Dropping things can be good

We're almost 4 years into this console generation, and we've finally gotten to the point where all three consoles are fairly affordable. This is the result of a couple of recent price drops - one by Sony, and one by Microsoft. It's now possible to walk into a store with $300 in hand, and leave with any gaming system you desire. So what exactly does this mean, and which is the best value for money? Lets discuss for a few minutes.

Okay, so the biggest price drop of late comes from Sony, whose PS3 Slim has replaced the old, bulky model, and only costs $300. Of course, this is the same price as the Playstation 2 at launch, but I guess that doesn't really matter, does it? What does matter is that it has finally gotten down to the same price as an Xbox 360, so may now be able to provide a little competition, sales-wise. As well as free online service and an increasing selection of quality titles, the PS3 comes with two other things it's competitor doesn't: Built-in wi-fi, and Blu-ray support. These could be deciding factors for the price-conscious consumer, and we may see Microsoft sweetening their bundles at some point in the future.

So what about Microsoft? They also reduced the cost of their console in the last couple of weeks, but is it as good a deal as the PS3? Well, for those who don't know, it's now possible to get an Xbox 360 Elite (that's the black one with the 160 GB hard drive) for only $300 - a price reduction of $100. Of course, we've always had the option of getting a $300 system, but up 'til now it would have been the 20 GB Pro model; a SKU that will soon be fazed out altogether. Unfortunately, Microsoft were a little cheeky with their new bundle - they removed the component cables from the box and replaced them with standard, low-def composite cables. This means that any one who wishes to play 360 in anything higher than 480i will have to shell out another $40 for the privilege. Bastards! Then again, the PS3 never came with high-def cables, so I guess this shouldn't make a difference when deciding which system to buy.

And as for Nintendo, well......The Wii costs the same as ever, with no indication of a price drop any time soon. So what if it only costs $50 less than it's significantly-more-powerful, high-def competitors? So what if it's best games are essentially re-makes of titles we were playing 15 years ago? So what if it's online service is a total joke, and it's Virtual Console titles are overpriced? These things don't matter, as it's clear that the average consumer is none too bright, and will happily pay whatever they have to for Nintendo's Wii-Sports-player. Sorry, I know this isn't supposed to be another rant about Nintendo, but I couldn't help but point out the slight ridiculousness of their $250 price.

So between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which is the best value for money? Well, as much as I hate to say it, I think the PS3 could now be considered the more attractive bundle. After all, it has many of the same games as the 360, but also plays Blu-ray movies, and has built-in wi-fi. Remember that Microsoft are still charging $100 for their wi-fi adaptor, so this really is a nice thing to have included. Of course, neither system comes with high-def cables anymore, so anyone who wishes to enjoy their new games as they're meant to be will have to shell out a little extra. Apart from this, though, the PS3 certainly seems to include more bang for your buck, and may soon overtake the 360's sales, as a result.

But having said all this, I'd still recommend the 360 over the PS3, if asked. It's a shame that so many of it's best features don't become apparent until you spend some time with them (such as Xbox Live, and the Achievement system), but I would hate to be without, at this point. Then there's all the extra functionality they keep adding to the 360, such as the awesome Party system, Community Games channel, and Netflix integration; all of which have helped turn the video game console into an entire entertainment centre. Sure, on the box, the PS3 may seem like better value for money, but I believe that the Xbox 360 has a lot more to offer for most gamers, and is still the number one choice for electronic entertainment. Of course, if you don't have access to high-speed internet (you poor bastards), then much of this functionality will be lost on you, in which case, a PS3 should suit you just fine.

It will be interesting to see what effect these price cuts have on this holiday season's console sales. Will the PS3 over take the 360? Will either system come close to toppling Nintendo? Or will the lack of blockbuster titles lead to a decrease of sales all round? It's hard to predict, but I'm looking forward to finding out.