Games consoles are always on Santa's list so I've put this guide together to help you select the best one for your needs.You have three main players Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii. Most shops offer deals on 'bundles' where they add games and quote discount prices, beware that the console price is not discounted and the games they 'bundle' are not good value most could be picked up for less than they quote they're worth. So check the game reviews online in this blog or go for the extra controller or cable (more later on cables) offers. Make sure it's an official controller and not some cheap third party junk.
You'd think that the later 'high definition' [HD] consoles would come with the cables required to get the best out of your giant HD TV - well they don't. Nothing worse than Christmas morning unwrap only to find you have to buy an extra cable to get the benefit... All the consoles come with cables to connect to TV but both the PlayStation and Xbox 360 basics have standard AV cables included. The Nintendo Wii is NOT high definition so no need for a HDMI cable here. So check the box to see if the HDMI cable is included, if not then shop around for one and from the report I've read they're all pretty much the same so you don't have to spend a fortune for a gold plated one.
Other things that don't come in the box - most consoles only come with one controller so if you want the family to join in (Wii essential) then buy the other controllers before Christmas morning. The Nintendo Wii controllers also need a 'Nunchuck' addition, needed for some games, that you have to buy for each controller.
Some games - like Wii Fit and Rock Band come with special controllers that are included with the game. Rock Band instruments can be bought separately to allow the family to create their own band. The Wii balance board can be used with other games so make sure you have one before to buy the other games or you'll have to buy one!
All the consoles can go online allowing you to play against other user from all over the world or even download games to play. This also allows you to update games to add features and fixes, beware these downloads can be massive and it depends on your connection how long this will take. Our PlayStation 3 takes ages to update and we have a fast connection. Our Nintendo Wii has to be disconnected from our Wi-Fi (you need an addon to use a direct connection) as it freezes the modem after a few hours. The Xbox also has it's draw back as you have to pay to get the benefits from it's online offering. Microsoft banned up to a million users last month for using pirate games on their Xbox. The Xbox is wired so you need an accessory to use it wireless the PlayStation 3 has both ethernet and wireless.
One of the benefits of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox is the ability to download and watch movies (long download) and the PS3 has both DVD and HD BlueRay playback (Xbox only DVD). The Wii doesn't play DVDs.
Other benefits from internet connections include. PS3, Xbox and Wii have internet browsers with the Xbox offering SKY TV (subscription required) where the Wii and PS3 offer the BBCi player.
You could also consider buying a PlayStation 3 with a smaller hard drive and upgrade this yourself without effecting you warranty. This is cheap and easy, watch some YouTube videos before you decide. I've done it and it takes minutes with no computer knowledge.
I hope this has helped and please come back and visit this blog and visit our YouTube channel here.
Have a great Christmas.