In lieu of last group's idea for a theme for the entire week, we decided to have a technology discussion week. I decided to start it off with the Next gen console wars. Maybe a little nerdy, but maybe I can persuade some people who don't play games to maybe try one out sometime. Who knows, maybe you'll like it.
As a self-proclaimed aficionado of video games, I feel that this is a very pertinent discussion to the entertainment products in today’s market. Video games are becoming widely popularized and are no longer confined to the stereotype of “kid’s toys” anymore as many video gamers are adults. Consoles are the largest source for video games and computers are often excluded. I too will not talk about computers in this discussion since they are constantly being improved daily and video game requirements for computers differ from consoles.
The three main consoles out there are the Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii, and the Playstation 3 as I assume all of you know. Whether you’re a full time gamer, an occasional player, or a person who doesn’t touch video games, you have heard about and know about these consoles. Here I will try to assess each systems pros and cons in order to make it easier to decide which console to get, or maybe to even try out video games if you never have before.
The 360 has been around the longest of the three systems, and in my personal opinion ranks as the top console. It run’s on HD, which is both a positive for the console and a drawback as well. It runs off of HD (High Definition) DVD games which provides for smoother textures and better graphics. However, this requires an HDTV, which most people do not have. Although it does run on regular TV’s, the images tend to be blurry and details are hard to see, therefore making it comparable to the previous Xbox. However, the system itself run’s smoothly and frame rates tend to stay consistent for a smooth running games. Also, the 360 has a wider assortment of games due to the fact that it has been out for longer. I personally am prone to shooter video games myself, and the 360 is definitely the best console for that genre. It has some of the better shooter games such as Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter (and its sequel) as well as the top game around Gears of War and eventually Halo 3. The controllers (both corded and wireless) are ergonomic and fit perfectly into anybodies hand, big or small, which was a problem with the old original Xbox “behemoth” controller. The controls are easy to figure out and master with practice and the placement of the buttons feel just right once you hold the controller. Another minor drawback is the price, for the base system (with no harddrive, controller, or game) is still $299. While with the additions the system is $399. I feel that the system is worth the expensive price tag because of the sheer beauty and power of it. If you wish to wait, the price may drop by the end of the year for the Christmas rush.
The Nintendo Wii came out last November around the same time as the PS3. This system shocked all gamers with its low price of $250 and it’s amazing new way to play the games. This system is a system for everyone. It does not appeal specifically to one person or another, much as the 360 and PS3 appeal to hardcore gamers. The Wii is for the average gamer or the new gamer. Though the graphics may not be as spectacular as the 360 or PS3, the new innovation of the movement controllers makes it more appealing. The games on this system are vast and differ greatly from the traditional games that we are used to. Wii sports became so popular for its sheer simplicity and unlimited fun that the people at Nintendo are working on another set of mini games for the Wii. It’s abstract yet still concrete enough to entice anyone. I’ve witnessed people who have never played a video game before, fall in love with the simple joy of the Wii. It is a great system for group parties and amazing fun among friends. However, the motion controllers makes shooter games slightly choppy and simple. Likewise, the size limits its system capacity causing the games to be not as advanced as the other consoles. However, it is still truly a next generation console and may convert those non-gamers out there.
The PS3, the last next generation console, came out last year as well, but for a much steeper price than the Wii. Boasting the new Blue Ray DVD player, the PS3 donned an opening price tag of $599. This price tag turned many gamers off of the system. Though it will have some great games such as Metal Gear Solid 4 (a fan favorite) and Final Fantasy 13 (a classic RPG), the other games that it does have out currently don’t stand up to the games of the other consoles. The graphics of the PS3 are basically equivalent to those of the 360, which has a cheaper price tag. They kept a similar controller design as with the other playstations, which was a mistake. The controller is small, and thus only works best for people with small hands. Likewise the placement of the joysticks makes it awkward when holding it and hard to control your character in the game (especially in shooters where control is crucial). Just like the 360 you will be required to get a High Definition TV in order to view the games at their full capacity. However, if you are an avid movie lover, better think twice about getting this system. You may need to buy your entire movie collection again on Blue Ray discs to get the effect of the high definition quality. Although a very powerful system by any means, it just isn’t worth it in the long run. With very little games that are only moderate and a high price tag means that you’ll be paying a lot of money for very little enjoyment.
In the console wars, it all depends on your own personal choice. Some people prefer Sony over Microsoft (as many people are anti-Microsoft). Others just prefer to enjoy simple games with friends. Regardless of your taste, you can’t deny the growing popularity of video games. It has grown so big that competitive gaming in multiplayer games such as Counter-strike and Halo have become sports. Kids are now being sponsored by leagues to play video games in tournaments for money. So don’t just brush video games off as a pure waste of time, or just another medium facilitating violence. Rather, we should view them as a simple source of entertainment that helps train hand eye coordination as well as facilitating our ability to recognize movements and details and can lead to a possible career. Hopefully this article helped any of you who happened to stumble across and read it. My review was very simple and you should each do your own research on websites such as
gamestop.com, gamespot.com, ign.com, pcmags.com, reviews.cnet.com, etc.
-Kevin-
