Which game console should you buy?
UPDATE: On 11/12/09 we updated this feature with new info on the Xbox 360 dashboard update and Netflix streaming being added to PlayStation 3.
A lot has changed since the Xbox 360 debuted in November of 2005. After what has seemed like dozens of upgrades, improvements, omissions, price drops, and bundles, the dust has settled (for now) and we're left with three competitively priced consoles.
Such an evenly matched trio of hardware makes for the perfect time to reignite the ultimate question for prospective video game console buyers: which home console should you buy?
This question doesn't necessarily have a definitive answer. Quite frankly, the answer could be any of the three. In other words, there is no default "best console." It's about finding the one that's right for you--and what will be the deciding factor in your case will ultimately depend on what you plan to use the console for. That said, in lieu of detailing every last bit of functionality that each console offers, let's discuss the type of person we think would benefit most from each console.
Nintendo Wii ($200)
While the recently discounted Wii isn't regarded as a "hardcore" gamer's console, the system has served up some pretty compelling titles over the past three years, like Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime Corruption, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. We are looking forward to games like New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2, but big name titles like these are few and far in between.
All things considered, the Wii has become best known for its addictive party games, the occasional fitness game, and shooting titles that emulate light gun arcade games. The amount of first-party Nintendo titles is small and a large amount of third party games are written off as gimmicky cannon fodder.
The Wii's online multiplayer experience isn't anything to write home about, but we definitely recommend playing Mario Kart Wii online. Unfortunately, the Wii's 16-digit friend code system did not catch on with most gamers. The established Virtual Console offers an impressive amount of classic games from various older gaming systems and WiiWare provides a platform for inexpensive titles from independent developers.
Aside from games, the Wii doesn't offer much in terms of additional functionality. It can't play DVDs or CDs, and its only streaming media compatibility comes from PlayOn's third-party PC software.
Accessories for the Nintendo Wii can add up. The console supports up to four Wii remotes and Nunchuks (the system comes with one of each), and now, with the debut of Wii MotionPlus, you'll want to get a few units so that you can play titles that take advantage of the new motion technology. All this, plus extra chargers and batteries can become quite pricey, creating a lot of hidden costs.
The Nintendo Wii is best for: Parents with children who are just beginning to enter the world of gaming, family gaming, and an environment with a lot of people (dorm room or apartment with numerous roommates).
The Wii is not the best choice for: Those who are looking for a game console that doubles as an all-purpose entertainment hub, want state-of-the-art HD graphics, enjoy a robust online community, and/or those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles.
Key Wii exclusives: All Zelda, Mario, and Metroid games.
Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best games available for the Wii.
(Credit: Gamespot)Xbox 360 (Elite $300, Arcade $200)
The
Xbox 360 still remains the better-selling of the two powerhouse consoles of this generation. This is partly due to the system going on sale an entire year before the
PlayStation 3 and because the console did have a much stronger lineup of exclusives early on in its life cycle. Also, at launch, Xbox 360 was considerably more affordable than the expensive PlayStation 3.
With over 20 million members worldwide, Xbox Live is the most complete online console experience available today. The caveat is that the "Gold" Membership tier--required for online gaming and access to the best perks--requires an annual fee of $50. (By comparison, the Sony and Nintendo online networks are free.) Like Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN), Xbox Live offers downloadable games (both casual "Arcade" titles and full games), game add-ons (downloadable content, or "DLC"), and the capability to buy and rent TV shows and movies, many of which are in high-definition video. Some of the purchased videos can also be transferred to Microsoft's Zune portable media player. (Note that you'll need a hard drive to fully enjoy most of these features; the Elite includes a 120GB model, but it's a separate purchase for the Arcade).
In terms of additional functionality, the Xbox 360 is currently the only console to offer streaming Netflix and (soon to be released) Facebook and Twitter applications. You can stream digital media from a networked Windows PC, and the 360 can double as a full-on Windows Media Extender for those running Windows Media Center on their PCs; third-party products such as PlayOn and TwonkyVision can also expand the 360's default streaming capabilities. Xbox 360 will also recognize most music players and hard drives, so you can manually plug these types of devices into an open USB port and play music, photos, and videos right on the console. However, unlike the Blu-ray capable PS3, the Xbox 360 can only play standard DVD movies.
Beyond all of its impressive media capabilities, the Xbox 360 is also an excellent game machine. Most triple-A titles are available on the 360, save for a few PlayStation 3-only games, and the games generally look as good as or better than their PS3 counterparts. The console also has its fair share of exclusives, including the Gears of War, Halo, Forza, and Fable series.
There are plenty of Xbox 360 accessories that can extend the overall cost of owning the system. Additional controllers and rechargeable batteries represent the core add-ons, but you can also spend money on wireless headsets, charging docks, and messaging keypads. We should note that, unlike the Wii and PS3, there is no wireless networking available out the box on the 360. You'll need to purchase a wireless network adapter for that functionality.
Note that the Xbox 360 has a notorious (and deserved) reputation for bad reliability, thanks to the "red ring of death" problem that afflicted far too many early models. However, the current iterations of the 360 now sold on store shelves use updated components that have largely made this problem a thing of the past.
While the $200 Xbox 360 Arcade may appeal to value-minded buyers, we strongly recommend prospective 360 owners spend the extra money for the Elite; the hard drive is really a necessity to enjoy the 360 to its fullest extent.
The Xbox 360 is best for: Those who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hardcore and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system; Netflix fans.
The Xbox 360 is not the best choice for: Those who want the PS3's added value of built-in Blu-ray and Wi-Fi.
Key Xbox 360 exclusives: The Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable, and Left4Dead series.
Gears of War 2 is possibly the best-looking game on the Xbox 360.
PlayStation 3 ($300)
There's no doubt about it, the PlayStation 3 did not get off to a great start when it was released in November of 2006. Fast forward almost three years and the console has definitely righted the ship. Now available in just one $300 model (though rumors of a 250GB PS3 abound), the PlayStation 3 Slim offers a solid library of games (including the Uncharted and Resistance series), access to the PlayStation Store, and one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. (It also plays DVD movies and CDs, of course.)
While it may be totally free, the PlayStation Network doesn't necessarily provide you with the best online gaming experience around, but if you don't consider such a thing important, its offering is more than sufficient.
Like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Store is host to tons of movies, TV shows, demos, and downloadable games. PlayStation 3 also offers Home, a "Second Life" sort of experience where you can set up shop in a virtual world. While Sony had been hyping the feature for years, PlayStation Home is now generally regarded as a dud.
Just like the Xbox 360, there are plenty of ways to get digital media streamed over the console via a home network or a third-party product like PlayOn. You can also hook up a device via USB and play media that way as well. In early November 2009, the PlayStation 3 introduced a Netflix streaming solution that requires a BD-Live Blu-ray disc that can be obtained for free from Netflix.
While the Xbox 360 and Wii have various accessories available, you probably will need to purchase only a few with the PS3. Aside from additional controllers, there is not much you'll need. (The biggest annoyance: you'll need an infrared-to-Bluetooth adapter if you choose to use the PS3 with a universal remote.) The console uses Bluetooth technology so you can use almost any headset for chatting purposes. Also, the PS3 allows for user-replaceable hard drives, so you have the option of upgrading yourself.
Sony has marketed the PS3 as an exceptional deal due to its built-in Blu-ray player. While getting a "free" Blu-ray player is one of the console's major selling points, its benefits to the gaming experience remain mixed. It offers game developers much more space to work with than a DVD, but that hasn't translated into a quantum leap in graphics quality--the PS3's graphics are essentially on par with that of the 360. Also, the Blu-ray drive's fixed speed is problematic: it requires many PS3 games to do a preliminary hard drive installation when playing a game for the first time.
The PS3 is best for: Hardcore and casual gamers who aren't concerned with the ultimate online experience, early adopters, do-it-yourselfers, and videophiles who need the latest and greatest in Blu-ray.
The PS3 is not the best choice for: Those who don't care about HD graphics or video.
Key PS3 exclusives: The Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Resistance, and Killzone series; LittleBigPlanet.
Uncharted has quickly become the PS3's staple franchise.
On Sale Now: $199.00 - $249.89
View the latest prices for Nintendo Wii
On Sale Now: $379.95 - $440.43
View the latest prices for Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite
On Sale Now: $299.99
View the latest prices for Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (120GB)
Before covering games and gear for CNET Reviews, Jeff Bakalar dabbled in film and video production. An avid writer, reader, and gamer, Jeff is also an obsessive New Jersey Devils hockey fan. Catch him live every day as the co-host of CNET's infamous podcast, The 404. 
$250 w/Microsoft rebate.
$200 w/o any rebate.
you are very Very lucky my friend
Okay there was a issue with the old 360s, but if your new 360 over heats you are doing something wrong.
Only a thousand? Thats not bad at all compared to what xbox360 petition went through. Dude if you dont want to use the system sell it to someone who knows how to fix it. Sony had a better warranty than MS right off the bat. Dude you need to do some research before mouthing off. Not every system is flawless whether it be xbox360 ps3 or wii, some fail, get over it.
Fable II
Forza Motorsport 2
Gears of War
Gears of War 2
Halo 2
Halo 3
Halo Wars
Lost Odyssey
Ninja Blade
Ninja Gaiden 2
Project Gotham Racing 4
Scene It? Box Office Smash
Viva Pinata
Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise
You?re In The Movies
obviously you never have played ps3 online. Xbox Live and PSN don't have anything to do with the lag. The only reason psn would be better for just online gaming is because it has dedicated servers. Otherwise, most games use a p2p network.
do you see 360 games with 256 player online, lagless?
1) If you claim that the online gameplay experience is the same across all three consoles -- then there is no way you have actually used xbox live -- it simply blows the competition away. All the party management features for communicating with your team / friends / party and the way they work consistently across different games, and the flexibility of that functionality is simply not present on the PS3 or Wii
2) Wii's online stuff might be free -- but have you ever added someone to your friends list on a Wii? Good luck trying to charge for that experience!
You're right about RRoDs being a big downer on the 360. You're right about BluRay being a positive for PS3. However -- the warranty really does go a long way in compensating for RRoD hassles. That coupled with the superior experience makes it totally worth it. I might sell my other consoles when I'm done with them, but you'll have to pry my 360 out of my cold, dead hands. Netflix on the 360 goes a long way in compensating for the lack of BluRay btw. The convenience of the feature and quality of the service is very compelling. And I can't wait for the next dashboard update -- there's always something new and awesome with each successive release.
I have yet heard a reason why live is so superior to PSN. All you say is because of party communication. I've had both and there is absolutely no difference in experience but one has private chat and a colorful menu, hardly something I would justify paying for. I always hear the same thing over and over but never the damn answer to that question. CoD has lag issues and drops on both systems. Now play Killzone or warhawk on PS3 with wifi and tell me if it lags. I'm sorry but I had both and I much prefer my PSN over live any day; just my personal choice.
2. I have gold live and PS3 free network. Gaming online is gaming online. There is no freaking difference, get it across your heads.
3. Majority of Xbox 360 is P2P, exception might be Halo since it's huge. You blame it on the 3rd party servers for lag etc. PS3, Sony Dedicated servers. You blame Sony for lag. Hence, more complaints against Sony because it's their friggin servers, doesn't mean that it sucks. If Xbox had majority of dedicated servers, you'd have complaints against Microsoft instead of the 3rd party servers.
When you call it just "party chat" you're belittling a very powerful feature. You would expecially appreciate the difference (and the flexibitily) of xbox live parties if you were to have a gang of friends who are also gamers. You can have a conversation between a group of people who are playing different games. You can have a conversation between people playing the same game. You can create a party, and then invite them as you move between games. You can switch chat modes so you can only hear people on your team in a game, or you can hear everyone in the game. PS3 doesn't have all these options. It has some of them -- but nowhere close to the same flexibility and UI.
Oh -- and about lag -- it just depends on how the game developer has implemented their multiplayer. For example -- the quality of their networking code, is the host someone in the party or is there a central game server that manages it. If you're using lag as a comparison, you have no leg to stand on. CoD4 games can sometimes be laggy as hell (any platform) -- and sometimes they can be completely lag-free (any platform). Halo rarely ever has lag (it uses centralized game servers). So you see - it's not a differentiator between the two services.
I have yet to have issues with online play with PSN. Which isn't saying much because the only game I have played online is Killzone 2, but on the flip side that is one of the more popular online games.
Frankly I have had a better experience with PSN then XBox Live. I just don't get paying a premium for Live. There may every once in a while be a difference, but you would be hard pressed to convince me. I don't have a problem paying for Live, but anyone that tries to tell me that Live is better is going to get a very strange look from me.
You can't convince me that for the money MS puts that much more effort into Live, because they don't.
The person that first said the 360 had a bad interface me me think they were crazy, but I guess once I think about it he has a point, but it's doubtful even with the bad interface it is a deal breaker for anyone unless they have already made a choice long before.
If you like Halo 3 buy a 360. If you have less money to spend buy a 360. If you care about playing online with your friends buy a 360. If you don't care who you play with get a PS3. If you want the same or better graphics (don't give me the story because every once in a while graphics DO matter) get a PS3. Frankly I owned both - But I couldn't justify owning a console for one game. I'll miss out on Crackdown 2, but it is a small price to pay when I can play 99% of the games I want on either system. The other 1% of the time the saved money from not buying the game is not a bad thing.
Wii for family games, Nintendo-only games, exercise games, retro downloadable games.
PS3 for Blu-Ray movies, some first party games.
Xbox 360 for most everything else (easily connects to Windows, Netflix, Natal is coming)
A person with no life? Are you kidding me lol. Having all 3 doesn't mean you play all of them. It just means you have a larger selection to choose from. I'm a good example of someone who has a life and doesn't game constantly. I'm sure there are a ton of others. I only get a game if it catches my interest (mainly story plot) and beat it, then sell on ebay. Normally there's a huge time frame from when those games come out so those consoles or PC aren't touched.
You're right on. Having all 3 has nothing to do with whether or not you "have a life." I have all 3, and on average I probably spend the same amount of time gaming as anyone who has one console. I just spread my time between 3 instead of spending 100% on a single console.
According to Jefferson's logic, a guy with one console who lives in his parent's basement and spends 80 hours a week playing Halo is fine. But even though I have a job, mortgage, wife, etc., since I have all 3 consoles that means I don't have a life!
As for the cost, if you can afford it, it's the way to go. Nobody is saying you have to skip out on rent to get them.
Don't miss your mortgage payments because you bought all 4.
hahahaha.....what have you been smoking Jeff. The only reason we haven't seen that leap is because developers are too cheap and rather port crap that they make on the 360 first and then move it over to the PS3. GAMES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE PS3 completely blow anything out of the water that xbox has to offer
On those years that the console came out, the drivers for ATI sucked up the wazoo. NVIDIA was the dominant one. Even now, ATI's driver sucks for the video card they use on the Xbox 360, although I am aware that Microsoft had to step in to tweak it a bit. Stil however, I have read that even with the tweaks ATI didn't do a great job on the video card. Actually I still think that's one of the reasons on the RROD but reality, probably not.
Regardless, 256 MB VIdeo card is a piece of junk.
Article was good, but disagree with some "pros" of the 360. First off you have to PAY for the so called great online experience. I guess if you are willing to pay for something that you can get for free"
You have to pay for great delicous freshly made food.
Food from the garbage can is free.
An good analogy would be:
if mozilla charged you for firefox, would you pay for it?
why pay for it when you have chrome, IE, Safari, opera, etc
ANYTHING electronic that goes through the internet can be subject to hacking. The PS3 and Xbox 360 is no exception.
because developers are too cheap"
Yeah, how dare developers get so cheap. Just because it takes more than double to develop and code for the PS3 and get inferior results for a machine that's the minority on home console, and programmers are EXPENSIVE TO EMPLOY specially on the verge of a depression, doesn't mean developers should be cheap.
Developers should just make games for the PS3 even if they go broke. How dare they go in the business TO MAKE MONEY.
It requires sacrifice to make a great product, regardless PS3 or Xbox or any other future console. The problem is, PS3 is ahead of its time and nobody has the funds now for R&D. It's the same issue with PCs. I own an i7 975 exterme core and my old computer Pentium D (who remembers that lol) and all the games run on both. I can notice smooth and better antialiasing shadowing etc. but hell, all the games out both computers can handle well.
Of course that does mean that we have to wait longer for those franchises to get those games developed but when they finally release those games it is worth it.
Taken your meds? Killzone by far looks better than Gears and guess what more inportantly had better story, play, and online. You fail, you fail big.
When Killzone 2 screenshoots first came out you all said it couldn't possibly be gameplay bc it looked SO good... Now that it's out and it turned out to be real time gameplay you are like meh GoW looks better even though it's pretty impossible according to the specs. And for the record you can upscale Killzone 2 to 1080
www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/how...killzone-2/310126
Have fun with you're new 1080 Killzone 2 pepsicola1216
Gears of War: 9.4/10 average
Gears of War 2: 9.3/10 average
Killzone 2: 9.0/10 average
Seems to say that the critics slightly prefer both GoW games over KZ2 to me...
PC games blows away anything consoles have to offer.
Crysis is over 2 years old and consoles have nothing even close to it.
Oh, not even the PS3 can run Crysis. ;-)
BTW my DELL XPS H2C PC has one :)
For gaming they are pretty much the same in my world. Wii is different when it comes to gavming, and doesn't get used much.
Same! Using ATI's until nvidia comes out, I'm not a fan of ATI but it came out first. Will probably sell the ATI one if anyone is interested or just ebaying it.
- by ArsFragica October 1, 2009 5:17 PM PDT
- absolute BS article. u r a serious 360 fanboy.
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- by bigjon94 October 1, 2009 5:35 PM PDT
- RROD is FIZED. New parts and it doesnt happen anymore. NOt in 3 DAYS.
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- by SalisburySteak October 1, 2009 6:06 PM PDT
- good game that comes out this year. ODST, FORZA
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- by SalisburySteak October 1, 2009 6:08 PM PDT
- I"M sorry. how much is it for a blu-ray disc? In the long run, how many times will that movie be watched?
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- by atomD21 October 1, 2009 6:42 PM PDT
- Let's see, $9/month for netflix with unlimited streaming vs $20-$30 a pop for a Blu-Ray... last I heard, hulu is blocked on the PS3 browser. It's always hilarious to me when a blatant fanboy calls others fanboys...Hey pot, this is Kettle...you're black!
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- by pepsicola1216 October 1, 2009 7:22 PM PDT
- "r u serious? can u name me ANY good games that were released for the 360 this year?
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- by solicitehere October 1, 2009 8:04 PM PDT
- pepsi guy, hey, you, get out of your box. There is something else out there called "preferences". BFBC mini game occupied my entire summer, or at least the few minutes I got to play. I didn't buy a single game for the ps3 this summer as they were all too massive to get into for the short run. Megalomaniac.
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- by Absolution2009 October 2, 2009 8:39 AM PDT
- @bigjon94
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- by Ray180 October 2, 2009 9:24 AM PDT
- you forgot to put Mass Effect and Left 4 Dead on the list of sweet 360 exclusives :)
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- by Shinobi2099 October 2, 2009 11:46 AM PDT
- mass effect was lame but left 4 dead was pretty good. And I watch movies for free through my PS3 browser or I port them throuh my network lol and halo is only popular bc anyone can play it bc it's at such a n00b level lol
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- by kalel33 October 4, 2009 8:56 AM PDT
- @ Absolution2009
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Showing 1 of 9 pages (403 Comments)"Beyond all of its impressive media capabilities, the Xbox 360 is also an excellent game machine. Most triple-A titles are available on the 360, save for a few PlayStation 3-only games, and the games generally look as good as or better than their PS3 counterparts. The console also has its fair share of exclusives, including the Gears of War, Halo, Forza, and Fable series."
r u serious? can u name me ANY good games that were released for the 360 this year?
the ps3 has killzone 2, uncharted 2, god of war 3, + bunch of good exclusives while the 360 continues to rip customers off with rehashed halo content
netflix capabilities? lol ps3 had blu-ray who needs netflix with all those subs. fees, plus i could just use the ps3's internet browser and watch free shows + movies on hulu, youtube, freemovies.net
ps3 also has home, u failed to mention that.
but go ahead, u dam* xbot, go play ur piece of sh*t console and let it RRoD in 3 days.
Ps3 Home is the dumbest idea Sony has other than its "vibrator" motion control thing. What can you do with home? wait for people to be done with bowling so you can have a turn? thats kinda dumb especially cause people play videogames to not wait like in real life.
the ps3 has killzone 2, uncharted 2, god of war 3" - ArsFragica
I love how all the Sony fanboys make this argument. They all say that the 360 only has like 5 exclusives and brag about all the PS3 exclusives yet they always list the same games. KZ2, Uncharted, God of War 3(by the way God of War hasn't come out) and Gran Turismo. By the way do any of those games sell nearly as well as Halo? So you guys can keep listing those same great exclusives that are better than the 360 ones but 360 exclusives outsell PS3 ones and thats all that matters. Now all you sony fanboys can go cry, especially Roachbrain if he reads this.
My jasper elite broke after 4 weeks with E74. It still has problems but I did hear it was better.
both of which have sequels coming out soon
Don't make up things about owning a Jasper system. I read your previous posts and you never owned one, but nice try.