Chart on how to pick a video game system is funny
Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 10:07am by Boss Hog
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38 Comments
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May 18th, 2009 at 10:20 am
A different question is needed to differentiate between PC and console IMO.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:45 am
It is funny because it IS true… oh, so sadly true…
@ Cory:
Disclosure: I don’t play games on my PC anymore… I love games, but I guess a better question to make that differentiation would be “Do you have time to play games? Like when you were single?“
May 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I find PC gaming way too expensive to maintain as a hobby. Compare $200 for a game console with $3000 for a gaming PC and you see my point. That said, I have been infatuated with Flight Simulator X for over a month now, haven’t even turned on my Wii…
May 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Who is the idiot that came up with the chart? “Do you like video games?” My answer is Yes and I have NEVER played a PC game. I just NEVER thought that a keyboard & mouse is a good control scheme. I also should not need to purchase a separate controller because that would make the (PC game) an XBox 360. I have had two PCs in my life and now I am a Mac owner. Even on the PCs, I never played games. I used the (Atari/Nintendo/Sega etc.) console to really play games. Now days, the only PC games that people play are MMORPGs (WoW) which is BORING IMHO. Those are the ones that do not have ‘real’ friends.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Well, I agree with the idiot who made this chart. The best games ever made are for the PC, hands down. As for the cost, most people already have PC’s for things besides video games, so there’s really no additional cost except for the price of the game itself (which is the same price or cheaper than most console games).
I also like the part about real friends or internet friends – so true.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:41 am
@Nathan
Ummm….. $3000 for a gaming system? Where are YOU shopping? You can get a great gaming rig for around $1000 and a decent machine for half that. True, computers are more expensive than consoles, but computers have enough functionality to make up for the difference.
That being said, I find that this graph is flawed. I enjoy games, have few friends (I live out in the sticks) and I play both PC and Wii games frequently.
Also, @doughboy
Since you’ve never played PC games and have 0 interest and knowledge in them, I find that you are rather unqualified to comment on them. As I mentioned, I play PC games extensively and I do not play MMORPGs at all (hate subscription fees and I hate grinding).
P.S. As for your little comment on the KB/M control scheme, RTS games pretty much require it and FPS games benefit from it tremendously.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
@HyperPhazon
My current rig cost (minus Vista x64 because I got it for free) $980 and I can barely squeeze out 25fps on the aforementioned FSX at my monitor’s native resolution with minimal scenery. So (I don’t want to start an argument here so please don’t think that I do) $1000 does not yield a “great” gaming rig. Maybe a “decent” one.
Oh and I shopped around the internet, mostly Newegg, for my parts so I am sure I got a fair price (1/3 the price of a similar PC at Best Buy)
May 18th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
@Joshdad
“The best games ever made are for the PC, hands down.” What game(s), in your opinion, are the best?
@HyperPhazon
What PC games do you play that are not MMORPGs? Just RTS & FPS? I know that those are also genres for the PC crowd but I am not into those games.
PC gamers are different from the console gamers. It all comes down to what genre you like to play and appreciate. I am one for racing, sports, platform, action, stealth, adventure, puzzle games. My PS3 & Wii do a very great job with satisfying those gaming needs. I do not need a PC to fulfill that need.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
A pc vs. console war on Infendo. Wasn’t expecting this.
*runs and hides because this is a pointless discussion*
May 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I actually can sort of agree with the initial statement. Not because I feel that PC is an inherently better platform for gaming, or that PC games are better then their console conter-parts.
I’d say PC is the best platform if you like games because of the indie games field. I can honestly say that some of my most favorite games in recent years have come from the Indie Gaming field, and most of time are exclusive to the PC. Best of all, is the fact you don’t need a high-powered rig to play most of them. If you can run a modern OS, then chances are good that you can play Cave Story, among others.
Granted, the odds are good that the maker of this chart wasn’t thinking about that. I’ll just keep thinking he did, because that’s one less thing on the Internet I need to have an aneurysm over.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hahahaha… PC gaming… The clunky old Dinosaur of the video game world.
Blake, did you get this off of /v/ or something?
May 18th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
@doughboy
I know that every gamer has his favorite games, and I was just pulling your chain a bit, but for me the best games ever made are for the PC (hands down and all). Games that would include:
Civilization 3 and 4
Heroes of Might and Magic 3,4 and 5 (and expansions)
Might and Magic 6 – 10
StarCraft
Warcraft 1,2 and 3 and expansions
Diablo 1 and 2
Baldur’s Gate 1,2 and Expansions
Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2 and expansions
IceWind Dale 1 and 2 and expansions
Age of Empires 1-3
Age of Mythology
Dungeon Siege 1 and 2 (and expansions)
Bard’s Tale (the new one)
Lords of the Realm 2
Just to name a few (and I haven’t even touched any on-line games or Indie games or such). I would rather play any of these games I mentioned over any console game. I do agree that for platformers and most sports games that consoles are better.
I would also say that the mouse is the best controller for any type of FPS game. It is so much more accurate and responsive to any controller as to not even be in the same ballpark.
You mentioned that you like Stealth, adventure and puzzle games. I would say that if you tried these games on both a console and a PC, that you would like the PC version so much better.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
As I had stated before, “RTS & FPS? I know that those are also genres for the PC crowd but I am not into those games.”
Not to get everyone in a tizzy, but I prefer console games. I never could get into RTSs. I had tried them back with C&C and was quickly bored. Those were the majority (if not all) of those listed by Joshdad. (Some of those games I have never heard of.) I have tried FPSs on friends PCs and quickly got bored. (See Duke Nukem, Doom, Castle Wolfenstein, Halo, etc…) There are many games that consoles have that I will not get mainly because I am not into the genres. (See Final Fantasy anything.) I have never been into the RPGs that use HP/MP/whateverPs… I will say however that when it comes to the Stealth games, MGS series and Splinter Cell are in line with me.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
LMAO!! So true, I love this chart!!!
May 18th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I love how fanboys bash pc gaming….. PC gaming is the true gaming experience. Seems in the recent years it has declined do to ease of use on consoles, but that does not make it worse. As far as genre goes I play many games for windows games with my 360 controller. But cant use a keyboard mouse worth a crap on any consoles eh? So frankly I rather game on my PC unless a good Wii game comes out.
PC gamers = people who want more from a game
Console gamers = people who just want it ez
I really cant post more than whats said above. Sept the mediocracy that comes from consoles is killing gaming imo. More cookie cutter bs than we have ever seen and I blame console gamers for putting up with it. I mean even paying for maps…and mods from xbox live… come on! At least UT3 did it right with PC/PS3 we could make maps/mods work for both systems real ez.
DEMAND MORE FROM YOUR DEVs! (prays Conduit will blow up)
May 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
@doughboy74
Splinter Cell, Max Payne ect were PC games first. Just to let you know I was playing them a year before they hit consoles ;p
This is the way it used to be. Now companies know who butters their bread and will do console releases first.
*Cheers for Fallout3* Gotta love pc devs that have not sold out *coughs Epic gaming*.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@WickeD
I can’t imagine playing Splinter Cell on a PC with mouse keyboard config. Why use a console controller for A PC game? Isn’t that what the 360 is?
May 18th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Nathan what are your specs and also why are you running vista. I’m sure you don’t have enough ram. I can help you find the parts to get your PC gaming on. It’s pretty easy.
I up graded a few years ago and for around the amount you paid and actually it’s work station classes so that mean I can easily make games on it.
Another thing the chart is flawed. The price thing and why you are gaming should separate the two. If you paid $3000 for your system you better be getting freelance jobs to do.
PC gaming is for people that want to get deeper into gaming, like competition wise or actually making mods and stuff like that unless you are just into certain games.
People buy their system based on what they want to play, do, or create.
$ 277.50 – core i7 920 great chip yet a Q6600 will do 170.00
$ 109.85 – ddr2-400 pc2-3200 4gb you could get more but you will need vista 64 bit
$ 149.99 – geforce 8800 gtx gets the job done
You won’t really need one of these till direct x 11 which will use a different card any way.
$499.99 – geforce gtx 295
You already have the case hard drive and monitor and your box would last way past six years and you could actually get free add on maps, level , characters, etc that you would have to pay for on a console.
Doughboy74 you can use an xbox controller for any game now.
I love console gaming better because of the type of games it constantly gets.
May 18th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
WickeD the cookie cutter thing is rewarded more these days because console gamers are slack jawed about HD graphics when PCs have had them for friggin ever.
It’s weird but some where PC gaming got boring for the majority of it’s releases and HD consoles continued the tradition which is why I don’t really care for them.
May 18th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Racing games are a good example of why you would use a controller with a pc. I prefer Burnout Paradise on my PS3, but play Grid on my PC. It’s all about what fits you.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
love this chart. almost anything i play competitively online i play on my pc.
especially any fps. kb/m > anything else.
anything i am mostly just chillin with goes on the xbox.
my friend made my pc and puts together some great specs for about $1100. plus the 360 controller is vista (and W7) compatible- so no reason not to play on a pc!
also, gotta love the people who never have done pc gaming and have an opinion on it.
May 18th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Doughboy-
Splinter Cell works much better with M/Kb. At least it did before they started designing them for the consoles first. As did Max Payne.
May 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Isn’t it strange that we are babbling about PC vs. Console on a Nintendo blog? As Nintendo is a console, designed specifically made for playing games. PCs are mainly for personal productivity, work and finally games. I am glad that I don’t need to put any virus protection on my consoles.
Just think of how different this topic would be if the OnLive service could take over. We would be arguing about the same thing.
It is nice to see others on here pointing out the ‘fanboy’ chatter, when so many on here are PC ‘fanboys’… I don’t even like to use that immature term. I stated my opinion, and as Paul above states, “It’s all about what fits you.” Console gaming is my choice.
May 18th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
OLD.
May 18th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
The first question should be do you like good RTS games?
May 18th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Not true!
I have a lot of real-life friends with a PS3, a lot of online friends with a Wii and PS3, and a few real-life friends with a 360. And we love gaming. This is just rude.
May 18th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
This is so true, I am a PC gamer, but have a Wii for Nintendo games and parties. I still have my DS of course.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
This post got some laughs to every one I showed, good find Blake!! even if it is old.
@doughboy74
“games for windows” games come pre-mapped for the 360 controller. So if its not a FPS or RTS I normally use a controller. And yes a 360 is just a PC w/custom OS thanks for pointing that out.
I am a fanboy…. a gaming fanboy. If its good I will play it hell even if its not I will try it (halo3). “reminds him self of a pwnagetv episode lol”
@Kyle I would have to agree, I am about to play Maxpayne 2 cause I missed that one. SCell was made with the unreal engine and was one the top games when it came out *misses those days*
May 18th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The under title, accurate is spelled wrong, weird. But I have a wii and Xbox 360 so I have friends XD. LOL
May 18th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
If you don’t get overly offended by the first question, this chart is HILARIOUS!
May 19th, 2009 at 12:35 am
I have no problem with the first question, it’s just a joke.
That said, a lot of modern gamers overlook the PC as a gaming platform – and until recently it really was the preferable platform. PC gaming pushed console gaming to where it is today, and until recently it was always at least one generation ahead of consoles, graphically speaking.
These days, not so much. Piracy rates are higher and modern console hardware offer much tougher competition. Still, I love my PC games.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:01 am
i didn’t realize so many here valued PC gaming so much on a nintendo fansite. if anything, nintendo is the most anti-PC console out there, with the 360 closest to PC gaming, and ps3 somewhere in between. which is why i find this ironic on this site. that being said, console gaming will always trump PC gaming in popularity because consoles are designed specifically for gaming. the person that said that people who like consoles like it EZ……he’s 100% correct. why is it a prerequesite that a person needs to know how to build a computer, or maximize their computer every year or couple of years to play the latest games? a console cycle nowadays lasts at least 5 years, with support for a console up to 7. another person was correct in stating that the PC is a multipurpose device, not that different than an iphone. nintendo has always specialized in only games. gaming is not the primary use of the PC device normally unless someone builds their computer specifically for that use. i absolutely 100% disagree with the first question on the chart. the first question should be ‘do you like high end gaming?’. that being said, if we were to keep the original question, i would say, that PC and console gaming are swapped. if anything, console gaming has more genres associated with it, and is much more vast, while the PC has limited genres which are right for the PC. also, the IP in console games are far superior (mario anyone??). also, for a system like wii and ds, the hardware customization is possible every generation. see stylus input, dual screens, motion controls, IR pointer, and wii remote speaker. a PC interface will remain the same for the foreseeable future. this versatility gives consoles a character that PC gaming will never have. all nintendo fans should understand the positives of having a nintendo system. some will also argue also that the wii controls trump mouse and keyboard & mouse. but of course that is a matter of opinion. that is all.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
one last thing. while i personally like most of the games joshdad listed for the best PC games, it proves a very important point. commercially none of those titles have any mass appeal in today’s market. for the ‘hardest core of the hardcore’ yes it would suffice. those games in general are long, hard and time consuming. most adults that have the mental capacity to play those games, have full time jobs, spouses, and kids and more responsibilies and less time that can be imagined. i would say, if joshdad would list a few casual games for the PC, such as some best flash games for example, that would even out the list a little. but with that list the way it is, 9 out of 10 people would pick consoles when comparing gaming libraries.
May 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Thank you AC. Well said.
May 19th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
@AC
I think you kind of answered your own question. You ask why there are so many PC fans on a Wii board, when the 360 is most like the PC. Because the Wii is so different from the PC, it makes much more sense to have them both. The PC for the high-end, in-depth, on-line games, and the Wii for the platform, action, quick, family games. Why have both a 360 and a PC, when they are so much more similar. I’d say that the marriage of PC owners and Wii owners is a much more natural thing.
Also going back to the games I listed (just to name a few). When I think of what is a “great” or a “Best” game, I think of the overall game experience. It’s true that most of the games I mentioned are more hard-core, in-depth, time-consumers, but to me that is what makes the games so good. Some of my favorite console games are also big epic games (Ogre Battle, Sphinx, Zelda, etc…) they are kind of like smaller versions of a good PC game.
I also love many of the other types of games (sports, FPS, platform, etc…), but I would still say that for an overall experience, PC games give you the most for your money. The best possible experience.
360 and PS3 games try to imitate what the PC does, but they fall way short (which is why I would never even consider getting one of those systems – why bother, when my PC can run circles around them). One of the reasons why I like the Wii so much. is because for the most part they don’t try to copy what the PC does. They focus on other kinds of games that they do best. So between my PC, and my Wii I have all the great games and genres covered.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Personally I dont get why AC and doughboy are so shocked or offended by the support of PC gaming on this site. We are all on pc’s right now are we not? Is it that hard to believe most of us “gamers” game on it too?
I posted a website in my name check it out.
“Fact is the PC Gaming Market is bigger, worth more money, growing faster, and has better technology than the console market. How come no one but us seems to know that?”
Again I defend any thing vs one sided fanboys. no one pisses me off more. I am a gamer period, any system any game worth a shit.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Brilliant website…
“…and a few of us extreme players have 30-inch screens with 2580 x 1600—almost 2x the best 1080p HD TV and with comparable screen size.”
Who did this math? 1600 is almost 2X more than 1080p? With comparable screen size? I have a 50″ HDTV, that must also be 2x better…
I also liked the…
“And, when you’re not using your PC for gaming, you can watch a DVD just like you can with an Xbox 360 or PS3 but, oh, sorry, not a Wii.”
I will never watch DVDs on my computer.
Oh, I am on a Mac (24″ – 1920×1200) and do not have any games installed, don’t need them. (I could install some but they aren’t worth putting Windows on my Mac.)
I prefer console gaming.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:43 am
a little late, but another angle to look at this. many PC gamers here have complained that the PC platform has taken a step back recently to consoles because devs are now making the game first for consoles and then PC. well don’t feel bad because something similar happened in the early 90’s in the US. that is arcade vs consoles. in the 80’s arcades always had the latest and greatest games, and then ported to home consoles. somewhere in the mid-90’s the whole thing flip flopped, and ending with the death of the american arcade scene which many still love and think about today (in japan the arcade is still bustling and relevant even today). well thank god for the wii. the wii has brought arcade style gaming to the home console. the fact that it is so popular is because it caters to the crowd that still loves arcade games. this marriage between the 2 shows that there are many people in the world that still love arcade type of games.