Top Video Game Reviews

When Nintendo first released in Wii console, way back in 2006, it represented an enormous change for the gaming industry. Even although this is a sector which is used to rapid change, the release of the Nintendo Wii was still a major deviation from the norm. Instead of introducing a faster, more powerful, games console with enhanced graphics, the Wii introduced a completely new method of playing games using its innovative control system.

The Wii uses a hand held, motion sensitive, wireless controller which has the ability to detect motion and acceleration in all directions. Instead of using a conventional D-pad or joystick, gamers point, swing, and gesture using the remote control – now named the Wii-mote. This results in a very intuitive game interaction which cannot be found on any other console.

It’s very easy to quickly learn how to play games on the Wii. In the end, if you don’t know what to do, just flail your arms around a little bit more energetically and see what happens. That may well be one of the reasons why the Wii appeals to a much broader age group than some other consoles.

Wii games certainly need a lot more movement than the typical computer game. The Wii comes with the “Wii Sports” game – and now “Wii Sports Resort” – which is a fantastic method of demonstrating how innovative the Wii control system is. Wii Sports has five different games – boxing, tennis, golf, baseball and boxing. These are perfect for demonstrating, by means of the natural movements required in each sport, how to use the Wii controller in the best manner. The Wii Sports Resort includes 12 further sports based games, such as table tennis, canoeing and sword fighting – all of which use the Wii’s motion sensitive controllers to maximum effect.

The games that ship with the Wii console are very good. They should keep you entertained for a long time – and they’re the sort of games that you don’t “finish”. As long as you have a couple of family members or friends who want a game of tennis or golf you can keep going back to Wii Sports again and again – and you probably will.

However, there is a huge choice of games that you can buy for the Wii. Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog are always very popular and Wii Fit has proven to be an enormous success for Nintendo. The ability to exercise in your own living room, without any expensive special equipment is a big selling point for many people. Apart from your Wii console, all you will need is the Wii Fit software and the Wii Fit balance board – which are a fraction of the cost of a gym membership. The Wii also records and tracks your progress, acting as your personal trainer.

Because of the Wii’s appeal to such a wide age group, you will frequently find it in the living room of family homes rather than tucked away in teenage bedrooms. It does appear to be a more sociable console than the others - a lot of the games are best enjoyed in groups or teams, although you can play against the computer if you wish. That may be one of the reasons why the recently released black Wii has proven to be such a great success for Nintendo. It could be down to the fact that it is more coordinated with the other devices to be found in the typical family living room.

It’s probably fair to say that all the big three games consoles – the Sony PS3, Microsoft’s Xbox and the Nintendo Wii – all have their own individual advantages. Different gamers will have their own personal favourites and it’s pretty much a waste of time to try to persuade them that one of the other consoles is any better.

A lot of family homes will have more than one, and maybe even all three, games consoles. Not to mention the various mobile consoles like the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS. It’s not uncommon for games consoles to double up as blu-ray disc or DVD players.

Regardless of which console is “best”, it’s probably fair to say that the Nintendo Wii is the most sociable of the three consoles. Whereas the PS3 and Xbox are more often than not found in teenager’s bedrooms, the Wii is just as likely to be found in the family living room. The Wii has less processing power than the other two consoles and has much simpler graphics – more cartoon like in general. Yet it is the Wii that is often found connected to the big screen TV in the living room.

Part of the reason for this is the fact that the Wii’s motion sensitive controller means that, even though the graphics are simpler, it’s harder to follow the action on a small screen TV when you’re jumping around like a lunatic. The other thing is that it’s easier and more intuitive to learn games on the Wii. Even adults can do it – so it’s easier for all members of the family to join in the fun.

One of the consequences of all that jumping about when playing Wii games is that more space is required to play the Wii than the other consoles. This also means that the living room is a more attractive venue than the typical teenage bedroom, where you would almost certainly be tripping over piles of unwashed clothes, half finished pizzas and empty coke tins. The physical side of playing games on the Wii is a good thing. It means that there’s a certain amount of exercise involved when playing Wii games. Of course, you really should take it easy in the beginning. It’s all too easy to wake up with a sore arm or stiff legs after an evening playing Wii Sports for the first time.

The tendency for families to have their Wii console in the living room could go some way to explaining the success of the black Wii. Nintendo went to the dark side and released a black Wii console in Japan in the summer of 2009. It was launched in Europe in time for Christmas 2009. It proved to be a very popular choice with many gamers – probably because it matches the TV, the DVD player, the cable box etc. – better than the white version.

The PS2 was brought out in 2000, and has gone on to sell more than 70 million units worldwide. This gaming console has competed against a wide range of other gaming consoles, yet still remains one of the best selling gaming machines of all time. The reasons for its success are partly because of its competitive price, partly because of the great games available for it, and partly because of the many experience enhancing accessories which can be used with it.

Of the many accessories available for the PS2, these are the most popular:

Sony PS2 Multitap : An area where PS2 lacks is the number of players playing at one time. Unlike Xbox or GameCube, the PS2 has just two controller ports. However, if you are planning to play against four people than you can buy a mulittap, which allows you to engage in a four player gaming session.

PS2 Dual Shock Controller : The dual shock analog controller provides a more spontaneous gaming experience, as you actually get to feel the what is happening in the game. After using one, you will find it slightly boring to use the standard PS2 controller again.

PS2 DVD Remote Controller Kit : The PS2 has the ability to read both CDs plus DVDs, therefore the PS2 DVD remote controller was brought into existence. This controller is basically for those people who hate having multiple remotes messing up their rooms. It can be used for both gaming and watching movies.

Sony PS2 Memory Card : There are hardly games that you complete in one sitting, which means that you need a save function in order to avoid having to continually start at the beginning of a game. One 8 MB card is enough for even the most hardcore gamers.

Logitech PS2 Wireless Headset : This allows you to play games without getting tangled up in cables or waking up your family with loud game sounds. It will also help you to communicate with other people when you play games online. The Logitech Wireless headset is well built, with excellent sound quality and even the slightest sound could be heard with ease.

—

Find Out More : PS2 Console

Video games are something that are generally played in teenager’s bedrooms. You get them a games console when they’re about ten (because all their friends have one of course) and then they disappear for lengthy periods, surfacing once in a while to load up on snacks and fizzy drinks.

However, the release of the Nintendo Wii console changed all that. It soon became obvious that the Wii was a console better suited to the living room than the bedroom. There are several reasons for this.

In the first place, the Wii’s motion sensitive controller meant that the way games were played was much more intuitive. Games were much simpler to get the hang of, no need to remember that button X is to punch, button Y lets you breathe fire and button Z freezes time. In fact, Wii games are so easy to play that even adults can learn them in a matter of minutes.

Also, because of the physical element of Wii games, there’s some exercise involved. Not just Wii Fit – but virtually all of the Wii games involve a certain element of jumping around, much more so than the typical games found on other consoles. That needs a bit of space.

Somehow or other, for reasons which are difficult to pinpoint exactly, the Wii console and Wii games seem to have a more social element than has been previously seen with other console or PC games. As with other consoles, you can play against the computer should you wish, but Wii games tend to be a lot more fun when played as part of a group.

Maybe it’s the fact that you have to dance around, wave your arms about and generally make yourself look a bit silly at times. Whatever the reason, the Wii is undoubtedly a group activity.

Even if it is a bit of a hackneyed expression, the Wii really is fun for children of all ages. Wii games can really be quite a social event, they can even help you to exercise and shed weight and, most important of all, they are a lot of fun. The key thing is that the Wii has taken video games out of teenager’s bedrooms and placed them right in the middle of the family living room.

As a matter of fact, this might go some way to explaining the success when Nintendo recently “went to the dark side” and released a black Wii console in Europe just before Christmas. It proved to be very popular with customers – possibly because the black colour matched the other devices in their living rooms. As yet, the black Nintendo Wii console has not been launched in America.

Video games consoles have long been favourite of kids (even grown up kids) for many years, the first video games machine was probably the pong game from the 1970’s but over the years as technology has progressed video games have become more and more immersive and detailed with stunningly life-like graphics, mind blowing surround sound effects and game play that the whole family can enjoy.

The latest generation of home video games consoles has almost every member of the family covered; some consoles are even being introduced in retirement homes for seniors to enjoy. More consoles are moving towards getting the player out of their seat and with the Nintendo Wii and forthcoming motion controllers for both the Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 it is clear that video games are once again changing the way we think about gaming.

Sony PS3

The Sony Playstation brand is well known with millions of units sold all over the world the Playstation 2 was the leader in sales for the last generation but the newer, more advanced entertainment behemoth PS3 has had a less meteoric rise. The price of the system was deemed very steep with the new Blu-Ray capabilities being argued as the reasoning behind a higher than usual price point. But with other consoles having to play catch up with additional purchases need to match the PS3 the price soon matches the PS3. With Blu-Rays being the new standard for home videos the PS3 is fully up to date with modern entertainment systems, not just games.

Xbox 360

Microsoft have learnt from their mistakes with the first Xbox and come back with a console that is close to the PS3 technology wise, being released earlier and for a lower price than the PS3 the 360 has a much larger fan base at this point, an interesting reversal of roles for Microsoft and Sony. The 360’s main advantage is a huge online community called Xbox Live where many people all over the country pay for an online service that makes multiplayer gaming effortless and without faults. The Xbox also comes in a variety of different versions with different features so you can buy a basic version for less money.

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii does not have the same power as the Xbox or PS3 but does have significant advances hidden inside its tiny casing. The Wii is controlled by the moments you make holding the remote control. Playing games like tennis and bowling are excellent with the remote imitating all of your real life movements and making the character in the game do your exact same move. The Nintendo console has been seen as a much more accessible console with games aimed not at the hardcore shoot ‘em up crowd and more at casual gamers who want a simple game that is fun to play.

There are all sorts of crowds which each console appeals to with some people able to buy two or all three. The important thing to remember is that video games are meant to be a bit of fun and when choosing one to buy you should see which one suits your expectations best.