Choosing a gaming console - Part 1 of 2

This short digest was compiled specifically for Dr. A*l based on the needs specified

This is the first of a 2 part post on helping you choose the right gaming console. This post gives you an overview of the systems. In the next post, we will provide you specific points that will help you make the choice.

The three popular gaming console with a great collection of games are the ones to look at. They are - Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox (with or without Kinect), Sony PS4. Each is stellar in its own regard.

These consoles can be connected to your TV and of them provide the added ability to stream Netflix etc. too. When connected to the internet, they also provide the ability for people located in remote places to play together.

Microsoft Xbox and Sony PS4 are great consoles and have a huge collection of games on the platform. The graphics and the power of these consoles make it ideal for serious gamers. There are those who have both these consoles (given that there are certain popular games that are made available on only of these platforms).

Nintendo is focused on the casual gamer and is suited better for children and whole family in general. Nintendo Wii is a massively successful console


Sony PS4

• Sony Playstation 4 is a very powerful gaming console with very good processing power (hence being able to support very responsive games with great graphics)
• Great collection of games.
• The #1 selling gaming console.
• Price : Starts around Rs. 35,000 (Varies based on the storage that you need in the unit).
• In general, the console is targeted at the serious gamers. 

Microsoft Xbox

• The two product lines are the Xbox 360 and the newer Xbox One.  
• Xbox 360 is the older platform (which Microsoft has said they will support till late 2016). 
• Xbox One is the new platform supported by Microsoft 
• Xbox is also a popular platform amongst the game lovers for it's performance and a range of title.
• Xbox 360 is available from Rs. 13K (with a 4GB storage) and about Rs. 21K (with 500GB storage)

• Kinect motion sensing bar addon
• Kinect allows users to move around and play the games without any external devices to hold onto. The various cameras embedded in the bar recognizes your movements and takes them as inputs
• E.g. You can swing your hands freely to mimic a serve while playing tennis, without holding any device. Lot of fun.
• Price
• Xbox 360 is available from Rs. 13K (with a 4GB storage) and about Rs. 21K (with Kinect) 
• Xbox One is priced upwards of Rs. 30K
   
• Interesting : For slightly older kids (say > 10) and who are into doing some fun projects, Kinect provides a great opportunity to do so. Check https://openkinect.org/wiki/Project_ideas for some interesting ideas.

Nintendo Wii

• Nintendo is fairly unique in the focus around non-hardcore gamers. The games and the console is very well suited for casual games that can be played with the family.
• The games are less "hardcore" and ideally suited for younger children. 
• The original Wii and subsequent Wii-U - in fact is a lot of fun for the adults too (for casual games - such as Mario, Bowling, Baseball etc.) 
• A big part of Nintendo is Mario. If you want to play Mario games, you can do so only on the Wii. It is not available on the Xbox and PS4.
• Price: The base version is about Rs. 20,000K. 
• If you can stretch the budge (to about Rs. 35,000K), then you should consider the Wii-U, which has an additional handheld (portable) console, that can be used independently too (or can be used for an additional player)
• You can get more details here : http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu

On note on the budget

• Each of these consoles, come with some free games. But, quite likely you will be buying more games and they can add up. You should budget a few thousand rupees to get these games.
• Accessories - especially to enable multi-player  (E.g. Steering wheels and other controllers)

In part 2 of this, we will explore a few specific aspects that will help you in making a choice.