Which Gaming System is Right for You?

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Wii? Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons for each system.

Congratulations: After months of painstaking research, you finally sprang for the perfect HDTV, surround sound receiver and enough high-end speakers to deafen Motley Crue. There’s just one core home theater component left to add – a next-generation videogame console, most of which can also satisfy that HD DVD or Blu-ray jones. But with so much ado over online distribution and graphic violence recently, which should you cop? Relax… The following guide will soon have you playing with power:

PLAYSTATION 3
Best For: Gadget freaks looking to wow the neighbors, or those investing for the long-term.

Available Models:

40GB: Includes 2 USB ports, no memory card slots, Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray. Price: $399.99

80GB: Includes 4 USB ports, Memory Stick/Compact Flash/SD/MMC card reader, MotorStorm game. Price: $499.99

Details: Enjoy interactive outings at stunning 1080p widescreen resolution in Dolby Digital 5.1, with full CD/DVD playback, HDMI output and a built-in Blu-ray drive making it one of best values cost-wise for A/V enthusiasts. Most units are also backwards compatible with a decent, and constantly growing, selection of PSOne/PlayStation 2 titles (40GB models lack PS2 functionality, though), so you needn’t toss your old collection either. As for added features, think limited motion-sensing capabilities – tilt the SIXAXIS controller to guide futuristic fliers in Warhawk or balance while tiptoeing across logs in Uncharted. And, of course, full wireless Internet support via the PlayStation Network for online showdowns, sampling demos or purchasing original games like PAIN and classics such as Medievil. Some downloadable titles, e.g. Tekken 2, are even transferable onto, and playable on, your PSP. Pictures and songs may also be stored on systems, or streamed alongside video to them from a PC.

-Amazing HD audiovisuals
-Affordable way to get Blu-ray
-Compatible with PSOne/PS2 titles
-PSP interoperability

-High price
-Size and weight
-Limited game selection
-Still lacks killer apps

XBOX 360
Best For: Online addicts, hardcore players and those who value freedom of choice.

Available Models:

Arcade Pack: Includes Xbox 360 console, wireless controller, 256MB memory unit, standard A/V cable and 5-in-1 games (Luxor 2, Uno, etc.) pack-in. Price:$279.99

Xbox 360: Includes Xbox 360 console, 20GB HD, wireless controller, headset, network cable, standard/HD A/V cable, Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Price: $349.99

Xbox 360 Elite: Includes Xbox 360 Elite black-colored console, 120GB HD, black wireless controller, black headset, network cable, HDMI cable, Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Price: $449.99

Details: A balanced system offering a great mix of casual-oriented titles, i.e. Guitar Hero III; geek-friendly epics like Mass Effect; and jaw-dropping showpiece outings such as BioShock and Halo 3. Boasts integrated progressive-scan DVD playback, and offers an optional HD DVD movie player add-on ($179.99) for those interested in sizzling 7.1 audio and superior visual on-screen performance. However, games themselves pack the most punch, with all supporting 720p/1080i, 16:9 widescreen and 5.1 surround sound capabilities minimum. (The graphics on certain selections, e.g. NBA Street Homecourt, will even go up to 1080p.) Backwards compatibility with 300+ outings for the original Xbox (Xbox 360 and Elite models only) isn’t too shabby either, as is units’ ability to double as a media extender. Stream music, snapshots and video over from your home network, or sample and purchase HD movies, TV shows and demo versions of games on-demand – WiFi Internet connectivity’s a house specialty here.

-Most expansive online features
-Broadest choice of software
-Doubles as digital entertainment hub
-Support for parental controls

-High system failure rates
-Last-gen default disc format
-Must pay for multiplayer access
-Any upgrades will cost you

WII
Best For: Kids and families, or longtime gaming fans tired of the same old grind.

Available Models:

Base Unit: Includes Console, remote, Nunchuk attachment, 2 AA batteries, A/C adaptor, stand, sensor bar, composite video cable, Wii Sports pack-in.
Price: $249.99

Details: No fancy high-def A/V capabilities here – graphics top out at 480p, and the unit’s only compatible with game discs, not DVD films (though it will play any older GameCube titles you’ve got lying around). But what you do get is full 360 degree motion-sensing features courtesy of a gesture-tracking remote, which translates physical movement into on-screen activity, making pastimes like fishing, golfing and sword-fighting more natural. Svelte and fashionable, the white unit – about the size of two hardback books – is also WiFi-enabled. Owners can surf the Web, compete online, connect with the DS handheld or download classic NES, SNES, Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 titles ($5 and up) for play via software emulator. (Leave the system on overnight and it’ll even retrieve bonus content while you sleep.) However, it’s supported titles that will excite most: Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Play are sure to bring out the wide-eyed kid in us all.

-Fun for all ages
-Motion-sensing controls
-Must-see exclusives
-Cheapest system on the market

-Standard-definition audiovisuals
-Aging tech specs
-Not for the hardcore
-Difficult to find in-stock