With 3 consoles on the market, and also PC gaming, not everyone can own everything, thanks to various reasons ranging from money, to time issues. Thankfully each of the Gaming systems on the market today are all vastly different.
Through this guide I hope to help you find the right one.
Finding the exact match for everyone is a challenge, and in no way do I guarantee that the console you end up being matched too will be the right one. To do this I will split each segment into multiple categories as follows:
-Age
-Economic Situation
-Previous and Current Hardware
-Interests
-Social Life
-The Future
Go through all of the sections, marking down which console fits you best for each section, the console that you get the most if the one that’s the best for you!
Section 1: Age
“Age group is a great way to determine your console, as the consoles are typically built around age groups.”
Age 5-9: Nintendo Wii: This is an obvious choice the pre-double digit child as both consoles feature a wide range of games specifically designed with this age in mind. The Nintendo systems also consist of mostly rated E games, which are perfect for this age group.
Age 10-18: Microsoft Xbox 360: Teenagers love FPS games, there fun, fast paced, and don’t have a huge learning curve, or deep stories, which is perfect for the teenage mind. All teenagers want to do is run, and blow shit up. The Xbox 360 was designed around FPS gaming, everything from the controller to the games it offers. (Those in the 10-12 age group will also have an extra special experience because most of the Xbox gamers are around the same age.)
Age 19-50: Sony PS3, PC: The Playstation 3 offers the best variety of games which is what people in the adult years want. A lot of Sony’s games feature rich and deep stories, and innovative game play that adults crave. PC Gaming also proves to have a huge variety of games, and adults are willing to keep their system upgraded to play the latest games.
Age 51-death: Wii: I know, how typical? Give the old people the casual console right? Well the stereotypes are true, The Elderly want simple, easy games, and the Wii delivers. Wii fit also allows them to stay active, without going to the gym. The controls are simple, and easy to follow, which is what old people want. Now if your dead, I am not sure what console you should choose.
Section 2: Economic Situation
“Gaming on a budget is not a bad thing, and is very possible in this generation.”
Low Budget ($200 or less): Wii: The wii offers the cheapest out of the box experience for those on super tight budgets. All you need is $200, a TV, and your good to go. The console comes with a game to start you off, and offers all the basics to get gaming started.
Moderate Budget ($250-400): Xbox 360: The Xbox arcade is cheap, being $199, however does not offer a pure out of the box experience, so you’re going to need to invest in some upgrades and games. You’re probably going to want to pick up a bigger hard drive, and your Xbox live subscription also, but overall it’s not that expensive.
Average Budget: ($400-$600): Sony PS3: While the console does start at $299, your also going to want to pick up a game and an extra controller, and maybe a headset. This will bring you well over the standard $299 price tag, making it the most expensive of the 3 consoles, but also offers the “You get what you pay for” experience.
High Budget: ($600+): PC: PC Gaming is expensive, but also is rewarding. Those willing to spend the extra few hundred are going to get the best gaming experience, at higher resolution, and with almost endless customization. You truly get the best experience if you pay the most.
Section 3: Previous and Current Hardware
“People don’t go from Sports Cars to Minivans, it just don’t work”
Previous Console (Xbox, PS2, Game cube, or Old Gaming PC): If you like that that console provided and are planning an upgrade, stick with the same company. The new consoles have mostly the same games and variety the old ones have. So if you have a PS2, stick with Sony and go PS3, same with Xbox and Game cube. As for the PC, if your case is capable of handling upgrades, just upgrade it and stick with PC gaming.
HD TV: PS3, Xbox 360: You bought a HD TV for a reason, to view HD content. The PS3 is the console of choice for HD TV Gaming, with all of the exclusives running at at least 720p, with some at 1080p. Those looking at the Xbox should note that it does not have a majority of native HD games, with many of them being up scaled.
3D TV/Monitor: PC: While the PS3 has just recently introduced 3D, PC has had it for a while, with many major PC games supporting it. PC games also provide the best 3D experience if your hardware is capable of it.
SD TV: Wii: The main issue with SD gaming with an HD console is reading the text. Thanks to the fact the Wii was designed for SD TV’s, text is completely legible, and the games look great
Section 4: Interests
“What you like to do always determines what you buy”
Action: Xbox 360: The Xbox 360 offers the most games featuring out of this world action sequences, and B movie games. Don’t expect a whole lot of realism here.
Graphics: PC, PS3: Some people have a huge interest in graphics, and these people want the best looking games possible. For graphic whores you want the PC or the PS3. The PC provides the highest resolution of any gaming device, and the PS3 is not that far behind.
Simulators: PC: For realism, nothing matches what the PC can offer. The PC has the most realistic shooters, racing games, and flight simulators of them all.
Casual Games: Wii: No doubting it, the Wii has the most casual games of them all.
Fighting Games: PS3: I would recommend the Xbox, as it basically has all the same fighting games as the PS3, but the PS3 has the superior D-Pad, which is needed in these settings.
Online: Xbox 360: Xbox live has the best gaming community of them all, with the best social features toping even the PC.
Section 5: Social Life
“Everyone is different, some are 30 year old virgins in their basements, others are party animals that have fun every day”
Party’s: Wii: For the type of people that have lots of girls over all the time will want to get the Wii, it offers the most party games designed for multiple people to play at once, and also involve a lot of movement, and jumping, if you know what I mean.
Casual Relationships: PS3: For those looking to have a casual, 1 on 1 relationship with someone, the PS3 is the way to go. It offers lots of Co-Op games like LittleBigPlanet that have lots of laughs to keep you together.
Bro Parties: Xbox 360: The Xbox has a lot of games that offer 4 player split screen, and let you kill each other, the perfect combination for a dude party.
Alone: PS3: Looking for the best single player games? The PS3 is your answer, with games like Infamous and Uncharted 2, it has the most major single player hits.
Alone, with online friends: Xbox 360: Xbox live offers the best social experience with friends that have the console also. It is also the best service to find friends on.
Section 6: The Future
“It may be good now, but in 1 week it will be outdated again”
Upgradability: PC: The great thing about the PC is the ability to upgrade to the latest hardware without buying the whole system. However, this is set back by the constant need to.
Lasting Appeal: PS3: of the game machines out on the market, the PS3 is the only one that still sees no need for an upgrade, meaning we probably won’t be seeing a new PS3 for a good while. Also much like Sony’s previous platforms, it will get good treatment even with the PS3 launches.
Motion Gaming: Wii: The Wii has motion gaming locked down, and its guaranteed to be full of motion games in the near future. While the PS3 and Xbox have motion setups planed, it’s uncertain how long they will last.
Controller free games: Xbox 360: Those looking for games that don’t need a controller, or fans of the old Eye toy have a new, modern way to do it. Xbox Kinect offers games that don’t need a controller, however the tech is still not proven.
By now you should know which system matches you the best, and you can make your choice. However, if possible, go with all 4, as you will have the best of all worlds, and have the best gaming experience possible. If you do stick with one, don’t automatically assume the others are inferior, as that’s called being a fanboy. =P
Check back soon for The Ultimate Guide to choosing the right Portable Game System.
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Pretty good analysis and your sections match me very well. I'm in the Age 19-50 bracket, with an Average to High budget, an HD TV (with PC input), appreciate good Graphics, and like Upgrade Ability with Lasting Appeal. I line up on every one of those factors perfectly and that's why I own a gaming PC plus a PS3. You might have added a section on exclusives, because that was a big reason I went with a PS3 over the 360 as a "sidekick" to my PC gaming. PS3 has a real edge on quantity, quality, and variety of genres in their exclusives. The PC and PS3 make a great combo.
Also, you might add a couple more choices under Interests. Such as shooters, strategy, and RPG. Like shooters would probably go to the PC and 360 since they are generally better received on those platforms (I prefer my KB/M and PC for those). Strategy would have to definitely go to PC since that's the best platform. And, RPG would probably have to split between PC and PS3. Overall, though, this is a good guide and pretty unbiased, if you ask me. Good job!
Cool stealth troll, bro.
I Have A Gaming Pc, Xbox 360 Pro & A PS3 Slim 160GB
My _only_ real contention with your assessment is that the PS3 costs more then the 360. You can get both a 360 and a PS3 w/extra controller, large HDD, and headset for about $400.
Beyond $400 is pretty much the world of PCs.
Very good points I agree with most, maybe the 360 online being better is something I'm not fully with, but that's more personal preference.
Otherwise pretty good, I've always had a gaming PC (made sure of it), but I got my 360 when I wasn't 19 yet, so that was spot on then I bought my PS3 when I was 21 and now I don't play on my 360 as much (except for the odd exclusive). My PC I have always kept up to date and before witcher 2 comes out I will update again. Also I like that your article wasn't biased from that piece I wouldn't know which console you had (ok I think I can guess you havn't got a wii).