War of the consoles

We are all aware of the state of things in the arena of gaming today. We can distinguish these factors:

1. Convergence. It's not just a gaming console, it's also an "entertainment center", complete with DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, internet connectivity, and all your family pictures, music library and cooking recipes. If it only could toast bagels!

2. Tricks are not just for kids. Game consoles are geared more and more to a more mature audience... -well, except for Nintendo-. This has brought to us the delights of playing a drug-dealing, thug-smacking psychopathic criminal -in the Grand Theft Auto series- or a football game that puts you not in charge of scoring a touchdown in the superbowl, but rather dealing with the nuances of free-agency and hot-dog pricing... Games are more and more complex, more violent and darker. All to appeal adults in addition of (not instead of) kids.

3. On line play. ALL new generation consoles have now internet access capabilities. This is the major feature at hand. This also offers more interesting possibilities not only for gathering players on a single game, but also to get updates on-line (play an NFL game with the current real-life injuries list in mind, or interact in simulators that take real-time weather information). It will also eventually change the way we buy games, game add-ons, and other useless stuff.

The tree players in the game console arena are:

Microsoft Xbox 360.

Pros: Microsoft really got it right with this one. The x-box 360 is for real and is a mature product with lots of games already developed. But most important of all, it is fun. Xbox Live works great and it's easy to use... provided you can pony up the cash needed.
Cons: It is yet to be seen if they can make Xbox Live profitable. Games cost is also a problem. Another thing that can be questioned about the Xbox 360 is this: a hard disk? sure, at an extra cost. Connectivity? of course... if you get the corresponding Xbox Live kit at an extra cost. Same goes for a yet to be seen HD-DVD attach.

Nintendo Wii.

Pros: The Wii, came with a lot of hype, and it seems, that at least on first impression, it delivered. The major innovation here is a "wand-like" control (called the Wii remote), that enables you to a wide variety of game play... and a "Numchuck" that adds some control to the above mentioned control. It seems like a lot of fun. Online connectivity is included.
Cons: Will there be enough games developed to take full advantage of these "proprietary" controls? Some issues with users updating their console and being unable to use it again...

Sony PS3.

Pros: The PS3 also came with a great deal of hype, and putting supply issues aside, it delivered. Better graphics, a blu-ray player, Internet connectivity, and an internal hard disk.

Cons: the price tag... at over 600 USD it is way more expensive than it's competitors. It seems that it was rushed to the stores, but the first consoles were not finished at 100%, 'cause you have to connect and get the updates as soon as you take it out of the box. Not that many games developed yet.

All and all... there is no easy answer as to what console is better. I guess it depends on your gaming habits and personal likes and dislikes. Most people will go out and buy the console that can play the games that they already own, but then again there are multiple factors that could influence the decision.