The Gaming Wars Essays - Home Video Game Consoles, Wii, Xbox

The Console Wars Tommy Watson ENG121 Norma Turner 19 November 2010 The gaming industry has evolved tremendously over the past 20 years. Most of us can think back to the first video games we played and how astonished we were at what great graphics or unique control schemes they offered. It?s strange to look at how far they have come since then. One of the biggest changes in this industry is the emergence of the gaming consoles. Within the past several years, the industry has boomed into a very large business. Within this business, there are three big companies fighting to be the best. Sony?s Playstation 3, Microsoft?s Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii are the three main systems in this huge market. Because there are so many games for these systems, and because it is such a big business, stores are specializing in only these games are opening everywhere. I will be explaining some of the most noticeable differences between the three consoles, such as the hardware, controls and price. First is the Sony?s Playstation3 system which gives you everything you need in a game console, such as a built-in Blu-ray player for your HD movie collection, pristine picture quality delivered at 1080p, which is equipped with storage capacities of 120 GB, 160 GB, 250GB, and 320GB with built-in WI-FI. The prices for these systems vary depending on the how much storage capacity you want or need. For instance the 120GB and 160GB system retails at $299.99 while the 250GB and 320GB systems retails at $349.99, which includes one Dualshock3 wireless controller, AC power cord, AV cable and a USB cable. Now the accessories for this system are numerous. The Dualshock3 comes in various colors from red, silver, pink, green, blue, white and standard black. Other accessories include the Play Station Eye camera, Bluetooth Headset, Wireless Key pad, surround Sound system, HDMI cable several types of guns for use with shooting games.You also have the ability to get movies through a membership with Netflix. Second is the Microsoft?s Xbox 360 system which gives you everything you need in a game console. One of the main differences I have found in my research from the Play station 3, is the Xbox 360 is sold in bundle; you can no longer just buy the console. Some of the different packages of the Xbox 360 console are the 4GB hard drive which retails at $199.99, a 4GB console with Kinect and 250GB console which retails at $299.99, and a special edition 250 GB console with Kinects which retails at $399.99. All comes with a built-in WI-FI for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox live, where HD movies and TV stream instantly in 1080pand 5.1 surround sound. Each console comes with a black wireless controller, a standard definition composite A/V cable and depending on the package comes with a Kinect Sensor, and one month Xbox Live membership. Now for the accessories you can buy separately are wireless controllers, Xbox 360 Chatpad, wireless Headsets, 250 GB hard drive, Xbox Liv e memberships of 3 and 12 months. There are games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band that involve accessories such as microphones, drums, guitars and even a keyboard. Other accessories include a rod and reel for games that involve fishing; several types of guns for use with shooting games. You also have the ability to view movies with a membership through Netflix. Third is the Nintendo Wii console which is more geared towards the family. It also comes in bundles which will include games like the Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, one Wii Remote Plus controller, one Nunchuk controller, sensor bar, standard composite cable and power cord. It also has a WI-FI built-in for easier connection to the internet. Other accessories are the Wii Balance Board, Wii Motion Plus, Nintendo points Card, Wii steering wheel, Wii Zapper,