Poll results: Wii, PS3, 360 playing habits

by Blake Snow { Mar 9th 2007 at 8:00AM }

Last week we asked how much time 'Stiq Nation spends playing Wii, PS3, and 360. After more than 55,000 votes, the results are in. We'll point out some obvious trends and let you peeps cover additional angles in the comments below.

First up, the Wii. More than 70% of voters own the console and it appears you either like the Wii as a primary gaming system, or you don't. Also, those who voted "as much as other systems" did more so on Wii than either the PS3 or 360. Surely that doesn't mean fewer unbridled fanboys, especially for a Nintendo console...

Next up, the PS3. How should we put this... Not very many early adopters. Despite what Sony would have you believe, it seems the value proposition of $500-600 still isn't there for most of you, especially considering the limited number of compelling games. So yeah. Almost 80% of you don't own a PS3, and those that do play it less than other systems as a whole (again, back to the games thingy).

Finally, the 360. My, what favorable results you have! But not so fast. To be fair, 360 has been out a full year longer than both Wii and PS3 and has a lot more games available. Thus, the chances of people playing it more than other systems are significantly higher. Either that or Microsoft troopers are the biggest fanboys of them all. Discuss. And thanks for everyone that voted.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Neal @ Mar 9th 2007 8:16AM

Let the madness begin

deaftly @ Mar 9th 2007 8:21AM

ok so according to actual people, the 360 is the best, the ps3 is the worst and the wii is iffy at best. now shut the hell up fanboys. "joystiq is biased and rigged the votes!"

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 9th 2007 8:23AM

It would be to easy to start a flamewar.

Anybody that comes to this site an says they play the Wii more than the other systems is crazy.

Well I guess getting gold metals in Wiisports or finding spiders in Zelda could take awhile if your grandparents are playing.

Jake @ Mar 9th 2007 8:31AM

I don't find any of the results shocking or needing a "fanboi biaz" comment.

Jake @ Mar 9th 2007 8:31AM

I don't find any of the results shocking or needing a "fanboi biaz" comment.

David @ Mar 9th 2007 8:33AM

They should have put the PS2 up there. That is the real story. WiiS2 FTW!

Virtua Fanboy @ Mar 9th 2007 8:35AM

This is the first time these polls seem halfway acurate. Even though it probably isn't the case.

sonicyouth @ Mar 9th 2007 8:36AM

It's PS3 and PS2 for me. I'm picking up Motorstorm today. VF5 comes in the mail today too. I just finished Devil May Cry 3 a few days ago. God of War 2 comes out next week. 'Nuff said.

is @ Mar 9th 2007 8:37AM

Those results seem like a fair analysis based on the quality of games available.

Mind you, i was too honest to allow my wii to claim responsability for the play time it was getting with cube games.

SKI @ Mar 9th 2007 8:39AM

Looks like Nintendo's "second console" thing will truly make them the biggest seller.

Sacredleader @ Mar 9th 2007 8:42AM

Using the "but it has been out a year longer" excuse is dumb. I don't hear anyone saying the same thing about the PS2 having a year head start now. It's not Microsoft's fault that Sony didn't launch last March like they repeatedly claimed.

Plus having clearly better hardware for the Xbox didn't mean much in the long run and this time the difference in hardware power is much less than the PS2 and Xbox gulf. I think we'll see history repeating itself once again.

is @ Mar 9th 2007 8:41AM

Those results seem like a fair analysis based on the quality of games available.

Mind you, i was too honest to allow my wii to claim responsability for the play time it was getting with cube games.

LuigiHann @ Mar 9th 2007 8:42AM

I play my DS the most.
Where does that fit in?

Hugh Mann @ Mar 9th 2007 8:42AM

"Anybody that comes to this site an says they play the Wii more than the other systems is crazy"

I must be do-lally then, cos I only own a Wii, so it's kind of hard for me to say that I played it less than the other consoles.

Hakfoo @ Mar 9th 2007 9:11AM

I have all three. I play them in the following order: 360, PS3, Wii.

When playing 360 I play a lot of different games (Crackdown, RB6, GRAW2, Worms, Bankshot Billiards, Heavy Weapon, BK racers). I play a lot of online RB6.

When playing PS3 I play Resistance and Motorstorm.

When playing Wii it is usually Wii Sports or Zelda. Some Elebits may get thrown in. Honestly I rarerly touch the Wii unless I have friends coming over, which is very rare.

Daryl @ Mar 9th 2007 8:48AM

Doesn't look like a lot of Joystiq readers have a PS3. There isn't really anything about that system that makes it a buy for me.

Even the Playstation Home thing isn't that good. It seems like a whole bunch of filler. It seems like it would take away from gaming time.

Why would I invite people into my place to listen to music? lame!

dgbellak @ Mar 9th 2007 8:53AM

Anybody that comes to this site an says they play the Wii more than the other systems is crazy.

I guess I'm crazy. I'm also a lifelong gamer who fondly remembers the days before NES (Apple IIe, anyone?), so I know very well that there is far, far more to gaming than graphics and processing power.

If Wii is "iffy at best", shouldn't it have performed more poorly in this poll?

I know if I paid $400 for a 360, I'd feel I have to play it all the time regardless of what was available.

That the PS2 is a top seller should be expected. How well did the SNES sell in '95? If I recall, it did very well Xmas '95.

Defenestrator2.0 @ Mar 9th 2007 8:54AM

JOYSTIQ IS T3H B1AS3D, D3SPIT3 TH3 FACT THAT 1 ST1LL COM HERE!!!!111

U ALL R JUST SUM FANBOYZ AND DONT NO WUT UR TALKING ABOUT! I'M GONNA GO TROLL SUM OTHER B0REDS N0W.

is @ Mar 9th 2007 9:07AM

Those results seem like a fair analysis based on the quality of games available.

Mind you, i was too honest to allow my wii to claim responsability for the play time it was getting with cube games.

sheppy @ Mar 9th 2007 9:09AM

"I'm picking up Motorstorm today."

Is it just me or does that game make you angry? Not like "god this game sucks" but like you'll be racing along, a semi on your ass begins to boost so you hit your boost, hard rock thrashing in the background, you spy another mud plugger coming off a shortcut and you slam into his right rear bumper to try and slam him into the rock and cause a glorious crash to hopefully take out the semi, teeth gritting aggression kind of angry?

Pawsie @ Mar 9th 2007 9:12AM

wouldn't this also depend on perception.. When asked do you play one system more than the other, would some consider over all over owning all the system.. or how often do they play it during the day.

The questions themselves are pretty vague and leaves to be understood differently. I would say I play the Wii more than any other system since I bought it.. but I own a Wii, a PS2, and a DS.. though today I'm getting a PSP.. I'm in the mood to kidnap people and sneak into buildings with Metal Gear... I need something to get this Metal Gear Online after taste from my mouth.

Catprog @ Mar 9th 2007 9:13AM

Well I guess getting gold metals in Wiisports or finding spiders in Zelda could take awhile if your grandparents are playing.

It is actually platinum and there are no collectible spiders

Myke @ Mar 9th 2007 9:13AM

Sheppy, did they fix the frame rate problems? Because I'm not touching that game if it finished with anywhere near the framerate of the build I played a few times at events. Yeah, it DID make me angry, but more like "Hmm...my truck drives like a 1976 oldsmobile" kind of angry. Promise me they improved it, please, I want so badly to give that game another chance.

JodyAnthony @ Mar 9th 2007 9:14AM

I am also down with the WiiS2. Or actually the DreamWiiS2ube. PS3 and 360 are too expensive for me right now (got a wedding coming up thats taking up all my money/time)

baby sea tuna @ Mar 9th 2007 9:14AM

I powered up my Wii this week for the first time in like a month (to d/l some 20 year old NES games.) The Xbox, on the other hand, is on every day.

Then again, I'm biased by the fact that I like using my game system to actually play games.

Gavin @ Mar 9th 2007 9:18AM

I've been playing my PS2 more than anything recently because the price drop on used games has been awesome. Nintendo and their VC prices can go screw themselves. Instead of dropping seven or ten bucks on a single old-school game, I can go buy a used disc for the SAME AMOUNT!!!!!

I've snapped up classic collections for five dollars that included twenty games. If you over pay for the VC games you are being suckered into it. Don't do it people, the prices for games on last gen systems are going for the same rates and you get more for your money.

Shadow2k6 @ Mar 9th 2007 9:23AM

I have a Wii, PS3, and a 360 and I play the wii the least, ps3 the second most and 360 the most. Wii just has very uninteresting games besides LoZ Twilight Princess. I actually bought a Wii for Super Smash Bros. Brawl but it seems thats the only game I will be buying because most of the future games look lackluster at best. I rather play Halo 3 and Mass Effect on my 360, Ratchet and Clank and Metal Gear Solid 4 on my PS3 then play Mario Party 8 and Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii (Super Mario games have lost their flare ever since Super Mario Sunshine).

Of course more people are going to have a Wii or even a 360. First of all the Wii is $250 which is dirt cheap compared to the other two next-gen consoles. PS3 is $500 and $600 and since theres not a lot of games out at the moment not a lot of people are wiling to shell out that kind of cash. I'm happy with my PS3 because I know Insomniac and Naughty Dog will deliver on the PS3.

If you think the better system is by a poll who plays the most then your stupid. Thats like saying Madden is better then Metal Gear Solid just because casual gamers play Madden a hell lot more.

Myke @ Mar 9th 2007 9:24AM

The only line of those polls that matters is the bottom line, "I don't own one..." and thats the truth.

sheppy @ Mar 9th 2007 9:26AM

"Sheppy, did they fix the frame rate problems? Because I'm not touching that game if it finished with anywhere near the framerate of the build I played a few times at events. Yeah, it DID make me angry, but more like "Hmm...my truck drives like a 1976 oldsmobile" kind of angry. Promise me they improved it, please, I want so badly to give that game another chance."

If you have a PS3, I suggest giving it a rental before making a decision. Framrate is for the most part fixed until some true chaos starts to take place and it drops during some seemingly random moments (which is normally chaos unfolding on the mesa above you) but all in all, much better than the early builds. And the rock hop level deserves to be played by everyone, at least once.

As for vehicle handling, just depends on the surfaces you're driving on. The trucks seem more balanced on all terrains. Not really excelling but not really a hinderance either. My personal favs are the motorcycle, buggy, and rally car. But all vehicles have a slight learning curve so it's kinda difficult to get your bearings at first.

sheppy @ Mar 9th 2007 9:35AM

Oh yes, and I play my 360 the most, followed by PS3 and Wii. I'm busting out Lost Planet, DDR Universe (yes yes, make fun of MEEEEE), Crackdown, and Lumines Live on 360. I'm busting out Ridge Racer 7 and Motorstorm on PS3. On Wii, well, only game I have left not beaten is Trauma Center but I have Super Paper Mario on reserve. On PS2, I'm working through Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner and Ar Tonelica. On Cube, still busting out the Jungle Beat. Xbox... hasn't been hooked up for months. Dreamcast, Tech Romancer. PSP, still DJ Max Portable, awaiting DJ Max Portable 2 Black LE. DS, Ouendon. GBA, Summon Night 2.

Myke @ Mar 9th 2007 9:37AM

Sheppy -
Yeah, that was the main problem the last time I played it. It was smooth for awhile and I got excited that they had straightened things out and then it would start chugging with no noticable difference in on-screen activity, but now that you said that about the action above or below you it makes sense.

Zamfir @ Mar 9th 2007 9:38AM

The polls have been hacked. I have all the data and source code to prove it. Someone feels the need to proxy vote all of Joystiq's polls. Fanboys for ya. It would be nice to see the *real* results, but...

fightinfilipino @ Mar 9th 2007 9:59AM

how are you three-system people affording things like food and utilities and *life*?

:/

Myke @ Mar 9th 2007 10:03AM

fightinfilipino -
50 hours a week at an insurance company, have a girlfriend, not married, nice apartment, no kids, thats about it.

sheppy @ Mar 9th 2007 10:06AM

With my goldbricking ass ex girlfriend out of the picture for a couple years now, I have much more money. I make around $35K a year, cost of living for me is slightly below $12K.

Steve @ Mar 9th 2007 10:11AM

"ok so according to actual people, the 360 is the best, the ps3 is the worst and the wii is iffy at best."

Sure, the actual people who actually read this blog.

If you think the people who read this blog are in any way representative of the average casual joe gamer, then you're pretty naive.

bootsielon @ Mar 9th 2007 10:12AM

Now that Sony unveiled HOME, you should do a Poll that goes like this:

What are your plans regarding PS3?

-I already have one
-I wasn't planning to own one, but I bought one, or will soon buy one, due to Home.
-I was already planning to buy one, even without this announcement.
-I was planning to get one after the first price drop.
-I wasn't planning to get one after the first price drop, but now I am.
-I was planning to get one when a few games come out.
-I wasn't planning to even with games, but now I am.
-I was planning to when it dropped price and got some games.
-I wasn't planning to when it dropped price and got games, but now I am.
-I'm never gonna get one (no money)
-I'm never gonna get one (I have a Wii or 360 or both)

I know it's long, but you get the idea. It should be informative. After all, sometimes you do poll on 12 webcomics.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 9th 2007 10:14AM

The average joe consumers that i know:

8/10 want a wii or have one.

6/10 want a 360 or have one.

2/10 want a ps3 or have one.

Frank Miller @ Mar 9th 2007 10:19AM

What a waste of time. Jostiq is known througout the internet as a 360 biased site, and I know plenty of Wii and PS3 fans who don't bother with this site at all. So that leaves 360 fanboys taking this poll.

So basically what this poll shows is a bunch of 360 fanboys telling each other that the 360 is the best and the other two stink. Wow, stop the presses!! What a revealing poll!

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 9th 2007 10:22AM

@ Frank

"Jostiq is known througout the internet as a 360 biased site, and I know plenty of Wii and PS3 fans who don't bother with this site at all. So that leaves 360 fanboys taking this poll."

Your a dumbass. Go into any thread and there is twice as many wiifans defending Nintendo than fans defending MS and Sony. You must not come here very often.

Ben @ Mar 9th 2007 10:57AM

I hate when all you gaming journalists always say, "To be fair the 360 has been out for a year longer..." I cry BS! MS was good enough to get their product out first and it is still "Next Gen". Everything else is always going to be "a year behind" the 360 so why does everyone feel the need to point that out? All the systems are out in the open, next year when the PS3 and Wii have been out a year the 360 will have been out for 2 years. (gasp) Stop pointing it out. We all know it and if the 360 has better games than the 360 has the better games. Might not ALWAYS be the case, but then again it might be. The release date doesn't really matter to me because I'm buying games to play. I'm not going to buy a console on speculation. (Which is why I own a 360 instead of a PS3 or a Wii) I know what I want to play and so I got a 360.

I say give props to the system that has the games you want to play. If it's the PS3, then fine, buy, play Fanboy the PS3. Same for the Wii. Just stop giving me the excuse that the 360 wouldn't do so well against the others if they were at the same time. They aren't, so move on.

REUYL @ Mar 9th 2007 11:06AM

@ 39:

I think you need to spend a bit more time at Joystiq.

mushiking @ Mar 9th 2007 11:10AM

yeah... cause we all know polls on blogs are always accurate.

Eric Draven @ Mar 9th 2007 11:13AM

I'm still enjoying my PS2, Xbox and DS.

In the future, I plan on getting either a 360 or PS3.

No way will I waste my money on a Wii.

jabbertrack @ Mar 9th 2007 11:26AM

Joystiq is clearly ...

ugh I can't do it

Grey Acumen @ Mar 9th 2007 11:32AM

I just wanted to point out that even if I play less often than other consoles, it's cause I have other things to do and with how cheap the Wii was, I don't feel the need to justify the purchase by playing it 10 hours a day.
It fits in my life, not the other way around.

Jake @ Mar 9th 2007 11:36AM

I love when people use the 360 being out a year early as an excuse for other consoles sucking compared to it. Since when do we give handi-caps? It would be different if the competition launched with a significantly more powerful system. But to launch with the same shit, a year late, then have everyone make excuses for you is weak.

Mrfreezie @ Mar 9th 2007 11:57AM

"Stiq Nation?"

Not a copy of "diggnation," right? ;)

sheppy @ Mar 9th 2007 12:04PM

It has to be said... because the thread hasn't gone live...

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13068

Whatever is the world comng to when the top selling game in Japan is a PS3 game and the third best selling is a PSP game? I need to find out if Gundam Musuo is playable without translation...