Gaming Consoles Compared

In today’s world of gaming, there are many different gaming consoles that have different features, capabilities and capacities.

 

 

Not every console offers all of these features. The current most popular game consoles are the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Handheld systems, such as Nintendo’s DS and the PlayStation Portable (PSP) are also popular in the gaming world.

Nintendo’s Wii was highly anticipated upon its release because of its ease of use and its motion-sensing controls. Controls are wireless, and movement is detected by a sensor bar that sits on top of a television.

 

The Wii was designed to target a larger demographic, Nintendo wanted the system to appeal to females as well as males, young as well as old. The Wii gets players off the couch and even exercising with certain games. Some of the games sports moves have gotten people enthusiastically playing enough to break through the wrist strap on the controllers.

 

Another feature of the Wii that appeals to many people is its ability to download games from past Nintendo systems, such as Super Nintendo and the original Nintendo console.

 

The only slightly negative feature of the Wii is the many accessories it requires. The console itself only comes with one controller, or Wiimote, and Nunchuk. The system can be played by four players at once, so more controllers must be purchased separately to utilize multiplayer capabilities. Other accessories like the Classic Controller and other controllers are being periodically released for certain games.

Many gamers initially resisted the PlayStation 3 because of its hefty price tag (it was released with a per unit price of $600 for a 60GB hard drive version). However, the 60 GB version was recently dropped to $500, and Sony plans to release an 80GB PlayStation 3 in the near future for $600.

 

Despite its price, which more than doubles the Wii’s $250 price tag, the PlayStation 3 had gamers lining up days in advance of its release for a chance at purchasing a unit.

 

The system offers online play, extraordinary graphics and a built-in Blu-Ray player.

The Xbox 360, produced by Microsoft, came with an initial release price of $300 without wireless controls and capabilities, and $400 with a wireless control and wireless capability.

 

The system was still pricier than the Wii, but came equipped with a DVD player, online playing capabilities and advanced graphics.

For gamers on the go, a DS or a PSP is a must-have. The DS, which retailed for $149.99 upon release, has a touch-screen, two LCD monitors and a microphone. DS players in close proximity can also play multiplayer games through its online wireless capabilities. Players can also interact online through a Wi-Fi system.

 

PSP was released as a base package for $169.99 or a Value Pack for $219. The PSP features online wireless capabilities and even an embedded Web browser.

Which gaming console is best? It’s too close to call. Gamers will choose consoles based on graphics, company loyalty, game titles offered and many other subjective criteria. Nintendo’s Wii and DS come out on top in the price department, but extras like DVD and Blu-Ray players don’t go unnoticed by fans of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.