The next-generation console round-up

It's the most expensive console of the next generation, albeit the cheapest Blu-Ray player out there by a considerable margin. Sadly, the library of launch games for the PS3, and the library of movies available on Blu-Ray are similarly underwhemling. Thankfully, Sony have a few blockbuster franchises up their sleeve, with titles secured for exclusive PS3 release in the next quarter.

The PS3 can output 1080p, however for the moment, less than half the available games support it. The unfortunate downside is for those of you whose TV's don't support 720p - the PS3 cannot upscale to 1080i like the Xbox 360 - whether this can/will be addressed with a firmware update is unknown.

Online: Even with under 350,000 consoles out there, you'll have no worries finding an opponent - we're all drooling over the thought of 40 player battles in Resistance: Fall of Man. Those of you with a hankering for some nostalgia will be disappointed with Sony's offerings. You can download PSX games using the PS3, but can only play them on a PSP - a pale imitation of Xbox Live Arcade and Nintendo's Virtual Console service, seemingly designed only to sell PSP's.

So far, developers have had to roll their own in-game friend lists and rankings systems, so you'll have to go through the tedious process of finding your mates in each game - a minor annoyance that will be long forgotten soon enough.

Despite launching last week, our US readers will still be lining up in massive queues from the crack of dawn to get their hands on one of these before Christmas (unless they can hack), and Sony will not be launching the PS3 in Australia and Europe until March 3rd, 2007. This should give enough time to sort out supply issues, and a few more must have launch titles.

The Killer App: Resistance: Fall of Man

Upcoming Exclusives: Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy XIII, Gran Turismo

Nintendo Wii US$250

...continued