| 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; Media Center 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 |
Blu-ray built-in |
None |
HD-DVD 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 |