Next-Gen Console Score Card (page 7 of 10)

Additional features analyzed

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Game consoles have increasingly moved towards the center of the living room, becoming all-in-one entertainment systems. They can (usually) serve up DVDs, music CDs, and more.

Nowhere, perhaps, is the diverging philosophies of the next-gen console makers more evident than in the arena of all-in-one media entertainment. Each of the next-gen consoles takes a decidedly different perspective.

Xbox 360

The 360's ability to play DVD movies (at upsampled 720p, if you have a VGA connector) helps ensure that you'll stay entertained long after you've put down the controller. The 20 gig HDD also allows for downloadable content off Xbox Live and the ability to rip custom soundtracks, while the add-on HD-DVD drive ($199 this fall) will allow for high-def movie watching.

And of course, Windows Media Center Extender is also built into the system, allowing you to access the content stored on your Media Center enabled PC through your home network. Limited backward compatibility for original Xbox games is also nothing to sniff at -- there's nothing quite like playing Halo at 720p with full anti-aliasing. Though it has a hard time keeping up with Sony, the Xbox 360 has some great features to keep you interested in the long run.

Additional Features score: 4.0 (out of 5.0)

PlayStation 3

Perhaps the PS3's biggest competitive advantage overall, and a possible tiebreaker for other next-gen consoles, is its ability to play next-gen Blu-ray films on the integrated BD-ROM player. This is a double-edged sword, however, as the Blu-ray drive is a big reason for the console's steep price point. Still, it's a wonderful bonus, and likely to rope in millions of additional console sales when (if?) the Blu-ray format takes off. After all, currently Blu-ray movie* players cost $999 and up.

Both the 20 GB and the 60 GB models features hard drives as a standard option. The 60 GB model, which will retail for $599, will include a host of advanced features, such as integrated Wi-Fi functionality and a Memory Stick reader for transferring data from cameras and portable media players. Sony recently upgraded the 20 GB model with HDMI video/sound output, and there are rumors a similar upgrade will grant the 60 GB model a jaw-dropping 2 HDMI outputs for panaoramic game playing (no confirmation yet, but we'll keep you posted).

Meanwhile, every single model of the PS3 will include music and movie players, internet browsing, voice and video chat, and other features that Sony hasn't yet shed light on. Then there's full backward compatibility, reaching all the way back to the PlayStation One. PSP-to-PS3 cross-compatibility is another key feature here, though it's too early to say whether it's anything more than a novelty. Like it or not, the PS3 serves up a heaping helping of media functionality.

Additional Features score: 4.75 (out of 5.0)

Wii

*corrected, thanks for pointing out

When it comes to extra features, the Wii's offerings border on barebones. There's no DVD playback, a last-second change that has produced shock and frustration among some community members. And because the Wii isn't compatible with any next-gen formats or media types, the console takes a strictly "games first" philosophy. At least it's backward compatible with the original GameCube.

The online "Virtual Console," which lets players download old games from a variety of retro systems, is one nice bonus, as is the integrated SD memory card slot.

Additional Features score: 1.75 (out of 5.0)



DECISION



PlayStation 3

Another easy win for Sony, and no wonder: making the PS3 the center of your digital living room is the company's stated goal. The price may be high, but you get a hell of a lot of options and features for that money. What other console gives you next-gen movies, next-gen games, and next-gen connectors? The super-slick web browsing, media player, and photo viewer are just icing on an already delicious cake.

Victor!

Victor!

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