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>> David Carnoy: Hi I'm David Carnoy Executive Editor for CNET.com and I'm here to talk with Jeff Backalar about the game consoles and which one is right for you. We've got the PS3, X-Box 360 and Wii. Why don't you tell us about each console starting with the PS3 Jeff?
>> Jeff Backalar: PS3 is really a gaming console for some a hard core gamer who wants the latest and greatest in hardware. It is a Blu-ray player so you can play Blu-ray movies on the console and Sony does like I said they have the most gaming system out of the 3.
>> David Carnoy: Now tell us about the X-Box 360.
>> Jeff Backalar: Well the 360 is sort of in the same category as the PS3. They're the big 2 of the current generation of gaming. X-Box 360 does have the largest installed bass. They have a very robust online service. It is $50 a year for something like that but it is the most developed and the most reliable online gaming system out there. You can also do things like watch Netflix which you can't really do on any other console and there is a very wide spread marketplace like the PS3 has as well. When you talk about game exclusives they each have their own sort of exclusive titles that that are really good. That said there's probably a few more on the 360.
>> David Carnoy: What about the different versions of the PS3 and the X-Box 360. I know there's some that have higher capacity. Is that something you should look at when you're buying a system?
>> Jeff Backalar: Well I mean it's sort of what's in your budget. You can the good thing about the PS3 is you can replace the hard drive yourself. It's not as intimidating as it sounds so you know if you are strapped for cash, getting the lower 80 GB model is probably a good choice. You could always upgrade later on. In terms of the 360, the current lowest model that comes with a hard drive is the 60GB model. You can get the elite which is $100 more that has the 120 GB model.
>> David Carnoy: And the Nintendo Wii. What do you have to say about that Jeff?
>> Jeff Backalar: Well the Wii is probably the console that you would want to get if you're more interested in sort of the party game console. There are great titles for it, there are a lot of good single player titles but when a lot of people think of the Wii they think of a console that's really good to play with a lot of people. Also some of the games are aimed towards a younger audience so if you do have kids in your family and you're really not concerned about playing the more graphic games the Wii is definitely a safe bet to go plus it is on the cheaper side. It is only $250 and you can download older Nintendo games, Sega games in the virtual console. The Wii is kind of in a category by itself it does use a different sort of control to operate games. It has a motion sensor and a proximity sensor so you are able to use motion controls to control video games. Something that the PS3 sort of does with the access control on the controller and currently the 360 does not do that.
>> David Carnoy: There's a lot of talk about the actual cost for these units versus the final cost after you figure in all of the accessories. Let's start with the Wii. What can you expect to pay for all the additional stuff?
>> Jeff Backalar: Sure added cost for the Wii is kind of expensive it can build up. It only does come with 1 Wii remote and 1 numchuck. You can get sets of 3 more. It does hold up to 4 controllers. For the Playstation 3 there's really not too much added cost. You're only going to be buying controllers to add on. For the 360 there are a lot of things. If you want to go take your internet connection wirelessly you have to buy an adapter to do that also the rechargeable batteries and extra wireless controllers that can add up not to mention $50 a year to get on X-Box live.
>> David Carnoy: Talk about added value in the PS3, there is that Blu-ray player there is also a browser for instance. Talk about what's actually in the PS3 beyond basic gaming.
>> Jeff Backalar: PS3 does offer a web browser. It does offer an interactive store, downloadable games, downloadable content, videos. [Background music] Also you can download games for your PS3 through your PS3 which is definitely an added bonus. So there are a lot of sort of hidden features, not necessarily hidden but definitely more incentives on the PS3. There's a lot more value there than what you might see up front.
>> David Carnoy: With Jeff Backalar I'm David Carnoy thanks for all the great info and thanks for watching.
