quick gaming system question re: playstation2, playstation3 or xbox

[marshallandcartersmo]

Thinking of getting DS's a new system for Christmas. We have the Wii already, but believe it or not--they play their Playstation more.

We have a very old Playstation2 (8 years maybe???) and would like to update that as it's on it's last leg.

Trying to decided between another Playstation2, a Playstation3, or an Xbox.

From what I've read, there are several Xboxes.....we don't need the "tricked out" one, DS's are 8 & 5 and aren't "hard core" gamers.

The can play their old Playstation2 games on the Playstation 3 system...right? But not on the Xbox system?

Do they both play Blu Ray movies or just the Playstation3?

thanks so much!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't think the PS3 is backwards compatible, meaning it will not play your PS2 games.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I don't think the PS3 is backwards compatible, meaning it will not play your PS2 games.

oh my gosh!! that's a huge selling point for us. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[golfgal]

I don't think the PS3 is backwards compatible, meaning it will not play your PS2 games.

Some are, some aren't-- http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

You can plug your game name into this and find out if it is.

When our kids were younger they preferred Playstation and there were MANY, MANY more games for Playstation. Now that they are teenagers they seem to like the XBox more. The Wii is their least favorite and there are the fewest games out for Wii too.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Some are, some aren't-- http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

You can plug your game name into this and find out if it is.

When our kids were younger they preferred Playstation and there were MANY, MANY more games for Playstation. Now that they are teenagers they seem to like the XBox more. The Wii is their least favorite and there are the fewest games out for Wii too.

that's a great link, thanks

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Some are, some aren't-- http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

You can plug your game name into this and find out if it is.

When our kids were younger they preferred Playstation and there were MANY, MANY more games for Playstation. Now that they are teenagers they seem to like the XBox more. The Wii is their least favorite and there are the fewest games out for Wii too.

The models listed to plug in are old. They are selling the 120gb and now the 250gb which has no compatibility as far as I can see.

 

[metalis4ever]

As others have posted the Newest PS3 Models are not backwards compatible with PS2 games....Given the ages of your children its kind of a toss up. In all reality unless you allow your older child to play games rated T - M there is really no point in purchasing the Xbox360 or PS3 as there are many more games targeted towards the age range of your children for the Nintendo Wii. Having said that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 have a decent amount of games that are geared towards younger children and if you are looking to upgrade systems the XBox 360 in my opinion is more user friendly given the age of your children. The controllers are slightly more durable and the system itself is a lot more self explanatory. However the PS3 has it's advantages as you mentioned it has Blu Ray capabilities. If you want user friendly go with the Xbox if you want more bang for your buck go with the PS3 especially if your children know the Sony Playstation brand and enjoy it.

Only the PS3 plays Blu Ray, however the XBox 360 has the ability to stream movies through Netflix. Both systems allow you to download movies onto the internal hard drive.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So in essence hang onto your PS2 or buy a used PS2. I imagine they would be hard to get. I have not looked into it though.

We have a PS2 and still play on it. I need to get in my Final Fantasy gaming in before FF13 comes out.

I went with the XBOX360 over the PS3, myself. I don't have an HD-TV so the BluRay offer doesn't matter to me. And it irks me that it is not backwards compatible although I would hope you could repurchase series online, however that blows imo.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

There are very few family friendly games on xbox but stuff like rockband if you think they can do it, guitar hero and viva pinata are great for them. Viva pinata is hard and I've had to help my dd look stuff up on line a little bit, she's 7. It's fun for her though.

At their ages I would replace the ps2 (pretty cheap to do right now) or jump over to something new. I wouldn't do a ps3. Since you mentioned they aren't big gamers it may make the most sense financially to just replace the ps2 and in a few years when they are older jump to a new system.

With a new system it's not just games, it's controllers, batteries, memory stuff so there is all that expense to think about.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

some great things to think about! thanks so much!

 

[ohiomom28]

Some are, some aren't-- http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

You can plug your game name into this and find out if it is.

When our kids were younger they preferred Playstation and there were MANY, MANY more games for Playstation. Now that they are teenagers they seem to like the XBox more. The Wii is their least favorite and there are the fewest games out for Wii too.

The older PS3's were backwards compatible but they are no longer sold in stores.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

The older PS3's were backwards compatible but they are no longer sold in stores.

good to know! throws a whole new wrench in the mix!!

I'm guessing the playstation2's don't play blue rays, huh??

 

[shortbun]

The older PS3's were backwards compatible but they are no longer sold in stores.

Gamestop might have one.

I am embarassed to say that DS has Gamecube, Ps2, PS3 AND an Xbox360. By far, he plays the Xbox more. When his friends are over -it's Xbox. We bought the PS3 because it was a cheaper BlueRay and also had the gaming capabilities. He likes sports games and online war games which might both be beyond your kids, op, but it's coming soon. fyi there is no gaming in our house during the school week but on weekends it's game on.

 

[Scurvy]

I'm guessing the playstation2's don't play blue rays, huh??

Sadly, no. That would be nice, though! You might still be able to find one of the backward compatible PS3s used somewhere, but they tend to be much more expensive than the ones that aren't backward compatible.

If you decide to go with an XBox - I noticed that you said you don't need the "tricked out" xbox becuse you aren't hardcore gamers. If you think there is any chance that your family might want to play games online or download any additional content (like arcade games, extra outfits for their avatars, extra songs for Rock Band, etc.) or download movies/TV shows on your XBox, I suggest bumping up to a XBox 360 with a hard drive. They do sell the hard drive separately so you could get an XBox Arcade and then buy the hard drive and install it later, but it's easier (and cheaper, I think) to just get the Elite to begin with.

Between the XBox 360 and the PS3, I think they have about the same amount of family friendly games now. Obviously the Wii has the largest number, but the other two do have a decent amount of family stuff available. (A backward compatible PS3 would have be able to play the most family friendly games since the PS2 had such a large catalogue of family games.)

 

[FireDancer]

I just answered this question for someone at work yesterday. My recommendation was for the XBOX 360 but that was for reasons in addition to gaming. It will stream Netflix with a Live Gold account and can be used as a media catcher.

While the PS3 can also stream Netflix it has a much more limited UI in regards to media. As the web and TV converge, which they are doing, the XBOX will be able to take better advantage of that because of the design of the platform. Your kids are young now but as they get older they will be able to use more of the features on the XBOX. The media features can also be a plus for you now or down the road.

I think the XBOX is a more future proof platform. Of course all of this is assuming you don't get the RROD.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

good to know! throws a whole new wrench in the mix!!

I'm guessing the playstation2's don't play blue rays, huh??

If you want a Blu Ray, just go out and get a Blu Ray player. With the "yellow ring of death" on the PS3, I can't see it being worth it to buy it just for the Blu Ray. But that is just mho.

 

[FireDancer]

Well, I'm all done expounding on the virtues of the XBOX as forward leaning media platform and then this. It is only a rumor and may turn out to be false. The browser could also end up quite crippled which would negate some of the positive aspects of having the browser in the first place.

I still stand by the XBOX now but if Firefox gets ported to the PS3 it can be a game changer. Especially once it supports the full spec for HTML5.