| I've noticed a lot of people asking the question | | | | although sometimes games do get it wrong. |
| "Should I buy a Nintendo Wii game console?". Since | | | | Luckily, the Wii controls are very good and |
| its release in November 2006, the wii has | | | | standard style game play, so games designers |
| dominated the current generation console battle, | | | | are not being restricted by it. The controller |
| with its combination of a cheap price point, unique | | | | consists of a remote (WiiMote) and an optional |
| control system, and family values. This isn't to say | | | | separate analogue stick (Nunchuck), which are |
| that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 haven't seen | | | | connected together by a short cable. The controls |
| their own successes, but Nintendo seem to have | | | | themselves are wireless, and include a built in |
| hit a slightly different demographic of consumer, | | | | speaker and rumble effects. |
| which has lead to an amazing uptake of their | | | | The PS3 also boasts motion controls, but they've |
| console. To determine which console is best for | | | | not been implemented as widely or successfully |
| you, requires you to weigh up the current pros | | | | as the Wii Controllers. Both the Xbox 360 and |
| and cons of each platform, which hopefully this | | | | PS3 have quite standard style controllers, and |
| article will help you out with. | | | | come in both wired and wireless form. All versions |
| It's easy to forget that the current generation of | | | | of the 360 controller have a rumble feature, and |
| consoles has been around a few years now, and | | | | so does the latest version of the PS3 controller. |
| the original appeal of each platform has change | | | | Games |
| over the years. Prices have changed, game | | | | Each console has it's own set of exclusive titles |
| catalogs have matured, and event he platforms | | | | which are only available on that specific system. |
| themselves have seen further developments. | | | | Nintendo have been around a while now, and have |
| Price | | | | some long running franchises such as Mario, Zelda, |
| Initially the Wii was the cheapest console of the | | | | and Metroid. Sony and Microsoft also have some |
| current generation, but this has swapped around a | | | | great exclusives, including Grand Turismo and |
| bit recently. The chart below is ordered by UK | | | | Killzone for the PS3, and Halo and Gears of War |
| recommended retail price price ascending, and | | | | for the 360. It's important for you to identify any |
| includes all current versions of each console. | | | | specific titles that you wish to play, and checkout |
| £129.99/$199.99 Xbox 360 Arcade | | | | which consoles they are available for. |
| (256MB) | | | | Online Features |
| £169.99/$299.99 Xbox 360 Premium | | | | Each console supports a variety of online |
| (60GB) | | | | features, including online play, web browsing, and |
| £179.99/£249.99 Wii (512MB) | | | | media downloads. Both the Wii and PS3 are free |
| £229.99/$399.99 Xbox 360 Elite (120GB) | | | | to play games online, while the 360 requires you |
| £299.99/$399.99 Playstation 3 (80GB) | | | | pay for their subscription service. Many people |
| £339.99/$499.99 Playstation 3 (160GB) | | | | consider the online features of the Xbox 360 |
| As you can see, the Xbox 360 Arcade is the | | | | superior to the PS3 and Wii, although all are quite |
| cheapest game console available, and it undercuts | | | | adequate for online play. |
| the Wii by and an impressive £50/$50. The | | | | Both the Wii and PS3 have web browsers so that |
| biggest downside of the Arcade model is the lack | | | | you can access the internet, while the 360 lacks |
| of substantial storage space, so for UK | | | | this feature for now. |
| consumers the premium version is slightly more | | | | Download-able content varies between consoles. |
| appealing with its 60GB hard drive, and price point | | | | The Wii allows you to download system updates, |
| which is £10 less than the Wii. You should | | | | applications, retro and indie games. The 360 |
| note that these are only recommended retail | | | | supports everything that the Wii does, but also |
| prices, so you can most likely get them slightly | | | | includes game demos, and TV/Movie Downloads. |
| cheaper if you hunt around various retailers. | | | | Currently the PS3s features are very similar to |
| The Wii has been in constant short supply since | | | | 360, although movie downloads are only currently |
| its release, so appears to hold its value | | | | available in the US. |
| significantly better that the other consoles, and is | | | | Hardware Features |
| less susceptible to discounted prices. Also unlike | | | | Each console has additional hardware features |
| the other consoles, the Wii has not seen a single | | | | that may influence your decision when purchasing. |
| official price reduction since its release, and is | | | | The Wii and PS3 come with wireless networking |
| expected not to change until the supply finally | | | | as standard, while the xBox 360 comes with an |
| exceeds demand. | | | | wired ethernet port, and the option to purchase a |
| Graphics | | | | separate wireless adapter. |
| The Wii is often described as being based on the | | | | The Wii does not support any formats for playing |
| last generations hardware, with it having very | | | | movies. The PS3 supports Blu-ray and DVD |
| similar performance to the Nintendo GameCube. | | | | playback, the xBox 360 supports DVD playback, |
| Despite this, it's proved a very easy platform to | | | | and also the now fairly redundant HD-DVD format |
| develop games for, and Nintendo themselves | | | | via an optional external drive. |
| have shown that they can squeeze every last | | | | The Wii is backwards compatible with most |
| drop of graphics performance out of it, with titles | | | | GameCube titles, and even supports GameCube |
| such as Mario Galaxy, and Metroid Prime. | | | | control pads via four ports on the top of the |
| It's very obvious that both the Xbox 360 and | | | | console. Current UK versions of the PS3 only |
| PS3 have graphics potential way beyond the Wii, | | | | support original Playstation titles, and no longer |
| and they have already produced some stunning | | | | support PS2 games. The xBox 360 will play a |
| looking games. There isn't a lot between the two | | | | wide selection of original xBox games, but you will |
| consoles themselves, with cross platform titles | | | | require a hard drive to play them. |
| looking pretty similar on both bits of hardware. It | | | | I'm no audiophile, but it's useful to note how the 3 |
| will still be another year or so before we see the | | | | consoles support surround sound. The Wii |
| true potential of these consoles, but that's | | | | simulates it using Dolby Pro-Logic II through an |
| something to look forward to. | | | | analogue connection, while the 360 and PS3 both |
| It's important to note that both the Xbox 360 | | | | support 5.1 surround sound via digital optical |
| and PS3 do 1080p hi-def output, which looks great | | | | connections. It's important to note that it really |
| on your massive TV. The wii unfortunately will | | | | comes down to the games, and how well they |
| only do a maximum of 480p, which can't start | | | | are designed to support multiple sounds channels. |
| looking pretty rubbish on bigger screens. There | | | | Conclusion |
| are many rumours that Nintendo will offer an | | | | There are obviously many factors to consider |
| upgraded version of the Wii at some point, which | | | | when buying any console, so it's not always a |
| will correct this limitation. | | | | straight forward decision. So should you buy a |
| Controls | | | | Nintendo Wii? Comparing price and features, you |
| As you may know, the Wii has got funky motion | | | | may find that the other consoles are more |
| controls, which allow the console to detect how | | | | appealing, but if your interested in the motion |
| you are swinging the controller around, or if you | | | | control, or Nintendo's exclusive titles, then the Wii |
| are pointing it a specific direction. It's certainly not | | | | may be for you. |
| just a gimmick, and can be very effective, | | | | |