Video gaming is a Great hobby, but if you purchase the wrong system for your needs, its not as fun as it could be, inside i will give a guide to what systems serve to what needs. hope you enjoy it!
Ok, if your REALLY looking for the Next-Generation system the only one currently available is the Xbox 360, while the Playstation 3 is due out November 17th and the Nintendo Wii is due out November 19th. While these are the most current release dates theres always a chance of a delay. I expect to create a full guide for each one after they are all released, and links will follow shortly.
If you want a current generation system and dont want to plop a ton of cash into one of the newest next-gen systems you can use this guide to help you pick out the best one for you.
The Console systems i will cover are:
- Sony Playstation 2
- Microsoft Xbox
- Nintendo Gamecube
First up,
PLAYSTATION 2 :
The sony playstation 2 is the second console system from sony, it has a range of games from childrens games (usualy rated E) to some stuff thats meant for more mature gamers (rated T - M) it has one of the largest library of game titles available, and can also play Playstation 1 games, not to mention plays DVD movies straight out of the box, nothing extra needed to purchase to watch a DVD.
playstation 2 is also able to hookup to your broadband internet connection for online play, and unlike xbox is totally FREE, you just have to have a broadband net connection. it uses memory cards to save highscores, game saves, and system setups, as well as online prefrences.
it has some fun "platforming" games that are only available on this system.
the controllers are very simple to use too, which makes gaming a bit more fun.
this system is newly available in Silver in the USA so you can get it in BLACK or SILVER.
overseas has several colors though.
It also has the most interesting lineup of extension parts, which include:
eyetoy (a webcam like device with motion tracking, and a batch of games that really put you into the game)
the DDR gamepad (a square mat you place on the floor and step and hop on to control the game)
guitar hero guitar (a guitar shaped controller to play the guitar hero games)
Guncon lightgun (for use in shooter type games like in most arcades)
the playstation also has USB ports for Keyboards, mice, headsets, and more!
MICROSOFT XBOX
This system is good for lots of types of games also, with a library a bit smaller than the Playstation collection. a few slight downsides on this system is the size of the system itself, its rather massive and bulky, to watch DVD's on this system you need to pickup a special DVD remote and attachment, which retails around 25$
It does, however have 4 controller ports against the playstations 2 for more players on a single system, great for sport games, and i reccomend it for the sporting gamers almost only for that reason alone. it also has an internal hard drive (40GB) it is used for a multitude of stuff, game saves and highscores, online data and system stats and setups, but can also do something no other current-gen system can, you can rip your CD collection to the harddrive and listen to them any time, and some games even allow you to listen to your choice of music while gaming instead of what the game supplies.
there are not many extra controllers and side accessories to it, as the controllers are kind of stocky and the button placment is rather odd at first. But some games that are XBOX only like Halo and the newer Halo 2 should be noted too.
NINTENDO GAMECUBE
The nintendo gamecube is a system that is somewhat geared tward younger gamers, as most of the nintendo systems usualy are. it comes in a few colors, has discs that are almost half the size of a standard DVD, so that means no DVD playback.
the games are mostly nintendo based games, like the many many many mario related games, and more platform games than other systems, it has an asseccory that allows the play of gameboy games. but it is somewhat hard to find it in stores anymore (the assecory)
while it has no online play, no hard drive, no dvd playback, and only a handfull of add ons, if your looking for a somewhat cheap system (price wise), or something for the kids to play with and lots of family friendly content this may be the system for you.
the controllers are decently setup so its easy for anyone to learn.
overall if your still lost, lots of Video rental stores will actually rent a system to you for a week for a small price. and if your really lost, simply ask friends and family, ther chances you know someone with at least one of the above systems is pretty good.
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