Thursday, 29 October 2009
Game console buying guide
There are three full-sized “next-generation” gaming consoles currently available on the market, each with their various pros and cons. So what are the main differences between the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)?
Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is traditionally the least expensive of the next-generation consoles, and it’s arguably also proved to be the most popular.
What it lacks in high-definition graphics and sound (resolution is only 480p), the Wii makes up for in ingenuity, largely thanks to the motion-sensing Wii remote (AKA the Wiimote). This means you can “play” virtual sports such as tennis, boxing and more. Then of course there is the Balance Board, which can be bought separately and used with Wii Fit and the new Wii Fit Plus game to perform yoga exercises and more.
Because the Nintendo Wii isn’t about hardcore gaming, it lends itself more to families and new gamers.
You can pick up a Wii bundled with accessories and games for well under the $400 mark.
Microsoft Xbox 360
Microsoft was first to market with the Xbox 360 at the end of November 2005 and as such as has had longer to build up its catalogue of games and its online multiplayer functionality, thanks to Xbox Live.
It features 720p resolution, which strictly counts as high-definition but falls slightly short of Full HD. It can be linked to your home network and even used with media devices such as video cameras.
The Xbox 360’s price is considerably cheaper than it was when it first hit the market. You can often find an Arcade Bundle for around the $300 mark.
Sony PS3
The Sony PS3 without a doubt boasts the best sound and graphics of the next-gen gaming consoles. It’s the only one capable of Full HD resolution (1080p) and the way it renders fast-paced action games such as first-person shooters and car racing is almost cinematic.
It also has a built-in Blu-ray player so you can play Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs and can be used as a media centre in your lounge room.
The PS3 Slim was released a couple of months ago in Australia with a compact form factor, increased hard drive over the previous entry-level model (120GB) and $499 price tag. Apparently a 250GB model is also on the way.
