PS3 VS Wii

With the launch of two new consoles so close together, which will you choose? What are the pros and cons of each system? What about price?

Let's take a look at the Playstation 3. The pros include a rather swanky new design, support for Bluetooth products, plays Hi-Def Blu-Ray movies and normal DVDS, includes a 60 GB hard drive, supports play for both PS1 & PS2 games, and has build in Wi-Fi. Sounds nice with all these great features, but is it really a gaming machine or a mini-computer in disguise? Does the average gamer need a large amount of extras bundled with their gaming system?

The cons for the Playstation 3? The Price. You're going to dish out $499 for the 20GB version, or $599 for the 60GB. This is the highest price gaming system to ever be released. We all agree it has great features, but are all these features combined really worth it? To add to the cons, there is no usb port, and only Bluetooth remotes are compatible. The initial release of games contains a very weak lineup, and there is no force-feedback support in the controller. Who wants to play with a controller that doesn't "rumble" with the motions of the game?

As for the Nintendo Wii, purchasing a console at right under $250 seems more reasonable for most. The revolutionary controller offers a motion-sensitive game play experience, while the built in SD slot is a plus for viewing photos and storage. Built in Wi-Fi is also included in the Wii, as well as 2 USB ports and 512 megabytes of internal memory. The console is also backwards compatible with Gamecube games.

The Wii pros? CD and DVDs are not compatible with the system, and the revolutionary controller has issues with using too many batteries too fast. The graphics and surround sound are not as advanced as the PS3 and Xbox 360, and a wired receiver must be placed near the TV to use the wireless controllers.

So which will it be for you? A complete gaming system with tons of extras and a hefty price in the Playstation 3, or a Nintendo Wii system which has put an emphasis on gaming and stripped most of the extras for a slightly less pocket emptying price of $250.