Summary:
An in-depth look at the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. This article goes into detail about the features of each console, the differences between them, and which console is best for different things. Written by a long-time owner of all three consoles, and intended to help those who are unsure make up their mind about which to purchase.

Details or Sample:
Buying a new video game console can result in hours of entertainment for you and your family--or it could result in disappointment due to a lack of knowledge. A variety of choices await anyone in the market for a game console, and it can be overwhelming. The information you need can be hard to find, and misinformation abounds. Where do you even begin?

You’re in luck! Whether you´re buying a console for yourself, your children, or a friend, all the up-to-date and unbiased information you need can be found in this handy Video Game Console Buyer´s Guide.

To start with, some questions you should ask yourself and keep in mind while reading:

- What kind of games are you interested in? First-person shooters like Halo, music games like Guitar Hero, action games like God of War, RPGs like Final Fantasy, puzzle games like Puzzle Quest, etc.?
- Do you own an HDTV or are you planning on purchasing one?
- What kind of budget are you working with?
- Are you interested more in playing games with others, or in single-player experiences?
- Do you own any older game systems?

Now, let´s take a look at each of the major game consoles currently available.

Sony PlayStation 3

For some time, the PlayStation 3 was the most expensive console available. Luckily, prices have dropped since then. Now, at $400 USD (depending on which model you buy), its pricing is more in line with the competition.

Of course, that’s still a lot of money for most people to spend on a game console. What are you going to get for all that? Let’s take a look.

The PS3 isn´t just a game console. It´s a full Blu-Ray, CD, and DVD player, complete with the ability to upscale DVDs into HD. Blu-Ray is currently the leading high-definition movie format, so if you have an HDTV and no HD movie player, the PS3 could be a good way to get your movie and gaming needs met in one place. Of course, Blu-ray movies won’t offer any increase in quality unless watched on an HDTV. So if you´re still watching a standard definition set, you´re not going to get much out of that particular feature.

Other features include a complete web browser and the ability to stream music, movies, and pictures from your PC over your home network. It can connect to the Internet both wired and wirelessly (unless you buy the 20GB model--more on that in a minute), so there´s no need to have wires strung across your living room. For the more tech-savvy, you can install any size hard drive, and even install the Linux operating system.

Online features include online multiplayer (which is free); downloading demos, movie trailers, and games; and the ability to participate in Stanford University´s Folding@Home project. Folding@Home connects to both PCs and PS3s around the world in one large global network, and utilizes their unused processing power to do research on protein folding. By starting the Folding@Home program when their PS3s aren´t being used, owners have the ability to do their own small part towards helping find cures for numerous diseases, including cancer.

All PlayStation 3 models can hook up to your TV through HDMI, component, or composite. Only composite cables are included in the box, so those of you wanting HD output are going to have to spend a little extra to get the appropriate cables.

The controller, while identical to the PS2 controller in most aspects, has what is referred to as Sixaxis motion sensing technology. The controller can sense when tilted in six different directions. How well this is incorporated varies from game to game. It can add a lot to the experience when done well, or be nothing more than a nuisance if done poorly. It´s also worth noting that the vibration feature is missing from the Sixaxis controller. A new DualShock 3 controller with vibration has been released, but won´t be included with new PS3s until June 12th, 2008.

The games available for the PS3 are, in many cases, the same as those available for the Xbox 360. Some of the high-ranking exclusives available or upcoming include:

Final Fantasy XIII - The latest game in Squaresoft´s popular RPG series.
Resistance: Fall of Man - A critically lauded next-gen first-person shooter.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - The newest game in the popular series of platformers.
Uncharted: Drake´s Fortune – An action-adventure game, praised for its storyline and cinematic presentation.
LittleBigPlanet - A unique platforming and world creation game.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - The upcoming new stealth action game in the Metal Gear Solid series.

Four different models of PS3 are available, differentiated between by hard drive size. Let´s take a look at the differences.

40 GB
This is the model you´re most likely to find currently available on store shelves. It´s also the cheapest, but a lot of features have been cut. There are no flash card readers, no SACD support, and probably the most important to the average Joe--absolutely no backwards compatibility for PS2 games. There are also only two USB ports, as opposed to four on the other models.

80 GB
You´ll pay more for this model-- $200 more. However, you do get a lot for that $200. It comes with the game Motorstorm, which is a good $60 value if bought alone. It also has all the features missing from the 40 GB model. Flash card readers, SACD support, and four USB ports? Check. Backwards compatibility? Check, but it´s done via software rather than hardware. What does that mean for you? Some of your games may not work. They´re constantly updating it to include compatibility for more games, however, and a database of games with known issues can be found on Sony´s website.

60 GB
This model isn´t being produced anymore, but can still be found online via websites like eBay, for $500-$600. If you´re big on being able to play older games, this is the best bet for you. Backwards compatibility is achieved via hardware rather than software, so all PS2 games are guaranteed to run. In all other ways, it is identical to the 80 GB model.

20 GB
This model is also no longer produced, but can be found online for $400-$500. Like the 40 GB model, it was stripped of features in order to lower the price. In this case, it lacks Flash card readers and the ability to connect to the Internet wirelessly. Its one plus is that like the 60 GB model, its backwards compatibility is achieved via hardware.

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