1. Xbox 360 The Good: - Xbox Live Gold. Microsoft has obviously put a lot of time and effort into maximizing the online multiplayer experience, and that is reflected by the size of its user base. XBL is definitely the place to be for the online multiplayer experience. - Backwards Compatibility. While not all games may be compatible, it’s great that each console has the opportunity for backwards-compatibility built directly into the system. The Bad: - Xbox Live Gold. It’s a great service, but it comes with a price. While the other consoles offer free online support, Microsoft charges $50/year for their service. Not too hefty of a price, but a price nonetheless. - The fans run loudly, which can interfere with the audio experience of a game. - Graphics. Some people may find that the 360′s graphics are worse than the PS3′s due to a slightly inferior GPU. - “Exclusives”. Many of the ‘exclusive’ titles that Microsoft markets are also quietly released for the PC at a cheaper price WITHOUT the extra price tag of XBL. The Ugly: - The Red Ring of Death. Due largely in part to some programming errors and a poor internal cooling system, the Xbox 360 is prone to an early death. This is known as the infamous “RROD”, and is still a major problem today. - No Wireless Internet. The Xbox 360 does not offer a built-in wireless chip, and instead forces the user to buy a specialized (Microsoft) wireless adapter for their system. This causes major problems (and extra spending of cash) for many gamers who don’t have wired internet available to them.

2. PlayStation 3 The Good: - Graphics and Processing Power. Though developers have not fully “harnessed the cell”, the PS3′s powerful CPU/GPU system is capable of stunningly beautiful graphics. - The PlayStation Store. With an easy-to-use interface and a very wide variety of PSN exclusives / PS1 titles, the PlayStation Store is a great place to both discover and reminisce upon games. There is also a PS Video Store available, which proves useful when looking for movies and television straight from your console. - Exclusives. The PlayStation 3 is home to many true exclusive titles, and 2012 is expected to hugely expand its repertoire. The Bad: - The Games. There are quite a few fantastic titles out there, but there are also quite a few less-than-great games floating out there as well. Because the PS3′s development kits are and were so difficult to use, developers are still learning to properly utilize the system, which in some cases makes for some very buggy games. The Ugly: - The Yellow Light of Death. Launch 60 GB models of the system have recently been experiencing a rise in the “YLoD”, or system failure. The cause for this is generally excessive use or prolonged use in a poorly ventilated area. - No Backwards Compatibility. Beyond the launch 60/80 GB consoles, no PlayStation 3 was built with the capabilities of backwards compatibility. It is speculated that this is because Sony would like to include PlayStation 2 titles in the PSN Store in the future, though this sparked more controversy with gamers not wanting to re-buy games they already own.

3. Nintendo Wii The Good: - Enjoyability. The Wii reaches out to an enormous range of demographics, and has truly redefined video gaming in that sense. - Backwards Compatibility. The Wii can also run GameCube games as well as the Virtual Console, effectively making it backwards-compatible with every single one of its predecessors. - Motion Technology. Nintendo was the first to use this innovative technology for video gaming purposes, and created a hugely successful trend. They have also recently tweaked the Wii Motion Plus, making their hardware more precise than ever. The Bad: - Demographics. While the Wii’s many strange titles may appeal to the newer demographics captured by Nintendo, more often than not, the “hardcore” gamers and fans are left out in the cold. - Wii-mote Incidents. The thin wrist straps have often been reported to break, and cause some hefty damage to surrounding objects. These were recalled and replaced by Nintendo earlier this year, but many unaware gamers still use the original straps. - Accessory Cost. Nearly every accessory of the Wii is sold separately, and the cost of these items can really add up over time. The Ugly: - Online Gaming. The Wii was simply not built to support what many of us think of as online gaming. While it does have the capability to connect users, Nintendo has made it effectively pointless with its non-microphone compatible lobbies, poor matchmaking service, and lengthy “Friend Codes” built in for each and every game. - Graphics and Processing Power. While being innovative in the fields of new gaming technology, the Wii has extremely low specs – even in comparison with last generation machines. - The Resolution. The Wii is not capable of displaying high-definition content – a sorely needed feature in a technological world that is moving beyond SD content.