HOLIDAYS07: The Guide to the Consoles

The Guide to the Consoles

If you’re a gamer, don’t worry. This isn’t a “tutorial” on how to get started. It’s pretty much clear that everyone from gamers to non-gamers knows at least something about the consoles. This guide gives you an honest, unbiased opinion on which console you need and which games to get for it. Stick around, because you’re in for a wild ride (Jump!)
Games, Games, Games :. Don’t listen to the techies. They’re wrong. HD, high-definition multimedia, online gaming, and faster loading times all make up next-generation gaming, but it all depends on the games you love. The console you need to buy is the one which has the types of games or games that you love. Unfortunately, the playing field in this category is quite unleveled. The 360 has a one-year advantage in terms of release date over the Wii and PS3, thus making its specifications and graphical capabilities easily known to publishers. For the Wii, developers have to find ways to tackle motion-sensing controls (the third-party effort has been largely lackluster besides a few sports games) and for the PS3, third-party devs have to tackle the high-end graphical capabilities and HD quality that the PS3 offers, for a high-cost. Either way, both consoles are growing in games. We’ll tell you which games to buy for each console, so skip the specs and look below.

The 360 :. The 360 offers a wide variety of games in the shooting, sports, and action categories. Perhaps the most popular and most recommended at this point in time is Halo 3, the monstrous third-game in the saga that has captured millions of people worldwide. Think of it as an FPS with major guts; its storylines are planned out well, its graphical capabilities are stellar, even in standard definition, and its gameplay is still tops in its category. In terms of other games, try any in the Call of Duty series. While the series has cooled down a bit from stellar sales and reviews in the past, the next in the series, Modern Warfare, attempts to push FPS to a new level in the future. The game looks absolutely stunning graphically and the storylines are deep and develop each character. At the same time, the best 360 game to buy on the market is Gears of War. Perhaps the most influential game of our time, Gears pushes the online gaming frame, with millions of players online. A semi-futuristic FPS that excels in every category, it deserves a purchase from any 360 owner looking to utilize every single feature this console has to offer. If you don’t like any of the three, see: The Orange Box, Guitar Hero 3, or BioShock. Top Five (The “Must-Have”): Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, Halo 3, The Orange Box, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and the best, Gears of War. Must Have Accessory: HD-DVD Player ($100-$200)

The Wii :. The Wii is more for the “casual-gamer”, but even the hardcore gamer or fanboy will find something to love. The lovable RPG, Super Paper Mario, has a wonderful storyline that’s out to delight any hardcore fanboy whose been waiting for this. At the same time, we say skip the RPGs and head straight to action: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, and Metroid Prime 3 all surprise as they push the Wii envelope with Wii-specific controls that specifically lead the pack in terms of interactivity. If you’re not into action, try the strategy Battalion Wars 2, the amazing Guitar Hero 3, or the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy. If you can hold out till Brawl, save your money. Top Five (The “Must-Have”): Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, Battalion Wars 2, and the best, Super Mario Galaxy. Must Have Accessory: SD-card to buy virtual console games ($5+)

The PS3 :. Though we are SONY fanboys to a degree, the PS3 offers a wide array of videogames that not only excel in graphics, but command a lead over its others in terms of quality. Still, the best action title out there is Resistance: Fall of Man, though anybody would recommend the eager Warhawk, Motorstorm, or any of the Tom Clancy titles. The most desirable of all of those is Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Catering to a large audience and delivering, the game most sincerely continues a beloved franchise in many new ways, making this futuristic world a beautiful, golden delight. At the same time, Guitar Hero 3 is amazingly big on the PS3, Uncharted looks amazing, Virtua Fighter is still an amazing title. If you can’t wait for MGS4, check out the upcoming Assasin’s Creed. Top Five (The “Must-Have”): Resistance: Fall of Man, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, Assassin’s Creed, Warhawk, and the best, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Must Have Accessory: HDMI Cables ($20+)