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In 2006 and early 2007, the release of the Playstation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 took gaming and gaming systems to a new level of technological marvel and excellence. The struggle for dominance between the three gaming platforms reached unbelievable proportions as the gaming platforms vied for the consumer hard earned monies. Which gaming platform is most popular may not be as important to many hardcore gamers as to the features and benefits of the preferred platform. Sony’s Playstation 3 has definitely been one of the favourites. With a Blu-ray Disc built right into the gaming system and the up to 80GB hard disk drive, the Playstation 3 has become a multimedia platform capable of playing the latest movies or music while at the same time offering internet connectivity making the user able to view photos, images, or even download games or music. In addition, Playstation 3 has high-definition capabilities. Of course, many people want the Playstation 3 for nothing more than the wide array of detailed games available for lease or purchase. Playstation 3 attracts sporting fans with such games as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 by Electronic Arts (EA), NHL 2k& by Take 2 Interactive, or NBA Street Home Court by EA. Of course, the action adventure games appeal to a whole new crowd with such games as Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega, or Genji Days of the Blade by Sony. Another popular feature of the Playstation 3 is the online capabilities. With games such as Fight Night Round 3 or Def Jam Icon, gamers are able to play with real people. Playstation 3 has revolutionized the users’ love of interaction by offering real opponents or allies in the struggle for supremacy. Another popular gaming platform released around the same time as the Playstation 3 adding to the hype was the Wii. The Wii offers a less expensive solution to a new gaming system, but the features and simplistic nature of the Wii has been questioned. However, if the gamer in your house is a Nintendo Gamecube fan, the Wii will work seamlessly into your platform collection – the Wii is backwards compatible with all the Nintendo Gamecube games. The design of the Wii console is significantly smaller, lighter, and compact than the Playstation 3, but what is being neglected in order to bring the smaller size should be considered. The only feature found to be in common with the Playstation 3 other than playing games is the Wii is wireless adaptable with added accessories. Of course, there are many popular games available for the Wii now and for the future. One of the most popular may just be the newest addition to the Zelda family of games – The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. Of course, Warrior Ware Smooth Moves or Sonic cannot be disputed as serious competitors to either Xbox 360 or Playstation 3. The Xbox 360 has been the real competition to the Playstation 3 as a serious gaming platform. The Xbox 360 also acts as a progressive scan DVD player which puts it in direct competition with Playstation 3’s Blu-ray disc compatibility. The Xbox 360’s hard disk is 20GB rather than the maximum of 80GB offered by Playstation 3. Additionally, the Xbox 360 is high-definition ready. In addition, the Xbox 360 is Xbox Live ready. Of course, to completely understand the Xbox 360, the type of games offered has to be investigated. Since the Xbox 360 was released approximately a year before the Playstation 3, the Xbox 360 has significantly more games currently available. Those interested in strategy or simulation games will enjoy Battlefield II, the Tom Clancy series, or Samurai Warriors 2 Empires. Some of the popular family games include Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle Earth II, The Elder Scroll IV Oblivion, or Final Fantasy XI. Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii have changed the way we play games, but they also change the way we think about the capabilities of the gaming system. Instead of simply playing games, gaming platforms such as Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 offer complete, multi-media systems capable of providing the whole family entertainment with or without a game in the system.
Staff editor, Broadband Section, April 2007 |
