The Next Generation Consoles... Which One?
July 4th 2007 03:26
One of the most debated of subjects in console gaming is which console to actually buy. Since the mainstream consoles began to be released, consumers have had to choose which one they wanted. Which back in the day of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega Master System (SMS) and the Atari 7800 really meant what games you wanted to play unlike todays consoles where you can buy certain games on any of them.
Nicknamed the Third Generation of Consoles, the NES, SMS and 7800 were the rebirth of the home gaming consoles. During 1983 the whole Video Game Industry crashed, with several of the First and Second Generation console making companies companies going into bankruptcy. It wasnt until the NES was released in 1985 (In America) that the gap between the generations ended.
Deciding which console to buy in the Third Generation meant deciding which games you wanted to play, as most games were exclusive, which was caused by Nintendo (The more popular console at the time) put licensing rules that forbid developers releasing their games on other consoles.
Over time this has become less and less the case. Due to very high costs of making a game exclusivly for one console (mainly due to demand), there are alot more games now that are available on multiple consoles (Though Nintendo still holds licensing rights over most of its own games.)
Now we have hit the Seventh Generation, with Three Major Companies still fighting for top spot (which Sony's Playstation 2 held in the Sixth generation). They are:
Microsoft X-box 360: The second console released by the popular creators of the Windows Operating System for the computer, as well as hundreds of other things. Also was the First Next Gen console released.
Nintendo Wii: The once kings of the console wars was over shadowed by the Microsoft's X-box and Sony's PS2 in the last generation. Nintendo have created a very unique gaming experience with the Wii, and no doubt the unusual naming of the console also helped boost sales.
Sony Playstation 3: Last Generation's King is back with the Playstation 3, it was also the last to be released and also costs twice as much as the old consoles. The console also has major problems with back-wards compatability, with alot of the older games not working.
So which one then?
The Human Interface Device (Controller)
At the time of writing this i have only played the X-box 360, but given that the PS3's controls are almost identical to the previous ones (except for the motion sensor and wireless that replaced the vibration ability of the old one) i'd say the experience is exactly the same as the older ones. The Wii however has the most unusual Human Interface Device, it is generally held in a vertical position in one hand, rather than the horizontal position using two hands way like most other consoles.
1 for Wii for its Creativity.
The Name
Sony stuck with letting everyone know that its the third one they made, where as microsoft called theirs the 360 an obvious ploy to make it souund u to date. Originally known as the Revolution, Nintendo renamed its console to the Wii. Marvellous
1 for Wii again for its creativity
The Unit looks
All of the units have gone for a vertical standing configuration, and they are all very unique looking, a definate step up from their predecessors. However i would have to say the PS3 looks more clean and polished, and overall better. Something i would rather have in my room then the other two,
1 For the PS3 for looks
The Hardware
Both the 360 and PS3 have very similar statistics, though the PS3 seems to be more powerful overall. The PS3 also comes with the next generation disks, Blue-Ray which is also a plus. While the 360 and the PS3 have statistics closer to that of a PC, the Wii looks on paper a considerable amount less advanced. But watching it on the TV you can see its closer to its rivals than it seems.
1 for PS3 for Hardware
Price
This is what hurts the Playstation 3 big, costing almost twice the price as the other two you have to think is the extra stuff worth it? The Wii comes in as the cheapest, and also only has one "version" unlike the other two.
1 For the Wii with the price
Backwards Compatibility
The Wii has the most with having all of Nintendos older Consoles (NES,SNES, N64) available through download as welll as being able to read the Gamecubes games.
The 360 X-Box games available through downloads, more additions with server updates.
And the PS3 is supposed to be able to play all the previous games from older consoles using the disks or through downloads, except for the European Version.
1 for the PS3, due to having the extensive library without having to download it (which usually costs), despite the European Version Issues
The Games
Nintendo like always has its own style, aiming mainly towards fun and enjoyable games over the realistic games the the 360 and the PS3 have. One of the Downfalls for the PS3 was the lack of Great games during its launch in my opinion.The 360 was released with far more titles available though being released far earlier than the PS3 the lack of better games can be expected.
1 Wii, Until the other two bring out some real extraordinary games Nintendo takes the cake.
Overall
If money was not a factor, the PS3 would be the best once more, however that price is too steep at the moment to justify buying one until some better games are released (GTA4 may be just the helping hand it needs).
For Fun and Excitement, the Wii seems to be the way to go. Nintendo really seem to aim for what gaming is really about, having fun which with the unique controller and games (not to mention cheap price) it seems theyve done the job.
Unfortunately the 360 seems to be in the middle, while not being as powerful and have as many games available as the PS3, it is a heck of alot cheaper.
Therefore: PS3 if you have the money, 360 if you cant afford a PS3 and the Wii if you want a new and fun gaming experience.
Nicknamed the Third Generation of Consoles, the NES, SMS and 7800 were the rebirth of the home gaming consoles. During 1983 the whole Video Game Industry crashed, with several of the First and Second Generation console making companies companies going into bankruptcy. It wasnt until the NES was released in 1985 (In America) that the gap between the generations ended.
Deciding which console to buy in the Third Generation meant deciding which games you wanted to play, as most games were exclusive, which was caused by Nintendo (The more popular console at the time) put licensing rules that forbid developers releasing their games on other consoles.
Over time this has become less and less the case. Due to very high costs of making a game exclusivly for one console (mainly due to demand), there are alot more games now that are available on multiple consoles (Though Nintendo still holds licensing rights over most of its own games.)
Now we have hit the Seventh Generation, with Three Major Companies still fighting for top spot (which Sony's Playstation 2 held in the Sixth generation). They are:
Microsoft X-box 360: The second console released by the popular creators of the Windows Operating System for the computer, as well as hundreds of other things. Also was the First Next Gen console released.
Nintendo Wii: The once kings of the console wars was over shadowed by the Microsoft's X-box and Sony's PS2 in the last generation. Nintendo have created a very unique gaming experience with the Wii, and no doubt the unusual naming of the console also helped boost sales.
Sony Playstation 3: Last Generation's King is back with the Playstation 3, it was also the last to be released and also costs twice as much as the old consoles. The console also has major problems with back-wards compatability, with alot of the older games not working.
So which one then?
The Human Interface Device (Controller)
At the time of writing this i have only played the X-box 360, but given that the PS3's controls are almost identical to the previous ones (except for the motion sensor and wireless that replaced the vibration ability of the old one) i'd say the experience is exactly the same as the older ones. The Wii however has the most unusual Human Interface Device, it is generally held in a vertical position in one hand, rather than the horizontal position using two hands way like most other consoles.
1 for Wii for its Creativity.
The Name
Sony stuck with letting everyone know that its the third one they made, where as microsoft called theirs the 360 an obvious ploy to make it souund u to date. Originally known as the Revolution, Nintendo renamed its console to the Wii. Marvellous
1 for Wii again for its creativity
The Unit looks
All of the units have gone for a vertical standing configuration, and they are all very unique looking, a definate step up from their predecessors. However i would have to say the PS3 looks more clean and polished, and overall better. Something i would rather have in my room then the other two,
1 For the PS3 for looks
The Hardware
Both the 360 and PS3 have very similar statistics, though the PS3 seems to be more powerful overall. The PS3 also comes with the next generation disks, Blue-Ray which is also a plus. While the 360 and the PS3 have statistics closer to that of a PC, the Wii looks on paper a considerable amount less advanced. But watching it on the TV you can see its closer to its rivals than it seems.
1 for PS3 for Hardware
Price
This is what hurts the Playstation 3 big, costing almost twice the price as the other two you have to think is the extra stuff worth it? The Wii comes in as the cheapest, and also only has one "version" unlike the other two.
1 For the Wii with the price
Backwards Compatibility
The Wii has the most with having all of Nintendos older Consoles (NES,SNES, N64) available through download as welll as being able to read the Gamecubes games.
The 360 X-Box games available through downloads, more additions with server updates.
And the PS3 is supposed to be able to play all the previous games from older consoles using the disks or through downloads, except for the European Version.
1 for the PS3, due to having the extensive library without having to download it (which usually costs), despite the European Version Issues
The Games
Nintendo like always has its own style, aiming mainly towards fun and enjoyable games over the realistic games the the 360 and the PS3 have. One of the Downfalls for the PS3 was the lack of Great games during its launch in my opinion.The 360 was released with far more titles available though being released far earlier than the PS3 the lack of better games can be expected.
1 Wii, Until the other two bring out some real extraordinary games Nintendo takes the cake.
Overall
If money was not a factor, the PS3 would be the best once more, however that price is too steep at the moment to justify buying one until some better games are released (GTA4 may be just the helping hand it needs).
For Fun and Excitement, the Wii seems to be the way to go. Nintendo really seem to aim for what gaming is really about, having fun which with the unique controller and games (not to mention cheap price) it seems theyve done the job.
Unfortunately the 360 seems to be in the middle, while not being as powerful and have as many games available as the PS3, it is a heck of alot cheaper.
Therefore: PS3 if you have the money, 360 if you cant afford a PS3 and the Wii if you want a new and fun gaming experience.
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