Which gaming console should I get?

Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:11PM EST

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The holiday season usually equates to one thing: Tons and tons of video games. With Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all in the mix, it can be hard to choose a console for yourself or a loved one. Here's a rundown of all your options:

Xbox 360: Microsoft's offering best suits those that put games first, everything else second. The Xbox 360 boast a huge collection of exclusive titles, like Halo 3 and Halo Wars, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie, Velvet Assassin, Forza Motorsports 2, Blue Dragon, Geometry Wars (my favorite), Fable, and tons more. Xbox Live is still the most impressive online environment, and the New Xbox Experience will bring a plethora of new features and downloadable content. (Don't forget, Netflix HD streaming will be a big plus for subscribers.) As of now, there are three different Xbox 360 bundles to go with—Arcade, Pro, and Elite. My personal recommendation? Even though the Arcade does have an attractive low price, your experience will be hampered without a hard drive. Go with the Pro, as it offers a 60 GB hard drive and two pack-in titles at a very reasonable $299.

Playstation 3: The PS3 is a very strong gaming platform, but where it really shines is its multimedia capabilities. Don't get me wrong—there are quite a few Playstation 3 exclusives, like Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo, Heavenly Sword, SOCOM, and God of War III, but this one is definitely for the multimedia aficionados. Blu-ray playback (the best Blu-ray player in the market, in my opinion), playback of MKV high-definition files (with some converting trickery), DiVX/XvID compatibility, and HDMI 1.3 ports. Additionally, the PS3 also has a pretty robust Internet browser, which makes watching YouTube videos on your big screen a pretty easy task, and its flexible USB ports allow you to connect your own keyboard, mice, and other devices. Also, don't forget, there's no yearly subscription to Playstation Network, as opposed to the $50 a year that Xbox Live charges. Right now, there's only one Playstation 3 bundle—80 GB priced at $399, but a 160 GB model will be appearing sometime this month at $499. Pricey, yes, but versatile and powerful to boot. My recommendation, go with the 80 GB.

Nintendo Wii: Although many believe that this console is for the casual gamer, I find it more suited to the person who always has a few people over. With a ton of awesome multiplayer options like Wii Sports, Mario Kart, Super Monkey Ball, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Mario Party, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (my pick), Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and tons more, it's easy to get you and your friends involved in the game. Also, the Wii has a pretty robust Internet browser and a growing Virtual Console library, which is a nice touch. However, if online gaming is your thing, you will probably be disappointed with Nintendo's online service. If you're looking for a Nintendo Wii this year, online retailers like Amazon and Gamestop do have them in stock right now. Make sure you buy early, or you may be out of luck once we get closer to the holidays.

Now, if I absolutely had to choose one this year, I would have to go with the Xbox 360 by the narrowest of margins. Tons of games, great online experience, tons of multimedia downloadable content, and a reasonable entry price is a winning formula for me. Now, if the Playstation 3 drops its price (which might happen), then I would have to reconsider.

Agree or disagree? Have any other additional comments? Feel free to let me know what you think below.

Related links: 

Seven tricks for your Nintendo Wii

New Xbox 360 bundles revealed for the holidays

Sony announces PSP-3000, 160 GB PS3, wireless keyboard

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Comments on Which gaming console should I get?

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  • 26 Posted by ask1ne on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Which console has Zelda?? Yeah, thats what I thought

  • 27 Posted by workenstiffer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have all three consoles ps3 80 gig XBOX 60 gig and Wii. The only problem is getting my kids friends to leave at dinner time.

  • 28 Posted by knnthjefferson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    IM WITH YOU ON THAT flightace23 IM SORRY BUT I LOOK AT XBOX 360 LIKE DEAM CAST IT WAS GOOD BUT WHAT HAPP TO IT I LOST TO MUSH MONEY ON IT THE WII IS KILLING US IN S

  • 29 Posted by wordymom on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like how this article points out that all 3 have their strong points, but I did want to point out that Geometry Wars isn't exclusive to Xbox; I play it on our Wii. A PS3 may be heading our way soon for LittleBigPlanet and because my husband wants to watch Iron Man in high def on the big ol' teevee.

  • 31 Posted by isabelle.frater on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would go with the Wii. Why? I'm not a huge gamer, I'm satisfied with playing mostly Sims and some time management games. I also love to read, so I'm not the kind to sit in front of a game for days. However, Wii offers movement, which I need. I tried it out in a store and playing baseball for 20 minutes got me sweating already. So for those who would like a good workout and have fun in their home, I think the Wii is the best choice. I haven't bought one yet, but I will for the sake of loosing the extra kilos I have. Oh, and I will have to get the Fit addition.

  • 32 Posted by bigrigross on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    All consoles are bad, if you want a true gaming experiance, get a gaming pc. But if i had to choose the consoles here are my picks and why. First would have to be the PS3. There are no problems with the console. In the near future DVDs will burn out like VHS did. Youll need a blue ray player. Two would be Wii because there are no flaws in the system and there games are very addicting. Third would be the XBOX 360. There are alot of bugs with this system. It has a poor system design(Believe me I know, i have opened many of these systems to fix them for my friends, Microsoft seems to fail at everything they do.) There is a 30 percent chance that an xbox will expeiriance a red ring break down. DO NOT GET AN XBOX 360, its a waste of money.

  • 33 Posted by pogibaldy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with the overall conclusion. I own a PS3, xbox 360, and Wii, and love all three unique systems. As of right now the most value for your hard earned dollar is the 360. HD entertainment and awesome online functionality, Hard drive and games included for under $300 dollars. That is a great deal.

  • 35 Posted by xerniex12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Any version of the XBOX 360 with an extended warranty might be sufficient but prepare for the long repair times. If you've got the bucks buy 2 of them. That's why I don't buy American made cars. I believe in reliability. Honda rules! :)

  • 37 Posted by dupontt24 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have a question for anyone who can help... X-Box 360 Arcade does not have a hard drive, what is the pupose of the hard drive in the other models and why would not having it hamper my experiance with the 360 Arcade? Can you save game content with out the hard drive, does it need memory cards?

  • 38 Posted by p30online on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thumbs up man , this was a pretty fair article. personally i am very happy with Xbox 360 as my gaming console ,

  • 39 Posted by nessdamayor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    one thing thats def. worth taking into consideration is the ps3 new controllers. ps3 is gonna try and out do the wii with the new wireless controllers...sure there not out yet but talking about long term investments ps3 is lookin good

  • 40 Posted by knnthjefferson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    IM SORRY SEE WHY YOU GET IT IF YOU DONOT NO IT YOU JUST LOST MONEY COME ON dupontt24 MY LITTLE BOR JUST GOT ONE IN IT SKIP IN SUM TIME IT DONOT PLAY SEE WII OR PS3

  • 41 Posted by lucrobes on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    to whoever thinks wii's are amatureish is wrong. although i have to agree that they have some reallly bad games and to few good ones only good ones that i can think of is Mario Kart Wii, super smash bros. brawl, and mario galaxy. If the wii had a Halo caliber game it would be by far the best system.

  • 42 Posted by sephiroth_2k4 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I find it funny how this article doesnt talk about the substantial failure rate of Xbox 360s. What ultimately determines which console comes down to a person choosing what they like more, a single player game or a multiplayer game. Single Player = Buy a PS3 Multiplayer = Buy an Xbox 360 This is exactly what I tell all of my friends who ask me which console I should buy. My personal opinion is to lean towards the PS3 first mainly because the error/failure rate of the Xbox 360 is far too high to ignore unless its your second/third console purchase. I never recommend a Wii as the first console to buy, its geared towards a market of people who arent entirely familiar with what quality games are and it lacks a high caliber library close to PS3 or 360s.

  • 43 Posted by knnthjefferson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    COME ON WHO SILL PLAY HALO HERE WE GO CALL OF DUTY BABE AW YA YOU FOR GOT ZELDA

  • 44 Posted by samiajaved71 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    PS3 cause the Wii can't play games like GTA or Mid Night club and the Xbox keeps breaking down. So I would just stick with the toughest concel and fastest, which is the PS3

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