We're venturing into a brave new world. Next week will see the release of the last 2 of the big 3 video game consoles. The PS3 (Nov. 17th), and the Nintendo Wii (Nov. 19th) are looking to cut the Xbox 360s significant lead. Microsoft attacked first, some might say too early with the many glitches that have been discovered with the console, but the PS3 is the one that most of the world is anticipating. The Playstation may have revolutionized the gaming industry, and in much the same way, it continued to do so with the PS2, which was even bigger than the original. The the future of the PS3 is still very much up in the air. Not much is known about the console despite its heafty price tag, much of which is allocated to the built-in Blue Ray player that comes included with the system. Screenshots and animations that have been shown to us look impressive, but we're still uncertain of whether they are actual gameplay or pre-rendered images. There has been virtually no hands-on interaction with consumers, seeing how it launches next week, it seems like there won't be any until release. (Buyer beware!) How smart is this of Sony? How can they hide so much of, what would no doubt be a sure thing, making it into a wait-and-see? The PS3 lurks in the dark, and the Wii must stand alone to face it.The hands-on experience of the Wii has also been kept under wraps until release, but there has been so much more exposure and demonstration of the system. Industry and business members have been able to catch fleeting glimpses of the Wii, maybe even waved the Wii-mote around a few times. (Reviews of the new gameplay features have been mixed!) I've heard that to play the demo console at the local Game Stop it will require an ID and a credit card! (You know, in case anyone gets the crazy idea to steal the Wii-mote. But come on! How can you resist when it has such a cute name?? How, I ask ya!!) Unlike the other 2 systems, the Wii will not have DVD capabilities (At launch anyway. One may come along in the near future!) Instead it relies on the Virtual Console, which means that you'll be able to download and play (for a fee) any game in the ENTIRE Nintendo catalog (Up to the Gamecube) with your system. The concept of the Wii is togetherness, community, and fun. It is attempting to draw in, not only the hardcore gamers, but also the casual gamers, and their families (Be they gamers or not!) And with a $249 price tag, it looks like it may achieve its goal a lot quicker than the PS3, which is priced at $499 for the Basic System and $599 for the Premium System.To put that into perspective, I just paid $700 to fix both front and back brakes on my car, plus I replaced the front drive axle. Needless to say, after the Wii, if I had to choose between a PS3 and an Xbox 360, well, let's just say Bill Gates just made a new friend. And with games like Gears of War coming out on the 360, I'll be more than happy to commit to my PS2 as the last Playstation console I'll ever own. As long as Nintendo is around, and has the gamer, not profit, in mind, and as long as they keep making Zelda, Metroid, and Mario games, well, I'll stay to fight another day in these here console wars. And if you still need help deciding which side to pick, this little video may prove useful. Enjoy!
We're venturing into a brave new world. Next week will see the release of the last 2 of the big 3 video game consoles. The PS3 (Nov. 17th), and the Nintendo Wii (Nov. 19th) are looking to cut the Xbox 360s significant lead. Microsoft attacked first, some might say too early with the many glitches that have been discovered with the console, but the PS3 is the one that most of the world is anticipating. The Playstation may have revolutionized the gaming industry, and in much the same way, it continued to do so with the PS2, which was even bigger than the original. The the future of the PS3 is still very much up in the air. Not much is known about the console despite its heafty price tag, much of which is allocated to the built-in Blue Ray player that comes included with the system. Screenshots and animations that have been shown to us look impressive, but we're still uncertain of whether they are actual gameplay or pre-rendered images. There has been virtually no hands-on interaction with consumers, seeing how it launches next week, it seems like there won't be any until release. (Buyer beware!) How smart is this of Sony? How can they hide so much of, what would no doubt be a sure thing, making it into a wait-and-see? The PS3 lurks in the dark, and the Wii must stand alone to face it.
The hands-on experience of the Wii has also been kept under wraps until release, but there has been so much more exposure and demonstration of the system. Industry and business members have been able to catch fleeting glimpses of the Wii, maybe even waved the Wii-mote around a few times. (Reviews of the new gameplay features have been mixed!) I've heard that to play the demo console at the local Game Stop it will require an ID and a credit card! (You know, in case anyone gets the crazy idea to steal the Wii-mote. But come on! How can you resist when it has such a cute name?? How, I ask ya!!) Unlike the other 2 systems, the Wii will not have DVD capabilities (At launch anyway. One may come along in the near future!) Instead it relies on the Virtual Console, which means that you'll be able to download and play (for a fee) any game in the ENTIRE Nintendo catalog (Up to the Gamecube) with your system. The concept of the Wii is togetherness, community, and fun. It is attempting to draw in, not only the hardcore gamers, but also the casual gamers, and their families (Be they gamers or not!) And with a $249 price tag, it looks like it may achieve its goal a lot quicker than the PS3, which is priced at $499 for the Basic System and $599 for the Premium System.
To put that into perspective, I just paid $700 to fix both front and back brakes on my car, plus I replaced the front drive axle. Needless to say, after the Wii, if I had to choose between a PS3 and an Xbox 360, well, let's just say Bill Gates just made a new friend. And with games like Gears of War coming out on the 360, I'll be more than happy to commit to my PS2 as the last Playstation console I'll ever own. As long as Nintendo is around, and has the gamer, not profit, in mind, and as long as they keep making Zelda, Metroid, and Mario games, well, I'll stay to fight another day in these here console wars. And if you still need help deciding which side to pick, this little video may prove useful. Enjoy! 
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