DS fo sho, too bad about the 360 fans annoying you. I feel the same way about PS3 fans telling me I'm an "idiot" for buying faulty hardware (mine is still running fine) or stupid for paying for Live.

I'd vote for DS. It has better games than Wii (so far). I would personally get a DS-lite instead of DSi. A used DS-lite can be had for $99.

I have really mixed feelings about Wii.

If you have family members who would play with you regularly then Wii might be a better idea. Just keep in mind that after all the add-ons (and extra controllers for 3 other members) it costs more than the other two. That said, local multiplayer on Wii IS a lot of fun Mario Kart, Super smash brothers, Wii sports all are pretty good. Unfortunately those are the "only" ones worth mentioning IMHO. Only a few of the party games are as good (super monkey ball and raving rabbits (sp?) had good reviews.

If you are a fan of older gen games, Wii Virtual console is a good option however, unlike XBLA or PSN these are straight emulation games and most games look and play dated. That said, it does have some great out-of-print gems like super mario RPG, mario etc.

I would say the DS bc it has the most games out there for the cheapest price atm, however there are just a core group of games on the Wii that are just amazing.

you are idding cause to go online on the 360 (its main feature) it will cost you 70 dollars to get the adapter...If you get the arcade you will need harddrive another 100 dollars and if youget the elite its another 100 instead of the harddrive so

360 Arcade: 199 + 100 (wireless adapter) + 100 (harddrive(actually costs 130 for 120gig but just say 100) + 120 (games each cost 60 so 2 equals 120) + 50 (Live) + Headset (34.99 for wired and 70 for wireless) + 50 (HD Cables) = 654(for wired headset) + Tax.

360 Elite: 299 (after price cut when happens in your area) + 100(wireless Adapter) + 50 (live) + 120 (2 games) + 50(Hd Cables) = 619 + Tax. 

Wii: 249 + 35( Nintendo Component Cables) + 100 (2 games) + 25 (Wii Motion Plus (for certain games not many are out yet so you may not buy it right now or you can get it with some games) = 409 + Tax.

Note: I still havn't included extra controlllercause if I did then 360 controllers cost 15 dollars more so for every controller you add you pay 15 dollars even more on the 360...I havn't included warranty......

so Wii is your best option...if you are on a budget especially but to be honest if you are on a budget Iconsider Ds otherwise get Wii..

1a) Not every person needs wireless. Infact a wired connection is better.

1b) Wireless adapter = $77

1c) There are other wireless adapters which work just as well.

2a) You DON'T need a HDD to play games online or offline.

2b) You can get a 60GB HDD with a headset and 3 months Xbox LIVE for $85

3) LIVE is $42

4) For headset see 2b. (single price $20)

5) HD component cables cost $35

Cheapest option: $416

______________________________________

Extra controller:

360 - $38

Wii - $35 + Nunchuck $18 (+ Motion Plus $20) = $53 ($73)

I was talking about local multiplayer for which you will need extra controllers. No XBOX 360 or PS3 game IMHO has compelling local multiplayer (aside from scene it, Buzz etc that come with their own controllers). It is online multiplayer for those 2.

Wii controllers
: Wii mote + nunchuck+ motion Plus (for some) + classic controller (for virtual console) + game cube controller (if you want to play game cube titles)

Buy 3 or 4 and you are talking more than PS3 or XBOX360. I know cause I have bought 2 sets.

Halo series is widely known for this.

I stand corrected ... however, my point was for a majority of the games on HD consoles split screen multiplayer is not where the fun is at. My experience with COD has been that in split screen everyone accused one another of cheating (watching other player's screen to find out where they are). Online Multiplayer is more fun and that is why less and less publishers have included local multiplayer in newer games.

Wii caters to a different crowd where local multiplayer is important.

System link.

Even better than Online

no component cables cost 54 at bestbuy, there is no such bundle for headset, HDD and Live. Headset costs 35 for wired and 70 wireless at bestbuy and live is 50...ask anyone... and 360 controller is 69.99 at bestbuy...

so i forgot nunchuk....remote is 45 not 35 and nunchuk is 25 so 45 + 25 is 70 + 25 for motion pus which is 95 so i agree on being corrected that controller cost more for wii but hey you don't need motion plus just yet cause there are only like 4-5 games using it...

so no Wii is the cheapest still....even with the arcade...or and warranty for wii for 2 years is 50 while for 360 arcade and elite it is 60 for 2 years...