Well, I would expect lots of topics about this, but somehow I haven't found anything here. So let's get to the point.
Lately I've been thinking about upgrading my PC rig and soon I realized that new gen graphics cards actually cost more than video consoles. My old good Sapphire is still capable of running almost all PC games in Full HD and maxed details. I intended to change it to something cooler and more powerful (3D gaming?). But now I'm wondering if buying a PS3 or Xbox wouldn't be a better option.
All in all, it's about games. So I thought that maybe I should try to make a list of games that I would be interested in which aren't available for PC. If there are enough of those then maybe it is a sign that it's actually worth to get a console.
What do you think dear GOGers? Are there any games exclusive to consoles that make it worthwile?
Personally, I can think of the following:

Demon's Souls (PS3)
Read Dead Redemption
God of War (PS3)
Gears of War (XBox)
Dragon's Dogma (is it that good?)
... anything else?

EDIT: fixed spelling

Depends on your tastes I guess. There's a whole lot more interesting consoles exclusives than the ones on your list, especially if you also include Nintendo titles.

Found this list of exclusives on wikipedia, but it seems to be incomplete (Journey isn't listed in the PS3 list for example). Still a good starting point.

From some recent experiences, I've got a new rule when considering purchasing a console: I'll only buy consoles that can be softmodded to bypass some of the arbitrary restrictions that come with them. Because if shit happens, I don't want to be left at the mercy of MS/Sony/Ninty.

Sure.

By the way, when are the next-gen consoles coming out anyway? There seems to be more and more rumours around them, some developers already working on games for them, Epic demonstrating the next-gen graphics engine that does not run on current consoles (and even current PC graphics cards, except maybe some of the very latest GeForce boards with Kepler architecture) etc. Or are they still like several years away?

Might be I actually jump over this console generation completely (PS3 and XBox360), apparently they didn't have any must-have exclusives for me, like PSOne and PS2 did.

I'm personally quite a fan of the Ratchet and Clank games for the PS3, except All 4 One, which I haven't played but have heard lots of not-so-good things about.

Also, Flower and Journey are two great experiences I would recommend for anyone. Oh, and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was pretty nice.

So basically, I would recommend the PS3. Then again, I have never played XBox 360 or Wii, so what do I know? What I do know is that my PS3 complements my PC beautifully. Having both hooked up to the same monitor and surround system, I can experience the best of both worlds at the touch of a button. :-)

Edit: According to industry analysts, the next generation is at least a year away. Late 2013-2014 are both popular estimates. Probably not sooner, except for the Wii U which still has a preliminary launch date late this year. That one doesn't have the next-gen graphics capabilities though, but the controller looks mildly interesting.

The Halo series would be another big one for Xbox360.

However I think you should consider other factors than simply exclusives. You'll want to know what sorts of downloadable games come out on each console, and how often new games are released.

You should also consider your preferences with regards to online play. Would you like to play online for free, but have to deal with the considerably higher frequency of 10-year-olds that free online play brings with it? Or would you like to pay for online play, but have a lower frequency of kids around (mind you that you'll never be rid of them completely)?

You may also have a preference among the controllers. I think there's a general consensus that the Xbox360 is best, but I have heard that people with small hands prefer the Playstation controller.

So it really isn't all about the games. But if you still think it is, then Gears of War trumps all others.

It's your call, personally I wouldn't get a console if they shoved it in my face with a bag of money. ;o)

Ok, good to know. Their launch will affect PC-only gamers too, because then minimum system requirements of PC games (at least for the ones appearing both on consoles and PC, but probably most others too, at least outside indies) seem to jump ahead then, like the aforementioned next-gen Epic graphics engine shows.

Actually you are wrong... PC games don't depend on the console generations... the hardware for pc's are getting out faster and faster... I preffer console because of that.. You buy once and you don't change anything in what - 8 years? PS3 have better exclusives - Uncharted,Ratchet & Clank,Little Big Planet,God Of War... + some JRPG's

I aim to get the PS3 when the price falls (like it did with PS2) just to get a few titles that probably won't ever get a PC release, Heavy Rain being in the forefront.

I have had a different experience in the past at least. New console generation releases seem to have effect on most PC game release HW requirements. This happened already when PS2 and XBox appeared to replace PSOne, and later when XBox360 and PS3 were introduced. Over time this tie seems to have come only stronger, as more and more titles appear first or simultaneously on consoles. ID and Epic seem to be creating their next-gen graphics engines mostly with console capabilities in mind, not the latest advances in PC HW department.

I also recall some thread in here too a few weeks or months ago how the PC game HW requirements seem to have mostly stagnated, PC games pushing the envelope are rarer. I bet that the introduction of next-gen titles (after the release of next-gen consoles) will push the HW envelope on PC games, especially the PC ports.

Yes they develop the engine like that...but keep in mind that the hardware for consoles last more in time.
PS3 was released 2006 for 6 years the hardware keep up with every PC so far... that is the main diff.

And yes you are right they wait for next-gen to release the new engines.

Ok honest input as I own all 3 consoles of the current generation.

Go try the controllers.


No really thats it, don't worry about exclusives (there aren't that many and most of the time there's an alternative on the other console), Don't worry about graphics (most of the time they are about equal with xbox ahead in many cross platform games and PS3 winning in ones where it was lead platform).

What is important is the feel of the controller for some the thumbstick position on the PS3 is just plain unbearable feeling too cramped. For others the Xbox buttons feel wrong etc etc. Don't worry about anything or anyone else's opinion there is no point buying a stupidly expensive console if your hand cramps after 10 minutes of gaming...

There are literally hundreds of console exclusives worth looking at, especially if you count downloads. The question is how much do you want to play them?

The PC has very few big exclusives outside of MMOs and strategy games.

Thanks for replies. Well, it's good to hear that there are many good console exclusives. Just like spinefarm wrote, my feeling is that PS3 has better exclusives. Demon's Souls, Heavenly Sword, Journey and Flower seem to be like my kind of games. And you mentioned others of which I haven't even heard about (like Ratchet). But Xbox has Gears of War.. Though we have a first one on PC and maybe I'm wrong but I guess second and third aren't a big revolution.
And regarding controllers, I have XBox- and PS3-like controllers for my PC and I like both so no problem here.

EDIT: And the other thing I discovered lately is that I really enjoy playing games on a gamepad, lying on a bed, etc. :P It seems I've become a little lazy. For example I've been playing TERA Online on PS3 gamepad and it gives me a lot of fun despite aiming being a bit difficult.

As some one else mentioned before and I shall elaborate on, go make love to Journey (PS3) :D Probably the only downside to it is digital download and it only goes for an hour to two hours (But once you go through it you appreciate the length and everything else :P )