I would recommend the 360. The main factor is the price difference & the impressive games catalogue. The PS3 maybe the more powerful, but the majority of games have stuttering issues & graphics on some games are worse than on the 360. The PS3 is alot newer, so the PS3 capabilities haven't been shown yet.
Alot of PS3 owners I have spoken to haven't been that impressed with the PS3 & they say that the six axis on the controller is just a marketing gimmick that doesn't work that well with all games.
Whichever console you choose, you will enjoy HD definition gaming (providing your TV is HD compatible. [/b]
I would recommend the Xbox 360 if you are doing it 'solely for Madden '08' as you say, as at the moment the Xbox 360 has the version with the best framerate this year. Although next years versions should be the same.
I own a PS3, and it appears many posts like Master Pain's are misleading and somewhat offensive and generalising against PS3. My console is fantastic and I've had no problems.
I own games such as Motorstorm, Resistance: Fall Of Man, Fifa '08, Tiger Woods '08 and others. I strongly object to the crap above that the MAJORITYof games have stuttering and graphics issues. I have found nothing of the sort on the games I've played. I am a member of PS3 Forums also (hundreds of thousands of members), and can say that 99% (if not all) the PS3 owners there would say the same.
To also say in the same breath that the majority of games are worse than on the Xbox 360 is also rubbish.
"Alot of PS3 owners I have spoken to haven't been that impressed with the PS3 & they say that the six axis on the controller is just a marketing gimmick that doesn't work that well with all games."
To this I say that you obviously got hugely lucky on that survey. The sixaxis function has been gradually evolving as a new technology and has not been received to well as yet. It is improving and is optional in all bar one game. Some games work exceptionally well with it though. Rachet & Clank has small cut-scenes involving it for example. Works brilliant.
As for the price, well now you can get a 40gb model at a much better price, which doesn't have PS2 backwards compatibility. That is a major disappointment to some, but as many also say, if you still own a PS2 then there's no problem. Also, think about how many people actually play their PS1 games now, the same will happen to PS2 over the next 2-3 years. So, the 40gb model is a great value, considering it has built in Wi-Fi and Blu Ray Player.
If I were to try and point out flaws in the PS3 I would stick to the facts, for example it doesn't have custom soundtracks available in it's games, or the ability to answer messages from online buddies in-game, YET. These features are being worked on by Sony for a future firmware upgrade and may be out soon.
I am very happy with my PS3 and it so impressed my PC only mate who boards with us that he bought the 40gb model and we both game online quite a bit now.
Oh, by the way, online gaming is free of charge on PS3, and you'll be paying regularly for that on Xbox 360.
If you buy a Xbox 360, buy a new one, there are plenty of second hand ones out there they may be susceptible to a major hardware flaw called the Red Ring Of Death which was destroying 360 consoles all over the place. Do a wikipedia search on that for more info. It doesn't appear to be a problem now with the latest models.
It's not clear-cut choice. Have a think and make up your mind. As I said at the start maybe Xbox 360 is for you, there is a large catalogue of great games. Although don't write the PS3 off.
Thats already the biggest hobby of many of the 360 users here at The Rugby Forum.
