So, once again its that time when people come together to argue about which consoles and handhelds are better. But most haven't even had the oppourtunity to test all of them, and some even base their opinions based on preconceptions of the previous console's main players in the market. I in the past have certainly been guilty of this, especially with the Mega Drive (Genesis)/Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) competition. So this time round, I have tested all the consoles before making a desision.
I'm going to list them in the order they were released. This way we know for certain what does what, how well they do it, and how long we expect that console to last. Lets get started shall we?
CONSOLES
XBOX 360
This console is the first one to have been released of the next generation. It boasted many things. Firstly, it promised to give the taste of the future of video games, and with High Definition around the corner, games would soon have more detail than ever before. It also promised a sleak new look, ergonomic game pad, and a host of other things. So now the other two consoles are released, how does it fair?
Single Platform Game Graphics: The 360 shows that games developed for that console really show off the hardware. The best example of just how good the 360 is, is Gears of War. The level of detail is insane, and the game really redefines the genre, and it couldn't have done it without the features developed with the 360s Dual Core processor.
Multiplatform Game Graphics: In the beginning, when they were developed for old and new consoles, the 360's games weren't too impressive, but with the advent of the PS3, the games have really begun to shine. The Darkness looks set to amaze, and pretty soon things will become more and more advanced in this field.
Game Library: Understandably, since this console has been out for well over a year, it has the largest. But some genres are more neglected than others, such as RPGs. However, with Blue Dragon set to appear later this month in some places, that could all change sooner than you think!
Pad & Hardware: Firstly, lets talk game pads. The 360 has wireless and wired pads. Using the "ring of power", users can push the button and assign their pad to one of four slots. With the peripherals such as the Guitar Hero 2 guitar (wired for now), and Xbox 360 headset which plugs into the pad, this is one of the more sophisticated game pads around. Other hardware includes the hard drives which total up to 70gb in some cases, which is huge. Face panels that are customisable are a nice touch. It can also play DVDs and HD-DVDs, which is a nice feature too with the advent of High Definition.
Backwards Compatabilty: This is an area I haven't touched on much, but it seemed like Microsoft had problems with some games at first. Hopefully this is all fixed now, but it may still be early days.
Online and Others: Game go online in most cases now, and updates are avaliable for most games, making it one of the more in depth consoles. It also uses a LIVE function which has the free SILVER membership and pay monthly GOLD membership. You can also use money to buy downloadable content, such as Theme Packs. You can also take full advantage of the Xbox Live Arcade facility, which has loads of games to download. You can even download trial versions before you buy, which is nice. Another nice feature is Achievements, avaliable for all games, including Live Arcade ones, which somehow give some games more insentive to play. Finally, the price tag. There are more expensive versions, but there are also cheaper versions, which are important to consumers. But is it better value? Better than PS3, maybe not in the case of the Wii.
WII
The Wii was a surprise to many when it was first announced. Codenamed "Revolution", it said it would change gaming forever, and it wasn't wrong in any way. Much like the DS before it redefining handheld gaming, the Wii uses a TV remote **** thing to control games, complete with attachments for it, such as the ****c Pad, and Nunchuck. Another thing it boasted was backwards compatability with the Gamecube, but also NES, SNES, N64, Mega Drive and TurboGraphix 16 games to download to hard drive. It also has a Channel interfact, which allows users to select what they want to do via clicking on the screen. Since the console is so different, the graphics will be listed as Single Party and Third Party instead.
Single Party Graphics: The visual ****suits the bizarreness of the system itself, with games that vary so much, such as WarioWare Smooth Moves and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess being so different from each other. Having said that, Twilight Princess almost competes with the better 360 games. Problem is, its not yet HD compatible, but there will be an HD ready Wii at some point.
Third Party Graphics: About on par with the rest of the Wii. Due to the fact its reportedly easy to develop for, third party developers have had more time to think about what to do with the system to really show it off, therefore the initial library is more than impressive in terms of graphics. Ubisoft in particular had a ball with the console even on its release, with two games making the initial release schedule.
Game Library: While not as much as the 360, its more inventive, therefore more people have had an oppourunity to examine just how different the console is. With the sales proving it to be a great console for consumers, be sure to expect more for the system in the near future at least.
Pad and Hardware: So with a new direction in gaming, the design for the "pad" has to be very important. It really does act like a TV remote, but a more sophisticated and complex one. The remote has a trigger, D-pad and two buttons, which are set out like a NES pad was in the old days. Using a receptor placed on top of your TV, you can use it in a variety of different ways. Combine that with the Nunchuck for moving and most games are able to be played. Some require more traditional uses, so functionality for Gamecube and ****c Pads are also available. In terms of Hardware, it seems the Wii has the least space for internal hard drives, but hopefully bigger hard drives would be avaliable soon. One thing that should be of note is that the Wii isn't only wireless, but also is compatible with the DS, so some games in the future might take advantage of this.
Backwards Compatabilty: The Cube part of this is perfect. Stick in a Cube game and you won't need to do anything else. The downloadable games are being released over time, and theres now well over 100 games to download, all the way up to N64. It's no surprise that they'll add more and more to the system.
Online and Others: This is where the Wii gets even more interesting. You can check out the news, weather for your area, and other things using your Wii's specific channels. You also have an Opera based web browser, which is good and functions really well on the Wii. The final thing thats interesting is the Mii concept. Like a more sophisticated Gamer Profile (Xbox360), you create a Mii version of yourself, who acts like an Avatar, and even features in games such as Wii Play or Wii Sports. Who knows, there may be patches to make more sophisticated Miis in the future! Out of all the consoles, its the most affordable too, which is great for all those who want it.
Playstation 3 (PS3)
The Playstation 3 is by far the most advanced of the bunch, but is also the one that experienced the most problems prior and during release. Firstly, they had problems with backwards compatabilty. Then problems with Blu-Ray, and during release, the hefty price tag put off many consumers all together. But the system does have things going for it. One is the far superior Blu-Ray, which holds a lot more than HD disks do. It acts like a DVD/Blu-Ray Disc player too, which is a bonus.
Single Platform Game Graphics: One game springs to mind: Resistance - Fall of Man. I was dubious when I first saw it, thinking it doesn't change things much at all compared to the last generation, but using an HD TV and a huge widescreen TV, it really does the game justice. Already the console has established a level of detail which is incredible. One thing I noticed which amazed the capabilities of the system was the fact that you shoot/break a window or shoot lots of bullets in a pattern, go away and continue for a bit, turn round and come back and they'll still be there when you come back. This is due to the systems four Processors, which each have their own functions. One for graphics, one for sound, one for events and one for the pads. Incredible stuff.
Multplatform Game Graphics: Oh dear. This is a mix and a half. Those designed for the system look very good, while those developed originally for the 360 look blurred somehow. The exception is of course The Eldar Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which looks even more stunning, but thats probably because they had time to tweak it for the PS3. Still, things can only get better for it I suppose.
Game Library: Its just come out, so its not too great. Resistance - Fall of Man is superb, and Motorstorm is incredibly sophisticated for a driving game. But with Metal Gear Solid 4 and Resident Evil 5 round the corner, things are looking up for the PS3.
Pad and Hardware: I will say this now. I don't like the Sixalus (I think thats its name). Its not weighted, which means that trying to turn a car using the movement instead of sticks on Motorstorm was a nightmare. You can tell they directly ripped the idea from Nintendo as it isn't as well thought out. The good news is that the rest of the pad is okay, and the L & R triggers work well, if a little stiff. It even comes with a Home button, much like the 360's Button of Power. The best thing is however that the PS3 can support 8 pads at one time. which is incredible, but probable considering the single processor for the pads. The variety of Hard Drives is huge, so saves are not a problem. The console is also mostly region unlocked, which makes things easier to import if it doesn't come out wherever you are. There are things that could be done with it to interact with the PSP a little more, and I assume they will in the future. The Memory Stick Duo is also to be used with the PS3, so if you run out of space, use one of those!
Backwards Compatabilty: Good news and Bad news. Good news is now most PS2 and PS1 games are supported, but not all of them for technical reasons. Bad news is that you won't be able to transfer your saves, meaning if you sold your PS2, you've lucked out. The reason for this is because saves are now done via hard-drive, and it creates special internal memory cards for your games. Works in logic, but the inabilty to transfer will more than likely frustrate many people.
Online and Others: The PS3 is what I would like to refer as what a Xbox 360's online functions did if it met the Wii's online functions and did unspeakable things. It uses the PSP's user interface, but it acts like a 360s online and also has the Wii's downloadable back catalogue for some games. Good or bad, who knows? Whether the PS1 downloadable games would be PSP compatable? Whatever the answers, you can tell they closely followed their competitors desisions to aid with their own. Oh, bad news, its the most expensive console out there, and its like half a grand!
Conclusion
The Wii is on top at the moment with its unusual marketing strategy, and indeed unusual **** I personally love the Wii, but can't justifyably say that its better than the 360 and PS3 because of the fact its a totally different beast. Out of the other two, the 360 is slightly better, mainly because of the less gimmicky nature and the fact it isn't as expensive. I reckon the Wii will come out on top, but out of the two hardcore systems, the 360 is prefered, though the PS3 might stage a sprint later on. Who knows?!
HANDHELDS
DS
The Nintendo DS is the fastest selling product in the gaming industry. It shows that the Gameboy, Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance were all leading up to something by the time some competition came out. Since its release, it has sold more units than any other computerised product. Many have taken to its games, it has created or revived some genres. Games that were unthinkable have now surfaced onto this format. It shows no signs of slowing down either and thanks to the marketing campaigns that still are going on, with in the UK, a deal with Channel 4 to show adverts and sponsor the big shows, long live the DS!
First Party Game Graphics: There are a lot of them, and all are quality titles. Those that are first party franchises developed by third party ones don't tend to stand out as much, but even with its rather gimmicky start, it has now picked up pace, and with Pokémon Diamond/Pearl now surfaced, things are looking up for Nintendo.
Third Party Game Graphics: The games here are sometimes better than the in-house ones, and some just use the DS so well. The best uses of the DS include the more intelligent ones, like Trauma Centre: Under the Knife, Phoenix Wright, Hotel Dusk and the "brain training games. One would imagine third party developers wouldn't do more original things, when in fact the opposite is true.
Game Library: Lots. I don't need to go into it too much. 1000+ games, different ****, what more can you say?
Hardware: The Dual Screens work wonders. The top screen is clear (Clearer with DS lite) and can be shut as a standby facility to conserve power. This also protects the screens from damage, which is something the GBA SP did. The original DS' metallic appearance is nice, and the DS lite looks just as good. The bottom screen/touch screen can be calibrated so that it functions like a dream, and the provided Stylus works perfectly with the DS. The handheld uses a rechargeable pack which can be plugged into the mains, which saves lots of money on batterys. The Wirelesness of the DS means multiplayer no longer needs cables! The DS games come in carts similar to digital camera carts, which are easy to store, but may get lost if you're not careful. GBA games plug into slot 2, but on the DS lite, they stick out, which is a little unfortunate. On the plus side, the DS lite has more brightness settings.
Backwards Compatabilty and Others: All GBA games work, but no GBC/GB games will work. There is also sometimes interactivity with DS and GBA games, which is great. Online capabilities of the DS are also apparent, using Wireless Hubs to connect your DS to the WorldWide Web. In this respect, they can only do more for this!
Playstation Portable (PSP)
Released in response to the DS, initially it took of superbly, but the blandness of the games was soon apparent when Brain Training and other such games came out. Its not a disaster, as it has practically PS2 graphics capabilities, but it probably just won't be as popular.
First Party Game Graphics: In some cases, these are impressive, but others just show that its a handheld PS2. The big screen of the PSP however does take advantage of a wider screen perspective, which improves the games visuals somewhat.
Third Party Game Graphics: Pretty much the same as the first party ones, there are some more stunning games out there, but they tend not to be as noticed. Castlevania Dracula X remake however does look great on the handheld.
Game Library: There are now quite a few games out, but not as many as the DS. It seems the DS is also easier to develop for, and therefore not only are more imaginative games avaliable for the DS, but more traditional ones too. That said, the PSP has a solid library of exclusives, which are also fun to play, and I hope to sample some in the future.
Hardware: The PSP is quite large. Think of it as a rather basic dual shock pad with less buttons, one stick and a massive screen in the middle. I say stick, its more like a thumbtack. Having said that, the Thumbtack is well designed, the D-Pad is too, and the only problems are the lack of L2 and R2 buttons and another thumbtack. The system uses UMDs, which are a nice concept, but UMD movies won't catch on, and to be honest, it doesn't matter if they do. Still, the interface similar to the PS3 one is a nice feature, and the Memory Stick Duo ensures saves are quick and easy to store.
Backwards Compatability and Others: Theres no real official word of this that I know of, but its possible to play PS1 games on the PSP. How do I know this? Well they didn't release Breath of Fires 3 & 4 for nothing, so one would assume the capabilities are there. Some PS1 games are getting updated remakes, which is good for the system. The online functions act very well, and will keep going as long as the handheld system's alive.
Conclusion
Clearly, the DS is dominating the handheld market, and rightly so since Nintendo have dominated the handheld market for years. The PSP is a decent handheld, the best competitor since the Game Gear (SEGA), but it just seems to have been outsmarted by a handheld that gives players new ways to play.
Well, thats your lot for now. See ya later!
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