2008 Woodie Awards
What to look for in game systems
Chris Bauer
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: Features
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The holiday season is almost here, nearing towards the time where everyone falls into the festive spirit that is synonymous with words such as merry and cheerful. This season will be somewhat different for some, however, as the holidays will serve as the grounds for the next great battle in the ongoing "console war."
The "console war" is the term used to relate to the direct competition between three major companies: Microsoft, Nintendo Sony, and their respective systems. This year, the console war will pit Microsoft's Xbox 360 against Nintendo's Wii and Sony's Playstation 3. With the last generation of gaming (Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube), the differences were hard to notice as each console was mainly for gaming.
The next generation, with the release of the Xbox 360 a little less than a year ago and the upcoming launches of both the Playstation 3 and the Wii on Nov. 17 and 19 respectively, the noticeable differences will grow. Each system has its own unique capabilities, functions and purposes that fuel this "console war," reaching new levels.
Microsoft's Xbox 360, which launched on Nov. 22, 2005, has since gained much support with its growing library of game titles, crisp graphics and online capabilities. Since launching the Xbox 360, Microsoft has reported selling over six million units, despite their strong shortage of systems over the 2005 holiday season.
The 360 is undoubtedly a step-up from the original Xbox because of the options given to the buyer. Options include: the ability to play in high-definition or regular picture, to focus on single, offline play or continue online with Xbox Live, to customize soundtracks and even an option in price.
Since its launch, there have been two different bundles for the 360, one priced at $299.99 and the other at $399.99, the differences depends on what the buyer may want. For instance, if the buyer would simply want to play 360 games right away, the $299.99 bundle would appear more attractive the $399.99 bundle includes more accessories meant to fulfill almost every purpose of the 360.
The "console war" is the term used to relate to the direct competition between three major companies: Microsoft, Nintendo Sony, and their respective systems. This year, the console war will pit Microsoft's Xbox 360 against Nintendo's Wii and Sony's Playstation 3. With the last generation of gaming (Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube), the differences were hard to notice as each console was mainly for gaming.
The next generation, with the release of the Xbox 360 a little less than a year ago and the upcoming launches of both the Playstation 3 and the Wii on Nov. 17 and 19 respectively, the noticeable differences will grow. Each system has its own unique capabilities, functions and purposes that fuel this "console war," reaching new levels.
Microsoft's Xbox 360, which launched on Nov. 22, 2005, has since gained much support with its growing library of game titles, crisp graphics and online capabilities. Since launching the Xbox 360, Microsoft has reported selling over six million units, despite their strong shortage of systems over the 2005 holiday season.
The 360 is undoubtedly a step-up from the original Xbox because of the options given to the buyer. Options include: the ability to play in high-definition or regular picture, to focus on single, offline play or continue online with Xbox Live, to customize soundtracks and even an option in price.
Since its launch, there have been two different bundles for the 360, one priced at $299.99 and the other at $399.99, the differences depends on what the buyer may want. For instance, if the buyer would simply want to play 360 games right away, the $299.99 bundle would appear more attractive the $399.99 bundle includes more accessories meant to fulfill almost every purpose of the 360.
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