Console Wars Bonus - Which is for you?

Earlier in the month we wrote 4 articles regarding the current Console War going on between Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and Playstation 3. Three of the four articles were serious and well constructed with facts and flaws of each machine where as the fourth installment was unplanned and misleading. This “Bonus Track” is the correct closure that the Console Wars article really needed.
We warning you though, this article is going to be longer than the first 3 episodes put together plus will one be text only since it is going to be very critical of each system in multiple categories so without further procrastination let’s get to the break!

Online Gaming

With online gaming becoming more and more popular in this day and age we wanted to cover this immediately. Each system has their own take on how the whole online gaming should be done and it’s no surprise that they are all different in many ways.

Nintendo is uneasy about the whole online gaming. Their market is mostly made up of casual gamers that just want to lay back and enjoy each other’s company. Since you’re not going to enjoy each other’s company when someone else is playing a game over the internet, or at least Nintendo thinks you’re not, their agenda doesn’t involve a very strong online campaign. So far to date only six games have been confirmed for online play: Super Mario Strikers Charged, Pokemon Battle Revolution, Guitar Hero 3, My Sims, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Mario Kart Wii. All of the games mentioned that are made by Nintendo will require a “friend code” to play with someone else that you already know. Nintendo has implemented the Friend Code to protect the minors from predators and also for added security, but mostly for the minors.

Sony has a completely different spin on online gaming. They feel that their market, which is anyone between the ages of 12 and 35 both men and women, will be willing to play games casually online to meet new people. The PSN was created to allow users to play against other people using an Ethernet or wireless connection and while playing they could communicate with a bluetooth or usb headset. Although their gaming line up is weak right now, Sony plans on continuing to build speed on releasing more and more “hardcore” online gaming experiences. The best games to play online to date include Resistance, Madden 2008, and Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter 2. Sony’s online gaming community pays nothing for online gaming which is how Sony plans on keeping it.

Microsoft is the stable horse on this one. They have been seen for years as the system to turn to for online gaming. Microsoft’s online service dubbed Xbox Live became an established service in 2004 when it’s flagship title Halo 2 was released supporting it’s service and has not slowed down in new accounts since then. Microsoft feels that their core audience is between the ages 18 - 45 and predominantly men but Microsoft is trying to expand slowly to broaden it to be between the ages of 12 - 45 both men and women. With multiple online successes like Gears of War, Rainbow 6: Vegas, and also Madden 2008 it’s no surprise that Microsoft continues to trounce the competition! Microsoft feels that to have an experience as secured, stable, lag-free, and competitive that you should pay for the online multiplayer experience for a mere cost of $49.99 per year which mostly pays for the server maintanence (the machine and the people watching it) and bandwidth (internet costs). With Halo 3 and Beautiful Katamari coming out, more online love is headed Microsoft’s way.

System Durability - Then and Now

Here at SOGamer we acknowledge that when you buy a machine you don’t want to have it break down on you. Now there are a lot of outside influences that could cause a system to “out of the ordinary” break down faster that you should be aware about too, these influences include the humidity where the system will be played, how much dirt or debris will be getting into the machine before you clean it, how much the family smokes around it, how much room it has to “breathe” or ventilate, and lastly how long you don’t use it. How to extend your system’s usual life span will be explained in further detail another day but let’s see how systems operate under healthy circumstances.

Microsoft made some terrible decisions in their 360 career which is not good considering they were shooting for number one in the war by having a year in advance to work on it. First the issue was that the 360 was “eating games” by scratching a perfect circle on one of the tracks of the dvd disc, this was caused by the disc reader not having safety features preventing the disc from wobbling in while being used in the disc drive causing something to lightly scratch the game making the game unplayable and unrepairable. The second issue was reading discs improperly causing the motor to not spin at the correct RPM needed to read the disc properly. The final hurdle was the “never going to live it down” red ring of death (rrod). At first Microsoft didn’t want to admit the rrod was happening and forced a lot of people to pay for the repair of the system which wasn’t cheap (a whopping price of $180 plus shipping and handling). Today, Microsoft wants to be back on top as the number one system so they discontinued all of the failed models and now have what was code named “Zephyr” which basically includes the new motherboard that will never rrod, the new dvd-rom drive that will not scratch games, and the new dvd motor that will spin games at the right speed. So in the end Microsoft got it right, but customers will never forgive them for the $180 even though it was refunded to them.

Nintendo has had a slightly bumpy road but I think it’s drama only caused it to be more popular. The Wii’s wrist straps for the Wiimotes had to be recalled because of some really aggressive (and stupid) college stupids that thought that they could put liability insurance claims on Nintendo for breaking their tv and having the wrist straps break. Wii also had a recall on some systems early on for an update that was done on the system that, if interrupted, would cause the system to not come back on ala “bricked” fashion. Besides this though, the Wii is smooth sailing and little could be said if the wrist straps breaking was real or if it was just a safe way to market how much fun people are having with their machine.

Sony takes the cake for having the best system in this category. The only issue that Sony had since launch is that the BLU-Ray movie drives wouldn’t play properly in 720P or Standard Definition mode but this was corrected when you either upgraded your systems firmware through the internet or when you bought your next BLU-Ray movie/game since the firmware was always included in the discs. Sony had claims of a house fire and claims of being too heavy and falling over killing a kid but both claims were false and only internet rumors intended to butcher the PS3’s image like the PS3 grill before it gained popularity.

Features For Their Markets

If you’re a shopper that cares about features, we are going to cover a majority of the features on all systems. Now the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have limitless features since they could just be updated by software update to have new features but for the time being we’ll talk about the current features. Now there is a known fact though that 65% of owners don’t use all of the features of the machines and a little over 25% of those people actually know what the features for their systems are.

The Wii may not be the most feature packed system that was manufactured in the 21st century but what features are there is enough for it’s already defined market. It plays games, it protects the kids, it downloads games for retro gamers, it is interactive, it can view pictures and movies off of a Secured Digital card, it is simple, and most importantly it’s going to have Mario games. Throw in WiFi gaming and corky new peripherals and you have yourself a Nintendo made device! Nintendo continues to save cost on the machine by not including DVD or CD playing software to the Wii which, if added, would have drove the price of the machine up another $50 making it no better than the 360 so Nintendo opted to exclude these features from the system.

Microsoft also knew what they’re already established market wanted - new ways to use the internet. Obviously Xbox Live Multiplayer was their ground to stand on but since Xbox Live Multiplayer, Microsoft has added features to allow the 360 to download movies or tv shows to the hard drive and watch them in standard or high definition. Media streaming is a huge bonus too since the custom sound tracks was a bonus for the Xbox original but using files on your computer some where else in the network really made things nice. Microsoft’s best feature for the online gamer though was the addition of the Xbox Live Vision camera, now the world can see you in a totally different way. With the vision camera you could put your face on your avatar for Rainbow Six Vegas or you could play using interaction like the Wiimote does for the Wii and lastly you can do video chat or messages with your friends. This system may be a basic CD and DVD playing system without all the extra accessories/peripherals but when you throw in a HD-DVD player and a Wireless Internet Adapter, it’s an entertainment center worth owning.

Playstation 3, is the big daddy of them all, and by big daddy I mean big daddy from Bioshock. As far as features are concerned, the PS3 spearheads the market by not only taking some of it’s remaining market not taken by Microsoft but takes the core PC gamers and melds them with the core movie watchers to make a new market for itself. BLU-Ray high definition movies, media streaming like the 360 does, wirelessly remote playing all of your music/movies with your Sony PSP by the click of a button, the ability to put Linux on the hard drive as an addition OS, the ability to put in 3 different types of camera storage in the system and have it viewed, the ability to have almost any bluetooth device compatible with it, built in wireless internet instead of separate adapter, movies and demos on PSN ala Xbox Live style, the ability to buy games and download them directly to the hard drive, and lastly the SIX-AXIS controller which will be huge for games like Lair and it’s flight control ability. All these features plus more are the reasons the Playstation 3 is the best option for features.

Family Entertainment and Party Jam

If you are looking at gaming as a center piece for family entertainment or you are only going to be using it when you throw a party this section is for you. Gaming may never been your thing but as more and more games cater to your lifestyle you’ll find gaming is more than just for dorks who live in their mom’s basement, gaming is more mainstream today than it ever has been and by you reading this article you’re obviously trying to embrace the change and make the right decision. Whether you’re a young family with kids under 10 years old or you’re a bachelor who likes to have weekend fun, this section will focus on the multiplayer and the fun factor of each system as well as it’s parental safety.

Microsoft hasn’t really been a family system, with all of the violent Mature rated games on the system it’s no surprise either. Until Microsoft can understand the equation that party games and casual innocent games are the way into families living rooms. But Microsoft continues down the patch of “like our franchises or leave” and refuses to make games not Xbox Live Arcade that will appeal to the whole family. Partying, well Guitar Hero 2 is an amazing game but this title isn’t really a 360 game, it’s a PS2 game and unfortunately the PS2’s 3 game option versus this system’s one with downloadable option makes a last gen system beat the 360 in family and party fun. Don’t get us wrong, you could take turns playing Gears of War, Madden or Halo 2 but if the party isn’t based around these two games, it won’t be fun for non-gamers.

Sony may not be a huge player in the family market but it does have it’s share of fun games since not a lot of games on the PS3 are M unlike the 360. Most of the family fun brings the family back to it’s roots which is getting around a tv and watching sports. Obviously with the system’s high definition graphics on it’s in house properties like NBA 06 - The Life and MLB 07 - The Show, the family gets to huddle together with exclusive games. As for party, if you’re waiting for Guitar Hero to be backwards compatible it will be in October when the new game comes out with wireless guitars but until then the party games that were fun on the PS2 won’t even play with an adapter so also due to the system’s lack of party games it’s not getting the spotlight on this except an investigation spotlight to find out when good party games are coming.

Nintendo by no means meant 100% for the system to scream “family fun” but it does, if your family is interested in games then the Wii is for you. Party or no party, every day is a party with the Wii. Who needs Guitar Hero when you have Boogie, Rayman Raving Rabids (1 and 2), Wii Sports, Carnival Games, EA Playground, and the list keeps going! Nintendo is bringing the family back together and their bringing gaming back to homes that it wasn’t allowed or it wasn’t an interest so we applaud Nintendo for bringing it back. If you’re going to have company or you want a fun family ritual, the Wii is the best multiplayer option.

Best Genre For Each System - In No Order

Nintendo’s best genre is obviously innovation. Games that have never been done before. Guitar Hero was successful because of it’s innovation not because of it’s song list (trust me). So we predict Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles, My Sims, and other innovative games to be what interests you when you buy this machine.

Microsoft’s best genre without a doubt is online shooters. If you think you’re the best or you want to show to the world that you’re a gamer, Microsoft and it’s TruSkill service makes FPS the best of all 3 systems. More and more developers are going to do shooters on the 360 because they’re successful, sure it floods the market but at least they don’t lose money.

Sony’s best genre is difficult to say right now but if we had to say anything it’s going to be sports. If you’re a huge sports gamer you’re probably also a Playstation 1 child so the controller not changing except the rumble is going to keep you going and we know that sports on the PS3 are great. As more games come out, it might steal the FPS belt from Microsoft and make Microsoft eat it’s words about the PS3 being not worth it’s price. We’ll see…

Worst Genre For Each System - In No Order

Nintendo has never liked shooters. Shooting means guns which lead to death and Nintendo refuses to be the bringer of life’s many worries that video games add to violence in real life so playing it neutral with only few shooters will cause the system to play it safe. As for controls, the Wiimote may be like a mouse but remember that your wrist is rested on a table to help with control; what control do you have in the air?

Sony has done everything right with the PS2 but with the PS3, it hasn’t really had a really good RPG. The bringer of great RPG titles on the PS2 has only brought two rehashes of games that were better on the 360 in our opinion to it’s PS3. Is it a bad choice on Sony’s side? Not really, there’s still a heart beating in the PS2 which is where the RPG titles are still being released which is more than what can be said about the Gamecube and the Xbox… Regardless, the only two games to be excited about as far as RPG goes is Final Fantasy XIII (13) and Lair, so will someone write to Sony and tell them to fix it if they want to give 35% of their marketshare a reason to upgrade soon.

Microsoft is a little balanced right now as far as gaming goes but don’t be buying the machine for it’s action games. Action is that genre that definitely took a dip on this system. Tomb Raider was disappointing, Hitman was good but cheaper on Xbox original, Splinter Cell was good but not amazing, Just Cause sucked just ’cause, and Saints Row is too thug for us. What happened to the 3rd person action games? We’ll dwell on this in another article but in the meantime we need Indiana Jones and Star Wars to hurry up (did you hear that Lucas Arts?)…

Suggestions

The following paragraph is going to be more of a recap than a suggestion, it was written with the intent for your to say “yeah that’s me” and then see what system you should get. Using the first one as an example “If you’re a family person” before you continue ask yourself if you are and if yes read the rest more closely “the Wii is what you want”. If you feel that our opinion is way off, go ahead and challenge it and post a comment, we’ll gladly correct the article if you feel otherwise on any of the following statements.

If you’re a family person then the Wii is what you want. If you’re a bachelor(ette) that plays games alone then you should get a PS3 or a 360. If you want a system that will last but is high tech get the PS3. If you want a system that will last in general get the Wii. If you want to prove you’re the best get a 360. If you love sports get a PS3. If you love shooters get a 360. If you love RPGs buy a 360 but be ready for a PS3. If you love action games wait to see if Uncharted comes out on schedule for the PS3 and get a PS3 otherwise wait. If you love casual game play, get a Wii. If you want to through a party with non-gamers, get a Wii or a “Guitar Hero” system. If you want to through a party with gamers, get a PS3 or 360. If you want to watch some killer movies, get a PS3. If you want to have reliability, get any of them (now that Zephyr is out for the new 360 systems). And lastly, if you want parental safety so you can use it as a babysitter, get a Wii (although they all have parental controls, the Wii is the easiest to setup).

In Conclusion

We can’t really tell you what system to buy, as a matter of fact, we don’t really want to. The likelihood of you having all 3 in two years is very high so where do you start depends on you. We proved our suggestions and we also provided our knowledge, now go grab your funds and make a decision based on the input presented. We hope you like the Bonus edition of the Console Wars and we hope it was more helpful to you then Episode 4 was.

We’ll revisit the Console Wars in 2008 so be prepared. In the meantime, be ready for the Last Gen Wars!