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
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- Excellent Blu-ray player
- Quieter and more efficient than previous PS3s
- Wi-Fi
- Good graphics
- Fewer games than the Xbox 360
- Weak online gaming network
- No backwards compatibility for PS2 games
- No more Linux support
The new Sony PlayStation 3 120 GB, nicknamed the Slim, is getting very strong initial reviews. Released in September, the PS3 Slim is said to be the top video game console for casual gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. It packs a ton of features into a slimmer, matte-finish design, including HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, a 120 GB hard drive and two USB ports. One of the most notable features of the PS3 Slim is the integrated Blu-ray player. Though some say the Blu-ray player is perhaps a hair slower than the one in the previous version of the PS3, it, still gets excellent reviews, and Blu-ray Discs look beautiful when viewed on an HDTV. The ability to stream movies from Netflix is a newly added feature.
On the negative side, there's no backwards compatibility for PS2 games, and the Slim does not include support for Linux like older PS3 consoles. The biggest downside, however, is the game library. While more and more PS3 titles are being added all the time -- including high-demand games like "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" and the upcoming "Gran Turismo 5" -- experts say the PlayStation can't beat the Xbox 360 when it comes to available titles. The Xbox 360 also handily beats the PlayStation 3 when it comes to online gaming, even though you have to pay extra for the Xbox version. For these reasons, serious gamers may find a better fit with the Xbox 360 Elite (*Est. $200). For everyone else, experts say the PlayStation 3 Slim is an excellent choice.
A huge number of reviewers evaluate the PS3 Slim, with the best coverage coming from CNET, PCMag.com, PC World and Britain's TrustedReviews.com. Each of the sources thoroughly tests the PlayStation 3 Slim, and ratings are provided on a variety of criteria. Although it doesn't rate the console, Audio/Video Revolution magazine writes an exceptionally detailed review that focuses on the Blu-ray and CD/DVD performance. Shorter reviews from a variety of publications are also available, and owner-written reviews at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com help gauge consumer satisfaction.
Xbox 360 Elite Console 120GB with 2 Bonus Games
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Our Sources
1. CNET
David Carnoy at CNET gives the new PlayStation 3 Slim an excellent overall rating. In this test-based review, the console gets high marks for its numerous features, slimmer design and excellent Blu-ray player. A price drop helps sweeten the deal. However, Carnoy notes that while Sony's game collection is getting better, it still can't match the Xbox 360.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (120GB), David Carnoy, Aug. 19, 2009
Thanks to a price drop and larger hard drive, Zach Honig at PCMag.com says the PlayStation 3 is "more desirable than ever." The Blu-ray player and new compact design are high points, and Honig calls it an "incredible gaming device."
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 120GB (PS3 Slim), Zach Honig, Aug. 27, 2009
The PlayStation 3 Slim scores a superior rating from Matt Peckham at PC World. The console is quieter overall, although Peckham notes that loading and unloading discs is noisier than on previous generations. Overall, he says the PS3 Slim is "arguably the one to beat."
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 (120GB), Matt Peckham, Sept. 1, 2009
Stuart Andrews at Britain's TrustedReviews.com has a detailed look at the PS3 Slim. He says the user interface is superior to that of the Xbox 360, although he prefers the Xbox 360's controller. Overall, he gives the PS3 Slim a very high rating of eight out of 10, calling it a "great choice for the mainstream user."
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 120GB Review, Stuart Andrews, Sept. 30, 2009
In this detailed review, Thomas Spurlin at Audio/Video Revolution looks at the multimedia performance of the PS3 Slim, although he also discusses gaming. Spurlin thinks the Blu-ray player is fantastic, but he's less impressed by the DVD output, calling it a "mediocre" upscaling player.
Review: Sony 120 GB PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Thomas Spurlin, Sept. 9, 2009
6. Wired
Bryan Gardiner at Wired says the PlayStation 3 Slim "runs circles around" the Xbox 360 Elite when it comes to hardware, but it still lags behind the Xbox when it comes to its game collection. Still, he recognizes the PS3 as a great value.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim, Bryan Gardiner, Sept. 8, 2009
In this review, Nick Mokey at DigitalTrends.com gives the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim an overall rating of eight out of 10. While he doesn't like the new matte design, he says it runs much quieter and cooler than previous generations.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Nick Mokey, Aug. 31, 2009
The editors of TechRadar.com, a U.K.-based site, think the new Sony PS3 Slim is the start of a "new age for Sony's gaming arm." The console gets high marks for powerful game performance and excellent video quality. However, they think the new plastic looks cheap and note that the CD player has more "audio jitter" than previous models.
Review: Sony PS3 Slim 120GB Review, Editors of TechRadar.com, Sept. 1, 2009
9. Engadget.com
Ross Miller at Engadget.com notes that Blu-ray Discs load a little slower on the PS3 Slim than previous generations, but he thinks the console is a great value overall. After the recent price drop, Miller says new gamers have more reasons than before to choose the PS3 over the Xbox 360 Elite.
Review: PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Ross Miller, Aug. 27, 2009
10. Gizmodo.com
While Jason Chen at Gizmodo.com would like to see more games for the PS3, he still thinks it's a great value, even if you only want it for the Blu-ray player. The slimmer, matte design gets high marks.
Review: PlayStation 3 Slim Review: The Same for Less, Jason Chen, Aug. 25, 2009
11. T3.com
The PlayStation 3 Slim gets a perfect five-star rating from Britain's T3.com. While Hannah Bouckley notes that the Xbox 360 has better titles and online gaming, the PS3 is called a "far more rounded multimedia machine." She also thinks it's a bargain after the recent price drop.
Review: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Review, Hannah Bouckley, Sept. 24, 2009
12. Amazon.com
The PlayStation 3 Slim gets very positive initial reviews at Amazon.com. In over 230 individual reviews, owners say the PS3 Slim is excellent for games and movies alike. However, some are upset that Sony dropped backward compatibility with PS2 games, and others note loud fan noise after several hours of use.
Review: PlayStation 3, Contributors to Amazon.com
13. BestBuy.com
More than 100 reviewers at BestBuy.com give the PS3 Slim an above-average rating of 4.5 out of five stars. Users say games have fantastic graphics and most are happy with the game selection. However, several note that the web browser is slow.
Review: Sony - PlayStation 3 (120GB), Contributors to BestBuy.com
14. PCMag.comDetails/Subscribe
The PlayStation 3 earns a Readers' Choice award in PCMag.com's annual reader survey. While this article doesn't directly review the PlayStation 3 Slim, it has helpful details on the console's reliability compared to its competitors. Readers report that the Xbox 360 breaks down far more often than the PlayStation 3. However, these opinions were gathered prior to the release of the latest version.
Review: Video Game Consoles Service & Reliability Survey 2009, Editors of PCMag.com, Sept. 15, 2009
