EmailBest Reviewed
Video Game Consoles
- Best video game console Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (120 GB) *Est. $300
- Best game console for serious gamers Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite *Est. $300
- Best game console for families Nintendo Wii *Est. $200
- Best handheld video game console Nintendo DSi *Est. $170
- Handheld console for serious gamers Sony PSP 3000 *Est. $170
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Best game console for families
- Motion-detection game controllers
- Fun for groups and families
- Wi-Fi
- Also plays old Nintendo games
- Online gaming is cumbersome
- Graphics are just average
- No CD or DVD playback
Experts say the Nintendo Wii is the best gaming console for kids and families, and the console is even more attractive now that the price has dropped $50. The Wii is not known for its realistic graphics, and reviewers note that serious gamers should look to the Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite (*Est. $300) or Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (*Est. $300). However, users say the Wii is fun, easy to use and a great way to spend time with friends or family. Some reviewers have criticized the Wii remote in the past, saying it is less than accurate. In 2009, Nintendo released the Wii MotionPlus (*Est. $20), a snap-on accessory for the Wii remote that utilizes gyroscopic sensors to improve motion-sensing accuracy. Initial reviews say the Wii MotionPlus is highly accurate, but some critics wonder why they have to pay extra for this accessory. Later in November, Nintendo will be releasing a black Wii remote (*Est. $50) that comes with the Wii MotionPlus. For 2009, the Nintendo Wii comes bundled with Wii Sports, a collection of five sports games.
Since it's been around awhile, most reviews of the Wii are several years old. CNET has the best of several excellent professional reviews of the Nintendo Wii video game console, and its coverage is updated as new details emerge. Other sources are more dated, but PCMag.com has a useful discussion of the Wii's capabilities plus some informal testing by new and casual gamers. Ben Kuchera at ArsTechnica.com has an excellent and very detailed review as well. There's also a decent but short write-up in PC World and over 1,000 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET has an extensive editorial review of the Nintendo Wii. Author Will Greenwald's thorough analysis ends with his overall assessment that the Nintendo Wii is an excellent choice if you're after "fun and innovative game play," but less so if you're into hardcore gaming and ultra-realistic graphics.
Review: Nintendo Wii, Will Greenwald, Updated Sept. 2009
For the first time in 2009, PCMag.com's reliability survey includes details for video game consoles. The Nintendo Wii shares a Readers' Choice award with the PlayStation 3, and it has the best reliability of the three major consoles -- only 2 percent of Wii owners report a breakdown.
Review: Video Game Consoles Service and Reliability Survey 2009, Editors of PCMag.com, Sept. 15, 2009
Jim Louderback at PCMag.com has a detailed look at the Nintendo Wii, although this review is a bit dated. While he acknowledges that the graphics are no match for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, he says the Wii offers "more satisfying game play" for more types of gamers than its competitors.
Review: Nintendo Wii, Jim Louderback, Nov. 2006
ArsTechnica.com has the longest and most detailed review of the Nintendo Wii. Ben Kuchera takes potential Wii users through the setup process, the hardware ergonomics and the games. He's enthusiastic about the innovation and backwards compatibility; less so about the speaker and graphics quality.
Review: Nintendo Wii: the Ars Technica review, Ben Kuchera, Nov. 2006
PC World has a good basic editorial review of the Nintendo Wii, plus a few short user reviews. Like our top expert reviewer, this one emphasizes the Wii's value and backward compatibility along with its mediocre graphics quality.
Review: Nintendo Wii Review, Danny Allen, Nov. 2006
6. Amazon.com
The Nintendo Wii gets over 1,700 user reviews on Amazon.com, and the overwhelming majority gives it a perfect score. Owners tend to agree with professional reviewers that the Wii is fun, family friendly and a great choice if you can live with less than top-quality graphics.
Review: Wii, Contributors to Amazon.com
7. BestBuy.com
The Nintendo Wii gets equally positive ratings at BestBuy.com, where it also attracts over 1,700 individual reviews. Owners have few complaints, and 95 percent say they would recommend the console to a friend.
Review: Nintendo - Wii, Contributors to BestBuy.com
Video Game Consoles Runners Up:
3 picks including: Amazon.com, Arstechnica.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
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