Holiday Guide #2: Gaming Consoles
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Sony Playstation 3
The Microsoft Xbox 360 has a one-up on the Playstation with its Xbox Live service and stash of high-profile games. Though the Playstation 3 has great games, they don’t seem to be as fascinating as some of the games seen on Xbox 360.
The games on the PS3 are also considerably more violent and less family-friendly than the Nintendo Wii’s.
The areas where the Playstation overtakes the Xbox 360 is in its media capabilities. Created by Sony, the father of Blu-Ray technology, the Playstation 3 offers high-definition to the max. For the past 3 years the Playstation has been somewhat “ahead” of technology because of Blu-Ray and its advanced Cell-processor that game developers complained was hard to create games on. Though, more recently Blu-Ray technology has won over HD-DVD, and a multitude of movies are now pouring onto the high-definition media.
The Playstation 3, like the Xbox 360 is capable of up to 1080p resolution and Dolby surround sound technology. The Playstation has some added bonuses that the Xbox 360 does not have. One of these being Bluetooth.
Bluetooth allows you to connect controllers, headsets, even keyboards and mice, wirelessly to the console. On top of all that wirelss technology, the PS3 has an internal wireless network receiver up to 802.11g. This means you’ll be able to hook it up to your wirelss home network without needing any network cables running to it or having to buy any additional hardware.
Going back to the controller, it is also motion-sensitive. Though you won’t be using it as a pointer like you can on a Nintendo Wii, it can detect whether it is being tilted, turned, or shaken. It isn’t as impressive, nor are there many games that use this feature well. In fact, if there is a game that uses the motion-sensors, it is probably minimal.
Along with motion-sensing, originally Sony’s controllers did not have rumbling features. If you fire a weapon with an Xbox 360 controller, it will vibrate to simulate recoil. This is called rumbling, and until recently PS3′s controllers did not do this. Be sure if you’re going to buy a new controller, it is a new model that does have the rumbling feature. It seems like an unnecessary feature, but it is important for most gamers to have.
In comparison to the other consoles multiplayer services, Sony has been working to push out its own version of Second Life, the virtual realy game, to its PS3 users. Called “Home,” the PS3 will soon have some great social capabilities that it hasn’t had in the first few years of its release. Check out our overlook of “Home”. This new social playground will compete with what both Nintendo and Microsoft have done with Miis and avatars (digital representation of a player), as well as open up a new stream of content that you’ll be able to download onto the PS3.
Currently, the PS3 allows you to rent movies, and download game add-ons just like Microsoft’s Xbox Live. What it lacks, which “Home” will hopefully fix, is a way for gamers to connect outside of regular multiplayer games. If fixed, the PS3 will be in a good position to rival Xbox Live, particularly because this service is free!
The PS3 is pricey as it is, which is a downside. For an 80Gb system, it will cost you $399, the same price of the high-end Xbox 360 model. Though, for a 160Gb version, $499.99, the most expensive of the 3 consoles. While it is expensive, I must say you get a good deal if you’ll be using it as a Blu-Ray player, as a regular player will cost you around the same price (and you don’t get to play games on those!) Check out Amazon’s Playstation 3 store to get some holiday ideas.
Which is the best?
I can’t say. It depends on the type of gamer you are, and what features you need from a gaming console. Personally, I like the Xbox 360′s games, and Xbox Live is an awesome service with many features. While I’m slighly wishing I had a PS3 to use as a Blu-Ray player, thats the only feature that attracts me away from the cheaper Xbox 360. The Nintendo Wii is great if you have a lot of friends to play bowling, or Wii Sports, or if you have a younger crowd that’ll be playing it.
Enjoy your holidays, make a wise decision! Now is the time to be on top of technology with WhatsLeet.com.
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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!