The Wii is the superior video game console.

Contention 1+ : Price My opponent claims that the presence of a Blu-ray Disc Player can help the PS3 to be the superior video game console. However, remember that this debate is about which console is superior as a video game console. A video game console is technically "a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games," a task that a Blu-ray player contributes nothing to. Therefore, the contention is rather worthless to this debate. (For reference, I will refer to this as the VGC (video game console) argument.) Additionally, Blu-ray players can cost as little as $199. It is considerably likely that the PS3 uses such cheaper players instead of higher-end versions (they're already subsidizing the PS3 as it is), so you're really getting about $199 extra. However, if you already have a DVD player (which can cost as little as $30 [1]), the added benefit of a Blu-ray player falls dramatically, as Blu-ray is not a whole lot better than DVD. My opponent claims that the PS3 has had stimulus packages. However, these were likely not the PS3 slim 120GB; I would like my opponent to cite any packages that he wishes to include in his arguments. Contention 2 +: Failure My opponent uses a variety of sources (some biased, some not) against my source. However, I would have to say that my source, a warranty provider SquareTrade, is a more reliable source, as it actually works with this data as a commercial business, and has no motivation to lie, unlike the founder of Sony. Contention 3 +: Controller My opponent calls the PS3 controller smooth, responsive, and fluid. Such describes my experience with the Wiimote, as well. My opponent complains that obstructions ruin the function of the Wiimote, but why is there something between the controller and the TV in the first place? Get it out of the way. It seems that the only way for the DualShock controller to beat the Wiimote is for a random obstacle to be placed in the middle of the room. My opponent also criticizes the Sensor Bar, but "the console's Sensor Bar... allows consistent usage regardless of a television's type or size" [2]. The user never has to position his hands awkwardly. As for a safe and easy-to-access location, try the top of the TV. That works beautifully, and any problems of falling off can be fixed with tape. "Also, the Wii sensor isn't always so accurate, and will not read the Wiimote's commands too well." Nintendo fixed this problem with the Wii MotionPlus [3], which greatly improves the accuracy of the Wiimote. Now all problems are solved. My opponent claims that the Wii balance board also occasionally fails, but nothing indicates that it fails any more often than any corresponding things on the PS3. The Wii Zapper, while not perfect, was considered a steal when packaged with Crossbow Training. The GameCube controller, at about $5 [4], may not be as great as the DualShock controller, which costs $45 [5], but relative to its price, the GC controller wins, hands-down. However, is my opponent aware of the DualShock controller's awkward handling and confusing button layout and display? All he tries to do is bash the Wii, but he gives no compliments to the PS3. Contention 4 +: Games My opponent calls Nintendo's revised sales figures "not so grand," despite the fact that Nintendo's 11th-best-selling game beats the PS3's top game. My opponent then makes up some revenue figures using numerous faulty assertions: Game prices aren't constant. I've seen Wii and PS3 games that cost $20 each, usually the low-budget or failure ones. You can't just take a $40/$12 price ration and assume it won't impact units sold. People are much more likely to buy five $12 games than they are to buy five $40 games. These made-up statistics are really worthless in terms of deciding anything. "As the saying goes, quality, not quantity." This statement, in and of itself, contributes nothing to this debate. Besides, quantity sold tends to indicate quality. "Also, as time goes by, the ps3 will eventually have more than the Wii in revenue." This is unsourced. Plus, it's generally impossible for the PS3 to catch up with the Wii's revenue earnings, because the Wii made profit for each Wii unit sold, while Sony actually subsidized its own PS3 sales [6]. Contention 1-: Online Play Yes, the PS3 has online play. However, so does the Wii, on games such as Mario Kart Wii, Pokï¿½mon Battle Revolution, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and more. Sure, it doesn't have sound communication, I'll concede that, but the games themselves are superior to those of the PS3, with or without sound communication. Contention 2-: Downloadable Content The Wii has a library to match the PS3, with a very impressive collection of the great classics from the NES, SNES, N64, and others [7]. It also has a collection of WiiWare games unique to the Wii online [8] as well as a Homebrew Channel. Plus, the Wii also has Netflix, and has less loading time than the PS3 [9], leaving the PS3 with no edge over the Wii. Contention 3-: Wii's shortcomings 1a) Graphics - The Wii is actually capable of 576i resolution. Now, sure, the PS3 has better graphics, but I maintain that this is not nearly as important to determining the superior console as the greatness of the games themselves. If the graphics were able to trump the greatness of the Wii games, Sony would be able to sell a whole lot more than they currently are. 1b) DVD options - See the VGC argument. 1c) Memory - With the less emphasis on graphics, the Wii doesn't need as much memory as the PS3. However, an 8GB SD card costs only about $13, and should be more than enough for the Wii. 1d) Computer processor - The processor really only helps to load the advanced graphics, which again aren't all that important. I've never had any problems with the processing speed of my Wii. 2) Online play - The Wii has games online, so my opponent is going to have to expand on this point. 3) Variety - I have no clue what my opponent is complaining about. The Wii has fighting (Punch Out!, SSBB), racing (Mario Kart Wii, Excite Bike), shooting (CoD, Crossbow Training), platforming (NSMBW, Super Mario Galaxy, SMG 2, Super Paper Mario), adventure (Twilight Princess), party (Wii Sports, Mario Party 8, Wii Play, Wii Sports Resort), and more. There is no shortage of variety on the Wii. I challenge my opponent to demonstrate comparable variety on the PS3. 4) Backwards Compatibility - My opponent shoots himself in the foot here. The Wii is fully backwards compatible with the GameCube and offers the Virtual Console for any games that predate the GC. However, the PS3 only offers backwards compatibility for the PS1, and not the PS2. The Wii actually outdoes the PS3 in this "shortcoming." Conclusion+: The Wii is considerably cheaper than the PS3, fails less often than the PS3, has a Wiimote superior to the DualShock controller (with a huge variety of other controllers), and the greatest collection of video games in history, ranging from the new Super Mario Galaxy 2 to the original Donkey Kong, with impressive variety. The Wii matches the PS3 in online play and downloadable content, and outclasses the PS3 in backwards compatibility and loading speed. As a system designed to play video games, the Wii is simply the best. Good luck, Atheism! 1. http://en.wikipedia.org... 2. http://en.wikipedia.org... 3. http://en.wikipedia.org... 4. http://tinyurl.com... 5. http://www.amazon.com... 6. http://ps3.ign.com... 7. http://www.nintendo.com... 8. http://www.nintendo.com... 9. http://superpowerbros.com...