Ok, so it’s that time of year again. I worked as a Christmas temp in Gamestation a couple of years back, and my sole responsibility seemed to be convincing very confused mothers that they certainly did not want to buy an XBox instead of an XBox 360, or a PS2 instead of a PS3 (there was no way anyone was getting a Wii at the time – they’d been sold out since October). I lost count of the amount of times I got asked ‘But why?’ or ‘What’s the difference?’
Hence this gift guide. The three top consoles, and their benefits and weaknesses. Read, choose the one for you / your adorable child.
The XBox 360
Starting in reverse alphabetical order (ok, really just with the one I own!). (Just to clarify- there are three ‘versions’ on the XBox 360. Arcade has no hard drive, so limited game saves; Premium includes a 60GB hard drive; Elite has a 120GB hard drvie and a HDMI port).
The XBox 360 offers a HD gaming experience, so if you have a HD ready TV the graphics will look awesome. You’ll feel like you’re really there, slaying Zombies or beating up Japanese anime characters. There’s an excellent range of games out at the moment too to really show case the HD capabilities, from the multi platform (ie – released on multiple consoles) to exclusive XBox 360 only titles which include the Forza, Halo, Fable and Gears of War series', plus one offs such as Mass Effect (although a sequal is in the workings for this too). Also fantastic on the XBox 360 is the online play. There’s a huge community of users which puts it above the other consoles for the moment, although this is not free (you’ll require Gold Membership, which is charged at £40 for a year). Also online you have access to a huge range of downloadable games, again at cost.
Aside from the gaming element, you also get a built in DVD and music player with the XBox 360. From personal experience I can say that it’s a great quality one (mine reads DVDs that my other DVD player has given up on) and music can also be launched from USB, so you can plug your MP3 player staright in. You also have access to a built in web browser (you can wire up your Internet or buy external Wi-Fi fr about £40). This gives you instant access to Facebook, Twitter and Last FM, and you can even run your Sky Digital through it.
As for things you might be able to add on in the future- the Natal motion control system has been described as 'console changing' and at it’s preview earlier this year revealed a truly astonishing level of sensitivity and immersive gaming without the need for a hand held controller. Time will tell, but I’m getting excited.
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Play Station 3
Once upon a time, the PS3 was described to me (by someone in the industry) as ‘the most expensive DVD player you’ll ever buy’. It was released with a shockingly crap selection of games, but this year the PS3 seems to be getting into full swing.
Like the XBox 360, the PS3 is a HD gaming experience and is worth considering if you have a HD TV. For Christmas 2009, the console has a much better range of new titles, again both multi-platform such as Assassins Creed 2 and Batman Arkham Asylum, as well as the PS3 exclusive titles which include Uncharted 2, Killzone 2, and the much hyped Little Big Planet (side note – why are the top games this year mostly sequels?). The PS3 boasts online play with a steadily growing player base. Although still smaller than the XBox 360 community, this does have the advantage by being absolutely free. There’re also downloadable games from the PS back catalogue, at a cost.
As for your added extras, the PS3 over takes the mark slightly by including Blu-ray and music player, so if you’re also considering buying a Blu-ray player then you can kill two birds with one stone here. Again, there’s a USB port allowing easy plug in and play from your MP3 player access to your music. There is built in Wi-Fi plus a Web browser giving you access to iPlayer and Facebook.
Motion gaming is set to be available in the future, and a Wii style remote was previewed at this years E3 (same time as the XBox previewed Natal). It looks more clunky than it’s XBox 360 competitor, but again, time will tell!
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Nintendo Wii
We all giggled when Nintendo announced the name of their newest console a few years ago, but it has taken the world by storm, opening console gaming to a whole new, casual gamer audience.
The Wii is the only console currently offering motion sensor gaming, and the addition of the Motion Plus device has made the experience much smoother and sensitive that it initially was. The Wii is described as fun for the whole family, and does tend to be the console of choice if you have younger children, or just want to spend five minutes waving a stick around and have an amusing evening without worrying about your gamerscore (the XBox 360 and PS3 tend to be intense, competitive consoles – the Wii will create less arguments!). Exclusive games include the Mario and Zelda games, which can only be found on Wii and DS. With addition such as Wii Fit, the Wii also seems to have the greatest range of games (a lot of the XBox 360 and PS3 games are centred around killing sprees it seems). There is online play which is included free and accessed through built in WiFi, although the community is very much only just beginning. It does boast a good selection of downloadable games from the Nintendo back catalogue though.
Like the others, the Wii has a built in web browser and Wi-Fi, although the only instant access of note in the BBC iPlayer. And this console has no media capabilities like a DVD or music player. It is purely a console. But sometimes that’s all you’re wanting right? The Wii isn’t currently in HD (although a version is rumoured to be coming in the future) which means that the games can lack the polish of the Xbox 360 and PS3.
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So that’s the round up. As for which games console is ‘the best’, personally I feel that depends on what you’re wanting. If it’s a solid online community then go for the XBox 360. If it’s the extra addition of gadgets the PS3 is far superior. And if all you’re wanting is something you can pick up for ten minutes, then get yourself a Wii. Which ever console you get, you’re going to have fun in the end.
(Thanks to Tech TV Digest for additional info)
3 thoughts on “Gift Guide: Top 3 Best Games Consoles for Christmas 2009”
I disagree. I think the DS is a superior “Games” console than the Wii.
It has more playable quality games and is easy to move about.
I disagree. I think the DS is a superior “Games” console than the Wii.
It has more playable quality games and is easy to move about.
I disagree with the comment on the PS3 motion sensor looking more “clunky”. Obviously personal opinion here but it actually looks very precise (when compared to natal, but the downside is that you need to hold the controller) . Judge for yourselves search for “ps3 wand” on youtube to see it in action!
Also to add that the PS3 is the only blu-ray player on the market to support 3d Blu-Ray movies which will be hitting the market next year. (will need a 3d compatible TV mind)