We are all excited about the next generation consoles. The question is "Which one should I buy?" "Should I get one, two, or all three?" Well, here is a little essay to help you choose...
Price:
Xbox 360 Core: $299.99
Xbox 360 Platinum: $399.99
The Xbox 360 Core includes an Xbox 360, wired controller, and Xbox Live Silver.
The Xbox 360 Platinum comes with a wireless controller, a 20gb removable harddrive, a wireless Xbox Live communication headset, and Xbox Live Silver. If you were going to buy all the stuff separately, and get the Core system, you should buy the Platinum, like I am.
Playstation 3 (20 GB): $499.99
Playstation 3 (60 GB): $599.99
The PS3 is more expensive than the Xbox 360 because it is a more powerful system, reads Blu-Ray discs, and supports 1080p resolution, the only console thus far to do so. It will also utilize built-in Bluetooth to (supposedly) support up to seven controllers.
Nintendo Revolution: < $250
While not nearly as powerful as the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, it is considered by many to be the most innovative. Games will be controlled by a full-motion sensitive controller which allows for much more realistic interaction within games.
Release Dates:
Xbox 360:
The Xbox 360 was released on November 22nd 2005 in the US and Canada, December 2nd 2005 in Europe, and later elsewhere in the world. "Because of a manufacturing bottleneck for having started the massive manufacturing only 69 days before launching, Microsoft was not able to supply enough systems to meet consumer demand in Europe or North America. Many potential customers were not able to procure a console at launch and the lack of availability led to Xbox 360 bundles selling on eBay at grossly inflated prices, with some auctions exceeding US$2000" (Src: Wikipedia)
Playstation 3:
After many delays, the PS3 has a release date of November 17th, 2006 in the US and Canada, March, 2007 in Europe, and later/earlier elsewhere in the world. "Sony announced on September 6, 2006 that the PAL (European and Australasia) launch has been delayed until March, 2007 due to a shortage of diodes used in the Blu-ray drive." (Src: Wikipedia)
Nintendo Wii:
Wii is set to be released on November 19, 2006 in the US and Canada and December 8, 2006 in Europe. The Wii has also plagued with release delays and product hangs, but it looks as if the above mentioned dates are indeed final.
Specs:
Xbox 360:
The Xbox 360 has a three core CPU with each core running at around 3.2 GHz. It has 512mb of RAM and a custom ATi graphics chipset. It's floating point performance is 1terraflopp. It uses single-layer DVD5 and dual layer DVD9 discs and DOES support HD-DVD (movies) with an external add-on which retails for $199 USD
Playstation 3:
The PS3 has a very powerful 7-core "Cell" processor, being co-developed by IBM, Sony, and Toshiba. It has 256mb of RAM and a custom nVidia graphics chipset. It supports DVD, Blu-Ray, PS1 CD-ROM, PS2 CD-ROM, PS2 DVD-ROM, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, etc...
Nintendo Wii:
It's CPU is a PowerPC based processor codenamed "Broadway" and the GPU is an ATI "Hollywood." The system has a grand total of 88mb of RAM and storage for downloads/saved games/etc is a 512mb chip of built-in memory (which can be expanded courtesy of a built-in SD-card slot. Supports 12 cm Wii Optical Disc and 8 cm GameCube Optical Disc (Src: Wikipedia)
Special Features:
Xbox 360:
The Xbox 360 interface is tabbed vertically. To get to different areas of the system/service, you switch between blades, which each pertain to a different part of the Xbox universe. The Xbox is compatible with many Xbox games, although the hard drive is required to store the emulation profiles for each game. The 360 supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i display resolutions, as well as 5.1 chanel surround sound. Every game released on the 360 is required to support these resolutions and constraints, as well as have some form of Xbox Live compatibility.
Playstation 3:
The PS3 has great floating point performance because by an incredible processor. This could pave the way for all sorts of things. It will connect to the PSP, it supports 7 controllers wirelessly on one screen, and will use a cross-bar interface similar to that of the PSP/PSX
Nintendo Wii:
The Wii will play DVD movies/audio CDs and GameCube games as well as Wii games. Of course, the Wii Channels interface has an online channel where classic games for any Nintendo system from the NES to the n64 can be had for Wii Points, a digital currency system similar to Xbox 360 Live's "Microsoft Points." The Wii is also able to be controlled a number of unique ways such as by a remote, a Lightsaber-esque bar, and a shotgun-like zapper.
Online
Xbox 360:
The Xbox 360 will offer two levels of Xbox Live service; Xbox Live Silver and Xbox Live Gold. Xbox Live Silver is free and is preloaded onto every Xbox 360 manufactured. The bad news is that you don't get to play games with it. With silver, you get to audio and text message your friends, and you get access to the marketplace all for free. So think of silver as a Moviefone for games with a giant chat room thrown in. Gold has all the features of silver with the additions of video messaging and online gameplay with it. Gold is paid but pricing is low. Roughly $4.99 USD a month upfront or $49.99 a year. Xbox Live Marketplace is in addition to the service and offers many downloads for Xbox 360, including game demos, trailers, arcade games, themes, pictures, and updates. Some things (such as themes and pictures) have to be purchased using MS Points, but demos, trailers, and updates are usually, if not always, free.
Playstation 3:
The PS3 will offer services similar to Xbox 360 Live. The PS3 cross media bar does feature a web browser and Sony has announced an online service called PlayStation Network Platform, which will be free on all levels and include a modified version of Xfire/something Xfire-like for various match-making facilites, such as Friends Lists, among other features. Users will also be able to download PS1 and PS2 games from the online service for a fee, and a currency system similar to Microsoft Points/Wii Points is expected.
Nintendo Wii:
The Wii seems to have an extremely in-depth online service. There will be a store similar to Xbox Live Marketplace where downloads such as NES/SNES/N64/Genesis/etc... games can be bought for Wii Points. The Wii will also be compatible with a special form of the Opera web browser, available for download on the Wii for free until June 2007 (Purchase afterwards)
Controllers:
Xbox 360:
Take the controller S, move the black and white buttons above the L and R triggers. Move the start and back buttons to the center. Paint it white. There you have it. A pure copycat of the DualShock 2, but still feels nice.
Playstation 3:
The ol' DualShock controller. Never out of the ordinary. Never uncomfortable. Well the new one comes in a wireless flavor and is motion sensitive to things such as tilts, rotation, etc...
Nintendo Wii:
(UPDATED) A wireless DVD-remote looking controller. It features four face buttons, the two basic a and b, a middle A button, and a B trigger. Turned sideways it looks like an advanced NES controller. It uses motion sensors for alot of controll, and comes with a wired analog stick that plugs into the bottom of the controller.
Games:
Xbox 360
NBA 2K6
NHL 2K6
Top Spin 2
Amped 3
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Call of Duty 2
Quake 4
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
GUN
Need for Speed Most Wanted
FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup
NBA Live 06
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06
Madden NFL 06
Kameo: Elements of Power
Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing 3
Playstation 3
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Call of Duty 3
College Hoops 2K7
Fatal Inertia
F.E.A.R.
Fight Night: Round 3
flOw
Full Auto 2: Battlelines
Genji: Days of the Blade
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
NBA 07
NBA 2K7
NHL 2K7
Need for Speed: Carbon
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Sonic the Hedgehog
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Tony Hawk's Project 8
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom
Nintendo Wii
Barnyard
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Call of Duty 3
Cars
Elebits
Ennichi no Tatsujin
Excite Truck
Far Cry: Vengeance
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
GT Pro Series
Happy Feet
Kororinpa
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Machi Kuru Domino
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Metal Slug Anthology
Monster 4x4 World Circuit
Necro-Nesia
Need for Speed: Carbon
Open Season
Rampage: Total Destruction
Rapala Tournament Fishing
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Super Swing Golf PangYa
Tamagotchi's Sparkling President
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
Trauma Center: Second Opinion
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Wii Play
Wii Sports
Wing Island
World Series of Poker
Well there you have it. I know some of this is old news but incase you're prowling the net for news on these consoles, this is a big compilation of it. It will be updated as I find news. Please post your comments about the article. Also post which console(s) you think you will buy.
(CONTRIBUTORS: Spaz)
UPDATE 1: Updated with Xbox 360 Live Gold Pricing
UPDATE 2: Controler info, pics, and game update
©2005-2006 Chris82. 1/3rd of rights reserved.