Sony compares apples and oranges, calls out Wii's lack of features

by Chris Greenhough { Jan 8th 2009 at 12:48PM }

Sony's latest press release is likely to stoke the ire of Wii fans by including this chart, a not-entirely-objective breakdown of the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. Okay, so we understand it is Sony's job to sell PS3s (though the company struggles with that, bless it), but various truths are being rather severely bent here. We're sure you don't need us to point out where facts are being stretched and contorted.

Further on in the release, Sony declares that the Wii's "lack of enhanced features comes at the expense of a comprehensive entertainment solution." A "comprehensive entertainment system," Sony fails to add, that only a minority of console buyers have shown any interest in. Far be it from us to sound petty, but past the break we have three more suggestions for Sony's "Functionality" column.

Motion-based controls
Nintendo first-party software
Backwards compatibility

Tags: comparison, hardware, ps3, sony, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

B @ Jan 8th 2009 12:56PM

Actually, the PS3 has motion based controls very similar to those on the Wii. But instead of just adding waggle to every game regardless of if it has a point, most PS3 devs choose not to bother with it.

Now, if you want an IR pointer for menu selection, you would have to pick the Wii over the PS3 or 360.

TWOO DEE @ Jan 8th 2009 1:48PM

why the f would someone make a console-purchasing decision based off of IR pointer functionality?

LeChuck @ Jan 8th 2009 3:07PM

Early on a lot of PS3 games had tacked on "waggle." Check this Ars Technical article about it from early 07.

LeChuck @ Jan 8th 2009 3:08PM

I guess HTML links don't work. Here's the article

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/02/21/7155

Lars @ Jan 8th 2009 5:21PM

Well, whatever the case, I have experienced good motion controls on both Wii and PS3.

I have experienced more bad motion controls and waggle on Wii though, but that's to be expected for a console marketed mostly towards non-gamers. Ultimately I'm not complaining.

But as to the article, I think it's really stupid to try and call Sony out on the article when many many times I've articles on this very site along the lines of "boy we sure wish Wii would play DVD's, or had a hard drive, or voice chat, better online, etc!"

Lars @ Jan 8th 2009 5:26PM

Oh and I do think the IR feature is the most innovative and promising thing brought to this generation, even though it's horribly inaccurate... maybe they can tighten that up though, like they're doing with Wii Motion+.

Sonic_13 @ Jan 8th 2009 6:04PM

"even though it's horribly inaccurate."

Sounds like there is something wrong with your setup if your IR experience is "horribly inaccurate". Either you are playing too far away, playing in sunlight, partially blocking or something else is wrong.

You should be getting pinpoint accuracy.

Hardy @ Jan 8th 2009 12:56PM

Well, they are being nice at least by saying Wii's online is "limited" They could've said "Severely outdated" or something.

intro94 @ Jan 8th 2009 1:05PM

hey, the online works.Is not like ps3 online is rocket science or anything from the future either.I mean honestly i have a ps3 and i dont feel like im in another age of online gaming.

Hardy @ Jan 8th 2009 1:11PM

While I know PS3 online system isn't anything fancy, it is better then Nintendo's.

Not that I hate it, I don't, but it could be MUCH better.

DLC demos, movie rentals (Heck team up with Itunes), better online play (damn friend codes)

Course most of that requires more then a small flash memory though, and I know Nintendo is super anal about people interacting with other people that aren't friends... But still.

lol also in the end, they are selling a system and these facts aren't lies... HOWEVER, they do omit way more then they should, but that's the point.

megapenguinx @ Jan 8th 2009 3:12PM

I think Apple may consider teaming up with Nintendo over the other two. Since well, they are competing with those two in the computer business. I think the problem is still lack of HDD!! C'mon nintendo!

intro94 @ Jan 8th 2009 1:02PM

actually sony lacks 3d spatial sensor, and has a much more basic system usually that devs dont bother wasting time with( i wouldnt either, a boxing game couldnt be applied, shooting games couldnt be worked out either, light saber styled games wouldnt be possible either...its soo much limited in comparison).Working with that style of chart, nintendo could also put : wii motion sensor -availiable. PS3:Unavailiable...
waggling vs button mashing:
regardless of if it has a point...., oops ps3 failed to sell and wii did.Meh it doesnt has a point to sell.Point or not the idea of innovation is still appealing even just to try it.
Button mashing is tried , waggling, not so much.Lets try that for a change.

Ceryk @ Jan 8th 2009 1:36PM

Unfortunately, the Wii's motion controls aren't as good as they should be. They can be down right inaccurate in fact. That's why they've been forced to make an add-on to add a motion sensor like the PS3 has, which will likely be a major improvement. But that's more money right there.

I like my Wii, but there's not much for me to play as a Core gamer. The Wii is geared more towards kids and families with party games and stuff for younger audiences.

I also really don't want to stand around swinging my Wiimote around to play every damn game. It's cool for bowling and stuff, but it gets really tiring. At least with a controller you can relax your arms and shoulders while playing an action game.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a full VR Harness with haptics as a gaming controller, but that's super precise, full body motion control. If I'm just going to be sitting around and not getting up to move my entire body like Wii Sports or Wii Fit, I'd rather have a controller in my hand. It's more accurate and less stressful on my arms and shoulders, which get really tired due to the nature of my job.

TWOO DEE @ Jan 8th 2009 1:52PM

@ Ceryk
"I also really don't want to stand around swinging my Wiimote around to play every damn game."

um....

Davo @ Jan 8th 2009 1:18PM

Wow! XBOX 360 Arcade sucks. We shouldn't be surprised since it's Micro$oft's console.

Why "limited"? I think it works fine. Well, it would be really cool to have profile sharing and those stuff on the Wii. I think Nintendo should enhance the Wii's online features.

But yes, Wii rocks on innovation and on motion sensor controls.

If I had to choose again, I'd keep choosing the Wii.

Arex @ Jan 8th 2009 1:27PM

As an owner (and fan) of both a Wii and PS3, I think the chart does a fair job of highlighting the Wii's shortcomings when compared to the PS3. After all, two of the four differences (wi-fi doesn't apply) are items that pretty much everyone here wishes were improved on the Wii: hard drive (or other storage solution) and on-line gaming. And I know I personally would love it if the Wii had the ability to output at higher resolutions via HDMI.

So I'm not exactly sure where the "truths" or facts are being bent, stretched or contorted here.

My $.02...

DiRT @ Jan 8th 2009 3:09PM

Dang it. You stole my comment. Kudos to you though. As a Wii and PS3 owner myself, I agree whole-heartedly. The biggest problem wit the Wii online for me is that so few people I know own the same games I do and play them at the same time I do. I'd love to be able to hop online and play with total strangers instead of trying to plan out a time when we're all going to be off of work, kids asleep, wives busy and not bothering us... etc. I don't need a robust friends list or stat tracking or worthless trophies and achievements. Just give me some random matchmaking.

Arex @ Jan 8th 2009 4:11PM

Great minds think alike. Ha!

Out of fairness to the Wii, I believe the games that feature online play actually do have random matchmaking. However, the combination of friend codes, no voice chat or other in-game communications, the relative dearth of games featuring online play, and no downloadable demos = a "limited" online gaming service IMHO.

WiiSpeak may change the lack of in-game communication, but there are still two problems with that solution: (1) I shouldn't be forced to buy Nintendo's speakerphone peripheral--any USB mic should suffice and support for Bluetooth headsets would be even better; and (2) I still don't want to deal with friend codes.

Rosario @ Jan 8th 2009 1:35PM

Wow, I never knew how bad the Xbox 360 Arcade was. I dont want to sound like a fanboy but this chart just makes the 360 look sad. I never had an Xbox or 360 so I really dont know whats truths are stretched but even with that said, the Arcade still looks sad....really really sad.

Kev (gamertag: ksiddique) @ Jan 8th 2009 3:50PM

How exactly does it look sad?

Rosario @ Jan 8th 2009 5:37PM

Im only saying the Arcade is sad when referring to the chart. When you think about all the add-ons you would have to get for the Arcade, its makes the price sky rocket. Of course as someone said down the page, if someone wanted all the add-ons they wouldnt get an Arcade. I know this is a chart released by Sony so of course its trying to make the PS3 look the best, and I think they succeeded in that aspect.

Kev (gamertag: ksiddique) @ Jan 8th 2009 6:24PM

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the reply!

ejamer @ Jan 8th 2009 1:41PM

So according to the chart, Sony's failure at actually selling PS3 consoles must stem from... gross incompetence? If the console is better and cheaper than all alternatives, there isn't much else to attribute it to.

Thanks for the informative update Sony!

holmes @ Jan 8th 2009 1:45PM

i'm a wii owner since launch day and i recently bought an xbox 360 (3 months ago) and i have to say, despite what the chart says, i'd buy an xbox 360 first out of all the consoles.

i didn't pay the $100 for wi-fi because i simply plugged an ethernet cord into it. i've always been suspect of wi-fi gaming, mostly because of lag. i've played nothing but lag-free games on the xbox 360.

you do have to pay for online membership to xbox live, although i got my 1-year subscription for $30. i will admit that's bogus, considering the wii is free, but i was under the impression nintendo was going to start a pay-to-play package.

i don't care much for blu-ray, so that aspect is eliminated. i will say that i really enjoy having the ability to play DVDs on the xbox. plus, the streaming netflix stuff is simply AWESOME. i managed to catch up on seasons 1 & 2 of "30 rock."

plus, i'm still really irked about the wii's lack of hard drive space. i've downloaded games and filled the internal drive to the brim, and much like many of you i hate swapping stuff off the SD card, even though it's really only a minor inconvenience.

but with xbox 360, i've downloaded a TON of game demos that have helped me with purchases. i can't begin to tally up all the games i bought for the wii that i would've skipped if i could've tried them out first (cooking mama comes to mind). left 4 dead's demo showed me how great the game was, while i was able to try out mirror's edge and decide against the purchase.

i'm not a huge fanboy of either system and i'm not posting this to rile anyone up. i'm just being honest. the wii does a fine job, but there's really no comparison to the xbox 360. you can put price tags on all the little things, sure. but a lot of the intangibles that aren't separately priced make a big deal.

the best evidence i can give is the fact that i play my xbox at least once per day, while i haven't booted my wii up in probably 2 months.

Chris @ Jan 8th 2009 3:04PM

I am in the exact same boat. I own both the Wii and Xbox 360. The Wi-Fi isn't a big deal, just to plug in the Ethernet cord. And Blue Ray just seems to expensive and not worth the major price tag, when the 360 upconverts anyway.
The Wii's major drawback's are:
1. The lack of a hard, being able to download demos would be so nice and entice me to buying games, that I might not have.

2. There are limited games for the hard core gamers, save for Nintendo titles. I have such high hopes for The Conduit.

Sony is trying so desperately to say what a great deal that the PS3 is and is side stepping the negatives of their own system. That is the marketing department's job, but it seems full of half truths. You have to pay more for the PS3 and don't have backward compatibility, which pushed me to the 360 and to sell my PS2.

The only time the Wii gets turned on is when I have a group of friends over and we play Wii Sports.

Kev (gamertag: ksiddique) @ Jan 8th 2009 3:53PM

I'm in the same boat as Chris. I like my Wii but it doesn't get as much play as my 360.

SoshiKitai @ Jan 8th 2009 4:01PM

In the end, for me, it's all about the games.

I own all 3 systems. Own more games on the Wii, 2nd place is 360, 3rd place is PS3.

Now compared to the Wii, I play more games on my 360, but I play my Wii more. And sometimes, I play my PS3 more.

How's that work? I may play Culdcept Saga, EDF, Tenchu Z (I'm one of the few that like it), Halo 3, and etc for the 360... but I tend to like Animal Crossing.
And I prefer Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 over Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit... DBZBT3 is waayyyyy more replayable than DBZBL.
...and PS3? I just MGO all the time. :P

So in all honesty, my 360 games may be numerous, but hardly has a daily replay-value.
My Wii games, no matter which games I switch between, have a ton of replay value, especially since I have a gf (an eternal local multiplayer/co-op buddy).
And the PS3? It's really fancy, and I'm a big MGS fan. :P

I love my 360 Elite, but... I don't use NetFlix, I hate demos (takes the magic away from trying out a game for the first time), and I don't really need to download all those things. And unlike most 360 users, I delete all my videos and demos when I have no need for them anymore - and that means I do the same for my Wii+SDcard combo. :P
It doesn't bother me.

So in that sense, the Wii's the winner on my part.

...I got a console to play games, not watch NetFlix. :D

Chris @ Jan 8th 2009 1:53PM

That chart is such BS. If you wanted to get all those extras for the 360 there would be no point in getting the arcade. And maybe they should add something about the 360's vastly superior online play, and netflix... and better games.

DiRT @ Jan 8th 2009 3:12PM

Netflix is such a great addition to those who... don't... have... a... Netflix... account. It's a non-point to someone like me. On the other hand, I do have an HDTV and Blu-Ray movies make a difference to me. So there you go.

Chris @ Jan 8th 2009 3:16PM

Yea, well I don't care about blu-ray. The point is that they left off a lot of stuff to incorrectly make the ps3 look like the best console.

SoshiKitai @ Jan 8th 2009 4:04PM

But that's Sony. Don't they always do that? :P

Arex @ Jan 8th 2009 4:23PM

It is a *SONY* PR document. What do you expect? For them to highlight the PS3's shortcomings?

They're trying to justify its higher initial price by pointing out the extra features the extra $$$ buys you. Even if you don't agree that the features it highlights are important to your own situation, there's nothing on there that isn't factual.

I actually didn't buy the PS3 primarily for games, so for me Blu-ray was its biggest selling point. Now that quality Blu-ray players are finally available for around $200, that is going to be more of an issue for Sony.

Coriff @ Jan 8th 2009 1:57PM

Meh, I have a Wii and I barely play the thing anymore. Sure, they have the numbers but where's the quality titles? There hasn't been a stellar game (and by game I mean a REAL game like Galaxy, or NMH not the Wii etc. crap) other than I guess that Animal Crossing game but who gives a crap about that? I play more PS3 by a longshot and I don't even own or like Xbox that much but I'd rather play that over my Wii, which is sad. Get some damn games Wii, seriously. It's the first console I've actually ever had regrets buying

Orion @ Jan 8th 2009 3:42PM

I agree to an extent. I wouldn't say the Wii isn't worth buying, and if it isn't it's certainly not my first (Gamegear, Sega CD and 32X, GBA, Virtual Boy...)

However, I will say, while I have over 30 games in my library for the Wii, you're right that there haven't been any games for it in a terribly long time. In fact, this Christmas sucked for the Wii.. I didn't get a thing for it. It's really sad too, because I remember when people said "my wii is collecting dust" and I'd think of all the games I had and think to myself "wow, how uneducated they are.. there's tons to play!". Now it feels like I own a PSP here. There's nothing to buy anymore.

I'm pretty happy with my PS3. I think this chart accurately says everything. Sorry if it ticks some of you guys off, but for most people who have 360's (like me) you're cable box isn't going to be in the same room as your main HDTV. That means that you need Wifi. Also, with the NXE for 360, having an arcade without a hdd is useless as the operating system takes up the whole memory card. Why do you think they're selling arcade owners hdds for 20 bucks? Becuase they have no where to save game data! So yea, wifi adaptors and hdds for arcade owners are perfectly fine to put on the list. Especially considering it's trying to show what the ps3 comes with out of the box vs the others. I spent more on my 360 than i did on my ps3, and the sad thing is I bought the 360 first because I thought it would be cheaper!

Other things that should be on the list is that the "Chat Pack", the chat pad and headphone set for 360 is 30 bucks. When I can have ANY wireless bluetooth headset from any company on my ps3. I got the one I use from Big Lots for 15 bucks and it even looks exactly like the PS3 one... AND comes with a car adaptor for my phone!

Anywho, I find it funny when stuff like this comes out. People like us who fell in love with WiiWare, only to stop buying cames for it because the storage system was just too annoying are here now complaining that sony used that fault in the wii to promote the ps3? if you complain about it everytime WiiFanboy posts another article complaining about storage space, how can you sit here and cry about the competitors using it against you?

Anywho, can't wait to play the Wii again sometime. Hope some software for the core player comes out before summer hits. Otherwise Warhawk is taking up my time till Battlefront 3 :D.

Gun Barrier @ Jan 8th 2009 2:02PM

I like how they make the ps3 look like the cheapest console out there. I wonder if Nintendo or MS will counter with an even better chart.

Rocketboy @ Jan 8th 2009 2:23PM

What was that Sony? I was too busy playing my Wii to catch that.

Cuddlefish @ Jan 8th 2009 2:27PM

Hey Sony, can you please release a PS3 model without wi-fi and a HDD for $199 so I can afford to buy one? KTHNXBYE

kiro @ Jan 8th 2009 2:29PM

Lol!!

Seriously...

Blu-Ray gaming/videos and HDMI Output...
That is some terrible comparison, it like a lil kid having 5 cookies while the other 5 kids have less than that and making a chart outta who has the most cookies.

The least they could do was say Blu-ray or DVD... and take off the component cables.

As for the online thing, it's hilarious how they didn't say 50$ for EXCELLENT ONLINE SERVICE, when they made the Wii's online say Limited...

Even though what this chart says is true, this also proves to me that Sony is getting desperate or something.

Mark Sypniewski @ Jan 8th 2009 2:39PM

I have a Wii and a PS3 and use the PS3 90% of the time, either for DVDs or games. The Wii is fun, but just doesn't have all that a PS3 does. Great games, Great FREE online, and with Home ready to take off with more content, it is a total entertainment system.
Xbox, I have a hard time sending Microsoft any more money.

Mr Khan @ Jan 8th 2009 2:43PM

The market has already dictated all those features to be unnecessary, so it's a moot point

Orion @ Jan 8th 2009 3:50PM

Wifi and storage space are totally unnecessary?

Wow did you hear that Nintendo! You can make your systems cheaper by not puting wifi in it, and you can continue to use friend codes because a non-limited form of online is PERFECTLY AMAZING and generates absolutely NO complaints from the Wii community!

Gee, thanks for making sure us wii owners here who use wifi all the time and wish for a storage solution now don't have to complain about it anymore because it isn't relavant to gaming.. I dont know what "market" you're following that told you this data, but this is GREAT news!!! :D

scissors125 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:45PM

Take THAT Nintendo!!!

This will make Wii sales plummet to mere dozens.

[complete sarcasm, do not take seriously]

seth @ Jan 8th 2009 2:59PM

Woah, no one pointed out the most important missing column: Intended Target Market.

PS3 and 360 - Niche core gamers

Nintendo Wii - Expanded casual market

This is the big difference in the sales receipts. Lots of people complain that Nintendo is working with outdated softwar, but I would suggest that Sony and Microsoft fail for working on an outdated business model. Video games are mainstream and the biggest profits to be made are on the mainstream market. The number of people playing core games for hours on end and looking for high end graphics certainly is still growing, but it pales in comparison to the number of people who just want to have a FUN escape everyonce in a while.

Evan @ Jan 8th 2009 3:21PM

Not just "expanded casual market", the Wii is taking over the *traditional* family/kid market. The family/kid market was the industry's bread-and-butter back in the NES and SNES era. It's not "new" or "expanded", it's always been there, it just took a back seat in the gaming press during the PS2's reign even though it arguably accounted for a large portion of PS2 sales.

LeChuck @ Jan 8th 2009 2:57PM

I find it odd that Sony keeps boasting about the "comprehensive entertainment system" functions when it hasn't worked too well as a selling point for PS3 or PSP yet.

Evan @ Jan 8th 2009 3:14PM

Most of the Wii's shortcomings (and the 360's shortcomings) are not relevant to most console purchasers:

- Online Gaming: Not everyone plays online. Even on the 360, 40% don't even have a Live account, let alone play online matches.
- Blu-Ray & HDMI: Many households have the game systems in the family room, not attached to the HDTV that the parents watch movies on.

Arex @ Jan 8th 2009 4:47PM

But MS makes you pay $50/year (yes, I realize savvy consumers can get it for cheaper) for a Live account for online gaming. Sony has the same amount of users on the PlayStation Network (17 Million), despite its significantly smaller userbase. Anyway, are you saying you would *NOT* like a more robust online gaming experience on the Wii?

As to your second point, being a lifetime gamer, now head of household (though my wife would disagree), I firmly believe that game consoles should ALWAYS be on the biggest, newest TV in any house.