Madison Lockwood asked:

It seems almost like a Christmas ritual: there's a Next Big Thing in the video game world almost every holiday season. Last year featured a particularly interesting competition between the new gaming hardware put on the market by Nintendo and their prime competitor, Sony with its PlayStation series.

The Sony PS3 is the high-end, bells-and-whistles choice between the two. It includes high-definition graphics, a hard disk, and a Blu-ray Disc drive that delivers great image quality. The top tier 60GB hard drive version also includes a hefty $600 retail price. Nintendo's Wii (pronounced "we") costs $250 and builds in Wi-Fi (but not ethernet). Like the PS3, it has an SD Card slot and can display photos, but its standard-def DVD drive can't yet play movies (Nintendo and Sonic Solutions are working on that).

What Nintendo does have that keeps it in the game is a unique gaming remote device (the Wiimote) and an enormous library of games. The PS3 enters the market with significantly more horsepower and better graphics, but their game options are, at this point, fairly limited. Wii came on the market with 62 games available; the PS3 opened with an inventory of 20 games.

PC World's review provides a clean portrayal of the difference between the two systems. The graphics on the PS3 are state of the art 1080p high-definition and present a new level of quality for gamers. The Wii's graphic capability is limited to standard definition, which is equivalent to the PS2, Sony's last (and highly successful) video game console. However the Wii has a remote gaming control that utilizes motion-sensing technology, so that the gamers' motions with the remote are mimicked in the game. If you're playing football, a pass requires a passing motion with the remote. A sword fight will require a little air-fencing as part of the game participation.

The intuitive nature of the Wii remote is its strength, along with the relatively inexpensive cost compared to the PS3. Wii also has an additional controller called the Nunchuk which is a joystick-type device that works in conjunction with the motion-sensing remote.

The graphics and multiple uses (the PS3 includes a Blu-ray HD DVD player) are what make the Sony product attractive. When they both came on the market, the fact that each relied on separate characteristics to define their value has made for an interesting market contest.

The PS3 is the high-horsepower (and high priced) option on the market. It can handle HD DVDs, play back your digital photographs, and connect to the internet with a built in browser. Its graphics are unparalleled, and it comes with a decent game inventory that will at least get you started. It too has a new controller, one that utilizes a tilt feature that is a token effort at motion sensitivity.

With the Wii, Nintendo decided to forego the digital video wars and focus on a simple box with unique controls that is designed for fun. The Wii can play GameCube games (Nintendo's last offering) and has been introduced with a new addition to the chart-busting Zelda game series. While the Wii hasn't done much to upgrade the visual quality of the gaming experience, it has added substantial new dimension to the gaming process itself. It too can be utilized for web access.

Nintendo's decision to target so-called "casual gamers" seems to have paid off in the short run. It's too early to pick the long term winner; both companies limited their Christmas product issue in order to ensure sellouts and high product demand. The PS3 definitely has a price-break issue that will offset some gamers' lust for the best graphics out there. On the other hand, it's a system with a great future. Wii's future is now, for the most part, and the product issues an intriguing invitation for a substantially new gaming experience, even if it occurs using last year's graphics.

Lance Hemenway asked:

Are you able to envision what it must have been like to have lived in the 1800's? I can't. I mean, I really attempt it… But then a sickening feeling begins to throb at the back of my skull and I’m immediately propelled back into 2008. Hooray—modern times! The times of Britney Spears, Fast Food, Eddie Izzard, Gears of War, Spongebob Squarepants, and George W. Bush. Now that’s what I call living!

Now wait just a cotton-picking minute! People had amazing things in the 1800's as well right? Of course they did! -Lots of great things! Like… Butter churns, and... Funny hats… And, uh, those really neat sticks that have a head of a horse on them. Know what I mean? Those horse-head sticks that you could put between your legs and shout "Giddie up!" as you stomped about back yard. They had those things! Those were fun right?

Okay really, it's time to face it. I'm sorry, but people back then didn’t have squat. They didn’t even have electricity. How sad is that? Even if you were to go back in time, and hand them a brand new Playstation 3… They could not even play the stupid thing. They would have had to use it as a display base for their paper dolls or something. Did they have paper dolls? Did they have paper? Or did they have to cut their paper dolls out of leaves? I can’t think about it anymore. I’m getting that sickening feeling again.

Now, just think about what we have. -Not just in terms of basic things like indoor plumbing. But instead, really cool, live-saving things like ipods and HBO. Who could really live without an ipod and HBO? Well, perhaps some savages in Borneo or something, but not anyone of any real breading. And who could forget television, microwaves, Hot Pockets, and The Allman Brothers, -just a few more of the many things that technology has brought to us.

And what do you believe would be the best thing? Here's a hint. It's not the heart-lung machine. (But that's good too I suppose.)

The best thing, in the history of the planet, is online games.

Online games baby. Think about it. Technology goes along, and makes this thing called paper, which allows for the sum of all knowledge to be recorded for our future generations. And folks like you and I come along and say- "Yeah, that’s nice, but can we play games on it?" And POOF, just like that, Tic Tac Toe is born. But then along comes the Television. –A devise that brings information across the nation in an instant! And people like you and I say 'Yeah, but can we play games on it?' And BANG, just like that, Sonic the Hedgehog is born.

And today, we have the computer. -The ultimate piece of machinery to increase the productivity of workers for generations to come. But guess what. Oh yeah baby… You can play games on it! And not just "Hey-I-gotta-sell-my-kidney-to-affored-this-damn-thing" kinda games. But real, honest to god, gaming masterpieces which can be downloaded to your work computer for FREE! (That’s not a typo. Many of these games are FREE.)

When you're finished reading this article, take a look at a site like Jenkatgames dot com. Now here is a site that is filled with free downloadable games. Games that are so good, that I guarantee you'll miss out on that big promotion from playing them so much. Take a look at the game "Finder's Keepers". This game is, without a doubt, one of the best I've ever played. I've never said the phrase "Just ten more minutes". more times, than when I'm playing Finder's Keepers.

And other games like 'Go-Go Gourmet' or "Great Secrets: Da Vinci" are just as amazing. I think that people owe it to themselves to avail themselves to the greatest accomplishment of our generation. Online games. It's not a horse-stick or a heart-lung machine or anything. –But it's gotta be a close second.

JJGames asked:


All About Used Games And Consoles

If you want to start buying used video game systems and video games, you need to check out all that they have to offer. If you have a favorite game, it may only be available on a specific system. You need be informed before you buy anything.

There are many options out there if you like video games. Here’s what you need to know.

About Playstation consoles

If you have kids, you should definitely seek out a PS1. A classic that many people grew up with and one of the first real video game systems with advanced graphics and the ability to save on a memory card, the PS1 can be found for a low price and with a high number of great games. It’s a great fit for a video game newcomer.

Playstation has continued to improve and innovate with its game console. After the PS1 came the Playstation 2, a game station which was better overall and included more advanced games and game play. The Playstation 3 is the newest and cost the most money. If you get a PS2, you can play old PS1 games (which are cheaper) on it.

About the Sega console

If you remember the Sega Genesis gaming system, you know that it’s easy to use. All you need to do is plug it to your TV, stick in a game and you are ready to start playing. It was (and still is) that easy!

If you want to go online and find a used Sega console, you will find there are still a lot of games out there to choose from and they are all inexpensive. Instead of playing 30, 40 or 50 dollars for current games, you can find the classics – like Sega’s top dog, Sonic the Hedgehog, for less than five bucks!

The Sega Genesis console is a good choice for someone who is looking to make their money go a long way. You will be able to get many games, as well as a game system, for very little money. Sega has so many different types of games that you will be able to find something that suit your tastes among the games available.

About the Gameboy Color console

If you are more in the mood for a handheld game, then you can check out how you like the Gameboy Color console. These consoles can fit in your back pocket, so you can take your gaming wherever you want to go.

What do you need to know about the Gameboy Color console? It’s has a full color screen, which makes the games that much better. Games include classics like Donkey Kong and many more games available online.

About the Gameboy Advance console

If you don’t get excited about the Gameboy Color, check out the Gameboy Advance console. It takes the Gameboy to the next level, with closable screen and different button configuration.

There is still a demand for the Gamebody Advance games which makes them cost more – even used. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have many games to choose from. How about Mario Kart Super Circuit for starters?

As you can see, there are many consoles and systems out there, which may not be brand new, but will allow you to play a lot of games for not a lot of money. What you would spend on one brand new system would allow you to buy something used and have a shelf full of games to play for a long time.