PS3 vs Wii vs Xbox 360

Okay.  I'm not sure that there's actually a site out there that breaks down the features of each console into something that an avid console user is interested in (honestly, nobody really cares all that much about tech specs--look at the success of the Wii).  So, here's a nifty summary.  For the record, I own a and a . My friend, Justin, has a .

 

Feature PS3 Wii Xbox 360
Price $399-599 $249 $279-449
Released Holiday 2006 Fall 2006 Holiday 2005
Can find in retail stores? Yes Rarely Yes
Target age groups Teens/adults Everyone Everyone (mostly teens/adults)
 Number of games available (according to Amazon)  169  246  394
 Backward compatibility  Limited or no backward compatibility, depending on version  Backward-compatible with most GameCube games, but GameCube controllers must be used; downloadable "classic" games available for purchase  Backward-compatible with most Xbox games; large selection of downloadable games from Xbox classic AND emulated consoles
 Downloadable content  Very limited  Games (purchase only) and applications (some free), including Opera browser (no longer free)  Hundreds of game downloads (demos), thousands of content downloads, including maps, characters, themes, gamer icons, movies, trailers, tv shows, and music
 Built-in storage  40GB-80GB HDD  512MB Flash  256MB memory card (Arcade), 20GB HDD (Premium), 120GB HDD (Elite, Halo 3)
 Storage expandability  SD cards  SD cards  Memory cards, and up to 120GB HDD
 Networking  40GB model is wired only; all other models have wireless and wired  Wireless (wired available with additional accessory)  Wired (wireless available with additional accessory)
 Media capabilities  uPnP media sharing (video, music, photos); music playback; photo slideshow  Using Opera browser, almost any website with Flash-based video (ie: YouTube) can be viewed; photo slideshow  uPnP media sharing (video, music, photos); music playback; photo slideshow; video playback; external mass storage devices supported; Extender
 Web browser  NetFront (somewhat limited)  Opera browser (available from Wii Shop; works just as well as its desktop PC and mobile device counterparts)  No
 High-definition output  HDMI 1.2 with full 1080p support  Component video available with additional cable (not included), but output is 480p  HDMI 1.2 with full 1080p support now available on all editions; component with 1080i support
 DVD playback  Yes  No (rumored to be part of a future update)  Yes
 High-definition media support   built-in  None   available with additional drive ($179)
 Controller type  Non-feedback wired or wireless (varies by model); feedback (vibrating) controller available as additional purchase  Wii Remote and Nunchuck: wireless with vibrating AND audio feedback  Wireless feedback controllers
 Wireless controller batteries  Internal, non-replaceable; charging cable allows wired gameplay while charging
 2 AA; rechargeable available third-party with a cradle  2 AA; rechargeable available as an accessory--includes cable to permit wired gameplay while charging (charges via USB, even when console is off or when connected to another USB hub)
 Online gameplay  PlayStation Network allows multi-player gameplay; free
 Not yet available  Xbox Live permits online gameplay, profile portability, and gameplay with PC users; free basic membership allows online gameplay only with massively multiplayer games, not-for-free membership ranges in cost depending on term (~$4/month for a 12-month subscription); Xbox Live is widely regarded as the best online gaming community, partly due to its longtime existence and huge base of players
 Console noise  Pretty quiet with a whisper-level fan when powered on  Silent  Somewhat noisy, though you get used to it
 Ease-of-use  Menus are somewhat lengthy and can be confusing  Very simple interface, very intuitive controller  Well laid out menus, sometimes not obvious on how to return to Dashboard (main menu), but once you realize what it is (press the big Xbox button), it's very obvious
 Compelling reasons to own  Can run Folding-at-Home at record-breaking speeds; least-expensive (and most future-proof) Blu-ray player on the market; can run Linux (should you ever want to); can use USB human input devices (HID)
 Awesome gameplay; suitable for all ages; many games that are not available on any other platform; it's a Nintendo product  Best online gameplay; largest catalog of downloadable content; downloadable demos/trials of most games; Media Center Extender functionality; incredibly cool music visualization; excellent backward compatibility; longest on market, so it's well-developed and has a huge game library; low-cost game development (using XNA) that allows games to be simultaneously written for Xbox 360 AND PC; integration with Windows Live Messenger; available "chat pad" for direct text input instead of on-screen keyboard (which isn't that difficult to use as it is)
 Reasons not to own  Too expensive; limited selection of games; eats up a lot of power; Blu-ray is only HD media option; included controllers do not provide feedback; poorly-developed online services; too many features differ between versions; poor (or no) backward compatibility; Final Fantasy series and other formerly Sony-exclusive titles are no longer exclusive to PlayStation
 Definitely not a "serious" console (in that it was never designed to compete on the level of the other consoles--it's a family-friendly and fun unit, not a hardcore gaming platform); difficult to find one; doesn't play DVDs; no HD media support; no uPnP support; no built-in wired networking support; no online gameplay; trying to "type" on the on-screen keyboard can be a real pain; web browser is no longer a free download  Noise can be annoying; gigantic power pack (bigger than a laptop's power adapter); some have overheating issues (each model improves upon this); HD-DVD drive is external; HD-DVD only HD media option and only via separate accessory; no built-in wireless; wireless adapter is external; no web browser capabilities
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