait I'll miss out on the current sales (finish at the end of this week) in the hope that it *might* happen. Alternatively I can buy one right now that's a good $55-$65 off the RRP already.

Not to mention there's no telling when (if a a price drop occurs) it will filter down under - I know in the past other companies (like Apple) have taken their sweet time dropping the price of their products.

Decisions, decisions. :ohno I was planning to buy one on Friday; I'll see how I feel then.

[Kyran O'Hurn]

You're probably fine going with the current deals. What I've seen here is "sales" on systems pre-price drop, that end up being like $10 more expensive than what it is after the price drop. Basically it's them doing the price drop early, but "not".

[Atreyu]

Scratch those plans for Friday - I got it today. :)

Had the day off so decided to browse around town and compare all the prices (to save time running around on Friday). As expected, there are a variety of sales going on at the moment and most were retailing it for around $440-$450 (though one store had it for $499 - I take it they just don't bother competing |I).

Until I went to EB Games, who:
1. Had the Xbox 250gb + Kinect + game bundle for $388. :eek
2. Offered to toss in the Halo: Reach/Fable III combo pack for free. :eee

Needless to say I didn't waste any time and bought it there and then before they sold out. So it's been a fun afternoon as I've had the thing setup and I've been playing around with Kinect Adventures (you build up a sweat quick - phew!). :dance

Thank you everyone for your good advice. :thumbup

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Awesome deal! :D

[Atreyu]

Been playing for a bit, had some fun. :)

* Kinect Adventures - mindless fun, though can't see myself replaying it (I agree with the reviews that said it was basically a demo to show off the motion control abilities of the Kinect).

* Halo: Reach - as a lifelong PC gamer I totally suck at playing this; I'm completely hopeless at using the controls. I'll continue to have a bash at it every now and then.

* Fable III - seems nice, have only played the intro so far but sees easy enough to get into.

* Your Shape 2012 - used it for 45 mins this morning. Now I'm sore all over ^_^;. Really enjoyed this and will be definitely using this regularly.

One thing I've discovered is that I really need the height for the Kinect sensor, so I've ordered a clamp that goes on top of the TV for the sensor to sit on. I've also ordered in Kinect Sports to get another game in anticipation of having a 'Kinect party' later this month. :)

I've also been trying out the media capabilities and it's gone well. Using the Xbox controller is super-easy - I think I prefer it to using a normal TV remote. Sat down yesterday and watched a documentary streamed from SBS On Demand - far better than having to do it manually through the computer.

So far, all things going well. :thumbup