Wii, PS3, Xbox 360... Which One Should I Buy!?

Video gaming has become a popular past-time in today's society. Being a former and current gaming enthusiast, I know that we live in an exciting time where there are not one, but three major console gaming systems out on the market, all with their own unique appeals. In my mind, all these systems have their strong points that make them worth getting, however, for those of us strapped for cash, it may be out of the question in regards to getting all three. Here I'll outline some of the pros and cons I've discovered about these systems and the games out for them, and hopefully help you find which is just right for you.

Wii:

I'll start with the Wii console since it has been one of the most talked about, innovative, and, at times, hardest to buy system on the market. The Wii is the latest generation system of the Nintendo line which started way back with the NES, and continued through the SNES, Nintendo 64, and Gamecube. It costs around $200, making it the cheapest system on the market. What the Wii does right is provide a unique, innovative gaming experience. First off, it's control scheme is completely different from any other system on the market. No more of that controller that you only push buttons to interact with your game. The Wii remote effectively utilizes its motion sensing capabilities in nearly every game released for the system, and, contrary to some popular disbelief, this is amazingly fun. It feels like it's almost something you'd see in a sci-fi movie, as you're actively engaging the game by moving your body to play a game. On that note alone, if you're looking for something a little different from the click, punch, push schema that video games are known for, then this is definitely the system for you.

Let's get to the big point now, game variety. The Wii is admittedly a console meant for a younger generation. That doesn't mean that adults can't have fun with it, but, if you're a hardcore gamer, you will be disappointed with the Wii selection. Most of the Wii games are designed to be simple, clean, short, and fun. Games like Wii Fit, Wii Resort, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, Mario Party 8, etc., are games that are meant to be played to relax and cool down. That is to say that there is no real depth in them. Sure, there are good, hardcore games such as Legend of Zelda available for it, but, those are few and far between, and there is nothing significant in the pipeline to suggest that trend is going to change anytime soon. What the Wii selection does have, though, are good platformers and good party/multiplayer games, provided that the multiplayer aspect is down in-house, and not over a network.

As for the Wii's online capability, the Wii network rates a poor at best. You're not going to get the ease and flexibility of the PS3 or Xbox 360 networks here. It just doesn't have the variety, selection, or benefits that are seen with the 360 or PS3 because it's limited game selection and difficult utilization and interface for getting and connecting to the internet. So, if you're looking for a console that will be able to play online, you shouldn't be looking at the Wii.

Final Verdict:

If you're just a casual gamer not looking for anything deep or a 30+ hour epic, or a parent looking to get their kid a cool, clean gaming console, it's hard to pass up the Wii. It has great platformers out there, and a lot of really fun, simple games that will surely entertain, even though they might leave the more hardcore gamer feeling a little empty.

If this sounds like the system for you, click here!

Xbox 360:

To let out the elephant in the room, the Xbox 360 is currently America's top choice for hardcore gamers hands down. The Xbox 360 is Microsoft's second foray into the gaming world, preceded by the Xbox. It is the second most powerful system on the market in terms of graphical capabilities, just behind the PS3, and the system with the widest selection of games overall, the Xbox 360 is a tantalizing choice to pick. Right now, it's priced at around $249, also making it affordable. It's basic control scheme, though, doesn't offer the same innovations that the Wii does, but, it touts that its games don't need a gimmick to be good, and, they're right for the most part.

Clearly, the Xbox 360 appeals to the hardcore gamer group. With games like Gears of War (2), Halo, Grand Theft Auto, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, Assassins Creed, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Resident Evil 5, Call of Duty, Fallout 3 etc., we see that the Xbox 360 really has a diverse and solid variety. If you're into FPS (first-person shooters), this is the console for you because they have the absolute best on the market. If you're into action-adventure games, this is the console for you because they have the best selection on the new generation systems. If you're into great, epic RPG's, well, I'd recommend down-generation systems like the PS2 or PS1 right now because, while the Xbox 360 and PS3 do have some RPG's on the market, most of them just don't hold a candle to the older classics. Mass Effect and Lost Odyssey are notable exceptions, and Final Fantasy XIII is slated for a dual release for the Xbox 360 and the PS3, so the future does look hopeful for that category. On another note, the Xbox 360 is so successful that they've been slowly tearing exclusive titles, like Final Fantasy, away from the PS3, so you'll be getting the benefit of a cheaper system with the same games if you go for the Xbox 360.

That's not to mention that the Xbox 360's network is by far the best network available. Again, if you're into FPS's or action-adventure games, and you're looking for that added touch of online multiplayer, you're going to get it here in spades. Being one of the largest networks in terms of users, there is never a shortage of people to play with online in games like Call of Duty, Halo, etc., and, frankly, it's just downright easy to use. Not only that, the network offers movie and television episode downloads, movie rentals, classic arcade games, even expansions to games can be bought via the network, and a plethora of other benefits for jumping on the network. The only real downside to the network is that it costs to get on, usually about $60 for a year membership. Once you're in, you have "points" in which you can buy the aforementioned movies, episode downloads, arcade games, etc., which usually run about $20 for 1600 points. Mind you that the average arcade game costs about 400 points, an expansion maybe 800 points, about 200 points is equivalent to $5 in real-life, so the arcade game comes out to be $10 which is about right.

Final Verdict:

The Xbox 360 has a lot going for it, and, in my mind, it is the clear front-runner for the hardcore gaming sect. out there. With a fantastic network, solid selection of games, and a very powerful system to boot, this is the clear choice for those of you wanting to sink hours and hours of time into a game and feel satisfied playing it. However, if you don't have that kind of time for games, or are looking for party games, then I would recommend the Wii again. This system does have party games though, like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, it's just not build specifically to satisfy that section as well as the Wii can.

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PS3:

The PS3 is a hard system for me to review. Being a huge Sony advocate with the successes of their previous systems, the Playstation and the PS2, I find this latest generation system disappointing at best. The Sixaxis controller is nothing special as its motion-sensing capabilities are underutilized in their games. What the PS3 does have is Blu-Ray capabilities, making it the cheapest Blu-Ray DVD player with gaming capabilities on the market, costing just under $300.

The gaming selection on the PS3 sports very few exclusive titles since, as aforementioned, the Xbox 360 has been pulling them away due to its success. They do, however, have Little Big Planet, Katamari Forever, Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance: Fall of Man, and with exciting titles like Dark Cloud 3, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5, Ratchet and Clank, etc., I see the PS3 as the system to watch right now. Honestly, I'm very excited about the future for the PS3, but, right now, that's all it is, speculation about the future. Buying a PS3 right now would be like buying an Xbox 360 and getting Blu-Ray capabilities minus a few games. That being said, the games that are out for both systems usually play cleaner, better, and sharper on the PS3, so, if you're into quality over quantity, then the PS3 shines. As a final note, the PS3 has been trying to appeal to a younger audience, with games like Little Big Planet, Katamari Forever, and Ratchet and Clank leading the charge to reclaim the younger, and platforming sect. that the Wii has stolen. In terms of selection, the PS3 is the system to watch for a big 2010 breakthrough in terms of games.

As for their network, it's comparable to the 360's with less users in America. However, the big difference is that it's free to play online on the PSN (Playstation Network), something that is not offered on the 360 network. The PSN is also very user friendly, and there are moves to have it expanded to encompass more than just the PS3 and PSP in the network, once again, making it the network to watch. Just like with its game selection, the PSN has the potential to really make a breakthrough in the market in 2010. The PSN also has stores and other nifty benefits that allow users to buy old PS1 games and other things.

Final Verdict:

Ultimately, the Playstation 3 has some very exciting prospects in the pipeline, and definitely has the potential to usurp the Xbox 360 as the dominant hardcore gamer system. If you're looking for some really great games with a really great network, it's here, just not right now. If you're willing to wait, I'm sure you won't be disappointed, and 2010 is really just around the corner. However, if you're looking for a good Christmas gift or something snazzy right of the bat, then the Xbox 360 and Wii are definitely the better choice right now.

If this is the console for you, click here!

Whatever choice you make, I'm sure you'll have fun with it as all three systems are continuing to come out with great games and are making great strides to enhance the gaming experience. As one final recommendation, "I wish you happy gaming!"