With four ways to game in the living room or office, buyers have more options than ever before. Here's our quick guide to what separates one system from another.
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Nintendo Wii
The Wii goes from strength to strength in 2008
Price: $249
Who needs it: The Casual Gamer
The Basics
Nintendo's sleek white console is a smash hit -- and it can still be difficult to find one for sale two years after its debut. The wireless Wii remote and connected nunchuck have proved to be unique and intuitive game controllers, and the Wii's friendly interface is the clear choice for casual players and non-gamers. Nintendo's online store offers an amazing collection of classic games, but you'll need to exchange Wii Codes to match up with friends for multiplayer sessions. The lack of a hard drive might be off-putting, but inexpensive Secure Digital cards can expand the console's storage capacity.
Media and Extended Entertainment Capabilities
Nintendo wanted to focus on games and only games, so the Wii features no DVD movie playback options, can display only up to 480p resolution, and you won't be networking it to a music or media server. The extra features are all in the console: the addictive Mii creator, which generates an endless supply of "avatars" to represent players, and the selection of online channels that put a Wii spin on everyday news and weather.
The Exclusive Games
Super Smash Bros. Brawl:
An entire stable full of favorite Nintendo characters beat seven shades of...something out of each other in this smash hit fighter.
Mario Kart Wii:
One of Nintendo's best series found its way to the Wii this year, and captivated a whole new generation of fans with its approachable, multiplayer-friendly gameplay.
Wii Fit:
Play games, lose weight: an irresistible combination to many consumers, and if you want to secure one of these highly-sought-after games in time for the holiday season, you'd better get on with it.
System Breakdown Continues: The Personal Computer >>
Posted: 18 Nov 2008
