Best Reviewed
Video Game Consoles
- Best video game console Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160 GB) *Est. $250
- Best game console for online gaming Microsoft Xbox 360 Slim (250 GB) *Est. $300
- Best game console for kids and families Nintendo Wii *Est. $150
Get info about new reports and updates
- Built-in Blu-ray player
- High-definition graphics
- Realistic, immersive games
- Quiet operation
- Expensive
- No backwards compatibility with PS2 games
- Online play not as good as Xbox 360
- Fewer game titles than Xbox 360
Reviewers agree that the Sony PlayStation 3 is technologically the best available video game console, and it hasn't been plagued with console failures that have haunted the Microsoft Xbox 360 (*est. $200 to $400). Graphics quality is excellent on both systems, and both support online gaming. What sets the PS3 apart at this point is not its gaming technology but Blu-ray movie playback. Critics say it is among the most capable Blu-ray players available, making the PS3 an especially good value if that's of interest. If you don't need multimedia or state-of-the-art graphics output, the Nintendo Wii ( *Est. $150) is a popular family-friendly alternative. A PS3 version with a larger 160 GB hard drive (vs. 80 GB) and bundled games (*est. $500) is newly available.
We found several excellent professional reviews of the Sony PlayStation 3 (80 GB). CNET's coverage is the timeliest, and is both thorough and well balanced. ArsTechnica.com also offers a fairly current and extensively detailed report on the PS3 from an experienced gamer's point of view. The report at PCMag.com is a bit older, but still well done and worth a read. Users posting to Amazon.com also have some good insight into what's great and not so great about this system.
Xbox 360 Core Console Video Game System
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Nintendo Wii U
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET has good editorial coverage of the Sony PlayStation 3 followed by some interesting user feedback. Author Jeff Bakalar goes into detail about the Blu-ray player component as well as about the gameplay in general. User ratings are similarly favorable, earning the PS3 an average of four out of five stars.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 (80GB), Jeff Bakalar, Oct. 2008
Ben Kuchera reports on the Sony PlayStation 3 from an experienced gamer's perspective. He notes that the PS3 still has some room for growth, but says that the latest versions have improved significantly on the original.
Review: They Say it Got Smart: A 2008 Review of the PS3, Ben Kuchera, June 4, 2008
PCMag.com's review of the Sony PlayStation 3 is older, but covers everything from hardware and setup to software and gameplay. Dan Costa is unenthusiastic about the PS3's size and high price, but he likes the graphics quality and the multimedia capabilities.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3, Dan Costa, Nov. 16, 2006
DigitalTrends.com has a good (if slightly dated) editorial review of the Sony PlayStation 3. There's a detailed description of features and specs plus a guide to setup and use.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Review, Scott Steinberg, Nov. 15, 2006
5. Amazon.com
Amazon.com is our top source of user reviews on the Sony PlayStation 3. Most contributors are enthusiastic users, and ratings tend to be very high. There's some interesting discussion of how the current PS3 compares with earlier versions.
Review: PlayStation 3 -- Discontinued Models, Contributors to Amazon.com
