Don't listen to the people in this thread who mention that the XBox 360 will be obsolete in a year or so...that's pretty misguided. The system's been around for over 7 years and is still going strong.
It's going to be another Playstation2 scenario, where they will still make new games for the older systems for the next few years at least. Microsoft confirmed this. It's going to be around for at least another 3 years...
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/09/microsoft-xbox-360-support-to-go-for-another-three-years/
Hell, Grand Theft Auto 5 was EXCLUSIVE to this current generation (XBox 360, PS3) and that's one of the best selling games ever. The reason why they did that is because developers are pushing the hardware to its max, and there's still enough power in these current systems (PS3, XBox 360) to make a game of that caliber. (And btw, if you have ANY interest in experiencing one of the best games ever made on any console, ever, do yourself a favor and pick up GTA 5 and play it after the kids have gone to bed. It's truly a masterpiece of the medium.)
Get an XBox 360 with a 250gb HD...they're DIRT cheap now.
It really depends how you see your son using this, and if you want/need a BluRay player. If you see your son using this system for a few years and then wanting to get a new one in 4-5 years, go with an XBox 360. If you need a BluRay player go with the PS3.
Another point is that the price point for games for this current console cycle are continually dropping, and if you get him a PS3, there's an online option through the PS store that will allow you to download games for free. XBox live has that as well, but it's only two free games a month. PS3 has many games for free online.
I've had an XBox 360 since 2006, am a HUGE gamer, and don't plan to upgrade to the new generation for at least two years, possibly longer, if at all. There's a point now where there just isn't that much improvement you can make regarding graphics. The new generation is putting their money on features and entertainment. This is an excellent article that focuses on that point.
http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/1...inishing-returns-of-next-gen-console-graphics
Bottom line, if he's going to use it just for gaming, go with an XBox 360. I'd get a hard drive that's over 4GB though. If you use apps on the XBox, (ESPN - to watch CUSE games on ESPN3/Watch ESPN, HBO GO, Netflix, etc) you'll need something over 4GB. Also if you plan to download any games from XBox live on to the hard drive, they take about 2-3GB each, so you need a bigger HD. (Although, you can pick up a used Kinect later if you want to save some $). That's what I did. I started with the 20GB way back when and upgraded to a 250GB HD once I needed more space.)
If you don't have a Bluray player in your living room, and would like to kill two birds with one stone, go with the PS3. NO need at all to get a new console (XBox One or PS4) unless you're also a gamer, or would like to see this console last him until he goes to college.