Which video game console  you should buy is really a matter of taste, affordability and how you plan to use it. Personally, I use the Xbox 360 mainly because I like the choice of games it offers. Sony´s ¨PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are more affordable than Nintento Wii but the Wii has a motion-sensing game controller that puts it in a class of  it´s own.

PlayStation 3 also has a built-in Blue-ray movie player but most people don´t really use it that way. It boasts the ability to download 2,000 movies which is pretty cool.   Now available in just one $300 model  (though rumors of a 250GB PS3 abound), the PlayStation 3 Slim offers a solid library of games (including the Uncharted and Resistance series), access to the PlayStation Store, and one of the best Blu-ray players on the market. (It also plays DVD movies and CDs, of course.)

Like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Store is host to tons of movies, TV shows, demos, and down-loadable games. PlayStation 3 also offers Home, a “Second Life” sort of experience where you can set up shop in a virtual world. While Sony had been hyping the feature for years, PlayStation Home is now generally regarded as a dud. Just like the Xbox 360, there are plenty of ways to get digital media streamed over the console via a home network or a third-party product like PlayOn. You can also hook up a device via USB and play media that way as well.

In early November 2009, the PlayStation 3 introduced a Netflix streaming solution that requires a BD-Live Blu-raydisc that can be obtained for free from Netflix. While the Xbox 360 and Wii have various accessories available, you probably will need to purchase only a few with the PS3. Aside from additional controllers, there is not much you’ll need. (The biggest annoyance: you’ll need an infrared-to-Bluetooth adapter if you choose to use the PS3 with a universal remote.) The console uses Bluetooth technology so you can use almost any headset for chatting purposes. Also, the PS3 allows for user-replaceable hard  drives, so you have the option of upgrading yourself.

Wii has been out-selling the competition even with their higher price and Nintendo has no plans to lower the price anytime soon as they maximize profits. It is pretty cool to play games without sitting on your butt all day and I believe that´s one of the reasons it´s doing so well. Parents like the idea that their kids can play video game and get some exercise too. Some of my more fit friends that would never play video games are even getting into playing with the Wii system and using it for aerobic workouts. Who would have ever thought that video games and workouts would be in the same sentence together? Accessories for the Nintendo Wii can add up. The console supports up to four Wii remotes and Nunchuks (the system comes with one of each), and now, with the debut of Wii MotionPlus, you’ll want to get a few units so that you can play titles that take advantage of the new motion technology. All this, plus extra chargers and batteries can become quite pricey, creating a lot of hidden costs.

For me, it´s the games that really sets the consoles apart. The graphics in my opinion are much better on the Xbox360 and PlayStation3 and since I love fighting video games, those consoles have some outstanding hardcore fighting games. Games like Gears of War, Modern Warfare 2 and the Call Of Duty series make it a no brainer for a serious game fighter. I mean if I want exercise, I´ll go biking or to the gym and save my game time for some challenging battles. One thing  about the Xbox360 is they really have set them selves apart with their Xbox Live online gaming service. For the $100 Xbox live Membership you get some great, free game downloads and you can streamline movies with Netflix. With over 20 million members worldwide, Xbox Live is the most complete online console experience available today.

Note that the Xbox 360 has a notorious (and deserved) reputation for bad reliability, thanks to the “red ring of death” problem that afflicted far too many early models. However, the current iterations of the 360 now sold on store shelves use updated components that have largely made this problem a thing of the past. On Sony’s list of games the big ones are God of War III, Unchart 2: Among Thieves, and MAG. There are a bunch of download options via the PlayStation Network  (including Battlefield 1943), but not as many as with the Xbox 360. Nintendo has Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Mario Kart, Wii Sports Resort  and a bunch of other titles with familiar Nintendo characters. More of the same is coming with a New Super Mario Bros. game, Wii Fit Plus and plenty of other cutesy and cartoon-like games that appeal to females and casual gamers.

Developers have been making the best video games on all the platforms lately. They include the Beatles: Rock Band, Call of Duty  Modern Warfare 2  (PC, PS 3, Xbox 360), Batman Arkham Asylum, Madden NFL 10  Avatar, Assassin’s Creed II, Guitar Hero 5, Brutal Legend, Borderlands, Dragon Age: Origins and many others. The Batman game is surprisingly good. A bunch of other good titles have slipped until 2010.  All that means that it’s a pretty good time to buy a console and there isn’t much need to wait. It’s possible if sales do not pick up from these price cuts, then retailers might offer more bundles later in the year to attract consumers.  But that usually just means you get a free older game as part of the deal, which you could probably buy anyway for a decent price as a used game at the store.

Some people have pointed out that, with so many games available for free on the PC online, maybe there isn’t any need to buy a console anymore. We’re probably not at that bridge yet. Here’s a chart that helps with the basics.

The Nintendo Wii is best for: Parents with children who are just beginning to enter the world of gaming, family gaming, and an environment with a lot of people (dorm room or apartment with numerous roommates).

The Wii is not the best choice for: Those who are looking for a game console that doubles as an all-purpose entertainment hub, want state-of-the-art HD graphics, enjoy a robust online community, and/or those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles.

Key Wii exclusives: All Zelda, Mario, and Metroid games.

The Xbox 360 is best for: Those who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hardcore and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system; Netflix fans.

The Xbox 360 is not the best choice for: Those who want the PS3’s added value of built-in Blu-ray and Wi-Fi.

Key Xbox 360 exclusives: The Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable, and Left4Dead series.

The PS3 is best for: Hardcore and casual gamers who aren’t concerned with the ultimate online experience, early adopters, do-it-yourselfers, and videophiles who need the latest and greatest in Blu-ray.

The PS3 is not the best choice for: Those who don’t care about HD graphics or video.

Key PS3 exclusives: The Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Resistance, and Killzone series; LittleBigPlanet.

I’ve added a poll where you can vote on your choice for a console. Please cast a vote and leave a comment that explains your choice.

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