..MONEY EYES (formerly MOUTH)

Let us take a look at why you may want to consider purchasing a Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, or the Xbox 360. Before we go any further, let us look at the statistics for global game consoles sales. Who is the leader today for the most sold gaming console in the world? Did you guess Xbox 360? Nope, wrong answer. How about the Sony Playstation 3? It’s a popular gaming console. Is it the top seller in the world? Nope.

Surprising Top Selling Gaming Console in the World

The top selling gaming consoles (statistic provided by the good old mainstream media) is yes, you guessed it correct; it’s the Nintendo Wii! Isn’t it amazing what a workout factor on a gaming console can do to sales? Even more surprising is that the Nintendo Wii, graphics clarity & games selection wise, Nintendo Wii is the least performing of all three game consoles. Although, the Nintendo Wii being the lowest priced of the three may have contributed to its booming sales.
Below is the break down of what you should know, as a Malaysian at least, before purchasing any of the three top gaming consoles from Sony, Microsoft, & Nintendo respectively. Happy Console Gaming!

Some features of the Sony Playstation 3 a.k.a. PS3:

• Powered by the Cell Broadband Engine (An advanced version of the fabled capability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile into outer space from the Playstation 2 processing system)
• Pre packaged with a Blu-ray disc player
• Multimedia interface for photos, music, videos & internet
• Always-on online connectivity
• Multi player gaming
• Text & video messaging, voice chatting, browsing & downloading content from the internet
• 80GB disk drive (Malaysia)
• Exchangable media like photos, video, & music between the PS3 & the PSP (Playstation Portable)
• Popular games: Metal Gear Solid 4, Fallout 3, Little Big Planet

Pros:

• HD viewing experience using the Blu-ray disc player
• Sony Malaysia provide official warranty
• Linux operating system can be installed for enthusiasts

Cons:

• Pricey; the most costly among the three gaming consoles at MYR 1899 plus two games available from Sony Centre/Sony Style

• Unique & immersive gaming experience provided from use of motion sensor control of the Wii Remote
• Selection of games from the original Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES & Nintendo 64 plus new content designed specially for the Nintendo Wii
• All Nintendo GameCube video games are playable on the Nintendo Wii
• Check the news, create caricature to be played in the game
• View photos & check weather
• Popular games: Mario Kart Wii, Animal Crossing, Wii Sports, City Folk

Pros:

• Exercise element added into the gaming experience
• Virtual console for access to Nintendo’s large back-library
• Lowest priced at MYR 1200 to MYR 1400 available at Nintendo Counters & Best Denki outlets

Cons:

• Cannot play movies
• Graphics clarity is lowest of all three gaming consoles

• Three core processors producing HD 720p/1080i output
• 16 by 9 cinematic aspect ratio
• Anti aliasing for smooth textures
• Full surround sound & DVD playback
• Available in 3 packages; the Xbox 360 Pro (60GB hard disk), Xbox 360 Elite (120GB hard disk), & the Xbox 360 Arcade (no hard disk)
• Allows access to digital movies, music, & games libraries using the the Xbox Guide Button
• Range of up to 30 feet & 30 hours of life on two AA batteries
• Swappable & customizable Faceplate
• Headset for talking with friends or opponents
• Updated motherboard configuration to codenamed Jasper to address high failure rate
• Basic support at Gamers Hideout, Cineleisure Damansara
• Popular games: Halo 3, Gears of War 2, Grand Theft Auto IV
• Price range from MYR 1300 to MYR 1700 depending on version

Pros:

• Online multi-player capability
• Community marketplace facilities

Cons:

• High hardware failure rate
• Does not support Blu-ray disc playback
• Warranty claims support is only available from Microsoft Singapore

Games consoles used to be great alternative for folks who do not know how to build their own gaming PC rig. Nowadays, gaming consoles have evolved & can hold its own against the powerful PCs of the PC Gaming world. In fact, there are instances when you can see gaming consoles taking over the lead in the gaming industry. When it happens, you start to find a lot of articles like PC Gaming VS Console Gaming, Why Console Gaming is better than PC Gaming, & so on & so forth being published.

For me, PC Gaming involves a lot of cost. You have to buy the Gaming standard PC which includes a powerful processor, a powerful graphics card, preferably the costly liquid cooling system, an airtight casing so that your PC won’t make too much noise from the powerful graphics card fans, & a whole lot more. Yes, you will receive the better ‘eye candy’ (graphics clarity) with a very powerful computer gaming system but sooner than you think, there will be new games that are more demanding, forcing you to upgrade your PC Gaming system. For PC Gaming enthusiast who has plenty of cash to spare, it is not a problem.

On the other hand, for many gamers, upgrading an already pricey gaming rig to a pricier one is not an option. Such a scenario brings many original PC Gamers away from PC Gaming & onto looking at gaming consoles as a viable gaming alternative. Why? It is because gaming consoles do not have to be upgraded as extensively as a Gaming PC. In fact, you may find that you will not have to upgrade anything until a few years or even perhaps half a decade until the next generation Gaming console is released. Compare that to the Gaming PC technology that revolutionizes itself after every 6 months.