The PlayStation 3 platform is now two years old, and the Xbox 360 has just passed the three-year mark. That means several second-generation games have appeared on both systems since our last graphics comparison feature. We're still seeing the occasional first "next-gen" development effort, such as Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, but many development studios are now releasing their second projects for the current-generation consoles. Bethesda, for example, has followed up on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with Fallout 3. All of the additional experience developers have had with both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 means that the window for blaming performance issues and graphical shortcomings on platform growing pains is coming to a close.

The Xbox 360 had an advantage over the PlayStation 3 in early multiplatform games in our first graphics comparison feature because Microsoft had a one-year head start on Sony, but we saw the PlayStation 3 catch up to the Xbox 360 in subsequent graphics comparison features. We're at the point where games look and play nearly the same on both systems--any differences tend to focus on texture resolutions and antialiasing nitpicks that most people wouldn't notice unless they were playing the games side by side and pausing every few seconds to compare the two. Fortunately, we've done all of that for you.

We captured all of our images over HDMI with games running at 720p resolution, and we enabled full HDMI range on the PS3. Each game has four sets of rollover images. The first image is a full screenshot set resized to fit the width of the page, followed by a zoomed-in image set that we created by cropping the original screen grabs to show you how the games look at a 1:1 pixel ratio. The third and fourth image sets follow the same pattern. Just mouse over the captions to swap the images back and forth. Keep in mind that these are large screenshots, so viewers with slow Internet connections should expect to wait a while for images to load.

Fallout 3

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Soulcalibur IV

Namco's Soulcalibur IV looks and plays great on both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. Frame rates don't waver with the game's complex moves, sweeping camera angles, and heavy combat. The character models look identical on both systems, and we had to study the 1:1 pixel shots to detect any visual differences between the platforms. Both systems have plenty of jaggies in the first screenshot, but we can't say that one system has any more than the other. The Xbox 360, however, has superior flowers as illustrated in the close-up shot. We noticed that the PS3 seems to have better anisotropic filtering or higher-resolution ground textures farther in the distance in the second map. It's not noticeable in the first set of images, but you can see it in the second set.

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

Xbox 360       PlayStation 3      

4819 Comments

  • The_Sackman posted Nov 24, 2009 7:05 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    The_Sackman

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 7:05 am PT (hide)

    there's nowhere to run for the PS3, the X360 just have a better hardware...

  • The_Sackman posted Nov 24, 2009 7:04 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    The_Sackman

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 7:04 am PT (hide)

    just an exemple...

  • The_Sackman posted Nov 24, 2009 7:04 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    The_Sackman

    Posted Nov 24, 2009 7:04 am PT (hide)

    completely wrong, the 360's exclusives are graphically superior... gears of war 2 looks way better than MGS4


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  • oajlu posted Nov 14, 2009 10:22 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    oajlu

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 10:22 am PT (hide)

    xbox360 usually has better gaphics in multi-platform games, but PS3's exculsive games are better than 360's in term of graphics.

  • Vikasgames94 posted Nov 14, 2009 4:14 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Vikasgames94

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 4:14 am PT (hide)

    X Box 360 is the best for graphics. But if you want everything with gaming it is PS3.

  • Vikasgames94 posted Nov 14, 2009 4:14 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Vikasgames94

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 4:14 am PT (hide)

    X Box 360 is the best for graphics. But if you want everything with gaming it is PS3.

  • 1r3ap3r posted Sep 29, 2009 9:49 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    1r3ap3r

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 9:49 pm PT (hide)

    XBOX 360 IS BETTER......................................................

  • Ninja_Zombie83 posted Sep 27, 2009 3:46 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ninja_Zombie83

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 3:46 am PT (hide)

    Wow, its gotten so close its almost comes down to preference instead of actual graphics. prefer the 360 on Fallout, PS3 on Soulcaliber, PS3 on Dead Space, Xbox360 on Force Unleashed, PS3 on WaW, Tied on Madden, PS3 on Mortal Kombat. I like the darker look and the shadows. PS3 thankfully caters to this. Its opinion of course.

  • Darkno posted Sep 26, 2009 10:00 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Darkno

    Posted Sep 26, 2009 10:00 pm PT (hide)

    As a Video Game Specialist, I say they are both very much alike, it really depends on the develpoers and what console they created the game to best on, when it comes down to hardware the graphics are better on the xbox 360 as well as detail, draw distance and anti-aliasing, especially on Fallout 3. But when it comes to gamma, brightness and character polygons the PS3 will take the cake most of the time. Even though I don't like PC gaming, it is true that games from this year on will play better on a real PC gaming machine. This comes from a game enthusiast and a fan of ALL consoles. It comes down to what you want anyways.

  • MTMind2 posted Sep 22, 2009 3:55 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted Sep 22, 2009 3:55 am PT (hide)

    they didn't say that cyclonebw, Infinity Ward says they're both the same. they said they had their best programmers working on the ps3 version "and it showed", meaning they got great results out of the ps3 version compared to other multi-format games where the ps3 version suffers. but as usual, people online twist their words into meaning the ps3 version is better, which is not what they said.

    here's a fact for you, there is not a single comparison feature or review on any multi-format games website or magazine that says the ps3 version of COD4 is better. they all say they're about the same, with a few areas better in the ps3 version and a few areas better in the 360 version.

    and GS have done that comparison already;

    http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6191251/p-4.html

    here's another;

    http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/x360-vs-ps3-face-off-round-six-article

    "Miniscule differences aside, the point is that the core experience and all the things that make this game great are identical on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3"

    can you provide a link to a feature or review (from a multi-format site to avoid bias) that says the ps3 version is better? i doubt it.

  • Rygarr posted Sep 21, 2009 10:18 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Rygarr

    Posted Sep 21, 2009 10:18 pm PT (hide)

    PS3 won

  • cyclonebw posted Sep 19, 2009 9:28 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    cyclonebw

    Posted Sep 19, 2009 9:28 am PT (hide)

    I dare the biased GS xbox 360 fanboys to do a COD4 comparison... (evil smile) infinityward split into two groups one for 360 one for ps3 and even IW admitted the ps3 version was better

  • mk360star posted Sep 18, 2009 1:27 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mk360star

    Posted Sep 18, 2009 1:27 am PT (hide)

    WHAT!!!!!!!!!
    If you can find a game with as amazing graphics for the 360 as killzone 2, whether or not it's an exclusive, then you can say that. Till then, PS3 rules!!!

  • xandinho2468 posted Sep 17, 2009 8:16 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    xandinho2468

    Posted Sep 17, 2009 8:16 am PT (hide)

    no way ps3 is better 360 as more detail and far objects look better and is some games ps3 doesn't have AA 360 games have a mandatory minimum of 2xAA

    so 360 looks better

    and some of the picture look darker in the ps3 or some times on the 360 but that just gamma, contrast and saturation setting related to the screen not to the console

  • Gamew posted Sep 13, 2009 6:29 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Gamew

    Posted Sep 13, 2009 6:29 am PT (hide)

    PS3 is better...

  • cyclonebw posted Sep 1, 2009 7:26 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    cyclonebw

    Posted Sep 1, 2009 7:26 pm PT (hide)

    Dual layer dvd= 8gb Dual layer Blueray= 60gb. 60gb= insane exclusives PS3 > Xbox 360

  • mikey1611 posted Aug 26, 2009 7:02 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mikey1611

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 7:02 am PT (hide)

    because the Wii attracts a different sort of customers and it's graphics are made to be simple. The Wii can't really play in HD, you can play it on HD but either it will have no difference or it will be worse. Wiii can't even play DVD's and HDDVD's (which really don't exist anymore).

  • mridulmaiden posted Aug 16, 2009 8:40 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mridulmaiden

    Posted Aug 16, 2009 8:40 am PT (hide)

    graphic comparison wy no wii

  • ShortCutToHell posted Aug 15, 2009 11:16 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ShortCutToHell

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 11:16 pm PT (hide)

    On Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Xbox 360 looks better

  • crazyshooter93 posted Aug 15, 2009 5:35 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    crazyshooter93

    Posted Aug 15, 2009 5:35 pm PT (hide)

    if you watch cod w@w you can see the ps3 is more detailed

  • Excedra posted Aug 13, 2009 8:03 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Excedra

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:03 pm PT (hide)

    360 and ps3 can never beat pc

  • amourkiss posted Aug 10, 2009 10:21 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    amourkiss

    Posted Aug 10, 2009 10:21 pm PT (hide)

    ps3 version shows a little bit more detailed texture on soldiers

  • ChelseaFC94 posted Aug 6, 2009 4:02 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ChelseaFC94

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 4:02 am PT (hide)

    I don't notice much difference at all................

  • kuzuboku posted Jul 27, 2009 6:00 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    kuzuboku

    Posted Jul 27, 2009 6:00 pm PT (hide)

    xbox wins flawless victory

  • MTMind2 posted Jul 19, 2009 7:40 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted Jul 19, 2009 7:40 am PT (hide)

    correct Yammer55. its surprising how many gamers dont know that the 360 also does 1080p, and that for these multiformat games, the 360 and ps3 have about the same maximum resolution.

  • Yammer55 posted Jul 12, 2009 7:43 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Yammer55

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 7:43 pm PT (hide)

    Glokwerk, the Xbox supports full 1080p

  • Glokwerk posted Jul 12, 2009 3:17 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Glokwerk

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 3:17 pm PT (hide)

    is 720p the highest the 360 can go? if so it automaticall loses the graphics battle.

  • alexcooke900 posted Jul 9, 2009 1:04 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    alexcooke900

    Posted Jul 9, 2009 1:04 pm PT (hide)

    speedy5212: m8 u do on some games like mgs 4 motor storm gta 4...

  • speedy5212 posted Jun 23, 2009 1:06 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    speedy5212

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 1:06 pm PT (hide)

    nathace , I don't think you have a ps3 because no , you don't have to install any game , its upto you if you want to install it to decrease loading times but when you start a game the first it does install some files but that also happens in xbox , right?

  • 1conradthegreat posted Jun 22, 2009 9:13 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    1conradthegreat

    Posted Jun 22, 2009 9:13 am PT (hide)

    half of these look exactly the same

  • L0rD_ShAde posted May 28, 2009 7:11 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    L0rD_ShAde

    Posted May 28, 2009 7:11 am PT (hide)

    X360 RULES !!!! XD

  • nathace posted May 24, 2009 2:10 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    nathace

    Posted May 24, 2009 2:10 pm PT (hide)

    if im honest in the ranibow vegas bit ps3 seemed abit better than 360 ive got both consle's and i prefer 2 play the 360. it annoys me that u HAVE to install all games you play on ps3 to hard drive i meen its gonna get 2 a point where iv ran out of space..

  • MTMind2 posted May 20, 2009 11:46 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted May 20, 2009 11:46 pm PT (hide)

    filmboy85, have you played the game, or are you only going by what you read? (im guessing you must have played mgs4 btw). few gamers today rave about the *gameplay* graphics of mgs4 as being better than anything else out there, good as they are.

    cinematics and gameplay graphics are not the same, but im repeating myself now so maybe this dont help, but still, the quality of the character textures and polygons, the animations, subtle details, are higher in the cutscenes than they are ingame, which is often the case for realtime cutscenes, together with dramatic camera angles and close-ups. it doesnt matter how well the cinematics are done, or how smoothly they move from cinematics into gameplay, they are still two seperate types of the graphics and should be compared to the same type of graphics in other games. when youre *playing* mgs4, its impressive, but to me it doesn't have the same wow factor as the cinematics, and so to me its not better looking than *every* other game out there during gameplay.

    if you want to say mgs4s ingame graphics are the best ever, then ok thats your opinion, but graphics during gameplay are not the same as graphics for the cinematics just because they are running in realtime. dam, i repeating myself yet again.

    so maybe we just have to agree to disagree. cause i dont think im going to change your mind, and you not going to change mine. :-)

  • Decrate posted May 15, 2009 9:14 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Decrate

    Posted May 15, 2009 9:14 pm PT (hide)

    naw but seriously....

    i own both systems and its sad to see even now they can't seem to use the ps3's potential correctly. maybe its because its so darn hard to program for like i read everywhere compared to the 360.

    anyways can't wait for a final fantasy 13 comparison between both systems.

    so for now, i just keep buying games for my 360 whenever i have a choice between both systems..

  • Decrate posted May 15, 2009 9:09 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Decrate

    Posted May 15, 2009 9:09 pm PT (hide)

    THE XBOX 360 HAS SUPERIOR FLOWERS!

    hehe what have we come to......

  • filmboy85 posted May 11, 2009 4:07 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    filmboy85

    Posted May 11, 2009 4:07 pm PT (hide)

    I'd also like to note that the MGS series has always (with the exception of the PSP version and possibly 3) been about in-engine cinematics. The first changed the way story was thought of in gaming by using this technique throughout the entirety of the game.

  • filmboy85 posted May 11, 2009 4:00 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    filmboy85

    Posted May 11, 2009 4:00 pm PT (hide)

    mtmind2, real time, in-engine cinematics look the same as gameplay. They use the same technology to render the cinematics as they do the gameplay. If you don't believe me, then here's a quote from gamespot's MGS4 review:
    "Rather, these two elements are tightly intertwined, and this tapestry is held together by an important technical thread: Cutscenes that are rendered fully in real time within the game engine. It's impressive enough that these scenes look as good as any prerendered cinematic you've ever watched. It's even more amazing when those same scenes transition without pause into gameplay, and the same hulking mech you watched lumber about in the cinematic is looming above you. The subtle animations, the lush environments, and the rich textures are the same in and out of story sequences, and the effect is so seamless it may take your breath away."

  • MTMind2 posted May 10, 2009 11:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted May 10, 2009 11:33 pm PT (hide)

    @filmboy85

    er where did i say mgs4s cinematics were not real time?

    i know they were real time (except for 2 of them i believe), that's why i said to GM-XP-L9 that maybe you could say mgs4 had the best cinematics, but i dont think you can say the same about the gameplay graphics, which were very good but not mind blowing.

    also, real time cinematic graphics are not the same as gameplay graphics filmboy85, for lots of reasons. the real time cinematics in mgs4 has to be compared to the real time cinematics of other games, for which i still consider mgs4 as one of the best, if not the best for cinematics. the gameplay graphics in mgs4 has to be compared to the gameplay graphics of other games, for which i dont consider mgs4 to be the best, just very good.

  • filmboy85 posted May 10, 2009 5:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    filmboy85

    Posted May 10, 2009 5:50 pm PT (hide)

    @MTMind2
    MGS4's cinematics were in-game, meaning that they were rendered in real time and therefore are the same as the gameplay graphics. It even says so in the Gamespot review. They made a point of mentioning it.

  • Mr_Fujiv1 posted May 7, 2009 10:47 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 7, 2009 10:47 am PT (hide)

    there nearly both the same but even having a ps3 i do believe that the ps3 gives out a haze of light so yea the 360 takes this round

  • L0rD_ShAde posted Apr 21, 2009 2:19 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    L0rD_ShAde

    Posted Apr 21, 2009 2:19 am PT (hide)

    Batsu12 is right, X360 wins this round.

  • Batsu12 posted Apr 18, 2009 5:20 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Batsu12

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 5:20 pm PT (hide)

    Xbox 360 wins,Still ps3 exclusives look better than xbox 360 exclusive titles.I can see that 3rd party games look much better on xbox 360 they have better textures and lightning effects.I always thought ps3 would look better but this comparison really shows that xbox 360 look damn good when it comes to 3rd party games.

  • MTMind2 posted Apr 18, 2009 3:13 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MTMind2

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 3:13 pm PT (hide)

    @GM-XP-L9

    as i was saying before being 'rudely interupted' :-), what is "pre-normal"? there is no such thing.

    "i don't think we can have a multi DvD9 Xbox 360 game"

    blue dragon, lost odyssey, star ocean 4 are all multi DVD9 360 games, and ffxiii will also be mult-disc according to square-enix.

    "I hope you didn't forget MGS4 which Was Using the full BD size and it was the best game, best graphics, best story.."

    mgs4 was 30gb, not 50gb, so it didn't use the full BD size. best cinematic graphics? maybe. best gameplay graphics? no, but still very good.

  • Decrate posted Apr 18, 2009 3:57 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Decrate

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 3:57 am PT (hide)

    btw im gunna add this insightful comment

    graphics arent everything like some say. so when graphics dont matter what does? exclusives, online play, and extra features!

    i believe both have their nice exclusives halo3,gearsofwar,masseffect,mgs4,killzone2

    online is generally perceived to be better on the 360.. not my opinion i own both but in general most websites say xbox360 online is smoother with better features and the chat function worked well from the day it came out. ps3 needed tons of patches to get it on and working right. ps3 has blu-ray on its side and home, which some might argue isnt really a plus.

  • Decrate posted Apr 18, 2009 3:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Decrate

    Posted Apr 18, 2009 3:34 am PT (hide)

    i meant killzone 2 in the last part lawl

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