Which gaming console should you buy?


Which console to buy has becoming increasingly more complex? It's now not simply a case of picking the one with the top games or the next generation console/upgrade of the one you already have. The main consoles to choose from are the PSP3, Wii and the Xbox 360.

If you read my Wii review it describes this console as the most ground breaking when it was first released changing the course of gaming for years to come and spawned the newer controllers from its competitors. Since this original review Nintedo have improved its original Wii Remote, with the MotionPlus for an improved/increased accuracy. The Wii is great value if the type of games and controller appeal to you, a very good alternative to the other power-strong consoles.

If high grade graphics is what you're after, you should be looking at the Xbox 360 or the PS3. The PS3 specification boasts the best console graphically and is free to play online. The unit also doubles as a Blu-ray player and the PlayStation Move controller gives a wireless experience similar, if not better than the Wii MotionPlus.

The Xbox 360, on the other hand have a system called Xbox Live for online use, which does unfortunately come at a cost financially (but it is very reputable). The most interesting feature is its newest form of its controller, which is something a little different called 'Kinect', a controller less system that allows the users' body movements and speech to directly interact with games, like spinning a roulette wheel in a casino. A highly ambitious project leaving us in intense anticipation of its final results.

An in depth comparison can be seen in my console comparison review.

Friday, 12 November 2010

Nintendo Wii Review

Nintendo Wii




"Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else."
Satoru Iwata, Nintendo

To the next generation of Nintendo consoles comes the Wii. An altogether improved package crammed full of interesting features, all in a diminutive and stylish case.
Wii could be seen as a somewhat ridiculous name, but it does have many things going for it. As explained by Nintendo, the Wii, pronounced as "we", denotes that the console is for everyone. As well as the fact that it is universally recognised and remembered, and has a distinctive "ii" to indicate the unique controllers that exist for the Wii. Not only that, how ever much you criticise the name, you will surely always remember it (if that's all they're after then they've done a good job!).
The Wii, is small and discrete (size of three DVD cases stacked on top of each other), ideal for the home rather than the bulky and overwhelming solution by the main competitors, thePS3 and the Xbox 360.
One downside to the Nintendo Wii is its maximum resolution of only 480p, which is considerably lower than the high definition resolution of the PS3 (1080p) and to a lesser extent the Xbox 360 (1080i). Also the speed of the CPU is lower than its rivals. If high detailed graphics is a major issue with you to keep up with nearer to photo-realistic gaming, then maybe this console should be avoided. But this is not Nintendo's philosophy. What appears to be different about the Nintendo Wii is in its design is its focus on providing the most important factor necessary for gaming - fun. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 rally around trying to find best chips and components, the Wii has looked at their audience and thought about what they really want, a gaming experience that everyone can enjoy.
The standout feature of the Nintendo Wii is its unusual Wii Remote. Often referred to as the "Wiimote", it has motion sensors that enable the user to input directly with the wave of the controller (e.g. used in tennis, golf or fishing). The Wiimote also plays sound and includes force feedback, allowing the user to experience rumbles, to mimic feelings experienced during the game. If required, the Wiimote can be hooked up with to an analogue stick, making the "Nunchuck controller".

In July 2008, Nintendo released the Motion Plus attachment to plug directly into the Wii Remote giving that ability to capture more complex motions, such as rotation. This gives the user far more of a real experience than the original Wii Remote. For example, in Tiger Woods with Motion Plus you are actually controlling the entire movements of the club. If you were to go without the attachment, you would pull up to get the club up and pull down to start the swing - not so appealing.
The Wii has an online gaming feature over Wi-Fi, but not every game is compatible. An additional feature to the Wii is its “virtual console” software, which enables the user to use a download service to play retro console games from such consoles as the NES, SNES, N64Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and the NEC TurboGraf-16. These can be stored on flash memory cards (512 MB) which is ample for a collection of games (also a hard drive can be plugged in via USB if more storage is necessary). Furthermore, the Wii has backwards compatibility with Gamecube games allowing GameCube discs to be placed directly in to the console. To facilitate backwards compatibility, the console also comes with a retro-styled gamepad. As well as all this, the Wii comes with ports to connect original GameCube controllers (one of the most ergonomic standard controllers around).
April 2008 saw the release of Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board, which allowed the user to exercise while carrying out activities described on screen. The game is entirely reactive to the pressure placed on the Balance Board. The system can calculate the user's BMI, and there are four categories of exercise: yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance games.
The Wii was officially released in the UK on 8th December 2006 (16th November in US, 2nd December in Japan). The Wii is a different alternative to the PS3 and Xbox 360. It has outstanding features and for many will be their second console. Its standard price of £179 is good also, which makes it value for money and a definite worry for its major rivals.

Still can't decide? View my console review.


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