Next-gen gaming console shootout: Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3 vs. Nintendo Wii
John Falcone, April 6, 2009
The Xbox 360 finally has some competition: The PlayStation 3 is now available (in extremely limited quantities), as is the Nintendo Wii. We've tested them all, and the good news is they all have a lot to offer: wireless controllers, online gameplay, and varying degrees of media functionality. If you can choose only one, it'll be a tough choice indeed, but there are some basic rules of thumb. The Xbox 360 has already been on the market for a year--it has the most impressive list of games (with an emphasis on mature titles such as Gears of War and Saints Row), the well-developed Xbox Live online gaming service (which requires a yearly fee), and the new pay-per-view downloadable movies and TV shows--plus the HD-DVD add-on--make it a great companion for any HDTV owner. The PS3, while pricier, is even more impressive: built-in Blu-ray drive, Wi-Fi networking, HDMI output, and free online head-to-head gaming make it a must-have for those consumers who need to be on the bleeding edge. And last--but certainly not least--is the Nintendo Wii. It offers the most unique gameplay--courtesy of its motion-sensitive controller--and it's the most affordable of the lot. It's also the most family-friendly machine, though grown-ups will find plenty of diverting fare: the Wii will have its share of M-rated titles, not to mention a growing library of retro games from past consoles, including classic favorites from Nintendo and Sega. The bottom line: there's something for everyone on each of these consoles, so you're better off seeing which of the exclusive games most appeal to you, and picking up the corresponding machine. And remember: there's nothing wrong with getting two--or even all three.
- More Resources
- All Xbox 360 games,
- All PS3 games,
- All Nintendo GameCube games (Wii compatible),
- All PS2 games (PS3 compatible),
- Xbox 360 backwards compatible games,
- All Nintendo Wii games,
- PlayStation 3: everything you need to know,
- Nintendo Wii: everything you need to know,
- Gaming consoles: how we review
| Product name | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Pricing not available | $14.99 to $370.00 | $117.00 to $349.97 |
| CNET editors' rating | |||
| Average user rating | |||
| Review date | November 13, 2006 | November 19, 2007 | November 13, 2006 |
| The Bottom Line | The high-end Sony PlayStation 3's larger hard drive and ability to play PS2 games makes it a worthwhile alternative to the cheaper model--so long as you're willing to wait several months for the more promising exclusive titles to hit store shelves. If backward compatibility is your top priority, this hard-to-find model may be worth the search. | With its extensive digital media features, a superior online service, and an excellent game library, the Xbox 360 remains the game console to beat. | If you don't mind the dearth of HD graphics, the Nintendo Wii's combination of motion-sensitive controllers, included Wii Sports titles, and emphasis on fun gameplay make the ultra-affordable console hard to resist. |
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| Features | |||
| Media Type | Flash memory card Blu-ray | DVD | Flash memory card Nintendo Wii disc Nintendo GAMECUBE disc |
| Processor type | Cell | PowerPC | PowerPC |
| RAM installed size | 256 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Graphics Processor | NVIDIA RSX | ATI Xbox 360 | ATI Hollywood |
| Video RAM installed | 256 MB | 10 MB | Info unavailable |
| Max resolution (external) [Jul 2, 2008 from CDS: Video Output] | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | Info unavailable |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | Pricing not available | | |
