By: Sarju Shah

The PC versus console choice isn't always clear early in the life of a console when the hardware is new and the PC hasn't had time to reassert its CPU or GPU advantage. Consoles are affordable and have graphical capabilities close to moderately powerful PCs. The new consoles also sport built-in hard disks and can have online services, which begin to chip away at the PC's longtime file download advantage. We're going to break down the differences between the Xbox 360 and PC versions of BioShock in an effort to help you decide which platform is right for you. The game is very similar on both platforms, so your decision will hinge on control interface preferences, what kind of PC components you have, and your willingness to upgrade.

Let's start with a quick summary of the good and the bad about each version.

BioShock for the Xbox 360

  • + Standardized console hardware guarantees performance levels
  • + Earn a boatload of achievement points
  • + More likely to have a living room speaker system for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound
  • - Retails for $10 more than the PC version
  • - Users have experienced bugs that cause random hitching and other issues.

BioShock for the PC

  • + More affordable retail price
  • + Supports both gamepad and mouse/keyboard controls
  • + Supports DirectX 10 and looks better than the Xbox 360 version on higher-end PCs
  • - Not all PCs meet the minimum system requirements.
  • - Requires Windows Vista and a DirectX 10 graphics card to looks its best
  • - Users have reported sound issues, graphical anomalies, and crashing.

The PC version offers better graphics and better performance if you've got a newer, more powerful machine. But the Xbox 360 version offers a base level of performance that's a better choice if you're unwilling to upgrade your PC, especially if you already have the console hooked up to a home theater system and an HDTV.



Big Daddy wants to play. But on what system?

Let's Talk System Requirements

BioShock loses much of its graphical splendor if you run it on a system that only meets the minimum system requirements. You'll have to drop the resolution to 800x600 and live with medium-to-low quality settings to make the game playable. Pay particular attention to the DirectX 9.0c requirement. Radeon X800 series owners are out of luck. You'll have to have a video card that supports Shader Model 3.0, which means at the very minimum, you need a GeForce 6 series card or ATI's X1300 series of cards to even run the game. The online community is currently working on increasing compatibility for older Shader Model 2.0 video cards.

Minimum System Requirements

  • - Windows XP
  • - 1GB System RAM
  • - 2.4GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
  • - 8GB free hard disk space
  • - DirectX 9.0c-compatible 128MB video card (Nvidia 6600/ ATI X1300 or better)
  • - Internet required for activation

Recommended System Requirements

  • - Windows XP or Windows Vista
  • - Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent
  • - 2GB System RAM
  • - 8GB free hard disk space
  • - DirectX 9.0c or DirectX 10 compatible video card with 512MB of RAM
  • - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series sound card
  • - Internet required for activation

The Xbox 360 version of BioShock doesn't have requirements aside from an Xbox 360 and a TV. But you'll want an HDTV and surround sound to get the most out of the game. Unfortunately, BioShock's current widescreen implementation for both the PC and 360 raised the ire of more than a few users. Unlike movies and just about every other game on the market, the widescreen aspect ratio on BioShock actually reduces how much you see because the game zooms in then crops off parts of the screen. 2KGames is working on a patch, but it hasn't been released as of this writing. The community has hacked together a temporary fix for the PC, but Xbox 360 users will have to wait for an official patch.

The PC version had a few installation issues at launch. Early buyers found that they could only install the game twice before it ceased to work. The PC launch was also marred by flaky game authentication servers, which meant that users who’d purchased the game couldn’t even activate it. Fortunately, 2KGames sorted through the authentication server problems quickly and increased the amount of installations to five on five separate machines. These problems have passed, but potential buyers should be aware of the potential points of failure. Some users have also experienced a myriad of sound issues that range from audio stuttering to only being able to hear the music, others hear nothing at all. 2KGames is likely working on a patch at the moment to address these, and other, issues.

The Xbox 360 version of BioShock has its fair share of issues that a few users seem to have experienced. Some have had the game crash, others experienced random hitching. We did find some information on the 2KGames forums that might help with the hitching though.

"This seems to be a problem with the hard drive caching system on in the XBox 360 system software, and we are working with Microsoft to identify a solution for this issue. We have confirmed that the hitching goes away if you clear the hard drive cache.

To clear the hard drive cache, you must hold down both the RB and LB gamepad buttons while the game is starting. This must be done IMMEDIATELY after the console is rebooted (or the game is launched from the dashboard) and the buttons must only be released AFTER the red 2K Games logo appears."

856 Comments

  • falloutguy318

    Posted Jun 18, 2009 9:13 am GMT

    look at him fighting a big daddy with that tiny revolver

  • Evil-Assassinz

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 5:13 pm GMT

    personally i always think that the pc beat game consoles in graphics and in preformance.

  • AkroyVenslaka

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 7:40 pm GMT

    They put the images in different qualities, because not everyone can max out the graphics. Some of us have midrange computers and consoles and want to know which version to get.

  • khayaal

    Posted Sep 6, 2008 10:48 am GMT

    i have played on both and really cant make any difference between two...but i prefer to play on 360..

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Aug 19, 2008 5:49 pm GMT

    The PC graphics are superior to the Xbox 360's in the high quality, but still, i don't want to spend 800 dollars just so i can run BioShock. I would much rather just spend the 60 dollars to buy the game.

  • metalkid9

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 10:41 pm GMT

    why would they put the images in medium and low quality?? if you max it out in pc like i will the graphics are much superior than 360.

  • malaga01

    Posted Aug 8, 2008 5:54 am GMT

    I played it on 360. Its a good game either way, its dissapointing how people go for a little prettier when its the same great game. Performance issues I can understand if it works better on pc or 360 go for what performs the best. my pc rocks pretty sweetness though, but that is for crysis and strategies.

  • Killingspree303

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 2:35 am GMT

    I'm playing the PC version on max, and it looks great. But I haven't experienced any bugs yet.

    But about the system requirements... If you buy a computer in the store (Dell for instance), you won't be able to play it on max unless you upgrade it. So I say if you want a good computer, order the parts online and put them together. Simple.

  • Dante200X

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 12:52 am GMT

    JustaShadowe

    What really bothers me is how Bioshock on a amazingly upgraded computer is still in the same range of comparison as a cheap Xbox 360. People pay 1000$+ for a nice computer, maybe even average, either way, thats more than 2x the 360 price, which is why its sad. If your going to compare PC Bioshock with the 360 one, then you should use a computer that is in the same range of cash as the 360 + the Game. Dont get me wrong though, I love pc gaming as much as the next guy, but its quite unfair to compare such things.

    ....I don't think you could be any more wrong if you tried dude. 1000$ for a PC to be able to max out Bioshock?! LOL! Not even close. Especially at the time you posted your comment (April '0. You can easily get a decent computer (like most people don't already have one) or upgrade a PC to run it for around 400. Not joking.

  • droned

    Posted Jun 27, 2008 11:53 pm GMT

    I have it for PC and running it on a Duo CPU 3.0Ghz, 8800GTX, 4GB of Ram, and with Vista....Wow is the Game Gorgeous! The EAX sound makes it even better, wich you can't do with XBOX 360!!!

  • newnhamlea1

    Posted Jun 17, 2008 2:11 pm GMT

    looks great on pc...... my xbox 360 fanboy of a friend is convinced it looks "clearer" and "way better" on xbox 360

  • Paul2005

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 5:20 pm GMT

    but said 2k that it will be better on ps3 on all systems. i love 360 and dont like pc that much but... i have to admit that it is better on pc

  • wallaz

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 4:59 am GMT

    as a 360 owner i admit pc is better =( BUT we have the last laugh because we don't need to spend a whole heap of money for system requirements so........HA HA

  • limneosgreen

    Posted Jun 9, 2008 1:16 pm GMT

    PC! Make more great games for PC.. PC PC PC PC PC....

  • AnnoyedDragon

    Posted May 25, 2008 5:31 pm GMT

    This is a very strange comparison, why bother reducing the graphical settings then comparing it to the maxed out 360 version? It should be obvious a reduced version of the game would look worse than a maxed out version. They didn't even show any of the DX10 effects. Do we even know what resolution and AA/AF settings they were using for this comparison? These tiny screenshots are hardly going to show the image quality improvement of a PC res over 720p.

    Either way when comparing the screenshots the PC ones look clearer, 360 seems to have a slight light haze but that is about it.

  • JangoWuzHere

    Posted May 23, 2008 9:08 pm GMT

    the game has a frame rate lock on the 360 version and lags more

    PC FTW

  • lomar07

    Posted May 17, 2008 8:22 pm GMT

    PC kicks ass, it runs exellent in my.

  • jesusismyhomie

    Posted May 15, 2008 8:25 pm GMT

    pc looks amazing and controls are way better especially with my system XD

  • Latz

    Posted May 4, 2008 6:01 am GMT

    @t400991 - u say this game needs a high end computer in april of 2008?? ... nowadays thats a mid range computer not a high end one.... @JustaShadowe - the PC may cost more - but it gives much more than a console so the price range is still on the PC's side.... - plus its much more customizable - u can't rip apart ur console and change smth when it becomes obsolete... - it's headed for the trash when a new version comes up...

  • m4573r_n1nj4

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:17 pm GMT

    I prefer PC ^-^ runs really great for me maxed out. and controls are way better.

  • LedZeppelin1234

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:02 pm GMT

    I chose X360, mainly because of the pc hardware.

  • SportzGamer73

    Posted Apr 23, 2008 9:30 pm GMT

    it's all about the 360

  • abduls

    Posted Apr 17, 2008 6:32 am GMT

    no matter how much consoles try.....PC will always reign supreme

  • JustaShadowe

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:02 pm GMT

    What really bothers me is how Bioshock on a amazingly upgraded computer is still in the same range of comparison as a cheap Xbox 360. People pay 1000$+ for a nice computer, maybe even average, either way, thats more than 2x the 360 price, which is why its sad. If your going to compare PC Bioshock with the 360 one, then you should use a computer that is in the same range of cash as the 360 + the Game. Dont get me wrong though, I love pc gaming as much as the next guy, but its quite unfair to compare such things.

  • t400991

    Posted Apr 8, 2008 1:20 pm GMT

    Buoshock, i'd say is better on xbox 360 for 1 reason if u are unsure that your PC will play this properly, it wont. you need the best high system for this game. go for the safe choice on the xbox 360

  • godofwarfan1

    Posted Apr 2, 2008 7:00 pm GMT

    I have had both games for a few months. I got the PC virsion the day it came out. I thought it was an average playing PC game. Then I got the Xbox 360 virsion and it is the best game I have ever played. It is hands down the best on the Xbox 360 on all aspects.

  • mista911

    Posted Mar 31, 2008 10:03 pm GMT

    yup.... if u got an xbox360 and are comparing the quality to a PC i mean... you are going to have to spend a great deal of money getting a badass tv to get ur 360 hooked up on. PC's arent all that expensive either , if u got a base motherboard and processor with all the other stuff like RAM settled on, u just have to buy a new graphic card or replace one which will be almost the equivalent of buying a 360 console or a new console every year

  • Payasoplas posted Mar 30, 2008 9:54 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Payasoplas

    Posted Mar 30, 2008 9:54 pm GMT (hide)

    Better dead than playing Bioshock on PC...

  • NoAssKicker47

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 10:19 am GMT

    I'm playing the PC version on a 8800GT, an Intel Q6600 and 2GB of RAM, and performance is as smooth as a baby's ass after a shower. I know that an Xbox 360 doesn't cost much less around here than my new PC, so I think the right choice would be a good PC if you have one. Of course, you can't compare the price of maintenance in the long term, but for the now, I'd say a PC is the right choice.

  • Teh-Insane-Cod

    Posted Mar 21, 2008 10:27 am GMT

    biohock is freakin' sweet

  • Ice_man_1985

    Posted Jan 25, 2008 4:38 am GMT

    both have advantage and disadvantage, the only thing will change is your decision, whether to buy an HDTV and a console or upgrade a bad ass PC, and both would be expensive in my oppinion.
    both are pretty similar, you upgrade your motherboard and buy a new graphics card or buy a new console every four to six years and of course it depends on the console succession.

    i was a pc guy for 8 years, but i stopped upgrading, because in my country PC hardware is very expensive and plus, most of the pc games is getting ported to consoles or getting devloped for the same ver for both and specially the xbox 360.

  • bladerbot

    Posted Jan 21, 2008 2:33 pm GMT

    im not much to talk, because im an xbox man personally but the pc does offer some nice advantages, not many but some. i think the achievement points would tide some gamers over but then again, im not much to talk.

  • DeadParrot145

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 5:12 pm GMT

    I've seen them first hand, and honestly, Theres very little difference. I could nitpick, like the textures on my friends pc don't load as fast as the xbox 360, or I find myself fumbling with the analogue sticks occasionally on xbox 360, but its the same damned very good game. I like getting achievement points though... i must say

  • maximaxi4eva2

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 8:53 pm GMT

    PC has better controls, but only good graphics if you got a new machine...

  • bigdaddy6688

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 7:50 am GMT

    ummm.... remember u still have to get that 5K television with surround sound. My bioshock runs perfectly at the highest settings on a 1.6k machine with a 400 buck 22" lcd screen. The present generation consoles are bullcrap on ordinary televisions that have inbuilt audio. But if you're the type of hardcore person that would spend that type of crazy money, go for x360 and buy the largest tv u could find.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Jan 3, 2008 11:55 am GMT

    I love how it's really not too much of a differ. Makes me feel better about getting it for 360. I just wish there was more to do than just a single player walkthrough. 60 bucks is alot to ask for outta a game and not give the purchaser a game with some longeivity to it. Online is all the craze these days too and i feel it's a cheap way to extend the life of a game. I wish developers would understand that games like these do well b/c everybody wants and needs a good story line and this proves that it doen't have to be online to be great. If only more things would open up or something once you beat it once. I'm rambling now.

  • stevoiscrunk132

    Posted Jan 2, 2008 6:12 pm GMT

    whatever.. i have a 400 dollar machine that can compete with a 5000 dollar machine and have the same performance..
    i like my chances..

  • tinman105

    Posted Dec 31, 2007 11:36 pm GMT

    any fps is better on PC not only because of graphics, but control PC fps controls will always be better than on a controller.

  • 13ozzy

    Posted Dec 28, 2007 12:40 am GMT

    PC OWNS...too bad it wants 512 and I have only 256

  • furionpride

    Posted Dec 26, 2007 1:51 pm GMT

    Pc...Xbox it realy doesn't matter. I'd rather play it on my computer because I have my 360 plugged into a piece of junk tv with realy crappy sound. But if I had HD and surround sound high quality goodies than I'd get it for the xbox. The visual quality isn't even worth comparing...there's really no sacrifices that will ruin the experience.

  • aushej

    Posted Dec 25, 2007 4:21 pm GMT

    I'm happy with the performance on PC...

  • dylanbdotorg

    Posted Dec 24, 2007 10:59 am GMT

    sorry, but im not a rich guy buried in his own money like the guy underneath this comment.
    I don't feel like spending $5,000 to play a game.
    i'd much rather buy and xbox 360, buy the game, and play.

  • minhas32 posted Dec 23, 2007 12:52 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    minhas32

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 12:52 pm GMT (hide)

    Pc wins.Hate console

  • minhas32 posted Dec 23, 2007 12:30 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    minhas32

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 12:30 pm GMT (hide)

    Pc wins.hate console

  • minhas32 posted Dec 23, 2007 12:25 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    minhas32

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 12:25 pm GMT (hide)

    Pc rules

  • minhas32 posted Dec 23, 2007 12:17 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    minhas32

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 12:17 pm GMT (hide)

    Pc wins

  • minhas32 posted Dec 23, 2007 12:12 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    minhas32

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 12:12 pm GMT (hide)

    Bring the game on pc

  • willerdrew

    Posted Dec 22, 2007 2:30 pm GMT

    i just bought this new laptop which meets all the requirments yet if i go on one of those see if your system can run it, it says that it is only like in between system requirments and mininimum why is that??

  • AtlasVI

    Posted Dec 22, 2007 10:07 am GMT

    I like the 360. For people like me who aren't very technical it's much easier to just put the disk in the 360 and play than to upgrade you PC.

  • bassment0127

    Posted Dec 21, 2007 8:24 am GMT

    I prefer the 360 version, the PC versions frame rate sucks.

advertisement
BioShock Boxshot
BioShock

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Tags

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games