| There are three major player in the | | | | outstanding and it came with a free |
| console wars this Christmas, the | | | | month of Xbox Live Gold, which I just |
| Nintendo Wii, the Sony Playstation 3 | | | | extended another 13 months for $59. |
| (PS3) and the Microsoft Xbox 360. Each | | | | Xbox Live and Halo 3 may be the Xbox |
| console has it's own niche advantages | | | | 360's distinguishing features, Xbox Live |
| and minor disadvantages, but the one | | | | allows you to download demo's of games, |
| major difference between choosing a | | | | video clips and of course play multi |
| console in 2007 is that there is no bad | | | | player games online. There are many |
| choice. There may be no wrong choice, | | | | other great games for the Xbox like |
| but there are choices which are more | | | | Gears of War and BioShock, in fact as of |
| "right" than others, this is mainly | | | | this Christmas the Xbox 360 probably has |
| dependent on the types of games you and | | | | the best library of great games of all |
| your kids enjoy. | | | | three systems, with the Wii in second |
| If you had told me a year ago that I | | | | and the Playstation 3 third. |
| would be standing in a room, playing | | | | The Sony Playstation 3 is the most |
| video games with people old enough to be | | | | expensive of the three systems, it was |
| my parents (and in some cases they were | | | | also the last one to hit store shelves. |
| my parents) I would have told you that | | | | The Playstation 3 features include the |
| you were crazy, but that's what the | | | | best graphics subsystem of any of the |
| Nintendo Wii brings to the table. | | | | consoles and of course the Blu-Ray DVD |
| The Wii is different than the other | | | | player which is built in. If you have a |
| consoles and that difference is due to | | | | high def TV and want a Blu-Ray player, |
| the new motion sensitive controller | | | | then the Sony Playstation 3 is the right |
| which ships with the console. Imagine | | | | choice for you. |
| that you're playing a golf game, typical | | | | The Playstation 3 was delayed many times |
| controllers would have you push a thumb | | | | and because of that it has the least |
| switch back, then forth to mimic a golf | | | | number of games for it of all three |
| swing. The Wii on the other hand would | | | | systems, but if the new price reductions |
| have you stand up, draw back the | | | | of the system are any indication (you |
| controller (like a golf club) and swing. | | | | can get a 40GB version for $399) then |
| Ok, maybe you're not a golfer, how | | | | the Playstation 3 will make up lost |
| about bowling? If you could have seen | | | | ground quickly in 2008. I don't |
| my 79 year old mother using the Wii | | | | personally have a Playstation 3, so |
| controller to bowl and my 8 year old son | | | | can't really comment on first hand |
| laughing his head off then you would | | | | knowledge of the system, but I know that |
| make your decision to buy a Wii right | | | | Sony will not give up it's position as |
| now. The Wii comes with a package | | | | market leading in the video game console |
| called Wii Sports which features | | | | wars without a fight. |
| bowling, golf, baseball and boxing. | | | | So, will it be the funky remote, the |
| In some games, like bowling or baseball, | | | | most games, or the Blu-Ray player and |
| the Wii controller makes playing the | | | | the promise of future dominance? Your |
| game easier than a standard controller. | | | | decision is not an easy one, but I |
| However in some more traditional games | | | | believe that there are no loosers in |
| it can make games harder to play. For | | | | this race. All three systems will have |
| instance, Mario Strikers was one of my | | | | an excellent library of games, amazing |
| favorite games on the Gamecube, but on | | | | graphics and sound and none of them are |
| the Wii I find the new version difficult | | | | going anywhere for a few years. Choose |
| to play (my eight year old seems to have | | | | the fun and cute Wii with it's |
| the hang of it though). In any case, | | | | revolutionary controller, the sure |
| the Wii makes an excellent party system, | | | | footed and proven Xbox 360 with it's |
| sure to be enjoyed by kids of all ages | | | | library of exciting games (mostly aimed |
| and is the least expensive of the three | | | | at teens and young men) or the ultra |
| systems, although the other two are | | | | powerful Playstation 3 with it's Blu-Ray |
| coming down in price rapidly to try to | | | | player. |
| compete. | | | | While I don't think that you should buy |
| The Xbox 360 is the safe middle ground | | | | a system based on backward compatibility |
| of the three systems. It will play | | | | it is worth mentioning that all three |
| DVD's if you desire that functionality | | | | gaming systems mentioned have some |
| and can hook up to your HDTV via | | | | degree of backward compatibility. This |
| included component video cables (note | | | | may be important to you if you don't |
| that the low end $299 Xbox 360 Arcade | | | | already own a system and are interested |
| does not come with the hookup cables for | | | | in picking up some inexpensive older |
| HDTV). Halo 3 and BioShock type games | | | | games, beware however that not all older |
| should be your yardstick for whether or | | | | games will play on these systems. I |
| not you want an Xbox 360. For us, my | | | | believe the Wii is the most backward |
| son could not live without his beloved | | | | compatible of the three (with the |
| Halo 3, so off to the store we went to | | | | Gamecube), but I do not have any hard |
| get the Xbox 360. | | | | fast numbers. |
| I've been very happy with the system, | | | | Pick a system and have fun, after all |
| the graphics on our 42" plasma HDTV are | | | | isn't that what gaming is all about? |