Buying the Right Gaming System

Finding the Right Fit for You
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Buying the right console for you is not necessarily the easiest thing in the world. Today's game systems do more than just one thing, and it is for that reason that it is such a task to choose which one will best suit you. The current generation of gameing includes three main contenders: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii by Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, respectively. Each is unique in itself and offers its own definative features. So the question is, which one is the right one for you?

I. What Kind of Gamer are You?
The first step in deciding what console to buy is to determine what kind of gamer you are. Hardcore gamers typically are interested in high-end graphics and high speeds. The casual gamer will be more interested in fun controls and will not be as concerned with how real the game seems. At the top of the pile will be the enthusiast, who wants it all; they will generally want a system with everything cranked to the max. There are several other variants of these three main gamers, but this is a good base to try and discover what will best suit your needs. The systems, in my opinion, are generally for the respective gamers as follows:
 _______________________________________
| System             | Type of Gamer                    |
+-----------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Xbox 360           | Hardcore/Enthusiast/Casual |
+-----------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Playstation 3     | Hardcore/Enthusiast            |
+-----------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Wii                   | Casual                                |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+

Of course, you should still do some research of your own to find out which of these categories fits you the best. There are plenty of great sites out there that actually let you guage what kind of gamer you are. The best one that I have found is the Bartle Quiz on GamerDNA.com. To take the quiz, go to www. gamerdna.com/quizzes and select the Bartle Quiz. The quiz gives you a result in one of four categories: Explorer, Socializer, Killer, or Achiever. For all intents and purposes, Killer would be hardcore, Achiever would be enthusiast, and Socializer/Explorer would be casual. You should get a chart like this one. Its a pretty good measure of where to start, but it is by no means perfect.

Okay, that's really hard to read... It says Killer, 60%; Achiever, 60%; Explorer, 47%; and Socializer, 33%. This is the chance that you are that category of gamer. There's also a nice little flash-animated pie graph that tells you what type of game you should shoot for.

II. Brief Overview of the Consoles
Now that you have a general idea of what kind of game you will be interested in, the next logical step is to find out more about the consoles. Each one will have several features that are unique to each one. These features may be game-related or not, and may affect your decision on which one is best.

A. Xbox 360
The Microsoft Xbox 360 has a variety of different setups that can be purchased. Each offers a different set of features, much like those of a car, that are based off the basic model:

= [$199] The Core (or Arcade) system comes with all the bare necessities needed to start gaming: one Xbox 360 console (obviously), one standard wireless controller, one 256MB memory unit, one standard AV cable, and power supply units. It also includes a disc of arcade games or the child-friendly games Kung-Fu Panda (E) and Lego Indiana Jones (E). 

= [$300] The Pro system takes the Core and enhances it a bit, throwing in a 60GB hard drive, an HD cable, one Xbox LIVE headset, one ethernet cable, and a better disc drive that allows you to play back-dated games for the original Xbox (over 450 titles).

= [$400] Finally, there is the Elite system. If you are an enthusiast, this is the one to get. The Elite adds even further to the Pro by giving you a 120GB hard drive, an HDMI cable, and a sleek black matte finish (both on the system itself and the controller). Also, special edition Xbox 360 Elites are available for specific games. These tend to have even more advanced options than the base Elite.

The Xbox 360 runs on a 3.2GHz Xenon processor, has a 500MHz graphics processor, and 256MB of RAM. All versions feature USB ports (either for wired controllers or mass storage devices), component (AV) and HDMI connections and an ethernet port. Unfortunately, it does not come equipped with built-in wireless internet capabilities, but an Xbox 360 wireless adaptor can be purchased for ~$100 new or ~$60 used.

Keep in mind that the Core system is NOT backward compatable with Xbox original games. However, many of these games are available for download on Xbox LIVE, and can be loaded to a hard drive (~$70 for 60GB) and played.

The only downfall of the Xbox 360 is that it requires a subscription to Xbox LIVE to play games with others over the internet. You are still able to download games, game add-ons (DLCs), and other things, but no playing without Xbox LIVE Gold. There is a free trial of one month for Xbox LIVE that comes with each new user on the Xbox 360, but that is nowhere near the freedom available on the other consoles.

SUMMARY:
Pros: 
- All three Gamers can have fun with it (Hardcore, Casual, and Enthusiast)
- More games available than for the other systems
- Three options available, so you can buy the best for you
- Updates are constantly available
- Stunning graphics, seamless gameplay
- Plays DVD/HDDVD, video stored on removable devices, and music CDs and files
- Can connect perfectly with your home network
Cons:
- There are not very many games available for the casual gamer; many are the hardcore genre
- It can be loud. The fanwork in the system can be a little distracting at times
- The power source is bulky and ugly. This doesn't matter much, but it's something to consider

B. Playstation 3
The Playstation name has been around for decades. It was the best gaming system at its release and holds true to its superior gaming today. Like the Xbox 360, it has different purchasing options, though not as many:

= [$400] The basic Playstation 3 (PS3) system, like the Xbox 360 base model, comes with the bare necessities to begin gaming. The basic package includes: one PS3 system, one Dual Shock Bluetooth PS3 controller, free Playstation Network membership, built-in 80GB hard drive, one AV video cable, one HDMI video cable, and power supply units.

= [$500] The other available system differs in no way from the basic system accept for the hard drive capacity. This upgraded model currently includes a 160GB hard drive and one free game, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (T).

A side-by-side comparison of the different systems can be viewed here: www. us.playstation.com/PS3/Systems/Compare

As far as load-outs go, PS3 easily overcomes all of the other systems of its generation. It includes all of the top hardware and accessories; but, because of this, it also has the highest pricetag. The system utilizes a 3.2GHz Cell processor, cutting-edge technology designed specifically for the PlayStation 3 (this processor is used in IBM's Roadrunner supercomputer, the fastest computer in the world). The PS3 also boasts a 550MHz graphics processor and 256MB RAM. It has built-in Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, but both models also support ethernet cables. And, like the Xbox 360, it features USB ports, along with AV and HDMI support.

There are far fewer games for PS3 than there are for Xbox 360, and about the same as the Wii. It is, however, backward-compatable with many original PS games and some PS2 games. However, because of issues related to the PS3 games, many PS2 games are not compatable with the PS3. If you have a PSP already, it is also good to know that the PS3 is compatable with the PSP, and can even be used to enhance gaming in some games (ie. a rearview mirror in racing games). The PS3 is equipped with a built-in Blue-Ray player, so it too can easily be used as your primary home entertainment system.

SUMMARY:
Pros:
- The power of the Cell processor
- Blue-Ray technology
- Huge library of games because of the PS & PS2 backward compatability
- Motion-sensing controllers
- Standard hard drive (like the one in your computer)
- Extreme High-Definition gaming
- Ability to browse the web
Cons:
- Cost. It is THE most expensive
- Blue-Ray is the better technology, but it is WAY more expensive (high game prices)
- Only marginally better than Xbox 360, despite its advantages
- HEAVY
- Limited selection of game titles specific to PS3
- Very little casual gamer titles. Mainly Hardcore/Enthusiast

C. Wii
The Wii is, at the moment, the best-selling game system in the world. Its innovative controls and focus on the casual gamer has made it of great interest and made it an irresistable addition to the gaming world. It doesn't hurt that Nintendo is the oldest remaining gaming company, which basically means the Wii was destined for success.

= [$250] The Wii is available in only one base model; but at $250, it is the cheapest gaming console available. It comes with: one Nintendo Wii console, one Wiimote, one Wiimote jacket, one nunchuck controller add-on, one sensor bar (to pick up the controller's signal), one Wii stand, Wii Sports (a game disc including several sports and recreation activities), one AV video cable, and power units.

The Wii's main appeal could be attributed to its use of unique motion-sensing controls. The Wiimote, as it is called, utilizes a gyroscopic motion sensor to give the player the most unique gaming experience available. Say you are playing a tennis game. You would swing the remote like a racket. If you are playing a Star-Wars game, it would become a lightsaber. Combined with the nunchuk attachment (an add-on with a control stick and a few extra buttons), motion-sensor and traditional controls are combined. The nunchuck attachment also has motion-sensor capabilities, allowing the player to utilize the coupled controllers as, say, boxing gloves. 

The Wii is not without its setbacks. For one, it is lacking in the graphics department - it is the only console of the three that does not play in high definition. Unlike the Xbox 360 and PS3, the Wii does not support video output in 1080p. Its graphics are not really bad, but you should not accept anything close to the pristine, cutting-edge visuals of the other two.

It runs on a PowerPC processor (abot 1.1GHz), has 512MB of flash memory, and comes equipped with an SD memory card slot. The Wii is fully WiFi compatable and has internet browsing capabilities. It features four controller sockets for Nintendo GameCube controllers and is fully backward-compatable with GameCube games. It is unable to play DVDs without a homebrew application (which can be dangerous to try. Beware!).

SUMMARY:
Pros:
- Easy to play (geared toward casual gaming)
- Channel system allows for easy access to features
- Cheapest console of the big 3
- Good, fun games
- Unit is durable. Try not to drop it, but its okay if you do
- Small (dimensions: 13cm x 20cm x 6cm!)
- Backward compatable with GameCube games
- Comes with Wii Sports
- Great replay value
Cons:
- Low-quality graphics
- No internet multiplayer functions (yet)
- Does not have very many real hardcore or enthusiast titles
- Limited number of titles

III. My Input/ Conclusion
This really should not be the deciding factor on your decision! Do research. Lots of research. Just to put things into perspective, it took me three days to put this information together for all of you. I don't own two of the three systems, so it took me a while to find the info I felt was necessary for your purchasing decision. So, I'm thinking you should spend at least an hour doing the same thing. Google is your friend here. And so is eBay. See what reviews people have posted on different systems. I'll have one up for Xbox 360 soon. Basically, don't take this decision lightly! It is a big purchase and it would SUCK if you bought something you were not happy with.

As for my pick of the system, I would choose Xbox 360 hands-down. Although its guts are nowhere near as impressive as the PS3, it still has about the same graphics and is, in my opinion, more user-friendly. I have an Xbox 360 Pro and I love it. Its perfect for me because its right in the middle. Its not the best, its nowhere near the worst. My test result was that I was Killer/Achiever, and that's about right. I don't play casually, so my XB360P is perfect. It may sound odd, but the PS3 seems so harsh and cold, corporate even. The Xbox 360, on the other hand is warm and inviting...

In conclusion, I would like to wish you the best of luck with your decision. Also, I would like to thank you (and congragulate you) for reading through this whole guide. Its a long one, but I hope it helped. Sorry for the lack of links to sites and the increadibly small pics. eBay is kinda stingy about not allowing outside links and their picture uploader has much room for improvement... =) Happy Gaming!!

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