Gaming of the two

(top) PlayStation 3 (bottom) Wii

PlayStation 3 ($499–$599)

Who’s playing it Hard-core gamers. Also, geeks.
What’s inside Eight CPU cores, a Dolby 7.1 sound system, a high-capacity Blu-ray DVD player and the highest HDTV resolution are available. In other words, it has top-of-the-line goods.
Games Mainly racing and sports titles are available now, along with a selection of violent shoot-’em-ups, averaging $59 to $99 each.
Must-buy titleThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, an addictive role-playing game
Extras A free PlayStation network offers online games with multiplayer competition.
Cons Obscenely expensive
Bonus Plays PS1 and PS2 games

Wii ($249)

Who’s playing it Nintendo is targeting parents as well as casual gamers who prefer an affordable gaming system over a powerful one.
What’s inside Dolby Pro Logic II audio and good high-def resolution. A motion-sensitive controller makes gaming a fun, physical endeavor.
Games Look for cute, celebrity-driven titles from names such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Tony Hawk; downloadable games are $5 to $10 each, while standard games cost $50.
Must-buy titleThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the latest addition to Nintendo’s best-selling, decades-old adventure series
Extras Free (yet so-so) online community. Wii Sports, a collection of five sports games (tennis, boxing, bowling, golf and baseball) is bundled with the console.
Cons Games playable over Wi-Fi aren’t available until spring 2007; it doesn’t play DVD movies.
Bonus Plays GameCube games