I am not a big "gamer" but enjoy video games every now and then. I am thikning of upgrading from a Game Cube but not sure what to waste my money on. I am sure there are many here in that situation so i figured i would post and let every one join in.

I really want it to play Guitar Hero, COD, and all the sports games which are all available on all systems..... So i need some help.

Here is what i came up with.

Advantages
Wii: Cheaper and most games are cross-console anyway
PS3: Graphics, Blue Ray DVD
Xbox: Graphics

Disadvantages
Wii: Graphics, none in stock
PS3: High Price
Xbox: High Price, High Failure Rate

Also with these new fangled systems like the PS3 they have different GB models (40,60, etc) is this that important? How much info does it really use for a game?

Give me some insight.

actually, PS3 does not have a high failure rate, 360 does.

Pros -
Wii: innovative, cheap, fun
PS3: blu-ray, graphics, lots of cool stuff coming (games, home, internets stuff), free online play
360: graphics, good games now, slightly cheaper than ps3

Cons -
Wii: not many good games, gimmicky, shitty graphics, little online capabilities
PS3: expensive, good games still in the works (mgs4, ffxiii, etc.)
360: high failure rate, pay for online play, it's made/run by microsoft,

If you want the new COD4, then the Wii is out. Bond is right, the PS3 has a very low failure rate. The 360 is probably the best bang for the buck right now just because of the system price, and the amount of games available, but on the flip side, if the Blu-ray player is even remotely interesting to you, then the PS3 is by far the best bang for the buck. Lastly, if online play is something you will be into, then the Wii is probably not the best option.

Yes, i meant to say the 360 has the failure rate not the PS3.

Is the PS3 the only one with free online play?

wii has free online play, but only a very few games support it, and those that do are pretty limited

How much is a 360 these days?

not exactly related but I was just thinking...

the xbox 360 has been out for about 2 and a half years now. You have to figure we're closer to the release of a new console than we are to the launch of the 360.

i think they're aiming for 2010, perhaps earlier depending on how well sony does in the coming year or so

that's a biggie right there. i'd be pissed if i had to pay to play online after dropping 4 or 5 bills on a brand new system.

Personally, I think the Wii is perfect for someone who enjoys video games occasionally, but isn't that into them anymore. If I was still 18, I'd probably have a PS3 cause I'd want all the perks, graphics, and in-depth games. But, what I love about the Wii is the ability to just pick it up, play for a bit, then set it aside. I don't need to be overly involved and keep playing to enjoy it. Plus, I love the virtual console which was a big selling point for me.

I agree. I also like that other people can pick it up and play and enjoy it quite a bit. Not too many of my friends play video games and they enjoy it a lot. I also don't have the time to play COD4 online for hours or GTA. They are great games but I just don't have the time. I really don't think you can go wrong with the three consoles that are out now.

PS2 is king

the xbox 360 is the best choice right now. yes, you have to pay for xbox live, but its $50 a year. for that you get a ton of stuff. plus the ps3 servers are shit. it is rare to have a bad connection on xbox. plus each ps3 game will have to host its own service where xbox live is the hub. plus the arcade, and free downloads, and the community is amazing.
I have the wii also, and like it, but the novelty is wearing off & I want to get back to my "normal" gameplay COD4, Gears, Halo.

I've never had a problem with the PS3

Not that I want to help out M$ in any way, but definitely look at the games you're interested in before purchasing. My friend recently got a PS3 and he uses it for blu-ray exclusively. They're just aren't that many good games out for it, especially exclusives. If they'd get it together on that front I'd buy one (I probably will at some point for blu-ray regardless) but right now I don't see anything to entice me.

fall of man has original xbox frame rates with more than 4 ppl in a match, and the time out rate for PS3 is 7X1 to the 360. I read this in consumer reports I think.

I'm not a ps3 hater, I gave it a good chance, but the 360 just has it together better right now. (and I'm not interested in blue ray)

Everything you say may be true, but I've played about 5 games online with my PS3 and haven't had any problems yet. Resistance lauched with the system, so that may have been the issue, plus, I don't think that game was built around online play like Halo3 was.

halo 3 sucks

One thing I have noticed about each system is the online play of each systems exclusive games. Nintendo chooses to rely on local single and multiplayer set ups. They do have some online support, but it's not very good yet. The other extreme is the 360. They seem to center their exclusives around online, and the local single and multiplayer set ups either aren't very good, or are very short. The PS3 on the other hand, seems to balance them very well. Their online play is solid, but so is the local. Granted, there aren't a ton of exclusives out for the PS3 yet, but I like the direction they are going.