Video Game Console Review

PS3 vs. Xbox vs. Wii

There has been a lot of news in the gaming world lately, with the most notable headlines trumpeting major price decreases from each of three major manufacturers -- Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Sony introduced a new, slimmer version of its PlayStation 3 that is $100 cheaper than the previous PS3. Microsoft also slashed prices for the Xbox 360 Elite, and Nintendo dropped the price for the Wii by $50. Among handheld games, the biggest news is the release of the new Sony PSP Go, which debuted in September to mediocre reviews. Nintendo's newest handheld, the DSi, fares better with reviewers and users.

Most professional reviewers have done a good job of reporting changes to gaming systems as they occur. As usual, CNET provides the best coverage of video game consoles; each of its reviews are balanced, detailed and based on extensive testing. CNET reviews all of the latest consoles, including the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim, Nintendo DSi and Sony PSP Go. Some other reviewers also have a comprehensive collection of reports, including PCMag.com, PC World, TrustedReviews.com and Britain's Which? magazine. With the exception of Which? magazine, each of these sources provides helpful rating systems that identify which video game consoles lag behind the competition, and which ones lead.

There are also plenty of owner-written reviews to help evaluate video game consoles. Sites like Amazon.com and BestBuy.com host hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of individual reviews. Given the passion of all sides on the PlayStation vs. Xbox vs. Wii debate, it's likely that at least some of these owner-written reviews are not true indicators of owner satisfaction. Some reviews at these sites seem a little one-sided, and it would not surprise us if fans of one console were leaving negative reviews for another manufacturer's game console. When evaluating owner-written reviews, we look for reports that are appropriately balanced and discuss both good and bad features of a particular console.

Interestingly, most reviews for the three major game systems bear striking similarities. The majority of reviewers say each console appeals to different audiences -- the Nintendo Wii for families, the Microsoft Xbox 360 for serious gamers and the Sony PlayStation 3 for media enthusiasts.