From Eric Qualls,
Your Guide to XBox Games.
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A hot topic these days is which version of GTA IV is better? PS3 or Xbox 360. I happen to have both versions of the game, running side-by-side, and I came to a few conclusions. After spending extensive time (several hours) with each version, here are my thoughts.

Load Times – The game doesn’t load too often in-game, and when it does the load times are only a few seconds on each system. I did notice a difference in start up speeds. I started from the dashboard of each system and selected the game to start loading. From that button press to when you actually have control of Niko, it was an average of a minute and thirty seconds on the PS3 and one minute and fifteen seconds on the Xbox 360.
Winner Xbox 360 –

Graphics – Running both games side-by-side, there are some definite differences. There is a little less pop in (objects loading in front of you) on the PS3 as the draw distance is ever so slightly further. The PS3 version, however, has a kind of soft, blurry look and the colors are washed out. The Xbox 360 has sharper visuals and brighter colors. This one is a lot harder to call. Both games look good and have plenty of detail. However, even though the PS3 has less pop in, I am not a fan of the soft look in the game and much prefer the brighter colors of the Xbox 360 version. For the record, both games were running on the same TVs in 720p with HDMI cables.
Winner – Xbox 360

Controls – This one isn’t very close. The Xbox 360 simply has a better controller than the PS3. The squishy trigger buttons make driving and shooting more difficult on the PS3. Not to mention the less than optimal placement of the analog sticks on the PS3 controller that make driving and moving around on foot tougher.
Winner – Xbox 360

Intangibles

PS3 – The PS3 doesn’t have achievements, so you don’t have to worry about cheats blocking achievements. Cheat all you want. And, face it, cheating makes GTA even more fun. Also, you can watch the in-game TV in full screen on the PS3, but not on the 360.
Xbox 360 – Achievements. Xbox Live. Exclusive downloadable content.
Winner – Xbox 360

Bottom Line

Better controls. Better intangibles. Faster load times. And I greatly prefer the graphics. The Xbox 360 is the clear winner here and is the version I recommend.

And as an aside - You know, articles like this are hard to write because I don’t ever want to appear biased. I’m a gamer. Period. I own all game systems and play any and all games. Just because “Xbox” is in the title of my site doesn’t mean I’m bound by blood to favor it. I don’t work for Microsoft. I don’t get paid by Microsoft or any other game company. I work for the New York Times. Yet, publishing an article like this is only going to make Sony fans cry foul. I’m just trying to say that I know how this looks. But I can assure you that there is no bias here. I have nothing to gain and everything to lose (your trust) by being biased.