I've gotten a few emails in the past few days from my readers regarding my Nintendo Wii postings, especially the recent one. "Fanboys" alike have praised my article, while others have so bashed and pillaged my article, that in the email they go as low as to pick me apart as a person and include racial/vulgar slurs. (And Ill let you know right now, I won't post your comment if it is not constructive, that means constructive criticism allowed!). So I have decided to take a look at both systems, and see what avantages- and disadvantages each has. The more points wins, gentlemen.
Nintendo Wii
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The Nintendo Wii was seen mostly as a "last shot chance" for gaming giant Nintendo when they unveiled their new console about roughly a month ago. Sony has clearly underestimated their rival Nintendo, calling the Wii a "novelty" item. The Nintendo Wii sports a new, unique motion sensitive controller which you point at your screen to move around your character, cursor, or perform basic actions. The system has internal memory so memory cards are not needed unless you save a ton of data. The Wii also takes SD cards, which is a huge plus because Wii data can be stored onto PCs. I also saw two USB ports back there, and I am not yet aware of their use.
A player is fully immersed into the game: They can swing the tennis racket, swing the bat, the sword, the stick, whatever. There are many motions now and to be discovered using the Wii remote. The Nintendo Wii, much like Xbox360's online service, is free and offers classic games from the Nintendo Classic archives to download. In a recent Wii update, the weather channe was put online! Out of the three consoles, only the Nintendo Wii can give you local forcasts, and then with a globe image provided by NASA, spin around the world to see temperatues. A lot of potential lies with the Nintendo Wii for attachments, channels, games, and extras. If the Wii caused this much good fuss early on, we have a winner here.
Not to my suprise, most of the launch games are not that good (like the other 2 systems). Zelda Twilight Princess blew me away with graphics, and turned out to be an excellent game. Nintendo has proven that you don't need fancy pants graphics and smooth gameplay to have the best gaming experience. Nintendo's target this time around is everyone, especially people who refuse or have not really gotten into video games. The Nintendo Wii is very inviting, and VERY user friendly. It's something new we have not seen in the gaming world before, and its definetly something the general populous has not been exposed to. The Wii offers a lot of fun, a good time, great extras, and a user-friendly interface.
At $250 a console, Nintendo is running it cheap this generation. The Nintendo Wii, don't get me wrong is a tiny powerhouse that can output a lot of great stuff. I have yet to determine this, but I am going to take the volume of the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Gamecube to see which is actually smaller. Wii also is a huge focuser in on parental controls. Parents can control and regulate which games children play; making the decision to buy the Wii that much less of a guily one. Reviews claim the Nintendo Wii offers as much or better gameplay as the Playstation 3, so the choice of $300 or $700 is a clear cut one.
Positives+
+ User friendly Interface
+ Updates Via Internet
+ Detects Wireless Router Network
+ Great Gameplay
+ Affordable Price
+ Numerous Customizeable Controls
+ Console specifics (Weather Channel, etc)
+ Classic Games Shopping
+ Easy to Use Controller
+ Immersion Factor Three Thumbs Up
+ Simple setup
+ SD Cards as memory cards
+ Internal memory
+ Backwards compatible: Gamecube memory and controller slots
Things we didn't like -
- Wii remote sucks up batteries, FAST. Leave your Wii off (batteries drain as the remote is connected) or have rechargeable batteries handy and in cycle. May not be a bad investment.
- Speaker sounds sound a bit outdated: but they do their purpose and do it well.
o We wont blame this on the Wii, but people play too hard with the Wii and the remote ends up flying hitting someone or going into the TV. Please folks give it a rest!
- Graphics are not top notch; but the Wii offers more into gameplay
- Large "pak" that plugs into the wall (the coord connected to it)
- Not backwards compatible with the Nintendo 64 as with the Wii
- No interaction via Gameboy Advance or Nintendo DS
o I don't know all of the facts, but I think you can't port games to another region Wii. For example, I can't play the Japanese Zelda on my American Wii.
- In some games, the Nunchuk analog stick sometimes would not be centered as we plugged it in beforehand.
Total Points: 10.75 points
Conclusion: The Wii is a good choice if you are looking to save money; and actually have a good time with it for you and your kids (or yourself!). Offers many "channel" features to be released, and can automatically detect wireless networks. Wii units may be hard to find, and accessories for the game consoles are becoming impossible to find. Games I have had no problem finding.
Playstation 3
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The Playstation 3 has also done some new things to cater to the generation of gaming already in place. (Herein PS3) The PS3 has absolouly incredible graphics, and the controller has been made motion sensitive modeled after the Wiiremote, but not quite like it. The controller can't be pointed at the screen; rather it can be tilted and twisted and turned on many axis, making gameplay somewhat more immersive. The PS3 will also have a live service launching soon (as far as I know I don't know all of the details). The system has a HUGE amount of internal memory: in fact I think its a hard drive.
The Playstation 3 features an entire slew of lineup games largely targeted at an older adult and young male audience, usually in the 20s up. Currently, the PS3 (as far as I know) has no new games currently for smaller children, save Cars (again AFAIK). Sony promises stellar gameplay with its double power-horse of a PS3 system and amazing graphics. Gameplay is realistic, physics are out of this world, and video games look a whole lot better these days thanks to next generation technology. The PS3 will play your DVDs and CDs and can be used as a multi-media center; but thats really all about it can do extra, and that kinda comes "staple" with them these days. The PS3 is somewhat easy to get into and control, however games can be frustrating and a pain.
Sony this time is selling the console for about $600-$700 USD, and they are actually selling at a loss. Production costs cost roughly $1200-$1300 USD per PS3 Unit. Sony hopes that the sales of games will make up for the near 50% loss in profits. Avid and hardcore gamers alike are not afraid to shell out the huge money for the next generation in ultimate graphics. With a limited number of games for a younger or much older audience, the Playstation 3 lacks in choices of games for minors and seniors alike, causing a potential buyer to become confused and to research what else is on the market. The PS3 is also virtually impossible to find, and is so popular that stores (like the Wii) sell out within 10-15 minutes of stock. A lot of potential exists in the future with the PS3, and its my hope in the next year and a half or so to finally secure one hopefully at a similar or lower price (used!).
Things We Like+
+ Easy to set up
+ Incredible Gameplay
+ Upcoming Online Service
+ Customer Savings (entire selling at a loss thing)
+ Internal Memory (harddrive)
+ Wireless controller
+ Good Gameplay
+ Good choices for starting lineups
+ Multimedia Functions
+ Future hardcore gamers dream machine!
Things We did not Like -
- Somewhat confusing to customize, set up, or play some games
- Not backwards compatible with some older games
- Not a big selection of games for a wide audience
- Lacking of Gameplay, but amazing graphics
- Big, heavy and somewhat clunky, but attractive
- Reported early diskread errors and early malfunctions
7.5 Points
Conclusion: If you are a casual gamer: stay away right now from the Playstation 3. It's expensive and doesnt offer a diverse amount of games for you to play. Wait until kinks are worked out of them (as usual) and wait for a larger slew of games to pop up on the market.
Xbox 360
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The Xbox 360 was actually released last year early by Microsoft (no duh on that one) to get an edge on the competition. As a computer company, their decision to do this did not suprise me. The 360 features wireless controllers, internal memory, and an online package that lets you talk to friends via a headset, play them in a few games, and the 360 serves as a multimedia center (you can even download music and play it during games with the 360!) For about a little under or around $400 USD, this is the perfect time to snatch up the 360 and introduce it to your retro gaming machines.
The 360 has been out for a year, so it has a HUGE range of games to choose from for a wide range of audiences. The games are fun and are easy to get into. Graphics are also top notch. I was deeply impressed when I played Call of Duty (or Soldier of Honor?) right when it was coming out last year. Parents: this is also a good alternative because the 360 offers top notch graphics from the PS3, but the good and wide variety of games from the Wii. The thing is a powerhouse, and can store game data, other data, etc directly into internal memory. As far as I know, you can hook up an 360 to your PC as well and move files.
Things we like+
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+ Great Online play and services
+ Great Gameplay
+ Huge selection of games for a bigger audience
+ friendly, easy user-interface
+ graphics nothing short of spectacular
+ best price to get it at is now
+ Internet Updates, Console updates self
+ Simple Setup
+ Some Free Online Arcade games in online package
Things we don't like
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-Widespread and common system failures after a year or so. GET THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ANY GAME SYSTEM FOLKS. Its only $20 USD more.
- DiskRead Errors.
- Large Clunky Controller
Points: 9.42 Points
Conclusion: A good system to pick up: Microsoft has made sure to have a good selection of games out and a good online system to play in. Casual gamers and hardcore fans alike will enjoy the system. For $400 USD, compared to $650USD a year ago, its time to make a good pick-up.
The Nintendo Wii has won our next Gen console war. The Wii features innovative gameplay and unique extras. The Wii however is lacking in graphics but well makes up for it in gameplay. Parental Controls are strong, and the Wii plans to bring people together to play. Will help to eliminate the stereotype put onto gamers.
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