Opinion will always be divided as to which is the best games console currently on the market, as long as competing companies strive to release their own models for each successive generation. With the war still raging between Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 in the seventh generation of home gaming, many favour the latter for its wider range of entertainment features.
The PS3 represents a major advancement over the PS2, not least in its shift to High Definition sound and video, which supports higher resolutions than any other console currently available - up to 1080i and 1080p. The PS3 is also the only console to support blu-ray discs, making it an essential purchase for film lovers who want to enjoy the highest quality viewing experience in their homes without shelling out for a separate blu-ray player.
The multimedia functions of the PS3 go beyond DVDs though, with the ability to import photo and movie files from your camera, laptop or other input device. The online functionality of the console also makes it possible to stream movies from websites like the BBC iPlayer or YouTube - and unlike with Xbox Live, subscription to online services is free.
So while the PS3 is certainly the winner when looking beyond games, there's no denying that games are still the cornerstone of the console's appeal. Fortunately, Sony doesn't let its loyal customers down in this crucial regard either, with many of the most popular titles released throughout the year being ported to the PS3 - some exclusive to the console.
While the majority of games tend to be released for all platforms to avoid excluding gamers, there are clear trends that tend to emerge among the different user bases. However, the PS3 is by far the best all-rounder in this regard, receiving many of the shoot-em-ups and adult-themed titles of the Xbox 360 along with the more family-friendly titles of the Wii. Sony's PS3 wand is also a more reliable motion controller than some of the others available on the market, meaning Nintendo no longer dominates this field.
Another reason to choose the PS3 rather than the alternatives is if you previously owned a PS2 or original Sony PlayStation, as the console is backwards compatible with many older games. This is not the case for all models though, and you should be wary when buying the slimline PS3 variant as it does not feature this ability.
About the Author
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.