Holiday Guide #2: Gaming Consoles
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People have been asking this question for the past 3 years: which console should I get? Is it the Sony Playstation 3, the Microsoft Xbox 360, or is it in fact the Nintendo Wii? How can I decide, there’re so many choices and I just can’t wait any longer!
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered from head to toe. First up, the Nintendo Wii.
Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is the ultimate console for family-friendly gaming. Built by Nintendo, the mother of the most recognized gaming characters to date. With a Nintendo Wii you’ll recognize Mario, Wario, Yoshi, Link, and an insane amount of other characters that have made their way to other Nintendo games.
The Nintendo Wii is feature packed with wireless, motion-sensing controllers and an easy-to-use interface. This console makes its fame by providing the most kid and family friendly video games available to you. You won’t find too many “hardcore” games that are gruesome or violent on the Wii, and if you do there are plenty of parental controls that will help you in determining whether or not a game is appropriate for your child to play.
One of the best features of the Wii is its wireless controllers. Unlike the other two main consoles (which I cover below!), the wireless controllers also use motion-sensing technology. A small infrared bar is placed on top of your television or somewhere nearby, that senses where the Wii controller is pointing in relation to the screen. There are also sensors in the controller that know whether its downside-up or upside-down, or shaking, and essentially moving in any direction. This capability make it really awesome to play some of the Wii-exclusive motion-controlled games.
Wii-motes!
The Wii’s controllers allow the console to have some really fun interactive games that have never been played in your living room. Bowling, baseball, golf, even racing games can be played using the motion-sensing controllers. Here is a great video of the Wii controllers in action. There are plenty of peripherals that will make the gaming experience unlike any other.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Wii is its price. The games are cheaper than its competitors, and the console itself is among the cheapest available. The cost of owning a Nintendo Wii is also much lower than others; you won’t need to replace it, and it uses much less energy while in use.
At a starting price of $249, it’s a great price along with its games. It comes with 2 controllers, and the necessary gadgets to make the system work. You’ll probably want to buy the add-on “nun chucks” that some games may use.
With every great thing there is a downside. It’s cheap, but most of the great games come with “attachments” to the controller. These will likely get lost, break, and you’ll probably need a box to put them all in! Peripherals will line your walls. On top of that, the Wii does not play DVD movies, so you’ll need to make room for it next to your regular DVD player because it isn’t going to replace it anytime soon.
Other media options are also lacking. You won’t be able to download movies, or watch Netflix like you can on the Xbox 360. Better yet, while the Xbox 360 and Playstation have downloadable video game content, the Wii does not have such an option. You’re stuck with the same Rock Band songs that came with the game from day one, while the other consoles already have over 200 added songs for the same game (granted you must pay for them).
Another thing the Wii is facing is its limitation of technology. Its graphics processor limits games, and theres only so much Wii bowling you can do. The last top-selling game is Wii Fit, and most people couldn’t get it because there just weren’t enough, let alone the fact that other games on the Wii just aren’t really quite as good as Nintendo’s own such as Mario Party, or Super Smash Brothers.
Great things about the Wii:
- Price: $249.99, check out Amazon.com’s Wii Store
for some great online deals.
- Tons of fun and interactivity
- Wireless capabilities
- Great game selection
- Limitless peripherals to make your games feel more “real.”
Next we’ll take a look at the Microsoft Xbox 360.
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Great and detailed guide, Steve! Nice to see all three consoles represented fairly and equally – they all have superb titles to offer and are each unique in their own right.
Cheers,
Bienko
Thanks, Chris! Appreciate your comment. Each console is unique, and each one has a unique “feel” or target associated with it. You have to have a keen sense about those things, however, to understand (e.g. if you’re a gamer, you know what I’m talking about).
Awesome review Mr. Staggs. Too bad you didnt include the n64, that stuff is so mint mcmoney and the graphics are still amazing.
Hey Staggs, that was a great guide. Will most definitely help me with my purchases this christmas.
Let me know how it goes, Adam!
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