By: Sarju Shah - Posted on Friday, May 23, 2008

A solid year's gone by since we ran our last Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 graphics comparison. The differences between the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 have diminished with every passing batch of games, but some variation still exists between the two machines. Our first graphics comparison between the two consoles showed that the Xbox 360 looked better on most of the games, oftentimes drastically so. The second graphics comparison showed that the PlayStation 3 looked nearly as good as the Xbox 360 in some games, and actually looked better in a few as well. Now with both consoles well into their respective life cycles, developers have had plenty of time to figure out the nuances required to code beautiful games. With our third batch of games, the two machines seem evenly matched. The two trade blows on various games, each with its own set of advantages.

We've upgraded our capture equipment since the previous installments in the series. We captured all 720p images through an HDMI connection and then resized them for use in the article. The fullscreen shots are, of course, shrunk down to fit onto the Web page. The pixels in the zoomed-in shots are 1:1 representations of the original image captures, but cropped to fit our page width. We compressed the images slightly to make them more palatable for the Web, but they haven't suffered too much in terms of quality for it.

Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed is a great example of what a next-generation game should look like, with well-rendered environments that are nicely shadowed and filled with intricate details. The game looks beautiful on both systems, but we did notice that the Xbox 360 has sharper textures with better 3D-depth simulation readily noticeable in the flat cobblestone streets. Edges look great in both games, as do graphical effects such as shadows, smoke, and lighting. The extra time it takes to install the game on the PlayStation 3 doesn't seem to give the console any benefits over the Xbox 360 in initial or subsequent loads of the game.

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

Xbox 360       Playstation 3      

5988 Comments

  • EYE0NE posted Jun 26, 2009 1:54 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    EYE0NE

    Posted Jun 26, 2009 1:54 pm PT (hide)

    It's really amazing how similar the graphics on both systems are. But I think the 360 has the advantage of shaper detail on it's textures and more stable frames per second. But the PS3 is a very powerful system, I think that it lags behind slighty due to the Cell being difficult to program for, which costs developers more money.

    Edit: Thumbs down 10 times! You PS3 fans unbelievable. I didn't even say anything bad about the PS3. I'd say it's potentially more powerful than the 360. It's just difficult to program for with the Cell. The PS2 was the same way with the GPU (had 16 pipelines that were difficult to keep filled). It's not a knock, it's just true.

  • mrben809 posted Jun 24, 2009 10:31 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    mrben809

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:31 am PT (hide)

    whan you play you notice xbox looks very shiny and undetailed

  • TheBowerhouse posted Jun 21, 2009 3:55 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    TheBowerhouse

    Posted Jun 21, 2009 3:55 am PT (hide)

    Why is it that almost every single comment is marked down? I wonder...

  • D3A7HJ0K3R posted Jun 18, 2009 11:58 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 11:58 am PT (hide)

    Has anyone noticed that whenever someone tries to make a comment (which is their own opinion) about if the PS3 looks better they get thumbs downed a TON. I never new XBot Fanboys cared all that much about little differences (PS3 blurs the picture to make it smoother while Xbox 360 makes it crisper, darker, and more jagged)

  • D3A7HJ0K3R posted Jun 18, 2009 11:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 11:53 am PT (hide)

    i don't really notice these slight differences when i play, so why is evereyone PO

  • mayceV posted Jun 12, 2009 6:24 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    mayceV

    Posted Jun 12, 2009 6:24 am PT (hide)

    I'm afraid to say my opinion fter how many (does not meet display criteria. click here to show) I saw.....

  • killerfox39967 posted Jun 11, 2009 2:19 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    killerfox39967

    Posted Jun 11, 2009 2:19 pm PT (hide)

    both systems have changed drastically since then of course, but in this one the 360 is slightly better.

  • player_leo posted Jun 11, 2009 4:27 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    player_leo

    Posted Jun 11, 2009 4:27 am PT (hide)

    it's a new year, gamespot needs to make another one of these.

  • alfaresalasmar posted Jun 9, 2009 3:30 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    alfaresalasmar

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 3:30 pm PT (hide)

    I THINK THE GUYZ FORGOT TO TURN ON RGB ALONG WITH SUPERWHITE ON THE PS3 WHICH EXPLAINS IMAGE QUALITY

  • G00DANG posted Jun 5, 2009 7:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    G00DANG

    Posted Jun 5, 2009 7:53 am PT (hide)

    If you look at the screenshots, the 360 looks a hell of a lot better, its a shame this isn't the case with all of the games though.

  • harisstudios posted Jun 4, 2009 12:41 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    harisstudios

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 12:41 pm PT (hide)

    both xbox and ps3 are good consoles. but ps3 is the best.......the thing is....it has less game bundles when compared to a xbox 360....ps3 may get more games in future....

  • guitar_and_xbox posted Jun 4, 2009 12:26 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    guitar_and_xbox

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 12:26 pm PT (hide)

    omg it is obvious ps3 has better graphics, just look at how poor the xbox 360 graphics are

  • pspfreddy posted May 29, 2009 1:23 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    pspfreddy

    Posted May 29, 2009 1:23 pm PT (hide)

    they are both GREAT consoles, but imo I think that the PS3 is the best machine, but that the xbox 360 is the best gaming-console - with better online and so on

  • epilare posted May 27, 2009 11:47 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    epilare

    Posted May 27, 2009 11:47 am PT (hide)

    ps3 pwns xbox

  • iversonisdabest posted May 24, 2009 3:37 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    iversonisdabest

    Posted May 24, 2009 3:37 pm PT (hide)

    ps3 is better

  • Mr_Fujiv1 posted May 19, 2009 7:10 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 19, 2009 7:10 am PT (hide)

    PS3 for the win, by far the better visuals

  • BUCK3TM4N posted May 14, 2009 1:26 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    BUCK3TM4N

    Posted May 14, 2009 1:26 pm PT (hide)

    there very close and only people that no what to look for will tell the difference and each console has stengthes and weaknesses

  • crazy1raider posted May 12, 2009 9:46 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    crazy1raider

    Posted May 12, 2009 9:46 pm PT (hide)

    xbox 360 looking better sorry sony !!

  • AdaShofLiMe posted May 7, 2009 6:03 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    AdaShofLiMe

    Posted May 7, 2009 6:03 pm PT (hide)

    Fortunately, I play off of an LCD monitor, so all of my games look better than what they would on a regular standard def tv.

  • costlywar posted May 7, 2009 1:52 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    costlywar

    Posted May 7, 2009 1:52 pm PT (hide)

    I have a 360. The graphics for most of my games look decent. But, if I had to buy another game console I'd go with the PS3. My 360 was repaired 2 times. That was very frustrating, waiting for the repairs.

  • Mr_Fujiv1 posted May 7, 2009 10:54 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:54 am PT (hide)

    PS3 is the better see graphics ps3 is better
    free internet ps3 :]
    controller yep ps3 and look of the system PS3

  • chubbydwk posted May 2, 2009 5:58 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    chubbydwk

    Posted May 2, 2009 5:58 pm PT (hide)

    hmm... I think 360 is more detailed but darker... PS3 is little better... but still 360 will rock ps3 all day..

  • callofblood posted May 2, 2009 5:03 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    callofblood

    Posted May 2, 2009 5:03 pm PT (hide)

    there is a cheating in this comparison>>

  • skeletor0 posted May 1, 2009 11:21 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    skeletor0

    Posted May 1, 2009 11:21 am PT (hide)

    Gamespot, what is the point of all this except to fan the flames of pointless console wars and rampant fanboyism? These differences are meaningless! Let us know instead if there are GAMEPLAY differences.

  • FinalDuo1886 posted Apr 26, 2009 9:11 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    FinalDuo1886

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 9:11 pm PT (hide)

    The bad thing about comparisons between the 360 and PS3 I've noticed that people seem to not get, Is the fact that each game displays different on each console. Some games look better on the 360, and some games look better on the PS3. No system has the advantage when it comes to graphics in my opinion. Now as for loading goes, PS3 wins hands down .

  • bill2510 posted Apr 26, 2009 7:28 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    bill2510

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 7:28 am PT (hide)

    this was a dark time for ps3 owners. no good exclusives and bad 3rd party dev. the tables have turned now boys so take it easy

  • aekforever posted Apr 25, 2009 5:26 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    aekforever

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 5:26 am PT (hide)

    No, wmjs2 actually ps3 looks better if you compare them today, saw it in a video on youtube.

  • wmjs2 posted Apr 20, 2009 3:36 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    wmjs2

    Posted Apr 20, 2009 3:36 am PT (hide)

    i am a fan boy of ps3 but i gotta admit that assasin's creed looks better on 360, but in previous comparisons with nfs carbone ps3 look 100 times betta

  • Drake_Bell004 posted Apr 19, 2009 6:16 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Drake_Bell004

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 6:16 am PT (hide)

    Mt mind just track me and add me in my friend list.Then I will tell U the Full story.

  • MTMind2 posted Apr 18, 2009 3:23 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 3:23 pm PT (hide)

    @flameducky who says "I hate when IGN and Gamespot does this"

    but why? these comparisons are great for those with both consoles.

    ***edit*** no thanks Drake, for reasons you aware of.

  • eddyka2 posted Apr 16, 2009 6:40 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    eddyka2

    Posted Apr 16, 2009 6:40 pm PT (hide)

    why does the 360 cod4 guy have his hood up?

  • flameducky posted Apr 13, 2009 3:28 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    flameducky

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 3:28 pm PT (hide)

    AlphaHulk@:
    Yeah, CoD 5 was nothing new. Just back to WWII

  • flameducky posted Apr 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    flameducky

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT (hide)

    I hate when IGN and Gamespot does this.

    PS3 exclusives were made especially for the PS3 so they have better graphics then 360 exclusives. Anyone want to argue?

  • Djdege posted Apr 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Djdege

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT (hide)

    the playstation 3 is better than the xbox 360 and it has better graphics

  • Profzhu posted Apr 12, 2009 5:29 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Profzhu

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 5:29 am PT (hide)

    imo the games today are so good looking that graphics becomes not as important as factors such as longevity, multiplayer, gameplay, design, etc etc. u can have the best looking game using the unreal engine but if the gameplay is broken, its broken.

    i often find that exclusives tend to look best on the respective systems. gears of war, halo, project gotham racing, forza look brilliant on the xbox while metal gear, resistance, killzone, gran turismo are stunningly good looking too. i guess its cos the developers are putting in all the effort to bring the best out of one particular system. however, developers have to spend a lot more time porting games to different console for multiplatform releases. the xbox platform is probably easier to work with. that probably explains why fallout 3 looked so different from the xbox version.

    i feel its rather unfair to say that playstation visuals are slightly behind because looking at mgs4, killzone2 and gt5, i dun understand how fallout and vegas can look so bad. the problem now is developers not pushing systems to the max. rmb how good god of war 2 looked on the ps2? who knew a system that old can display such crazy graphics. its an example of developers pushing the systems to the max.

  • WarAnakin posted Apr 8, 2009 9:38 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    WarAnakin

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 9:38 am PT (hide)

    Let's get real. Nowadays, Playstation is just a name... People buy it because of the name. "Playstation 3, sooo coool !!!" But in reality, that's all it is... a name and nothing more. The Xbox stands and delivers. Some opinions are baised and wee see changes because we want to, and not because they are actually there: "That shadow looks better on the PS3, although i can't make a difference..." So what if PS3 has inferior graphics ??? Next time, do a research in what u want to buy. Quality or just propaganda.

  • 93soccer posted Apr 5, 2009 10:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    93soccer

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 10:53 am PT (hide)

    xbox 360 is clearly the better choice

  • joshua0292 posted Apr 4, 2009 1:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    joshua0292

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 1:33 pm PT (hide)

    xbox 360 clearly wins

  • xxboxx2005 posted Apr 1, 2009 9:36 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    xxboxx2005

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 9:36 pm PT (hide)

    @piercedxdenizen

    While your points are valid, I do see value in graphical comparisons. It is true that the majority of the games, if not all, do not take full advantage of any system's hardware, especially those that are cross platform games. So if the comparison between the games is to determine which system has superior hardware, then yes the comparison would be closer to useless.

    However the comparison is useful in the sense that it shows which system (whatever the settings may be or whatever percentage of the hardware that it's using) makes the games that we play actually look better. If I had to choose between the two systems, for argument's sake let's assume graphical capability is the only factor, then I would get the system that makes the games I want to play look the best, not the one that has the best hardware on paper. I believe that's the value in the comparisons.

  • piercedxdenizen posted Apr 1, 2009 7:40 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    piercedxdenizen

    Posted Apr 1, 2009 7:40 am PT (hide)

    each system has there own set specs for each system, just because one game looks better than the same game on a diff system means nothing, take a pc for example, with the right video card you can make any game look worse, just as good and better than any game on 360 or ps3, it's all about default specs, i'm sure there's no games that run 100% max settings on any console system, i'll never understand these useless comparisons

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Xbox 360 Versus PlayStation 3 Graphics Comparison: Round 3

Check out how the latest games look on both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.

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