A lot has changed since the Xbox 360 debuted in Australia in March 2006. After what has seemed like dozens of upgrades, improvements, omissions, price drops and bundles, the dust has settled (for now) and we're left with three competitively priced consoles.

Such an evenly matched trio of hardware makes for the perfect time to reignite the ultimate question for prospective video game console buyers: which home console should you buy?

Which game console should you buy? It depends... (Credit: CNET)

This question doesn't necessarily have a definitive answer. Quite frankly, the answer could be any of the three. In other words, there is no default "best console". It's about finding the one that's right for you — and what will be the deciding factor in your case will ultimately depend on what you plan to use the console for. That said, in lieu of detailing every last bit of functionality that each console offers, let's discuss the type of person we think would benefit most from each console.

The Xbox 360 is an excellent game machine. Most triple-A titles are available on the 360, save for a few PlayStation 3-only games, and the games generally look as good as or better than their PS3 counterparts. The console also has its fair share of exclusives, including the Gears of War, Halo, Forza and Fable series.

The Xbox 360 is best for: those who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hardcore and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system.

The Xbox 360 is not the best choice for: those who want the PS3's added value of built-in Blu-ray and Wi-Fi.

Key Xbox 360 exclusives: the Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Fable and Left 4 Dead series.

Gears of War 2 is possibly the best-looking game on the Xbox 360. (Credit: GameSpot)

The PS3 is best for: hardcore and casual gamers who aren't concerned with the ultimate online experience, early adopters, do-it-yourselfers and videophiles who need the latest and greatest in Blu-ray.

The PS3 is not the best choice for: those who don't care about HD graphics or video.

Key PS3 exclusives: the Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Resistance and Killzone series; LittleBigPlanet.

Uncharted has quickly become the PS3's staple franchise. (Credit: GameSpot)

The Nintendo Wii is best for: parents with children who are just beginning to enter the world of gaming, family gaming, and an environment with a lot of people (shared accommodation with numerous flatmates).

The Wii is not the best choice for: those who are looking for a game console that doubles as an all-purpose entertainment hub, want state-of-the-art HD graphics, enjoy a robust online community and/or those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles.

Key Wii exclusives: all Zelda, Mario and Metroid games.

Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best games available for the Wii. (Credit: GameSpot)

http://www.cnet.com.au/xbox-360-vs-playstation-3-vs-wii-updated-240054900.htm?omnRef=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Fsearch%3Fum%3D1%26cf%3Dall%26ned%3Den_sg%26hl%3Den%26q%3DNintendo%2BWii%2B%2Bsony%2Bps3%2B2009%26cf%3Dall%26scoring%3Dn%26start%3D40

nice and fair comparison

A) Do we really need this topic? (No).

B) "The Xbox 360 is best for: those who want an easy-to-use interface; gamers who take online gameplay seriously; gamers who already have friends on Xbox Live; hardcore and casual gamers; anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system."

LOL.

"The Xbox 360 is best for: those who want an easy-to-use interface"
PS3's XMB interface won several awards and is considered the best interface of any current console by most people.

"The Xbox 360 is best for: gamers who take online gameplay seriously"
Online gaming on PS3 and 360 are pretty much identical, except that it is FREE on PS3.

"The Xbox 360 is best for: hardcore and casual gamers"
How is the 360 better than the other consoles in this regard?

"The Xbox 360 is best for: anyone who wants a good all-in-one gaming and entertainment system."
All in one, except for Blu-Ray. So again, how is the 360 "best" in this regard?

C) They conveniently forgot to mention PS3's free online, cheap hdd upgrades, compatibility with cheap third party usb and bluetooth devices such as gamepads, keyboards, headsets etc.

Good comparison. My GF really likes the interface on the 360 over the PS3, it really is "easy to use" so that's right. Also, man SMG does not hold up well graphically sitting 2 inches under Uncharted and Gears 2. I would really like to see a HD Nintendo system. HD Zelda (sans waggle) would be so cool!

I don't understand why you'd need a 360 to play online games seriously, rest are good points.

This is really tilted in favor of the HD Twins.

The Xbox 360 has an "easy to use interface"? Everyone I know - long-time gamer or no - finds it confusing as hell. Also, anyone who wants an "all-in-one gaming and entertainment system" would be better served getting a PC, since that way you won't be nickle-and-dimed to hell and back by MS. Ditto with the "do-it-yourselfers and videophiles" mentioned in the PS3 section.

And what exactly do the HD consoles offer the Expanded Market (or "casual gamers" as the article calls them) that the Wii doesn't? The odd half-hearted PopCap port? Last I checked, both HD consoles' libraries are extremely core market-oriented.

As for the Wii: "Those who prefer a wide selection of adult-targeted titles?" More adults have bought Wii Fit than any three games on either of the HD consoles combined. When will game journalists get over the fact that the majority of adults don't want to play games with convoluted controls, swearing, and polygonal tits?

Just more awful crap from "gaming journalists." Nothing to see here.

Yeah its indeed HD biased

To be fair, the 360's GUI is more "idiot" friendly than the PS3 menu(better for people who know wtf they are doing) so the article is not exactly wrong.

Calling a game causal is not an insult, since I enjoy all gaming, people who mean or see it as an insult are prolly racists, just saying.

95% of game journalists are fucked in the head, don't take it too seriously =).

Years ago, alongside the release of a Grand Theft Auto game a major gaming website (Gamespot I believe) had a former mob-boss in with his son for an interview. They showed off both the Grand Theft Auto game and (as a joke/insult towards the Gamecube) Animal Crossing. The interview didn’t quite go as expected because the former mob-boss thought that Animal Crossing was far more interesting while he though GTA was juvenile; although his son had the complete opposite reaction.

A large portion of videogames are centered around the pubescent fantasies of boys/men and do not appeal to women or men who have moved beyond that phase in their life. Gaming journalists are unusually devoted to these fantasies and are unwilling or unable to see how other adults wouldn’t see the appeal of their favourite games.

off topic: can you link that? I'd like to see some GC-era journalist self-pwnage.

on topic: the Wii segment of it does seem rather phoned in, given that they mentioned specific games for the other two, and just said "oh, just get Mario, Zelda, and Metroid" for Wii.