This article is designed for people who have very little knowledge of gaming but are looking for a console for their family or children. Here we outline the basics of each one and whether they are ideal for you and your family.
Games consoles have become like DVD players and widescreen televisions in the sense they have almost become a household item. Many are top of a birthday or christmas list for both children and adults. The playing field for the games consoles is dominated by the big three: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and the Playstation 3. So here we compare these video game consoles.
The Playstation 3 – £299.99
There was a time when somebody spoke of consoles, the one to have was the Playstation. It has the best games, which featured the best graphics and the best sound. Some of the games that started on this platform like Tomb Raider, have become feature films.
Wind the clock forward a few years however, and the PS3 is not really competing with the two other big players. It currently lacks the quirky innovation of the Wii, and seems to lack the gaming support of the 360.
The games have quality graphics, sound and gameplay, and the console itself can play blu-ray disks, and is the only console able to do so. It is technically speaking a more capable machine than the 360, as the graphic card is a higher spec, and the processor is faster.
So, should you buy one? The PS3′s Achilles heal is that the bigger titles tend to come out on the Xbox 360, and it simply cannot match the Xbox live experience for online play. However, if you are a film buff and have a many blu-ray titles, and are not to concerned about Call of Duty games and online play, this could be an option as the console that is right for you.
Xbox 360 – £119.98
For many hardcore gamers, this is the console of choice. It has some excellent titles in its catalogue like the Halo games, and the Call of Duties, and for traditional button pushing hardcore gaming, this console is hard to beat. It also has excellent online play in the form of Xbox live, which has become a huge success.
The only downside to the 360, is that there has been reports of technical hitches that have hampered the play of many gamers. That aside, for traditional gaming and being slightly cheaper than the PS3, it is arguably the machine for you if you are a traditional gamer.
Nintendo Wii – £160.00
Sony in particular must really hate the Nintendo Wii. Before its release the gaming world was a two horse race and for the most part they were a few lengths in front. Then from out of nowhere comes a games console that introduced a new concept in gaming: Motion!
There can be no denying that the motion controllers that have been pioneered by Nintendo are its true strength. If you are actually throwing a punch at an opponent rather than pushing a button, does it really matter if it does not quite match the pixel perfection of the other two consoles? For many, the answer is no. The Wii consistently outsells its closest rivals, and was the console of choice last year.
Like the motion controllers, the imagination in some of the games are exceptional as well. Wii Music and Wii Fit were not even dreamed about a few years ago, and a key strength with titles of this nature is that the whole family can participate in the fun. Gaming has moved from a concept that encouraged people to play alone in their bedrooms, to a shared activity enjoyed by everyone.
The Wii is ideal for family fun, but also if you value actually doing something rather than button pushing.
Remember
All the consoles have their strengths and weaknesses and you should consider these before parting with your cash. So look at all their features and compare the video game consoles to get the right one for you. Happy gaming!
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