Are you in the market for video game console shopping? There are more options today than there ever were, so it can be difficult to determine which system to buy. There are so many considerations to think of when buying consoles, so it makes more sense to look at the systems individually and compare them. The big three systems are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation 3, and the Nintendo Wii.
The Xbox 360 is probably the most popular choice in the market. Its online community, Xbox Live, is considered the best available – but that also means it comes with a monthly price tag to access it. The 360 comes in three different varieties, each at a different price point: the entry level Arcade ($199), Xbox 360 Pro ($299), and Elite ($399). Each version has incrementally more hard disc space, and comes with different accessories.
The Playstation 3 is slightly more expensive, but is geared toward the gamer who wants an entertainment centre rather than just a gaming console. The biggest selling point for the PS3 is that it has a BluRay player built-in, whereas the 360 relies on HD-DVD technology (which is no longer supported by any major movie studios). The PS3 is technically capable of portraying better graphics and gaming experiences than the 360, but its free online community is not as robust as Microsoft’s. The 80GB models are $399, and the 160GB models are $519.
The Nintendo Wii is even more popular than the PS3 or the 360; it is very difficult to find a Wii in stores to this day. While the graphics and power of the Wii pale in comparison to the 360 or the PS3, the main draw to Nintendo’s console is that your movements control that of the characters on screen. Like the other consoles the Wii also uses wireless connectivity to access the Internet. The Wii is great for families, and comes in at a modest $279.
While the Xbox and the Wii are the cheaper alternatives in the video game console wars, the PS3 probably adds the greatest value by giving you a BluRay DVD player AND a gaming console, as well as a wireless media centre. There are advantages to all three, so it is just a matter of determining which console fits your situation the best.
