Wii Vs. Xbox and PlayStation – Which Is Better?
With three major and mature game consoles on the market, it can still be hard to determine what are the similarities and differences between the three. This guide will help explain how each of the three game consoles – Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation - stack up against the others.
Before Buying A Console, Think What Games Will You Play?
There is a wide variety of types of video games to play, and similarly the consoles that are used to play them are just as different. If you know what type of games you want to play, you’ll know what features you need on the game consoles you’re considering to achieve the best gaming experience you can get based on the game's genre. For example, games created for the Nintendo Wii are usually more accessible, family-friendly type games which are often based on Nintendo's classic games from the past. These have many cartoon-like and toy-like characters, such as Mario and Link, and occur in Arcade-style game situations. You might hear Wii games referred to as “mini-games”, "Casual Games," or "Party Games" which describe the simple and easy to play nature of these games. You will even find some have games-within-games and they focus on appealing to players who are new to the puzzle-solving side of gaming and how the player interacts with the game on that level.
With hardware that is a little more sophisticated than the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 come with the processing power that first person shooter, Action-Adventure, Racing and RPG games require.
Early game design in the areas of Action-Adventure, Shooters, Racing, Sports, Role-playing games (RPG) and others are the history behind development of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles where the consoles started out with these game genres. To play these games requires more skill and focus on the part of the player, and the games need better more graphics processing power from more powerful consoles to give players the high quality experience they have come to expect. This high quality graphics capability continues to be the primary focus of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. These consoles are capable of full 1080p HD quality graphics, well beyond what the Wii can handle. These powerful platforms have led to development of game titles like God of War, Fable, Halo, Call of Duty, Gears of War, Killzone, Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls and many others. Along with increased demand for online multiplayer gaming using Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network, the requirement for high level graphical qualities on these platforms only continues to grow.
Motion Sensitive Gaming
The Wii was first with motion sensitive gaming, and ever since then it’s been a major focus for game console manufacturers. Both Kinect and PlayStation Move have also found an audience for their unique versions of play. Here is a breakdown of the motion capabilities of each of the different game systems.
Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk
The Wii Remote Plus controller comes standard with every Wii console. It has enhanced motion controls over the original Wii Remote along with addition of the Wii MotionPlus technology, built into one controller unit. Users wave the controller like a wand, and the wand uses an internal gyroscope and accelerometer to determine the players’ positions and movement. This is translated into the game through a sensor bar connected to the console. The Wii Remote Plus is easy to use, with just a few buttons. It also has a built in speaker, a rumble feature, and a connector slot for other input devices like the Nunchuk and the Classic Controller.
PlayStation Move
The PlayStation Move is Son’s attempt to add motion control to its PlayStation 3 system (PS3). It adds a new gaming experience by combining realistic, high-definition gaming along with accurate, intuitive motion control. With the PlayStation Move controller, the PlayStation Move Navigation controller (which is optional in many games) and a PlayStation Eye camera (each sold separately), the PlayStation Move inserts accurate motion control and interactive gameplay on the PS3 system. The PlayStation Eye also adds the ability to allow users to engage in video chat capabilities.
Kinect for Xbox 360
Microsoft’s entry into motion controllers is the Kinect. It’s very easy to use and fun for all ages, since it doesn’t use a controller. Instead, the Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 is similar to a camera, with full-body tracking putting players in the center of the gaming fun! The sensor will configure itself by checking a range of points across the person standing in front of the sensor. The Kinect can actually recognize and mirror your movements directly into the game, which is like making your body the controller. All Xbox systems can use the Kinect, which comes with a color VGA motion camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution @ 30 frames per second), a depth camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution @ 30 frames per second) and four microphones which support single speaker voice recognition.
How To Get Started With Online Play
The functionality for online gaming is a main focus today of game consoles. All three game consoles can be used when offline, but when you add them to your home wireless network connection, you’ll have many more options for game play, Internet access and more. This is what makes them truly all around entertainment centers. Each system possesses its own unique features and different ways gamers can interact.
Wii Ware
On the Wii, WiiWare is the online service that provides downloadable games and applications for Wii players. Games are downloaded directly to the Wii console after paying with Wii Points bought on the Wii Shop Channel. If you are playing an online game, such as Mario Kart, there is no other cost, it's free to play and names aren’t used so young children are protected from unwanted personal contact. Nintendo has also uploaded hundreds of its familiar classic arcade games as well as those of other developers, available for download using the Virtual Console function. On the Nintendo Channel, gamers can watch gameplay videos, trailers for upcoming releases, developer interviews, and even download game demos. Wii owners can also watch Netflix (requires a Netflix subscription) for watching movies, television and other video.
PlayStation Network
The PlayStation Network is a PS3 owner’s all access pass to both gaming and a world of entertainment. The PSN is 100% free, needing just the PS3 (or PlayStation handheld) and a broadband connection to the Internet. At the online PlayStation Store, users can download a variety of games, game previews and demos, other extras, as well as music and streaming video. Users can purchase with a credit card or a PlayStation Network Card which can be purchased offline. The console has storage for games, or games can be stored on external media. It’s easy to join in multiplayer gameplay using PSN, by simply inserting a compatible multiplayer disc into the console, choose the multiplayer option and start your own game or join one already in progress. The PS3 can also access Netflix, as well as original programming just for the PlayStation owner.
Xbox LIVE
For Xbox, the Xbox LIVE network is the main hub of online entertainment. Xbox has been using the LIVE service since 2002, and it has only grown with Xbox 360. It’s set up as a two tier service, where all users get a free "Silver membership," opening access to free game demos, video rentals, Xbox LIVE avatars and chat. Paying members upgrade to the "Gold Membership" which gives access to the free services plus other expanded features, such as online gaming, a variety of HD movies and TV choices through Netflix, HBO Go, ESPN, and others, plus downloadable games, Facebook, and much more content. To purchase, players use Xbox LIVE points, available both online and off. Xbox LIVE membership level keep track of a player’s Gamer Score, which is a running tally of all of the achievements they have unlocked in the games they have played. Gamers around the world share this information and their accomplishments.
As you can see, there are significant differences among the three major game consoles, but there is one thing they all have in common: The ability to bring a wealth of entertainment and fun to your home.
Looking Back At The Wii In 2011
Looking back over 2011, the Wii console has held up even though it’s been eclipsed somewhat by huge selling titles for Xbox like Call of Duty. The Wii audience has never really been the same as the Xbox, if truth be told; games with Mario and Luigi are not going to appeal to the same players. With families with kids, or adults who want to use the Wii Fit, there isn’t a fanboy type attitude toward the Wii that you get with the Xbox. When young kids grow into teens, it’s pretty clear that they want to move up to Xbox or PlayStation and to the more “grown up” action titles.
That held true for 2011, as the Wii saw sales slump but the Xbox continued to sell units. Having the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 come out, and sell $1 billion in the first two weeks doesn’t hurt publicity either! We love the Wii mainly because it’s so family-friendly, but the reality is that these action games sell, and also the Kinect is giving Wii a run for the money.
But if you have a family with young kids, and you want to have a fun game system, the Wii is the better choice. Even though Xbox came out with Kinect and PlayStation with the Move, Nintendo titles and other developers kept true to the ease of use of the Wii and the most popular stable of Nintendo characters. Games like Mario Galaxy 2, Mario Kart, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Play are the kind of games that a family can enjoy together. Some stable titles like Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword were much anticipated by gamers who love the Zelda series, and Nintendo made it a little more friendly and less dark than the previous Zelda: Twilight Princess title. Play is more difficult compared to the other Mario games, but these are still the type of games that appeal to a younger audience, not the hard card Mature-rated first person shooter games.
We still recommend the Wii for anyone who enjoys video games but isn’t in it for the hardcore killing action. There’s still the Wii Fit although specific balance board titles are hard to come by, as fitness titles increasingly don’t require the use of the Wii Fit balance board. Wii Fit Plus made headway by adding extra online features; we hope Nintendo will continue to add to and update these.
It’s also true that we expect that most Wii owners will at some point wind up getting an Xbox, usually as the kids get older, or because the Kinect is also a pull. Kinect has some fun games, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the game base of the Wii. Microsoft is working on that, with lots of fitness titles like Motion Sports and Dance Central. Kids’ titles are also coming out fast, like Sesame Street from Warner Bros, and Fantastic Pets from THQ. THQ has also released UFC Personal Trainer, mimicking MMA training routines, for both the Kinect and the Wii.
We just don’t see it as a winner take all competition between the Nintendo Wii and Xbox, or PlayStation. The consoles have so many different features it’s hard to say you wouldn’t like having one of each. But with other entertainment value, such as online games, downloadable content, Netflix streaming video, and Blu-Ray capability on the PlayStation and DVD on the Xbox, there is so much more you can do with any of the three other than just play games. With Nintendo releasing its new Wii U console and game pad this year, it’s going to be exciting to see just how that plays out in the market against the competition from Xbox and PlayStation.
Wii Black Bundles Best Deals
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Wii Black Console with New Super Mario Brothers Wii and Music CD
CLICK HERE
Sale Price: $147.95 |
Nintendo released this black Wii bundle with the New Super Bros along with black Wii controller and nunchuck last October. Now that holiday promotions are over, the price remains around $150 or so for this console bundle. Included with the console is a CD of music from Mario Galaxy, but we're not sure why they didn't also throw in the Mario Galaxy game!
This Wii black console is also "newly configured" which means it is NOT compatible with GameCube games or accessories, as the first Wii consoles were. There are probably few buyers today who are still using GameCube games, although these games are still available used from many game retailers and online. (GameCube was the prior game console from Nintendo and used games are running about $10.)
There is another black Wii for sale that includes Wii Sports Resort, and that is priced a little higher, probably because the games are more popular with a larger audience. Wii Sports Resort appeals to many non-gamers while New Super Mario Bros appeals to kids and others who love the traditional challenge of getting Mario through the obstacle courses. Even though it's cartoonish, New Super Mario Bros is not by any means a game for young kids, it can be very challenging. (There are probably still adults who played Super Mario Bros on the old Nintendo NES system as kids - the update is a lot of fun and really brings back memories for older gamers!)
You can still find discounts though, as you can see Amazon has a discounted price for the basic black Wii bundle. You will likely see prices hovering in the $175-195 range for the black Wii, but if you are willing to buy used or refurbished Wii consoles, you can check sites like eBay or the Amazon Marketplace for sellers of used systems.
Black Wii
Wii enthusiasts were happy that Nintendo finally released a black Wii console, although it was a few years after the original console in white came out. Getting another console for a vacation house or for a college dorm room is not unusual, but there are some gamers who didn't think the white one was "cool" enough. Nintendo mainly appeals to a family audience, so the white color wasn't originally a drawback. Now that they are trying to compete however with PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the Wii had to come out with a black model to blend in with traditional gaming systems. In addition, many consumer electronics are black, and having the game console stick out like a sore thumb doesn't work for some people.
The black Wii hasn't been on the market long enough to find many refurbished models, but it's worth a look, as you can save $20-$50 on these models. There many also be discounts on black Wii consoles if you check used models, as people upgrade when buying new systems. Right now there aren't bundles available in black that include more than one controller or game, but you can purchase black Wii accessories separately at all major retailers. You can also go the other direction and buy a bundle that includes more games and controllers for a higher price, but you'll still pay less than if you bought everything separately.
Along with the black Wii bundles, you can also still find the red Wii for sale, as well as a limited edition blue Wii console, released late in 2011. The original white Wii console bundle is also available of course, and prices are probably best for the console in white, if you are buying on price alone. Right now, Nintendo is planning the release of its upcoming console upgrade, the new Wii U, which it remains to be seen whether that will be available in colors other than white when released later in 2012.
Wii Bundles
Wii Console with Mario Kart Wii Bundle - Black
Sale Price: $163.95
