Comparing the Game Systems: PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii

The next generation of videogame systems has arrived. New game systems from Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony are duking it out in the marketplace, vying for the attention of videogame players worldwide.

Of these three new systems -- Microsoft's Xbox 360, Nintendo's Wii, and Sony's PlayStation 3 -- which one is the best one? It all depends on what you want from a game system, of course. Do you want eye-popping graphics and extreme processing power? Innovative game play? Multimedia capabilities? Or is price the motivating factor?

Read on to learn how each of these game systems compare.

Introducing the New Game Consoles

Two of the three new game consoles are recently released; the third, Microsoft's Xbox 360, has almost a year's head start on the competition. All three, however, take gaming to new levels -- but in slightly different ways.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 was the first next-generation game console on the market, released on November 22, 2005. It features PC-level graphics and processing, along with online multiple-player game play. It can also function as Media Center Extender for Windows XP computers, and can play back CDs and DVDs. Since the Xbox 360 has been out for a year, there are tons of games available for it. It's priced at $299.99 for the core version, or $399.99 for the premium version (with built-in 20GB hard drive).

Sony's PlayStation 3 was released almost exactly a year later, on November 17, 2006. It features graphics and processing similar to, if not slightly more advanced than, the Xbox 360. It also comes with a built-in Blu-ray drive to play back high-definition DVDs, as well as normal DVDs and CDs. Currently in short supply, the PS3 is priced at $499.99 for the core version (with 20GB hard drive) or $599.99 for the premium version (with 60GB hard drive).

Nintendo's Wii takes a much different approach than its two competitors. Released a few days after the PS3, on November 19, 2006, the Wii eschews the high-end graphics and multimedia features for innovative game play, thanks to the unique Wiimote wireless controllers. It's a console for gaming only, with none of the music or movie features found on the Xbox 360 or PS3; as such, it's also considerably lower-priced, at just $249.99.

Comparing Size and Weight

The first thing to compare is the size and weight of the three consoles. The Xbox 360 and PS3 are similar in size and weight (the PS3 actually a little bigger), with the streamlined Wii being a much smaller and lighter unit.

In this comparison, the Wii is the winner. Here's how they rank:

1. Wii

2. Xbox 360

3. PlayStation 3

Comparing Processing Power

Now let's look at how much processing power each unit has. As you might expect, the more processing the power, the greater the ability to play games with sophisticated onscreen action.

In this comparison, the PS3 and the Xbox 360 weigh in with similar specs (although some experts give the edge to the PS3's Cell CPU), with the Wii lagging well to the rear. This means that the Sony and Microsoft consoles are capable of playing much more demanding games than is the Wii. Here's how they rank:

1. PlayStation 3

2. Xbox 360

3. Wii

Comparing Video and Audio

Just as important as processing power is graphics power. The more powerful the graphics engine (called the graphics processing unit, or GPU), the more detailed and lifelike the onscreen graphics.

Also important is audio -- especially when you want to surrounded by the sounds of the game you're playing. The best possible sound is Dolby Digital, which offers 5.1 discrete audio channels. The older Dolby Pro Logic uses matrix technology to create virtual rear channels, which aren't as distinct as Dolby Digital's discrete channels.

In terms of both graphics capabilities, the PS3 is the clear winner, edging out the Xbox 360 in GPU speed. As to audio, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are similar, and both come out ahead of the Wii. Here's how the rankings break down

1. PlayStation 3

2. Xbox 360

3. Wii

Comparing Storage and Media

All game systems offer some sort of internal data storage, for the purpose of retaining player preferences and high scores. Excess storage can be used to store digital photos, digital music, and the like.

Then there's the topic of external media. Some gamers like their consoles to do more than play games; to play movies and music, you need some sort of CD or DVD drive built into the unit.

Game Type	Internal Storage	Media
PlayStation 3	20GB hard drive (core console) 60GB hard drive (premium console)	Blu-ray/DVD/CD/SACD drive
Xbox 360	20GB hard drive premium console only	DVD/CD drive (optional HD DVD drive available as accessor)
Wii	512MB flash memory	Proprietary 12cm disc drive also accepts 8cm GameCube discs

The premium version of the PS3 is the winner of the storage contest, with 60GB of hard disk storage available, if you need it. The premium version of the Xbox 360 offers a 20GB hard disk, while the Wii doesn't have any hard disk storage, instead opting for a small amount of flash memory storage.

It's when you consider the external media that you see a clear difference between the three consoles. Nintendo has opted for pure game play, and designed the Wii to accept games on DVD-sized discs -- but without the ability to play back standard DVDs or CDs. Microsoft, on the other hand, sees the Xbox 360 has a multimedia home entertainment center, and gives the Xbox 360 a drive to play back standard DVDs and CDs. And Sony ups the ante by including a next-generation Blu-ray drive, capable of playing back high-definition DVDs (as well as standard DVDs and CDs, as well as high-resolution audio SACD discs).

Note however, that the whole media thing might not be that important to you. If all you want to do is play games, you don't care if your console can also play CDs and DVDs. (You probably have a separate CD/DVD player in your living room, anyway.) And unless you have a HDTV display in your home entertainment system and want to invest in some new Blu-ray discs, you might not care at al about the PS3's Blu-ray drive. That said, if you're interested in advanced media, here's how the systems rank:

1. PlayStation 3

2. Xbox 360

3. Wii

Comparing Multimedia Capabilities

If you want your game console to do more than play games, you're probably interested in all the multimedia capabilities of each new game system. If you want to play music or movies in addition to videogames, pay attention to the following table.

Game Type	Movies	Music	Digital Photos
PlayStation 3	DVD movies, Blu-ray high-definition movies	CD music, Digital music stored on hard drive	Digital photo viewing from hard drive or memory card
Xbox 360	DVD movies	CD music Also functions as Media Center Extender for Windows XP computers	Digital photo viewing from hard drive or over network
Wii	No movie viewing	Digital music stored on SD memory cards	Digital photo viewing from SD memory cards

The philosophical difference between these systems, in terms of multimedia capabilities, is clear. The Wii is a game system and a game system only; it really isn't built to play movies or music. Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are designed to be more than game machines, with full CD and DVD playback. The PS3 even goes a step further, with high-definition Blu-ray DVD playback. If this matters to you, here's how the systems rank:

1. PlayStation 3

2. Xbox 360

3. Wii

Comparing Networking

All three game systems can be connected to your home network. This is necessary to take advantage of the consoles' Internet capabilities, and to download game updates and such. However, there's a big difference how each console approaches the networking challenge.

Game Type	Wired Networking (Ethernet)	Wireless Networking (WiFi)
PlayStation 3	Built-in Ethernet	Built-in WiFi (premium console only; optional accessory on core console)
Xbox 360	Built-in Ethernet	Optional WiFi adapter
Wii	No built-in Ethernet	Built-in Wifi

Both the Wii and the premium version of the PS3 make networking easy by including built-in WiFi wireless connectivity. The Xbox 360 expects you to have an Ethernet connection handy, unless you want to spring for the optional WiFi adapter. In terms of ease of networking, here's how they rank:

1. PlayStation 3

2. Wii

3. Xbox 360

Comparing Inputs and Outputs

When it comes to connecting your game console to your home entertainment system, the more outputs the better. And these next-generation consoles have a lot of outputs -- and inputs.

Game Type	Video Outputs	Audio Outputs	USB Ports	Other Inputs/Outputs
PlayStation 3	Composite video, S-Video, component video, HDMI	Optical digital audio, analog stereo audio	4 USB	Ethernet port, MemoryStick/SD/CompactFlash slot
Xbox 360	VGA, composite video, S-Video, component video	Optical digital audio, analog stereo audio	3 USB	Ethernet port
Wii	Composite video, S-Video, component video	Analog stereo audio	2 USB	SD card slot, 2 GameCube Memory Card slots, 4 GameCube Controller ports

Here we see a real difference between the consoles. The PS3 is most state-of-the-art, with a built-in HDMI port for true 1080p HDTV video transmission. Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 have optical digital outputs, necessary for Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound; the Wii lacks this feature. But the Wii aims for compatibility with the popular Nintendo GameCube console, and thus features connections for GameCube controllers and Memory Cards.

The rankings for connectivity shake out this way -- unless, that is, you have a lot of older GameCube games, in which case the Wii might rank higher on your list:

1. PlayStation 3

2. Xbox 360

3. Wii

Comparing Controllers

A game system is only as good as its controllers. And there's big difference between the next-generation controllers, especially with the Nintendo Wii

Game Type	Controllers
PlayStation 3	Up to 7 wireless controllers, standard controller design
Xbox 360	Up to 4 wireless or 3 wired controllers, standard controller design
Wii	Up to 4 wireless controllers, unique Wiimote design

What's key here is that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 use a traditional game controller design. The Wii, on the other hand, breaks new ground with the innovative Wiimote, which ditches the traditional array of buttons and pads and instead uses a motion sensing system. In essence, you control your onscreen characters by waving the Wiimote through the air. This lets you control the action using physical gestures with the Wiimote, as well as traditional button presses.

It might sound unusual, but the Wiimote is extremely effective and very addictive. For many gamers, the Wiimote controller is the true differentiator between the new systems, and may be the factor that results in Nintendo winning this particular videogame war. Here's how the games rank:

1. Wii

2. PlayStation 3

3. Xbox 360

Comparing Available Games

Of course, no system is worth buying if there aren't any good games available. I won't comment on the quality of the available games, but I can show you the quantity of games currently available.

Game Type	Available Games
PlayStation 3	13
Xbox 360	250+
Wii	20 (plus Wii Sports, bundled with the console)

This is a simple factor of how long each game system has been on the market. Since the Xbox 360 has been available for more than a year, it has a large number of games available. The PS3 and Wii, both just released, have far fewer games available. Here's how they rank, in terms of games available:

1. Xbox 360

2. Wii

3. PlayStation 3

Comparing Game Play

All that said, you should check the quality of the available games. There are some very good Xbox 360 games available, and the first round of Wii games are getting high marks for fun and game play; the first PS3 games, on the other hand, are meeting with a so-so response. In fact, it's the game play that sets the Wii apart from the other consoles, thanks to the fun and innovative Wiimote controllers.

Here are my purely subjective ranking of the consoles' fun factor:

1. Wii

2. Xbox 360

3. PlayStation 3

Comparing Price

Features aside, you have to pony up the bucks to buy each system. The following table tells the tale of the dollar.

Game Type	Suggested List Price
PlayStation 3	$499.99 (core 20GB console)/$599.99 (premium 60GB console)
Xbox 360	$299 (core console)/$399.99 (premium 20GB console)
Wii	$249.99

In other words, you get a lot more bang for your buck with the Nintendo Wii than you do with the other two systems. When cost is a factor, here's how the systems rank:

1. Wii

2. Xbox 360

3. PlayStation

The Final Comparison

So, in the final comparison, how do the three systems rank? It depends on how you weight the various factors.

If you want the latest and greatest graphics and processing power, you'd rank the PlayStation 3 as the best available system. However, if you're more into fun and innovative game play, you might give the edge to the Nintendo Wii. If you care about multimedia features -- the ability to play back CDs and DVDs and the like -- you'd have to go with either the PS3 or the Xbox 360. But if you want the most bang for the buck, the clear winner is the low-cost Wii.

So which is the best system for you? Compare the features, determine which ones matter most to you, and then make your own decision!

Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.