XBox 360 vs PS3 vs Wii
Unless you live under a rock, you'll have heard about the video game console war currently being waged. There are three massive media companies in the fight, all supplying game fans and their families with home entertainment. Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony are all looking to suck the dollars out of your wallets and debit cards. Before you go out and just throw your money away, here's a brief look at what each of these consoles offer.
MICROSOFT XBOX 360
Released in North America last year, Microsoft's XBox 360 was the first next-gen console on the market and has had more time to iron out the kinks. While obtaining a Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation 3 for list price might be impossible this holiday season, anyone in North America, Europe, Japan, India, South Korea, or South Africa can buy an XBox 360. The XBox 360's primary function is video games and excels when focusing online. XBox Live on XBox 360 allows friends to play together, message one another, voice chat, and even video chat. Sony and Nintendo offer similar functionality but can't compete with Microsoft's polish. A majority of XBox 360 games have online features like multiplayer battles, cooperative play, and downloadable content. In addition to gaming, Microsoft's XBox 360 has an optional HD DVD add-on and rent-able HD videos to compete with PlayStation 3's BluRay. These two options add cost to the console but the XBox 360 on its own is less expensive than the PlayStation 3.
New games on Microsoft's XBox 360 include GEARS OF WAR, VIVA PINATA, TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS, and CALL OF DUTY 3. The XBox 360 has more games to offer than the other two consoles and already has several very well reviewed "classics". Gamers are bound to get hours (if not months) of enjoyment from ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION, TOM CLANCY'S GHOST RECON ADVANCED WARFIGHTER, CALL OF DUTY 2, and DEAD RISING. Highly anticipated future releases include LOST PLANET, HALO 3, and FABLE 2.
SONY PLAYSTATION 3
Released in North America last week, the Sony PlayStation 3 is the self-proclaimed usher of "True Next Generation Entertainment". While fanboys for Sony and Microsoft can debate this fact for hours, but one fact is irrefutable: PlayStation 3 is next gen. This new "computer entertainment system" is the first game console to run games and movies on BluRay discs. If you are unfamiliar with this format, BluRay is one of two high definition storage media currently available on the market. BluRay discs hold up to 50 gigs or information as varied as CG-graphics to lines of character dialog. In addition to BluRay, the PlayStation 3 provides gamers with the most modern graphics available on a gaming console. Games can run at a 1080p HD resolution, something impossible in the last generation. The selling point of the PlayStation is that this thing is a computer. It can provide a fantastic gaming experience, high-def movies, and even access to the Internet.
Games on the Sony PlayStation 3 include RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN, RIDGE RACER 7, NBA '07, and TONY HAWK'S PROJECT 8. So far RESISTANCE: FALL OF MAN has been the system seller, but the rest of the exclusive games don't seem to have garnered the greatest reviews. Launch titles are notoriously underwhelming and these games are in no way indicative of the PlayStation 3's fate. Games like LAIR and MOTORSTORM are waiting in the wings to impress a global collective of gamers.
THE NINTENDO WII
Released in North America just this past weekend, the Nintendo Wii is a bold new approach to video game consoles. The Wii abandons the gaming mantra of the past 20-odd years. Instead of focusing on graphics, the Wii is spending its effort on gameplay. This new system allows multiple players the ability to interact with their games in three dimensions. Holding a controller (lovingly known as a Wii-mote) that is shaped like a candy bar, players have to swing, snap, roll, and jab the device to play the games. How is this different than playing games on another console? Instead of pushing a plastic stick to roll a bowling ball, you will lift the controller up like a bowling ball and swing it in a motion identical to bowling. The selling point here is that anyone can play with this controller. It has been designed so that players won't need to know 30-button combo maneuvers to enjoy video games.
Games on the Nintendo Wii include THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE TWILIGHT PRINCESS, EXCITE TRUCK, WII SPORTS, MADDEN NFL 2007, RED STEEL and TRAUMA CENTER: SECOND OPINION. So far, THE LEGEND OF ZELDA has been the stand out title, with WII SPORTS and MADDEN NFL also getting some very positive review. Look for SUPER MARIO GALAXY and METROID PRIME 3: CORRUPTION some time in the future.
WHICH ONE TO BUY?
Most households will not be buying all three of these consoles, so a decision has to be made about which to buy. I've decided to list the three most essential selling points of the consoles and I'll let you decide for yourself.
NINTENDO WII: Gameplay, Nostalgia, Inexpensive
SONY PLAYSTATION 3: Graphics, BluRay, Market Leader
MICROSOFT XBOX 360: Online, Catalog of Titles, Downloading Movies and TV.
I hope this brief glimpse made you better informed consumers, gamers, and citizens. No one knows who will win this console war and the outcome will be in doubt probably for another two years. Nevertheless, we will all benefit from the incredible innovations that these three companies will provide.
wwe Smackdown series embraces xbox 360 as well. Now i am in a dilemma!
posted by maXpayne @ 8:32 PM
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