Video Game Console Review

PS3 vs. Xbox vs. Wii

In 2010, the big news was motion, as in motion controllers. Nintendo, of course, was the first to pioneer this concept with its innovative Wii remote, a wand that translates your movements on screen. In 2010, Sony and Microsoft got into the action. Sony's Move controller looks and works much like Nintendo's Wii, but with a bit more accuracy, according to reports. Microsoft responded with its Kinect technology, which scans and tracks points on your body using a camera and depth sensor so there's no need for a controller or remote -- just use your arms and legs.

For 2011, the story is a lot about waiting, and a bit about watching. The waiting is for the next generation of video game consoles. All three of the major consoles have been on the market for quite some time, with only incremental upgrades in features and functionality -- albeit some of them rather significant -- to drive shoppers to look for their next must-have gaming platform. Next year, that likely will start to change.

Nintendo is expected to be first out of the barn, with the only new video game console that's been announced. The Wii U has generated lots of interest among gaming aficionados for its dramatically upgraded hardware, including the ability to display images in full 1080p. The new controller is also as different as it could be from the beautifully simple Wii motion controller. Many call it massive, with a 6.2 inch touch screen that makes your TV an optional accessory for game play. The actual release date and pricing are not officially known, but the Wii U is expected to reach market sometime in 2012 and at a cost that will be a bit -- or possibly a lot -- above the selling price of the Wii. Although the Wii U will be Nintendo's new flagship game console, it's speculated that the original Wii will remain on sale for quite some time, continuing to fill the niche it now occupies for family oriented, affordable fun. However, Nintendo's plan for the Wii has not been announced.

What about Microsoft and Sony? Internet rumors abound that an "Xbox 720" (if that's what it is to be called) is in the wings, waiting to be announced in 2012, but much of that is speculation. No one knows for sure if a new console is on the way, what its capabilities will be or what it will cost. What's next for Sony is more of a mystery, as company officials have sent up conflicting signals about whether or a next-generation PlayStation is under development.

As for watching, the big news for Xbox fans is that Microsoft is bringing greatly enhanced live TV viewing capabilities to the console. In October, the company announced deals with about 40 providers to bring TV content to the console. In the U.S., content from Verizon Fios and Comcast will be available for viewing, as will content from providers such as HBO, EPIX, Bravo, SyFy and others. The catch is that most -- but not all -- of the content will require subscriptions to the pay-TV service or channel as well. Availability is expected before the end of 2011.

For owners of Sony's PlayStation 3, the watching refers to their credit card statements and the like for signs of illegal activity. The hacking of Sony's PlayStation Network and its weeks-long hiatus as security was repaired has been well documented, but you can read about it in our blog posting.

Whether the changes  to gaming consoles have been big or small, most professional reviewers have done a good job of reporting them as they occur, though most reports are now a bit older as updates have been pretty minimal over the past year. As usual, CNET provides the best coverage of video game consoles; each of its reviews is balanced, detailed and based on extensive testing. Other reviewers with a comprehensive collection of reports include PCMag.com, TrustedReviews.com and Engadget.com.

There are also plenty of owner-written reviews to help evaluate video game consoles. Sites like Amazon.com and BestBuy.com host lots of individual reviews. Given the passion on all sides of 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 system. When evaluating owner-written reviews, we look for reports that are appropriately balanced and discuss good and bad features.

Most reviews for the three major game systems bear striking similarities. The majority of critics 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.