This is a question that many people want to know the answer to. Graphics, audio, games, LIVE and more, judge which is best. However, the truth is, that there is no one console better than the other. Different people have different needs and thus determines what console is right for them.
The Nintendo Wii. This isn't really a game console, it's more of a licence to make money. Just to put in perspective how well Wii is doing add all the sales for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 together and double it. That is how many Wii's Nintendo sells a year. It also has next to no chance of getting a hardware failure.
A lot of people bag the Wii, which is a terrible shame. It is extremely innovative allowing for games to be played like no other console. Sports, racing, sword fighting, shooting must be done by moving the aptly named "Wii-mote" and Nunchuk. On the Wii you will find games that anyone from ages 5 to 85+ can play. Nursing homes now buy Wii's to have bowling tournaments and such. Our elders can get right into it.
We know it appeals to everyone, and it's price tag contributes to this as it is cheap. At around $350-$450, depending on what games are packaged with it. Because of this price, the technical aspects of a Wii are nowhere near as good as other consoles. Wii is not High Definition (HD), and if you have a big screen TV it will not look as good as on a smaller TV, some games are not even wide screen. There is very little memory on the Wii and what there is, is measured in "Blocks". For anyone who downloads a lot of games, this will quickly be filled up.
Like other consoles, the Wii has online capability. Unfortunately no headset means you are not able to speak when playing games. Not all games work well though, Super Smash Bros. Brawl experiences a great deal of slowdown. Mario Kart on the other hand, runs at a smooth 60 frames per second online. Apart from playing various games online, you can also surf the Internet, buy classic Nintendo games and new exclusive ones via the consoles built in wireless adapter.
When it comes to games, Nintendo have made sure there is something for everyone. It has a lot of casual games but unfortunately it really lacks games for teenagers/young adults. I own a Wii, and do play some games but it lacks shooters and M rated games. If the family comes over for a birthday or Christmas, some heated games of Wii Sports can be played and enjoyed by all.
Really, the Wii has a little bit of everything. Online, good games, decent graphics and is pretty balanced overall. Sure, teenage games are lacking but several new releases give us hope. Madworld, Dead Space: Extraction and Dead Rising: Chop till you drop are all fantastic games that are being released this year. If you are considering a Wii, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I game regularly?
Is online capability important when it comes to friends etc?
Do I mind having casual games?
Am I a fan of Nintendo?
If you don't game regularly, then you would be a fairly casual gamer, and if that is the case, Wii is perfect for you. Easy to pick up and play, you can't go wrong with a Wii.
Microsoft's Xbox 360. This console is exceptionally good, with a price tag as good as the Wii and is more your choice if you game regularly and like shooters, racing games, M rated games etc.
People always say "Don't buy an Xbox they break and overheat" while this may be true you can avoid it. Keeping your 360 in a well ventilated place and not paying more than four-five hours at a time will decrease the chance of it breaking. Nothing too innovative about the 360 though, just a standard controller. They are wireless and while they don't come with rechargeable batteries, those can be bought for approximately $30.
One of the primary reasons people buy a 360 is because of Xbox LIVE. Since it's launch 10 billion hours have been played on Xbox LIVE. It offers you a better dashboard the first time you boot up, enabling avatars, installing games to the Hard Drive (HDD) and just better functionality overall. Through this dashboard you can access the games marketplace and get the latest demo's, arcade games and game add-ons downloaded straight to your console. This costs Microsoft Points which can be bought in stores or online by using a credit card.
Unlike the Wii, where there isn't really a LIVE interface, with Xbox you create a gamertag and avatar and you are away. You can add friends, message them from the PC and keep track of your reputation and gamerscore using your gamercard. Gamerscore is just a number that shows achievements which are in game pop ups indicating something has been achieved. Reputation just shows how many stars you have, the more stars the better your reputation and doesn't count for anything. To boost your reputation, play online and have people prefer you, if you are constantly swearing for example, your reputation will go down.
All the perks of Xbox LIVE are not free though. A GOLD account will set you back $10 for a month, $30 for three months, and $80 for one year plus the $120-$150 wireless adapter if you can't connect to the Internet via a cable. The payment is only if you want to play games online though, if you just want updates and game downloads, then SILVER service (that is free), which is what it defaults to, is what you will get.
Aside from the marketplace and playing online, you can hook up your computer to share media files with the 360 which means you can use your own pictures for backgrounds, watch videos and play music through the Xbox. Your own music can be played during games and controlled through the mini-dashboard.
When it comes to the technical aspects the Xbox has HD graphics up to 1080p. Games look fantastic as they are wide screen and if played on a HD TV they will look even better. Depending on which pack you buy, the Arcade, Pro or Elite you will get different storage options, 256mb memory card, 60GB HDD and 120GB HDD respectively. A hard drive will be needed for online use. An Elite also offers a black paint job and a set of HDMI cables for better resolution.
Games for the 360 cannot be enjoyed by everyone, although they are starting to release games for younger kids and family games on LIVE such as, Scene it! Box Office Smash and Uno Rush! Most games for the 360 are M or M15 due to their violent nature. You certainly won't see too many seniors playing any games. The 360's range of games appeals to more of a teen/young adult audience.
The 360 is certainly one for people who like to game as a hobby and for something to do. You should buy one if it is more for you and not family oriented games. If you play regularly and are interested in online features, it is well worth getting.
Sony's Playstation 3. A powerhouse of a machine with eight processors as opposed to the 360's three. These extra processors allow it to produce better graphics than a 360 and much better than the Wii.
While 360's are renowned for over heating, a PS3 can overheat as well. You just don't hear about it because not enough people have them. Some people I know are on their 7th PS3. As I said before, don't play to long and keep it in a ventilated area and it should be fine.
The PS3, just like every other console has online capability with a twist. It is completely free, like the Wii but with the set up of a 360. The wireless adapter is included in the console and there isn't a monthly fee.
Don't get to excited, while the PSN (Playstation Network) is free the cost of the console is anywhere between $600-$700. It comes with an 80GB HDD which is 20GB more than the 360 Pro. It also comes with a Blu-Ray DVD player for glorious HD movies. It has Bluetooth, and 7.1 surround sound making the console amazing when playing a game or movie.
A PS3's hardware might be fantastic, but it's games fall short. Still the same type of games you will find on the 360, with some more children's games, it just isn't as good as some of the high quality games on the 360. They are not terrible, but not great either. A few standouts are Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet and Ratchet and Clank.
Overall, the PS3 is a lot like the 360. The only difference is that people buy the 360 because of it's games and online features.The PS3 is more a console to watch movies, as well as play games. It is not really worth buying unless you have surround sound, HD TV and Blu-ray movies. You would also want to play games regularly for what you are paying.
There it is. Every person will have a console that they think is the best because it suits their needs. Decide which one is more for you, and buy it. You won't be disappointed.