Why Video Game Consoles?

With realer than real graphics and video output, improved multimedia and everyday functionality and a stronger emphasis placed on social and interactive gameplay, is it any wonder why video game consoles and video gaming in general have become so popular?

For both old, young and everyone in between, video game consoles and video gaming are an important source of leisure and entertainment, education, social interaction and a crucial feature for any entertainment center or a worthy alternative to any handheld PDA or multimedia device.

In this site, you'll find articles on video game consoles, consumer guides and comprehensive reviews on the best video game consoles available that will help you make an informed decision on which video game console is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

What to Look for in Video Game Consoles

A video game console is a major purchase and should be the product of careful consideration and review. Choosing a video game console that suits your mode or style of gaming, provides a variety of game titles, offers multimedia features to enhance its functionality and everyday use , hosts an online community to engage with other video gamers  and provides help and support with technical issues are paramount to choosing the right video game console for you.. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate LCD televisions:

  • Game Availability: Having a variety of game titles to choose from is an important aspect of choosing a video game console. Though most are likely to have one or two favorites, a large amount of titles and a high monthly release average are all good signs that your console isn't going away anytime soon.
  • Performance: With heavy video output, graphic generation and response time demands being placed on  video game consoles, it is important to find one that offers the performance suitable for your needs without burning out or breaking down.
  • Online Community: With video gaming now taking place between gamers all across the world, it is important to consider what community features a given video game console offers, including features like price, profile and ranking options, among others.
  • Multimedia: Though video gaming is the primary source of entertainment for many,  having additional multimedia features like video and music players, web browsers and other functions greatly enhances a video game console's everyday functionality.
  • Technical Support: A video game console's manufacturer should provide timely and comprehensive help and support for technical issues, while offering warranties for new products.

In-depth reviews are available for a variety of video game consoles, including top-rated consoles like the Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii.

 
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Video Game Consoles Review

Game On

Put the board games aside. With video games, you can play with friends, family and other video gamers across the world without ever leaving your living room. Best of all, with enhanced multimedia functions like video and music support and web browsing, you have a powerful all-in-one device.

Why Video Game Consoles?

2009 Video Game Consoles Product Comparisons

TopTenREVIEWS  |  Electronics  |  Other Electronics  |  Video Game Consoles
Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Xbox 360 Pro PS3 Nintendo Wii PSP 3000 Nintendo DS Lite Nintendo Dsi PSP Slim and Lite Nintendo DS PS2 Xbox
Xbox 360 Pro PS3 Nintendo Wii PSP 3000 Nintendo DS Lite Nintendo Dsi PSP Slim and Lite Nintendo DS PS2 Xbox
Reviewer Comments Read Review
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Price Buy Xbox 360 Pro
$299.99 		Buy PS3
$399.99 		Buy Nintendo Wii
$199.99 		Buy PSP 3000
$345.00 		Buy Nintendo DS Lite
$129.99 		Buy Nintendo Dsi
$169.99 		Buy PSP Slim and Lite
$200.00 		Buy Nintendo DS
$79.00 		Buy PS2
$199.99 		Buy Xbox
Varies
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Game Availability Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Performance Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Online Community Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Very Good
Multimedia Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Good
Technical Support Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Xbox 360 Pro screenshots View PS3 screenshots View Nintendo Wii screenshots View PSP 3000 screenshots View Nintendo DS Lite screenshots View Nintendo Dsi screenshots View PSP Slim and Lite screenshots View Nintendo DS screenshots View PS2 screenshots View Xbox screenshots
Features
Online Service Xbox Live PlayStation Network WiiConnect24 PSP Network Nintendo DS Network Nintendo DS Network PSP Network Nintendo DS Network Dynamic Network Authentication System Xbox Live
Compatible Media           
Blu-Ray   Check Mark         
DVD Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark     Check Mark  
Universal Media Disc     Check Mark    Check Mark    
CD Check Mark Check Mark        Check Mark Check Mark
iTunes Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Zune Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Available Memory Upgrade Check Mark Check Mark        Check Mark  
Backward Compatability requires hard drive and latest update All playstation and PS2 models All Nintendo Game Cube games, cards and controllers   All Nintendo DS and GameBoy Advanced Titles None None Most GameBoy Advanced Titles Most PSOne Titles  
Included A/V Cables/Adapters Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Available Colors White Black White Onyx/Polar White Ice Blue, Enamel Navy, Polar White, Coral Pink, Onyx/Black, Metallic Rose, Gloss Silver, Crimson/Onyx, Turquoise, Red, Green Black, White Blue, Pink, Red, Black, White, Silver Grey Black, White Black
Built-In Microphone     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Web Browser Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Built-In Camera       Check Mark     
Touchscreen      Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
Remote Play    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Number of Controller Inputs 4 7 4 Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark 4 4
Free Subscription One Month (Gold) Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Online Game Rental XBox Live Marketplace PlayStation Store Wii Shop Channel   Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Network      
Software Updates Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Available Accessories
Audio Headset Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Webcam Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark  
Wireless Controller/Connector Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
Digital TV Tuner     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
External Memory Unit Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Wireless Charge Kit Check Mark   Check Mark       Check Mark  
Wireless Headset Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Wireless Networking Adapter Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Extended Battery Pack    Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
USB Camera     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
USB Keyboard Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Headphone with Remote Controller     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
USB GPS     Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
HD Link Component Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark        
System History
Last Platform Upgrade (Years) 3 2 2   2   Check Mark 4 3 4
Number of Units Sold 19 million (as of April 25, 2008) 14.4 million (as of June 30, 2008) 29 (June 30, 2008) All PSP models: 41 million (August 20, 2008) 77.54 million (all models as of June 30, 2008) 77.54 million (all models as of June 30, 2008) 41 million, all PSP models (as of August 2008) 77.54 million (all models as of June 30, 2008) 140 million (July 15, 2008) 24 million (May 10, 2006)
Number of Available Game Titles 526 415 700   600 600   600 1800 949
Average Number of Monthly Releases 15 17 23   12 12   12   
Best-Selling Game Title halo 3, 8.1 million (as of January 25, 2008) MotorStorm 3.31 million (as of December 30, 2007) Wii Sports Pack, 29.62 million (as of March 31, 2008) 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (2.4 million) New Super Mario Brothers, 14.16 million (March 31, 2008) Nitendogs, 18.67 million (March 31, 2008) 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (2.4 million) Nitendogs, 18.67 million (March 31, 2008) Gran Turismo 3, 14.89 million (April 30, 2008) Halo 2 , 8 million (as of May 9, 2006)
Predecessor XBox PS2 Nintendo Game Cube PSP Slim and Lite Nintendo Gameboy Advanced, Nintendo DS Nintendo DS Lite PSP GameBoy Advanced PlayStation  
Launch Date (North America) 11/22/2005 11/11/2006 11/19/2006 10/14/2008   11/01/2008 (Japan Only) Thursday, September 06, 2007 November 21, 2004 October 26, 2000 November 15, 2001
Components
GPU 500 MHz 550 MHz 243 MHz 166MHz None None 166 MHz None 147 MHz 233 MHz
CPU

3.2GHz 3.2 GHz 729 MHz 333 MHz 67MHz /33MHz 67MHz/33MHz 333 MHz 67MHz/33MHz 294.9 MHz 733 MHz
Cache Memory 1 MB 512 KB   8KB 8KB 8KB 8 KB 8 KB 40 KB 128 KB
Ram 512 MB 256 MB 512MB 64 MB 64MB 4MB 64 MB 4 MB 32 MB 64 MB
Standard Storage Capacity 60 GB 80 GB 512MB 64 MB 4MB Internal Flash Memory 64 MB 4 MB 2 MB 8 GB
Hard Drive Upgrades Available 120 GB 160 GB No No No No No No   
Operating Software Xbox 360 Dashboard PS3 System Software Wii Sports Pack, 29.62 million (as of March 31, 2008) PlayStation Portable System Software Nintendo DS Operating Software Nintendo DS Operating Software PlayStation Portable System Software Nintendo DS Operating Software PlayStation 2 Operating Software Xbox Dashboard
Compatible Operating Software Windows XP MediaCenter Linux Wii Menu Operating Software   Windows XP, Windows Vista Windows XP, Windows Vista   Windows XP, Windows Vista   Windows XP
Max Video Memory Installed 10 MB Integrated 256 MB GDRR3 SDRAM   1MB 656KB 656KB 1MB 656KB 4 MB 10MB Integrated
Connectivity Technology

Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless Wireless, WLAN Ethernet Adapter Ethernet Adapter
Online Community
Monthly Subscription Cost Gold $7.99 Free Free Free Free None None Free Free Varies
Number of Total Subscribers/Users 10 million Gold subscribers (as of Januarey 6, 2008) 9.8 million (as of May 16, 2008) Check Mark   7 million 7 million   7 million 3 million (July 2006) 2 million (July 2005)
Unique User Name Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
User Ranking Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
Voice Chat Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
Video Chat Gold Only Check Mark       Check Mark   
User Forum Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Multiplayer Gold Only Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Dimensions
Weight 8.75 lbs 11 lbs 3.84 lbs 6.7 oz 7.69 oz 7.69 oz 6.7 oz 9.7 oz 4.9 lbs 8.5 lbs
Width 10 in 12.8 in   6.7 in 5.2 in 5.5 in 6.7 in 5.85 in 11.9 in 11.8 in
Height 3.25 in 3.9 in 1.75 in 2.9 in 2.9 in 2.9 in 2.9 in 3.33 in 3.1 in 3.1 in
Depth 12 in 10.8 in   0.7 in 0.9 in 0.79 in 0.7 in 1.13 in 7.2 in 7.1 in
Energy Requirements
Standby 150 W 175 W 13 W       160W 145W
In Play 185 W 190 W 17 W       170W 160W
Highest Brightness Setting     4-6 hours 5-8 Hours 5-8 hours 4-6 hours 5-8 Hours   
Lowest Brightness Setting     6-12 hours 15-19 Hours 15-19 hours 6-12 hours 15-19 Hours   
Video
Video Output 256-bit 128-bit 256-bit   2D/3D Graphics Acceleration    2D/3D Graphics Acceleration 128-bit 256-bit
Fill/Pixel Rate

500 million/sec 250 million/sec 0.5 million triangles/sec       150 million/sec 250 million/sec
Display     LCD LCD LCD LCD LCD   
Color Support     32-bit 16-bit 16 bit 32 bit 16 bit   
Audio
Sound Output Mode 16-bit 16-bit 16-bit       16-bit 16-bit
Max Sample Rate 48 KHz 48 KHz 48 KHz       48 KHz 48KHz
Available Video Formats
480p Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark  
480i Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      Check Mark  
576i Check Mark   Check Mark       Check Mark  
720p Check Mark Check Mark        Check Mark  
1080p Check Mark Check Mark         
1080i Check Mark Check Mark         
Audio Configurations
Mono          Check Mark Check Mark
Stereo Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Dolby Digital Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark       Check Mark Check Mark
Built-In Speakers     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Input/Output
Multi A/V Output Port Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark        Check Mark
HDMI Port Check Mark Check Mark        Check Mark  
USB Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
VGA HD A/V Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark        
S-Video A/V Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
IR Port Check Mark    Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark   
Flash Card   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
SD Memory Card   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Memory Stick   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Microphone     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Headphone Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
D/C Power Input Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Technical Support
Telephone Assistance Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Email Assistance Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Dedicated Customer Service Site Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Online Chat Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
FAQ Section Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Warranty Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Optional Extended Warranty Coverage Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark        
Service Status Updates     Check Mark   Check Mark     
 
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Price Buy Xbox 360 Pro
$299.99 		Buy PS3
$399.99 		Buy Nintendo Wii
$199.99 		Buy PSP 3000
$345.00 		Buy Nintendo DS Lite
$129.99 		Buy Nintendo Dsi
$169.99 		Buy PSP Slim and Lite
$200.00 		Buy Nintendo DS
$79.00 		Buy PS2
$199.99 		Buy Xbox
Varies
Moving Movie Files to Your PSP
Moving Movie Files to Your...

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