Your predictable anti-Sony slant nonwithstanding. I would be much happier having a piece of art like the PS3 sitting proudly amidst my AV components than a nondescript ugly little brick, but to each his own.

As someone who was rooting for sony at the beginning of the console race, i can only say that they brought the bad comments upon themselves with a $600 pricetag. The Wii's size simply reinforces its image as a casual gaming console. I for one and going wii for the multiplayer with friends, and sticking to the good ole PC for my real games.

Yep...they're different sizes.

Anybody heard anything about noise? I know they added a ton of vents, and it's a huge power consumer...so how loud are the fans?

It's hardly an anti-Sony slant when the console is as big as the hideous original X-Box. I highly doubt anyone would dispute that the PS3 is not a very pretty system.

In fact, I remember this from way before the Wii was even around:

http://www.aeropause.com/archives/Kutaragigrill.jpg

Of course the first post is a Sony fanboy, it always happens when Joystiq posts something to do with the PS3. I really did want to PS3 to be a great console. 2005 made it look like a slice of heaven, but in a gaming system. But then 2006 rolled into town and pissed all over it. I will definitely NOT buy a PS3, most of all because of the price. And, vaylan, how can you say the PS3 looks nicer than the Wii while maintaining sanity?!?

BTW, that picture of the PS3 model ontop of the Wii model is classic. Somebody should try that when they both actually come out. :P

I hear it's just a little quieter than a Boeing 747 taking off.

@3 and different colors too:) cool huh.

Also i mean i really dont care about the size of the sytems, i have an Antec p180 computer case for crying out loud. I for LOVE the styling on all three consoles this generation, PS3 looks sleek and dominant, Wii's looks just sweet! and the 360s is a very nice design...cept for the brick for a power supply..sorry had to poin that out and yeah i know i know we dont know what the power cables look like for the ps3 or the wii but given the ps3's i m betting for the regular cable, but the wiis might be a bit bigger who knows:)

Yeah, I'm really not a fan of how obscenely large consoles are getting. I mean, I want to be able to move a console around easily and slot it into pretty much any room. Having to lug that PC-sized hunk of console around would be a pain in the arse to say the least, and if it weighs as much as a PC too... heh.

Clearly the days of plopping your console into your backpack and taking it to a friend's house are not ones that will be experienced by the kids of the future. Not unless Nintendo manages to make a large comeback with the Wii, at least.

The PS3 looks fine to me. So does the Wii for that matter.

It has been publically stated by Sony that the PS3 will be as loud as a PS2. The Xbox 360 is the one that sounds like a Boeing 747 in comparison (I have both a PS2 and 360 side by side).

@retro

I'm sane and I think the PS3 looks better. :D

I don't know, man, am I the only guy that doesn't really think the PS3 is _that_ enormous? I mean, it's a similar size to the Xbox, and people got pretty used to that. As for the design; it's a matter of taste, so pick a side and respect the other. I happen to believe it's a great example of industrial design and I want one.

I think once it's found it's way connected to your TV, it's not really that much of an issue. Sure, I like small technological things like the Wii is going to be, but I also like what the PS3 is trying to do - so I'm planning on buying both, to hang with my 360.

Does it really matter what size they are? I mean, really. Yes, one is bigger then the other. But does that actually mean anything to anyone? Not to me.

My PC tower is smaller than the PS3, and its a pain to have to lug it, my flat-panel screen, speakers, and a headset over to my friend's house for LAN parties... =/ Thank God the Wii will be smaller, I cant wait to see how LAN parties with that baby turn out. *drool*

Lets see, we have the PS3 which is about 1.5 times the size of the original XBox, and the Wii, which is about 1.5 times more powerful than the XBox... Now all we need is the 360 comparison pics, and we're set. ^_^

I'd recommend taking pictures of the respective systems as part of a living room entertainment system, with a VCR, Stereo, speakers, cable box, etc.

Oh wait PS3 can do all those. Maybe not Cable box though. Or VCR, in the strictest terms (was thinking about movie-playing/tv recording).

I'd like to see which one stands out more.

And do them with both black and white color-schemed entertainment centers. The effort in presenting to us the assurance of each system's size scale through many pictures must be accompanied by whether or not they melds seamlessly with aforementioned entertainment hub!

as long as the unit fits in my entertainment unit (and has room to vent its heat) then I'm happy, problem with the WII is that the thing is to small, I mean where am I supposed to put it?

if I put it in my entertainment unit then there will be tons of space around it, (which is ugly in my opinion) at least the PS3 will cover most of it, and leave the rest dark enough not to see anything else behind it.

one of my peeves about my cube is the horrid looking surroundings (as dumb as thay sounds)

Xbox 360 is it. Listen I use to be a Nintendo fan and then they stopped caring about real gamers. The Wii to me is a gimmick. Nintendo has put a gamecube in a new box with a gimicky controller and tried to lead us all into believing its a revolution. Its not gamers.

Listen I wanted Nintendo to win as bad as the next guy. I bought a gamecube first. After a year I became fedup with the lack of online play and so forth and decided I would try the Xbox out. It was amazing. I tried to give the Wii a chance. Iwata said that we would say wow. NO ONE IS SAYING WOW!

They are all saying it is built for people not like us.

Twilight Princess looks like a last generation game!

Red Steel looks like a last generation game!

Metroid looks like a last generation game!

The controls I dont like! It is all a novelty! That is it! As for the PS3 it is way too overpriced. If they matched the Xbox 360 at launch I would say maybe. However the Xbox 360 has a lot more games out for it, the power of the Playstation 3, and the most well rounded online gameplay in the history of gaming including PC games.

I am not going to buy the Wii just to play a last generation versions of Super Mario Bros and Zelda with a gimmicky control scheme.

Price is important however it is not so important that you should limit the inclusion of new technology such as that of a state of the art processor.

The controller is NOT state of the art technology. It is simply a different way of playing and in fact is not a good one. For example trying to play a tennis game with four people in a small apartment is not gonna work.

You all need space to flick your wrist or arm if you really want to simulate the motion.

Bottom line is this type of gaming needs more space and is just not the future of gaming. At least not as long as televisions are connected to video game consoles.

The Nintendo Wii is a sad attempt at change. It is Nintendo's half fast way of giving us a revolution. The Virtual Boy was Nintendo's half fast way of giving us virtual reality, the Nintendo 64 was Nintendo's half fast way of delivering Jurassic Park CGI in realtime (yes that is what the claimed originally with project reality) and the Nintendo Gamecube was a half fast attempt as nothing. The system had nothing to compete with against the PS2 which had great games, online play and a DVD player. The Xbox had DVD, extremely powerful graphics, and phenomenal onlyine play, and of course HALO which revolutionized first person play. The gamecube just had games and not many since it lost third party support.

The Wii just has games and an old DVD. The WiFi will not include screen names to protect children and will not have the ability to speak with other online players.

The Xbox 360 has great graphics, lots of games, DVD, HD-DVD add on, High Definition Graphics, and innovative gameplay. Innovative Gameplay? YES. Have you seen the likes of Gears of War? Yes this game is changing first person shooters. Halo is going to change everything.

PS3 is a year late and way to expensive.

The bottom line is that gamers can get next generation now and it is the right solution. The Xbox 360 is the best solution this generation.

As for gamers who talk about Japan game sales. Who cares about the Japanese?

Screw the Japanese. They only focus on the consoles that their country makes just like automobiles. It is their nationalism not the games that Microsoft releases.

And in reality Microsoft does not need Japan to win this generation since they are branching out in more markets than in any previous generation such as Eastern Europe.

Bottom line is who cares about the Wii which is a joke and the Playstation 3 which is overpriced.

Xbox 360 is the right choice.

I saw and took pics of the PS3 at E3...

...that sucker is big. At first I had an issue with the side of the 360 but after I bought it and put it next to my TV, I actually kind of like the size and shape of it.

The PS3 is leaving a bad taste in my mouth so it better have some worthy launch titles b/c other wise I may change my mind. I was originally going to buy 3 systems and sell 2 of them on ebay or directly to someone else but if this keeps up I just sell all 3 and use the profit for something else.

i think when people look at the two and notice that Wii looks wee, they'll purchase ps3 or xbox 360 just because anything wee means its junky.

xbox 360 for the win.

I personally don't care what either system looks like. I own a original Xbox. I don't think it looks stupid in my center. Do I like how small the wii is? Yesh, its awesome. Do I care how big the PS3 is? No, becuse its gonna be a cool system. Personally I think all 3 of the "next gen" have their pros and cons. All will have bitchen games. All deserve fans. Stop this fanboyism! please for the children's sake!

It's irritating reading posts from people like Marcin (and others) who posted comments based on things that they have no clue about. Plus they don't even realize that by making such childish satements that they are making themselves look foolish.

Just imagine how small the Wii Lite is going to be when it comes out in a years time :P

Wow, this is so idiotic I just have to post again. XD When did this become a flame fest for the XBots?

"The Wii just has games and an old DVD. The WiFi will not include screen names to protect children and will not have the ability to speak with other online players."

I would love to see your proof on this. The DS already has screen-names and the ability to speak to each other online, so it cant possibly be that. Was there some press release that I missed? Because Im usually very up to date on all things Nintendo...

Also, your wonderful little 360 is still charging you $60-70 a year just to play online games. Nintendo's online will be free. Will it be a stripped down version of XBL? Most likely, but Ill take a new game every year to play online for free over XBLM every day.

(Hint: Twilight Princess -is- a last-gen game. Hint: All games on the 360 bar Oblivion look like last-gen games. Hint: Shut up.)

Consoles becoming as loud as Boeing 747s, eh?

Now all they need to do is pack a standing, non-oscillating fan with each console and have the instructions "LEAN BACK, PLEASE" flashing on the start-up screen to complete the feel. Soon, all promotional material can be made to give onlookers the feeling of "Holy mother of my favorite deity that thing is loud."

But, on topic, WOW, the PS3 is huge. That thing is probably at "You can easily kill a man with this in numerous fashions" size. But then again, the same is possible with the Wii. So, you can all probably look forward to the latest politician attempt to ban consoles altogether for fear of homicide.

omg looking foolish on a joystiq comment board will be the end of my life...

@ 16

LOL you talk about Nintendo 'not being serious about "real" gamers' but then you say Xbox360 doesn't need Japan.

I believe that 360 is the most balanced system of the three, specs-wise and functionality, etc..., but it won't live up to that potential without Japan.

That nationalism bit upsets me as well. Japan has their favorite developers(like Nintendo, Konami, S-E). US has their favorite developers (like EA). Europe have their favorite developers (like Ubi-Soft).

It's only natural.

@16

"You got me at Hello..." =´0(

RightChoice speaks but nobody listens. but the last bit, Wii a joke? Right. just like the DS is a massively selling joke too? as I've always said. take the ideology of the DS Lite and make it a console system instead. You have the Wii. The end.

comment 1 - hahaha. art. wow. really WOW. PS3 art? I think you need a lesson in art. there is taste, opinion, personal likings, and theres thinking the PS3 is art. nope. Might I suggest a few trips to Paris and Barcelona, some nice art galleries there. Oh, you want electronics? Try Apples own Jonathan Ives. He's won countless awards.

Thanks, but as it turns out I have a degree in art from a major University, Jay. But if you missed the "to each his own" part, then perhaps you should get yourself a GED so you can learn to read entire paragraphs and not just parts of them.

Oh, Raynre...
"The PS3 is 1.5 times the size of the original xbox"
Uhhhh. right. And the Wii is 1.5 times the size of the slim PS2. You might want to look at the specs and try again....

The PS2's design was as venerated as it was because it was inconspicuous: it looked like a bog-standard piece of entertainment hardware and didn't look stupid next to your TV - something Nintendo deliberately flaunted with the Gamecube, to somewhat poor reception about its kiddie-esque 'lunchbox' design. I happen to prefer the GC myself - I'm merely talking massmarket, here.

Fast forward to the up-and-coming generation, and which do you think is going to generate more staring (when the machine is not in use, obviously!)? Wii is small. Discreet. Very iPod. Even the controllers are innocuous - outside playtime, anyway.
PS3 is enormous. Pretty ugly. And, if you're going to use it horizontally, is a pain in the arse because you can't put anything on the curved top.

Who's learned from their errors, and who's too busy basking in their own importance to care? Answers on a postcard...

Chill vaylen, I was joking on that point. =D

To Xbox 360 the right choice:

Your extra long post was awesome. I commend you on your effort... hell, we ALL commend you for it. HOWEVER, barring your comment that Twilight Princess looks like a last gen game(because it is genius) your extra long post, was extra stupid as well.

The Wii is an unltra affordable, ultra sleek console. I'm not going to say anything about how it plays, because I haven't played it.

If the DS is any pre-cursor as to what will happen with the Wii... you'll be eating your words come this time next year.

You sir, are a class A buffoon.

Flex

"Also, your wonderful little 360 is still charging you $60-70 a year just to play online games."

Umm...try $50.

Source: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=790006

The $70 kit comes with a couple of accessories so you not getting JUST the membership.

@ Xbox 360 the right choice:

Have you played the Wii?

No?

Didn't think so. Your ENTIRE argument goes right out the window.

For the record I own the 360 (bought it 3-4 weeks ago) and absolutely love it. Is it perfect? Far from it. Is XBL great? So far yea BUT it needs more content...FAST.

I personally don't care about size and I think every console has looked very nice. the original Xbox looked awsome and so does the PS3. (This is coming from a huge anti-PS3 Wii-fanboy) On that note, I will never get a PS3, considering it's price tag and having only one interesting looking game (MGS4: Guns of the Patriots). I will buy a Wii because it's cheap and it has several good games.

Size will have have nothing to do with my decision. However, I will appreciate how small my console is :)

Did anyone actually read all that #16 post? My eyes started to glaze over after the first paragraph.

WOW is it me or are BOTH of these systems REALLY ugly? One looks like a Kodak docking station and the looks like a black george forman grill!! Getting both but not really impressed!!

"The PS3 is leaving a bad taste in my mouth..."

Get off your knees, Microsoft ain't worth it.

God, it's like kindergarten all over again...

-R.U.Sirius

Meh, my bad on the $60 comment, I meant to type a 5 instead of a 6. But in my defence, thats only if you buy the year-long packages and not the 3-month versions, which cost you significantly more in the long run.

Mai bad. ^_^;

Everyone knows the Xbox 360 is/will be successful. It's a great system with great games and great graphics. The question is: Wii or PS3? Which will be more successful? And will the one that's more successful of the two be able to surpass the Xbox 360?

Trust me, whether fanboys like it or not, the future is looking bright for the Wii.

The reason people thought the Xbox was huge was because it had no design. It was a big brick with an X sprawled out on the top. Now with the PS3, yeah, it is big, but it still has a sleek streamlined look, and it also doesn't have a huge P planted right on the front either. But in terms of power, we all know for a fact that the PS3 WILL be more powerful than the Wii, only because they are taking a different approach to distinguishing themselves this generation, so I really don't mind the PS3 being big, because if you take all of its features and buy them seperately, those stacked up would be 3 times as big. I want to end my post by asking how much that guy wants for his model PS3, I would seriously consider buying that.

I dunno, Robert.

You usually find consoles on the living room floor because their controllers' cords aren't long enough to reach the couch or sofa. Neither the Wii or PS3 have corded controllers, so I'm not sure why that would be such an issue.

I'm completely missing the point, though, I know. :3

seiously, how much for the PS3 model.

Plus, they are obviously not taking into account the strip that has to go in front of your TV for the Wii's motion sensing. I know that no real specs were mentioned for that yet, but I wonder how long and big that will be?

Does anyone remember that car commercial in which various people huff and puff to cram all their luggage in their car trunks but then there is a different person who is able to easily fit everything in HIS car trunk, to show how much trunk space the advertised car has?
I've always thought that would make a great Nintendo commercial, except instead of LUGGAGE, it would be people in a Wal-Mart parking lot vainly trying to cram new PS3s in their car trunk. Eventually, a person grinning from ear to ear would walk out of the store effortlessly nestling a newly-boughten Wii in one arm, whilst everyone else would just stop and stare.
^_^

At this point i really dont care who will be more succesfull.

But what i can say is that Joystiq is getting cheap every week. At least 3 time per week they have to post some anti Playstation 3 comment.

I know every guy is crazy about the Wii / 360 but come on i bet im not the only guy that is getting tired with this.

Well, I like both and I also have a 360. What's with the pissing contest about which one is bigger/smaller? Have you seen the size of the new HD-DVD and Blueray players? Don't you kids have anything else better to do than praise/bash something that's not even out yet?

When I saw this blog post, I knew immediately who wrote it... Now that's bad.

"The gamecube just had games"

......

I have nothing else to say.

"Listen I use to be a Nintendo fan and then they stopped caring about real gamers. The Wii to me is a gimmick. Nintendo has put a gamecube in a new box with a gimicky controller and tried to lead us all into believing its a revolution. Its not gamers."

That line of thinking is practically archaic given the success of the DS. You might not like it, but I can almost guarantee that the Wii will offer fun experiences unlike anything seen on the other consoles. Whether that's gimmicky or not is for each individual to decide, but if the DS is any indication, the Wii will be successful. Nintendo is not abandoning gamers; they're simply trying to attract more people. They're trying to make our hobby something for everyone. I certainly do not see how that is a bad thing.

"I bought a gamecube first. After a year I became fedup with the lack of online play and so forth and decided I would try the Xbox out.[...] I tried to give the Wii a chance. Iwata said that we would say wow. NO ONE IS SAYING WOW!"

Last generation is in no way indicative of what Nintendo will do this time around. Nintendo's entire philosophy has changed since the Gamecube was released. If Nintendo is successful with what they're trying to accomplish, this will be one of the best things to happen to gaming as an industry since the NES was released over 20 years ago.

"They are all saying it is built for people not like us."

Who? Nintendo? They are saying it's built for everyone.

"Twilight Princess looks like a last generation game!"

Twilight Princess IS a last generation game.

"Red Steel looks like a last generation game!

Metroid looks like a last generation game!"

1. That's your opinion.
2. That's not the fault of the Wii. I'm sure you've seen Super Mario Galaxy and you would have to be out of your mind to say that game looks last generation. The Wii is certainly capable of putting out some impressive graphics, even if they don't match up to what Sony or Microsoft is offering.

"The controls I dont like! It is all a novelty! That is it![...] However the Xbox 360 has [...] the most well rounded online gameplay in the history of gaming including PC games."

Don't knock it 'til you try it. As for the Xbox 360 and its "well rounded online gameplay", I'm not quite sure what you mean. But if you're referring to the variety of games available for it, I would have to disagree. Certainly, it has achieved the best variety, structure, and feature set of any game console in online play by far, but the majority of games released for the 360 are shooters, racing games, and sports games. That's hardly as "well rounded" as the near-infinite selection of online games for the PC.

"I am not going to buy the Wii just to play a last generation versions of Super Mario Bros and Zelda with a gimmicky control scheme."

There's a Super Mario Bros. game coming out for the Wii? Someone alert the media; I must have missed that one. If you're calling Super Mario Galaxy last generation, I think we're looking at different games because the one I see is extremely visually appealing.

"Price is important however it is not so important that you should limit the inclusion of new technology such as that of a state of the art processor."

Price is more important than the new super-amazing tech you want to package in the console if you are trying to expand the video game market to include everyone. By trying to sell the Wii for even $200 to the average consumer, Nintendo has set up a huge barrier. Very few people are just going to wander into the store, get lost and find themselves in the game section, and express so much interest on the spot that they decide to just make the spontaneous $200 purchase.

Nintendo has to market it into people's heads that gaming is a perfectly acceptable hobby for everyone. Nintendo has to create games that look fun to people watching so people will be interested. If you're a nongamer at someone's house, watching them press buttons on a standard game pad may look fun if the game is interesting enough, but watching someone swing the controller around in a game of Wii Sports with their friends will make people want to join in and try it for themselves.

"You all need space to flick your wrist or arm if you really want to simulate the motion."

Space to "flick your wrist"? Are you kidding? That takes up all of about one foot next to you.

"The Nintendo Wii is a sad attempt at change. It is Nintendo's half fast way of giving us a revolution. The Virtual Boy was Nintendo's half fast way of giving us virtual reality, the Nintendo 64 was Nintendo's half fast way of delivering Jurassic Park CGI in realtime (yes that is what the claimed originally with project reality) and the Nintendo Gamecube was a half fast attempt as nothing."

You do realize the term you are looking for is "half-assed", don't you? In this part of the comment, you make it clear that you were never the Nintendo fan you were claiming to be. Everyone knows Virtual Boy failed, but to try to tear down the Nintendo 64 because Nintendo allegedly made outlandish claims is entirely ridiculous. What about the PS2 and its "Emotion engine"? Is the PS3 really going to be a "four-dimensional" "computer"? If you're going to talk about the present state of gaming, the only company still making stupid comments is Sony. What Nintendo did with the Nintendo 64 is set the stage for 3D controls all the way up until now. Did Sony put analog analog sticks on the PS1 originally? Nope. They did it because Nintendo did. Regardless of how you may perceive the situation, the Nintendo 64 was vital in creating this image that you have of what is good for gaming.

"The Wii just has games and an old DVD. The WiFi will not include screen names to protect children and will not have the ability to speak with other online players."

If I'm not mistaken, your beloved Xbox 360 is using "an old DVD" as well. What you're saying about the onine system is almost all speculation, though. Nintendo said they would use friend codes on the Wii, but they did not say you wouldn't be able to add people to some sort of Friend list in-game and they never said anything about not being able to talk to people in-game.

"The Xbox 360 has[...]innovative gameplay. Innovative Gameplay? YES. Have you seen the likes of Gears of War? Yes this game is changing first person shooters. Halo is going to change everything."

Now I'm starting to wonder if you're being serious or if this is some elaborate joke to make me sit here and respond to each of your non-points. Sure, Gears of War will undoubtedly be a wonderful first-person shooter, but I don't think Epic Games really has a strong history in innovation. And I have news for you. Halo is already out. In fact, Halo 2 is already out, and in the transition from Halo to Halo 2, we really didn't see any big changes aside from online play. Don't expect anything in particular about Halo 3 to blow your mind.

"As for gamers who talk about Japan game sales. Who cares about the Japanese?

Screw the Japanese. They only focus on the consoles that their country makes just like automobiles. It is their nationalism not the games that Microsoft releases.

And in reality Microsoft does not need Japan to win this generation since they are branching out in more markets than in any previous generation such as Eastern Europe."

And now you're shifting from anti-Nintendo to purely delusional. The Japanese are not avoiding the Xbox 360 because Microsoft is an American company. They don't want the Xbox 360 because Microsoft is not offering them anything that is appealing to Japanese gamers. All Microsoft knows how to do is appeal to a Western market. All the Japanese developers who are making games for the Xbox 360 are doing is appealing to a Western market, because they know that the Japanese Xbox 360 market isn't big enough to focus on.

And to simply blow off the Japanese market like it's nothing is completely ignorant. Sure, there are plenty of other markets, but there are millions of gamers in Japan. Also, a VERY large segment of the Western market is centered around games targetted at a Japanese market. If Microsoft cannot appeal to the Japanese gaming market, not only do they ignore a lot of gamers, but they also ignore a lot of potential game developers.

@16

Yes, because we're discussing which console is the right choice here. Ya, just leave.