Video Game Console Buying Guide

Across the “Generations”

Back in the 1980s, video game consoles were little more than a distraction and enemy of schoolwork for young people and teens. The low processing power of those “first generation” video game consoles meant that they couldn’t compete with more sophisticated computer games, which offered better graphics and more sophisticated gameplay.

The “Next Generation” of gaming began with the release of Sony’s PlayStation 2, Nintendo’s GameCube, and Microsoft’s Xbox in 2000. The “Third Generation” of video game consoles arrived in 2006 and includes Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii, and Sony’s Playstation 3. Graphical and gameplay improvements brought a growing number of adults to video game consoles, and game developers have responded with titles that appeal to older gamers.

I Want It NOW!

There’s one truth about video game consoles, games, and peripherals: The prices always come down. If you can fight the urge to have the latest console or new game, you can stretch your video gaming dollar much farther. Note that this won’t help quiet the kids when a holiday or birthday passes and they don’t have the game that “everyone is playing.” Sony and Microsoft have already dropped the prices on their new video game consoles, making this an excellent time to buy.

PS3, Xbox360, or Wii?

Nintendo has taken a very different tactic with its new video game console, and it’s proven very popular with gamers of all ages, in particular casual adult gamers. Instead of simply upping the processing and graphics power, Nintendo reinvented the controller, resulting in radical new styles of gameplay.

The new controller, dubbed the “Wiimote,” is unique among video game consoles because it replaces the traditional array of buttons with internal mercury switches that respond to hand movements. So if you’re playing a bowling game, you’ll need to work on your form. If you’re playing a game where you throw a weapon, you’ll need a good throwing motion to hit the target. The Wii encourages you to get up and move around, and the novelty of the games has helped Nintendo capture a significant share of the market. If you’re new to gaming or you’re looking for something casual that you can pick up and play, the Wii is the perfect choice.

Players looking for a traditional video game console experience can choose between the PS3 and the Xbox 360. Both offer high-definition graphics, wireless controllers, online gaming, backwards compatibility with most older titles, and DVD players. Loyalists will debate the superiority of one system over the other, but in a practical sense, they’re the same, except for the games, and this is where you’ll have to choose.

Both the PS3 and the Xbox360 have exclusive titles that aren’t available on the other console. Sony’s strongest franchise is the Grand Turismo series, considered the best racing simulation game available on any video game console. Microsoft’s franchise is the Halo first-person-shooter series, which pits you as a high-tech soldier against hoards of aliens determined to conquer Earth.

Games from third-party developers, such as Activision, THQ, and EA Sports, almost always get released for all three video game consoles, sometimes with slightly different features or exclusive content for each console.

If you plan to use the video game console as a DVD player, you’ll need to choose the Xbox 360, which has a progressive-scan player compatible with current DVDs, or the PlayStation 3, which has a high-definition Blu-ray DVD player. Be aware that Blu-ray is one of two competing high-definition DVD formats, and there is a chance that it could become obsolete in the near future.

Peripherals and Games

When you buy a video game console, you’ll get the core system, one controller, and the cables needed for a standard installation. Additional controllers, DVD remotes, games, memory cards must be purchased separately. If you do a little research, you may find a “bundled package” that includes the extra items at a discount of 10% to 15% off the combined retail price. Web sites and video game specialty stores are the best places to look for these deals. If you’re upgrading an existing video game console, say moving from an Xbox to an Xbox 360, you can trade in your current console for store credit on the new console.

The Nintendo Wii is the first video game console in many years to include a game with the basic system, so you’ve got everything you need to start playing right in the box. If you’re considering the Xbox 360, be aware that two versions of this video game console exist. The “core system” only includes the console itself. To get the most out of it, including the ability to play older Xbox titles, you’ll need the optional Xbox 360 hard drive. Sony’s PlayStation 3 requires memory cards and games. Expect to pay between $59.99 and $69.99 for games when they’re released.

The Game of Memory

Sony has joined Microsoft in adding a built-in hard drive to its PlayStation 3 video game console, and both companies offer different sizes of hard drive—for a few dollars more. Sony offers a PlayStation 3 with 60GB of memory for $50 more than the standard 20GB console. The Xbox 360 offers a “Pro” hard drive with 20GB of memory and an “Elite” hard drive with a substantial 120GB of memory. Do you need it? Many games offer additional downloadable content, and there are also games available for download directly to the video game console’s hard drive. If you’d like to have a lot of this content, the extra storage space is a must. If you’re just using the console to save games and not using online features, it’s not worth paying for the extra memory.

Online Gaming

All three video game consoles offer online features, including news, game downloads, and multiplayer games that allow you to play your favorite titles against people all over the world. You’ll pay to download additional games and music, and you’ll pay a monthly or yearly fee for premium-level access to the most feature-rich online experience. At a minimum, you’ll need a fast Internet connection, such as cable, T1, or a very reliable DSL, to challenge your fellow gamers online. Talking to an educated salesperson at a video game store can help you make sense of the options available for each console and choose the package that’s best for you.

Need to know more?

• List of Video Game Consoles
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_consoles
• Video Game Console Reviews from CNET
  http://www.reviews.cnet.com/consoles/
• Video Console Reviews Consumer Reports
  http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/december-2006/first-look-sony-pla...
• How Stuff Works: Consumer Guide - Video Games & Consoles
  http://products.howstuffworks.com/video-games-consoles-types.htm