Give the Console Gift!
Choosing a console as a gift for another is sometimes a little tricky. Whilst most of the top three consoles share a lot of games and features, there are certain important aspects that also set them apart. Take a look at some of these points in a bid to help you make the right choice.
Consoles are a long term investment, something which needs to be taken into account when thinking about the cost of games and accessories. Game and accessory prices for consoles are steadily on the rise, with most new Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 games starting out at around £40. Wii games come at a lower price, but this often takes neccessary additional hardware into account. Most add ons for consoles are not compulsory and so wouldn't normally need to be considered, but with the Wii some of the best games need a number of specific controllers and add ons from the outset.
Some consoles are better suited to certain dynamics than others. For example, Nintendo have always held a family friendly policy, favouring games that are low on violence and instead concentrating on a younger audience. This isn't to say that mature content isn't available to the Wii, it's just on a smaller scale. Conversely, the Xbox and Playstation counterparts are much more geared towards catering for the mature gamer, with violent (yet widely popular) titles such as Gears of War and Resistance.
Is the recipient a fan of any particular developer of company? If he or she has experience with games on older Nintendo systems, the games on Wii like Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, and Metroid Prime 3 may be familiar and fun. However, if they're allowed to play more violent games and enjoys shooters and whatnot, the Xbox 360 has a better offering in that area.
Online marketplace and play is now a common feature amongst the next gen consoles, and all three of these consoles utilize this in certain degrees. Most additional and downloadable content comes a small cost. However, whereas gaming online with the Playstation 3 is completely free, the Xbox requires a subscription fee which is renewed every few months. Paying mounting fees for a feature that is completely free on another console is something that needs to be considered.
A careplan for your new console should probably be considered. Xbox 360 in particular has been plagued with bugs and breakdowns since its release, and has become somewhat infamous in that area. Paying that bit of extra cost is worth it to ensure peace of mind!