Those hapless individuals who, as yet, remain undecided on which particular game console to buy in order to satisfy their entertainment needs would do well to consider a variety of factors before committing to a purchase. The diversity amongst the three most popular video game consoles (Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's Playstation 3, and Nintendo's Wii) means that there are starkly different software libraries and hardware capabilities that canny consumers should be aware of.

The Nintendo Wii – Great Gaming for Children, Seniors, Casual Players (And of course, Mario!)

The Nintendo Wii is currently the market front-runner, displaying a very low price point of ~199.99 in most North American retail locations. The Wii is also the first console to have introduced the concept of “motion control”, meaning that the player must actively move and tilt the controller in order to achieve the desired effect – in stark contrast with the simple button presses and analog stick controls of the standard controller.

One notable attraction brought to bear by the Nintendo Wii is a definite ease-of-use and graphical simplicity that appeals very strongly to both children and seniors – a secret to success that has been reflected in the extremely strong sales of this console. Children of any generation love games like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy 2!), and Boom Blox. Seniors (and other adults whom are described as casual gamers), on the other hand, can appreciate titles such as Wii Fit, Merv Griffin's Crosswords, and Wii Sports Resort.

The Wii is able to utilize wireless internet access, and runs an Opera-based web browser complete with an on-screen keyboard. The Wii Shopping Channel allows users to purchase downloadable content, including classic revisits to series such as Final Fantasy (Final Fantasy: The After Years), Castlevania (Castlevania Rebirth) and Contra (Contra Rebirth). As an added feature, the Wii is also fully backwards-compatible – meaning that that Wii is also capable of playing any Nintendo Gamecube titles that one might have lying around the house.

The Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) – High Tech, Free Online Play, Blu-Ray Player

The Sony Playstation 3 or PS3 is a great option for those looking for a combination entertainment console and high-quality blu-ray player. At ~$299, the PS3 provides both of these solutions with a high degree of quality and reliability. The PS3 is also capable of delivering 3D gameplay to televisions equipped with this emergent technology (such as newer Sony Bravia models) and this will quite likely lead to increased support and interest for the 3D format.

Between the two consoles considered to be targeted at the core gamer demographic (core gamers being those who play video games as a persistent hobby, rather than as a casual incidence, tending toward more mature content), the PS3 is the only hardware that offers free online play. By using PSN (Playstation Network), users are able to play their favourite games against friends, family, or complete strangers at absolutely no cost.

Standout software exclusive to the Playstation 3 includes such titles as Little Big Planet (and an upcoming sequel, Little Big Planet 2), Killzone / Killzone 2, Uncharted / Uncharted 2, and several Atlus titles such as Demon's Souls.

Microsoft Xbox 360 (Slim) – The New Kinect, Exclusive Games, and Social Media Connectivity

Microsoft's entry into the next-gen console market, the Xbox 360, has been highly successful both in terms of sales as well as in terms of the sheer size of its software library. Boasting exclusive titles such as Fable II & III, the Mass Effect series, Lost Odyssey, Alan Wake, and Gears of War – the 360 has taken a commanding lead amongst core gamers in the North American marketplace.

Of particular interest to those interested in purchasing a console at this point in time is the recent arrival of the Xbox 360 slim – a new model announced at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) for the price of ~$299 that includes a more reliable chipset, quieter fan operation, and built in wireless networking. Alongside this announcement, Microsoft representatives also unveiled the Microsoft Kinect – a high-tech visual detection device that can sense colour, real depth, and contour of the player in front of the camera. The Microsoft Kinect (hitherto known as Project Natal) will be released in November, with a full array of 15 launch titles ranging from fitness games (Yourshape) to family fun titles (Kinectimals).

The 360, along with the PS3, also offers social media connection in the form of connectivity to Facebook, Twitter, and in the case of the Xbox 360 – Zune. Zune allows users to stream new movies, television shows, and popular music in the blink of an eye to their console – using either a prepaid points card or a credit card to purchase media instantaneously.

Choosing Which Video Game Console is Best for You!

Regardless of a consumer's wants or needs, there is certainly no better time to be in the market to purchase a new video game console. With so many distinct and unique options in play, it truly is a buyer's (and a gamer's!) market.