Comparing the Next-Gen Consoles

by Dave Donovan

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there’s never a bad time to purchase a Next-Gen gaming console! However, the holiday season is traditionally the biggest game-buying time of the year. But do people really know what they’re getting when they buy one of these machines? Are they aware of the differences, and that one may be better suited for their needs than another? If you’re interested in learning about the differences in Next-Gen consoles, keep reading as we compare the XBOX 360, the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.

You’ve no doubt seen the television commercials: Two oriental wise men traveling from home to home in their little car, offering guidance and wisdom in the form of Wii. The detailed cinematic game play of the highly anticipated Halo 3 for the XBOX 360. The multi-talented exploits of the PS3. Each console looks so awesome! But at $400 a pop, most people will have to choose one to place their allegiance with. Let’s break them down.

The XBOX 360

The XBOX 360 offers an incredible gaming experience. Manufactured by Microsoft, it comes in a variety of models like the Arcade and Elite versions. Here are the specs for the most popular model which will cost around $350.

Processor – IBM PowerPC 3 cores 3.2 GHz
Media type – DVD-Rom
RAM installed – 512 MB GDDR SDRAM
Hard drive – 20 GB
Video – ATI XBOX 360 – 256 bit – 2D/3D graphics acceleration
Maximum resolution – 1920 x 1080
Audio – Surround sound 16-bit, 48 KHz
Controller – Wireless (1)
Connections – A/V cable port, USB 2.0 (3), RJ-45 Ethernet port

The XBOX 360 has an exceptional selection of games, including some of the hottest games exclusive to the console, like Halo 3 and Gears of War. In addition to the base model, there is an Elite model which features a massive 120 GB hard drive for $100 more. There’s also a less expensive model called the XBOX 360 Arcade which does not come with a hard drive. The price for the Arcade is about $280.

The XBOX 360 has been plagued by hardware issues, resulting an increase in Microsoft's  product warranty from 90 days to a full year. However, most of the problems are a result of overheating, which can be reduced by keeping the console in a well ventilated area.

The XBOX 360 is HDTV ready, outputting a video resolution of a minimum of 720p, with the opportunity to upscale to 1080i or 1080p. It comes with HD component cables, but it has an HDMI port for a separately purchased connection. Plus, it includes the XBOX Live service which allows users to play online, download updates or play free mini-games.

The Playstation 3

The Playstation gaming console gets better and better with each release, and the PS3 is by far the best one so far! Plus, it has a built-in Blu-Ray player, making it an all-in-one entertainment solution. Here are the specs for the base model, which costs just under $400.

Processor – IBM Cell 3.2 GHz
Media type – DVD-Rom, Blu-ray
RAM installed – 256 MB XDR Main RAM @ 3.2 GHz and 256 MB GDDR3 VRAM @ 700MHz
Hard drive – 40 GB (60 GB available)
Video – NVIDIA RSX
Maximum resolution – 1920 x 1080
Audio – Dolby 5.1, DTS, LPCM
Controller – Bluetooth Wireless (1)
Connections – A/V cable port, USB 2.0 (4 in front, 2 in rear), RJ-45 Ethernet port, Memory Stick, SD standard/mini, CompactFlash

The PS3 is a powerhouse gaming console, however, it is lacking in exclusive titles. Whereas the XBOX 360 has Halo 3 and other exclusives, the PS3 is releasing games which are also available on other consoles, making it harder to sell. But it features Blu-ray capability and pure 5.1 digital sound, neither of which are available on the 360.

Just like the 360, the PS3 is a victim of hardware issues. One of the biggest concerns is that the PS3 is having difficulty playing the PS1 and PS2 games it claims to play. Until the problem is fixed by Sony, you can really only play the PS3 games on the PS3 -- and that can be very limiting for some people. But on the other hand, boy do those games look awesome!

The Nintendo Wii

While Microsoft and Sony battle it out with their consoles, Nintendo sneaks around and steals the show. The 360 and the PS3 were instant hits, but neither caused the wave of hysteria like the release of the Wii did. Unlike the other two, the Wii is only available in one configuration. Here are the specs for the Wii, which costs around $250.

Processor – IBM Broadway 729 MHz
Media type – 12cm Wii disc and 8cm GameCube disc
RAM installed – 512 MB Flash
Hard drive – None
Video – ATI Hollywood 243 MHz
Maximum resolution – Up to 480p
Audio – Stereo Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround
Controller – Bluetooth Wireless (1)
Connections – A/V cable port, SD Memory (1)

The Nintendo Wii is backward compatible with the GameCube discs and it will play older games from the NES, SNES, N64, Genesis and TurboGraphix 16 consoles by downloading them from the Nintendo website.

Not as flashy as the XBOX 360 or the PS3, the Wii offers slightly better stability. It does have a large selection of exclusive game titles like the Mario brand of games. Plus, it’s nearly $100 less than the competition.

Ultimately, it’s the types of games you enjoy or the entertainment you’re looking for that will help you decide which Next-Gen console is for you. Exclusive games, Blu-ray capabilities or stability and backward compatibility – it’s your choice. Maybe the ideal thing is to take a second mortgage out and just pick up all three!

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, N.J. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.