Update: I was able to confirmwith Sony that the PS3 does indeed come with one controller that is recharged via an incuded USB cable and that the PS3's online basic services will be offered to PS3 users free of charge. Changes made to reflect that, thought I'm still having to guess on the PS3 controller and HD-DVD costs.

Last August I tallied up the "Xbox 360 experience" on Kotaku. The idea at the time was that while the Xbox 360 was as little as $300, that didn't really deliver the full experience and even $400 didn't give you everything you really needed to fully appreciate the Xbox 360.

With a little more than two months before the PS3 launch I think it's time to put Sony's next-gen console through the same ringer. Unfortunately, there are a few key numbers missing, so right not this is just a comparison based on a few best guesses. Please keep that in mind while reading.

First here's a run down of the Xbox 360:

Xbox 360 Standard: $399.99
Gold Xbox Live Subscription: At least $49.99 (Likely more.)
Wireless Networking Adapter: $99.99
Second Wireless Controller: $49.99
Two Play and Charge Kits: $19.99 times two.
HD-DVD: $199*
Total: $839.94

That, of course, didn't include the High Def TV or any games.

So here's the best I can figure for the Playstation 3:

Playstation 3 standard: $599
PS3 Network Platform: Free
Wireless Networking Adapter: Built-in
Blu-ray player: Built-in
Second Wireless Controller: $49.99*
USB charge cables: Free
Total: $648.99

It's a little hard to do a direct comparison here, because Sony hasn't released the cost of their accessories yet, so I just went with the same price Microsoft is charging, which might be a bad call, though it can't be much off. I also had to guess on the cost of the HD-DVD add-on in the US for the Xbox 360, which is listed at 199 pounds. I can't imagine it would be much less or more than that.

Comparing the two, the loaded Xbox 360 is about $8 cheaper than the loaded PS3 and but that's without the HD-DVD player, tack that on and you're looking at the PS3 being about $200 cheaper. Also, of course, the PS3 does include HDMI support, which the 360 does not.

Overall, I think both Micrsoft and Sony are charging too much. Yes, I know you get a lot for your money, but that still a ton of cash whether you shell it out over a year or all in one go.

I'll make sure to update this when the real figures for the PS3 controllers and charge kits, if they even exist, come out. Brian Crecente

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