Video Game Consoles Reviews

We found the best reviews of video game consoles and handheld gaming systems at CNet.com and PC Magazine. Both review every significant product as it comes to market and use easy-to-follow ratings systems that lets readers see at a glance where each stands relative to the competition. In some ways, the reviews at ArsTechnica.com are even better, and are certainly more detailed. However, though ratings are given, there's no way to compare them at glance and site navigation is more tedious since game reviews are lumped together with reviews of other products. Still, these three reviewers have an advantage in that they have all re-evaluated the most recent versions of PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. Other reviewers last covered these systems when they were first released, and are therefore not quite as relevant.

Consumer Reports offers an older head-to-head comparison of the Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii that is far more detailed than its norm -- and the review is free for non-subscribers. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Slate, Time Magazine, DigitalTrends.com and others have interesting to read but less formal hands-on testing. However, the quality of that reporting is very variable. Amazon.com and CircuitCity.com are great places to learn what users think of their gaming consoles and handheld gaming systems.

Following the frenzy of late 2006, the video game scene has been relatively tranquil in 2007. The most significant developments have been the introduction of an upgraded Microsoft Xbox 360, called the Xbox 360 Elite (*est. $450) and a slimmer and lighter version of Sony's PSP handheld gaming system, alternately dubbed the PSP 2000 and PSP Slim & Lite. Just prior to press time, Microsoft also introduced the Xbox 360 Arcade (*est. $280) , which experts say is simply a family-friendly repackaging of the core Xbox 360 system. Sony has recently announced yet another PlayStation 3 (PS3) price cut and the introduction of a "value priced" version of the PS3 (*est. $400) with less hard drive capacity (40 GB) and minus a few features -- the most noteworthy of which is the removal of backward compatibility with PlayStation 2 (PS2) games. (Compatibility with first generation PlayStation games has been retained.)

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Although the three major game consoles get approximately the same number of top recommendations, reviews say the PlayStation 3 isn't yet a must-have system unless you are also interested in its other capabilities. Of note, critics say that it is one of the least expensive and most capable Blu-ray high-definition disc players now available. The console's abilities as a Linux computer might also hold attraction for a few. The Xbox 360 is a more mature system, with a wider library of games and equally excellent graphics. It too has high-definition playback abilities, but playing back the HD DVD discs it supports requires an extra-cost accessory and reviews of its performance in that regard have not been particularly positive among home theater experts. Reviews almost unequivocally like the Nintendo Wii as a great, fun family system. Its graphics quality is far below that of Xbox or PS3, but Nintendo put the focus on fun and value rather than graphics realism. As for handheld game systems, reviews generally prefer the PSP 2000 for its sophistication and multimedia features.