As the holidays are upon us there are many great holiday video game specials that are being added to retail shelves each month and with the recent price drop of both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, there will be millions of consumers debating about which console manufacturer deserves their hard earned money.

Today’s HD consoles are competitively priced offering advanced gaming software and a robust line-up of online features. Consumers can be easily intimidated by all the intricate features offered, so to be fair to the uninformed consumer looking to invest in these “Do Everything” consoles, Thevolution Network has decided to breakdown all the important and simple points for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2009.

Our list of features and costs for each console are in no way set to give either console an advantage over the next. We are only showing the obvious as some breakdowns may show an edge depending on the consumers need. To keep our platform breakdown simple we have decided to list all the available console types for the Xbox 360 and PS3, their 2009 exclusive software line-up and of course their list of online features.

Which is the better console for you and for the holidays is a question only you can answer. From exclusive software offerings to robust online features and frequent updates both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 offer a multitude of entertainment.

XBOX 360 ELITE – $299
120 GB HDD
HDMI Input
One Wireless Controller (AA Batteries Included)
DVD playback
Composite A/V Cable
1 Month XboxLIVE Free
Free Trial NetFlix

Additional Cost
Please understand that additional cost should be measured based on an individual need and or preference that would of course enhance the convenience of your gaming and entertainment experience.

Wireless Network Adapter – $100
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Charger – $20
HDMI Cable – $50 (You can find HDMI cables for as low as $25)
XboxLIVE Annual Subscription – $50

Total Cost:

$519 (Based on acquiring all the console add-ons)
$394 (Based on acquiring XboxLIVE, cheaper HDMI cables and Wireless Controller Charger)

XBOX 360 ARCADE – $199

256 MB
HDMI Input
One Wireless Controller
Composite A/V Cable
1 Month XboxLIVE Free

Additional Cost:
Please understand that additional cost should be measured based on an individual need and or preference that would of course enhance the convenience of your gaming and entertainment experience.

120 GB HDD – $150 (Xbox.com) / 60 GB HDD – $100 (GameStop)
Wireless Network Adapter - $100
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Charger – $20
Xbox 360 HDMI Cable – $50 (You can find HDMI cables for as low as $25)
XboxLIVE Annual Subscription – $50

Total Cost:

$569 (Based on acquiring all the maximum console add-ons and the stand alone 120 GB HDD)
$394 (Based on acquiring the 60 GB HDD, XboxLIVE Annual Subscription, cheap HDMI cable and Wireless Controller Charger)

2009 Xbox 360 Software Exclusives:

HALO WARS

NINJA BLADE

VELVET ASSASSIN

SHADOW COMPLEX

HALO 3: ODST

GTA 4 EPISODES: BALLARD OF GAY TONY / DLC

FORZA 3

LEFT 4 DEAD 2

Please note that multiplatform titles are not added to this list as they are available for both the PS3 and Xbox 360

XBOXLIVE

Considered by many as the superior online gaming experience in comparison to the competition by offering a robust community and a list great online features, XboxLIVE does seem to be the heart and soul of the Xbox 360 experience. Because Microsoft believes they are leading the way in online gaming, XboxLIVE does come with an annual membership fee of $50. Just how much is being offered to constitute a $50 membership fee is constantly debated due to the PS3’s free online service known as the Playstation Network.

Key features offered on XboxLIVE:

Online Gaming

Friends List (In-Game functionality)

New & Improved Dashboard

Headset Support (Standard Xbox 360 Headset)

Gamerscore For Tracking In Game Achievements

NetFlix Movie Streaming

In-Game Customizable Music List

Reputation Rating

4-Way Chat

Video Chat

Cross game Chat Room

Windows Live Messenger

Community News & Entertainment

Facebook & Twitter Social Networking Application

Zune & Last.fm Music Discovery Marketplace

Animated Customizable Stationary Avatars

Game Demos

Game & Film Trailers

Downloadable Arcade Classics (PACMAN, Marble Blast, Feeding Frenzy, etc)

PS3 – $349

250GB HDD
One Wireless Controller (Bluetooth compatible for charging while you play functionality via usb port)
Blu-ray HD playback & DVD playback
Wi-Fi Ready for wireless interconnectivity
HDMI Input
Playstation Network with Free Membership
Built-In Internet Browser

Additional Cost
Please understand that additional cost should be measured based on an individual need and or preference that would of course enhance the convenience of your gaming and entertainment experience.

HDMI Cable – $50 (You can find these cables for as low as $25)

Total Cost:

$399 (Based on the additional purchase of the high-end HDMI cable)
$374(Based on the additional purchase of the more affordable HDMI cable)

PS3 – $299

120GB HDD
One Wireless Controller (Bluetooth compatible for charging while you play functionality via usb port)
Blu-ray HD playback & DVD playback
Wi-Fi Ready for wireless interconnectivity
HDMI Input
Playstation Network with Free Membership
Built-In Internet Browser

Additional Cost
Please understand that additional cost should be measured based on an individual need and or preference that would of course enhance the convenience of your gaming and entertainment experience.

HDMI Cable – $50 (You can find these cables for as low as $25)

Total Cost:

$349 (Based on the additional purchase of the high-end HDMI cable)
$324 (Based on the additional purchase of the more affordable HDMI cable)

2009 PS3 Software Exclusives:

KILLZONE 2
MLB ‘09 THE SHOW
FLOWER
inFAMOUS
FAT PRINCESS
YAKUZA 3(Currently Only Available In Japan)
UNCHARTED 2
RATCHET & CLANK FUTURE: CRACK IN TIME
DEMON SOULS
GOD OF WAR: Collection
AFRIKA
PUNISHER: NO MERCY

Please note that multiplatform titles are not added to this list as they are available for both the PS3 and Xbox 360

PLAYSTATION NETWORK

Sony’s free online gaming network has been growing and now with the competitively priced PS3 many users are jumping on board utilizing all the bells and whistles of the Playstation Network. Now offering a more robust HOME experience, similar function which are found on LIVE, and steady updates, Sony is making a strong argument for their free online service.

Here are a list of key features offered on Playstation Network:

Online Gaming

Friends List (In-Game Functionality)

Bluetooth Headset Support (Any bluetooth headset will suffice)

HOME (Game launching with multiple friends from within HOME, tons of mini-games, friend text & chatting in virtual HOME world, customizable apartments, malls for shopping, movie theater showing trailers, bowling alleys, software spaces such as Resident Evil 5, Uncharted, Warhawk etc.)

PSN Movie Download Service

Fully Customizable Avatar (With the ability to interact with other avatar users within HOME)

NetFlix Movie Streaming

Video Chat

4-Way Chat

Cross Game Chat Room

In-Game Trophy Support

Facebook Social Networking Application

Game Demos

Game & Film Trailers

Qore (Monthly Playstation News & Software Updates / $2.99 monthly or $24 annually /North America)

VidZone (Europe & Australia)

PULSE ( Bi-weekly Playstation News & Updates)

BBC iPlayer (UK)

Life With Playstation (Offering 3 Major Channels: LIVE Channel offering news headlines and weather through a 3D globe, World Heritage offering historical information about historical sites and United Village is a project designed to share information about communities and cultures worldwide.

Downloadable PSOne and PS2 Classics (Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Syphon Filter, etc)