OK, so I got a next gen system, but there is a lot of people undecided yet, let's say they also want to play some last generation and old gen XBox, PS2 and GC titles. What system would be the best choice?, 2 systems?, all three?, what about a PC?
I decided to make a "first glance+personal opinion" analysis, here take a look and tell me what do you think:
Wii: The Wii is a great choice to have some casual fun.
Price: With a price tag of 250 and with each Wii mote+nunchuck for 50+ bucks, the total thing for a Wii, 4 Wii-motes and ONE additional game would be like 450USD. Just Wii Sports and a single remote 250USD.
The hardest thing is actually finding a Wii at a retail store, even worse online. Most of the online offers are bundles.
Type of games: Family and non action games (most of the action games are not AAA). + Super Mario Galaxy
Retro compatibility: There are really great and cheap GC games, so it is really a bonus.
XBox 360: OK, this is hands down the best option so far, lots of great games, family, action, racing and all the possible genres. Too bad it doesn't have Wi-Fi right straight from the box.
Thereally bad thing about this console are the problems with the red ring of death, it happens, if now, ask shaunj66.
Price: Three main bundles to choose from. Arcade = 280USD, but no HD and crappy Arcade games included (You can add more, but the Memory is too small). Pro = 350USD and two games included (Forza2 AAA and Marvel Ultimate Alliance). HD DVD support costs 180 additional USD. Split screen multiplayer matches on Halo can cost you 120USD extra for 3 additional controllers of your own.
Type of games: Every possible genre, this is the best thing about the console + Halo3.
As Hadrian wisely states, Live Arcade is a really sweet deal. Bomberman is amazingly fun, Worms, Symphony and many others, off and online.
Also, most PC games are being released on the 360 as well. (The exclusives aren't bad either).
Good overall library.
Retro compatibility: Somewhat meh. Not all the Original XBox games are supported, the good ones are, but some great multiplayer ones are not.
PlayStation3: The most "powerful system" of the pack. The game catalog is (let's face it) mediocre. But there are some really good SONY gems coming this season and some other major 3rd parties for next year. But even with those, you have a lot less to chose from, when talking about games. To its favor, the PS3 is probably one of the cheapest Blu Ray disc players in the market (to my knowledge).
Price: Two options, no PS2 support and nogame bundled costs 400USD. If you go for the 80G model with an Off Read racing game included thats 500USD. 3 extra sixaxis controllers would add 150USD more to the final price. (To play what?, Resistance?)
Type of games: Very limited library. Some "meh." original games, the good stuff is yet to come, so patience is the key with the PS3 (Home, Little Big Planet, MGS4). Right now, games for the PS3 are hardcore gamer oriented. +err... no must haves here yet.
Retro compatibility: Again, like the 360, not all the PS2 titles play well (or even at all) on the PS3, besides, if you really want to play PS2 games gotta have the 80G version. I know there are some PSX fanatics out there too, so maybe a little extra bonus is the fact that you are also able to play Final Fantasy 7 and some other PSX gems on the PS3.
PC: Hell, a PC can do pretty much anything you want. That includes posting this here and playing some cool retro games only hadrian (and maybe Urza) knows about. The bad thing is that any PC game you want to play you'll have to install. hadrian is right about emulators as well, want to play some Mario 64?, good luck finding the correct plug-ins.
You can have all the accessories you want connected to you PC and the protections you want to, but when you brother in law uses it there is all kinds of pop ups and ad ware so you gotta maintain it too.
Price: Depends on what you need, to make this "analysis" clear let's say you are considering getting a PC to play the latest Supreme Commander Expansion. Then the cheapest to spend would be.... (help me with this one guys) 1000USD? for a Dell XPS?. Extra stuff, AKA Wide screen monitor, decent speakers, gaming mouse and a gaming keyboard, you can end up paying up to 5000USD.
Type of games: Everything, BUT not much family fun. I mean, I don't know many people to actually set up their PCs on the Living Room. If you do, then you are one of the few that does. Still, most PC games (the commercial ones) are for Hardcore PC gamers. + Crysis
Retro compatibilty: Well, this is a really strong point for the PC, with a little help you can pretty much play ANY console game up to the PSX era.
As a personal opinion too, I think I would get a Wii and a PC that can run the Organge Box games in high (so its not a powerhouse, and doesn't cost that much).
I know it's not sorted at all, and most comments are personal opinion only, but I welcome suggestions to keep updating this.
Edit1: with some first opinions, thanks guys.
Edit2: Just for the record, I got myself a PS3, mostly because of PS2 support. Still, I try to make my opinion is 100% objective and fact based.
I decided to make a "first glance+personal opinion" analysis, here take a look and tell me what do you think:
Wii: The Wii is a great choice to have some casual fun.
Price: With a price tag of 250 and with each Wii mote+nunchuck for 50+ bucks, the total thing for a Wii, 4 Wii-motes and ONE additional game would be like 450USD. Just Wii Sports and a single remote 250USD.
The hardest thing is actually finding a Wii at a retail store, even worse online. Most of the online offers are bundles.
Type of games: Family and non action games (most of the action games are not AAA). + Super Mario Galaxy
Retro compatibility: There are really great and cheap GC games, so it is really a bonus.
XBox 360: OK, this is hands down the best option so far, lots of great games, family, action, racing and all the possible genres. Too bad it doesn't have Wi-Fi right straight from the box.
Thereally bad thing about this console are the problems with the red ring of death, it happens, if now, ask shaunj66.
Price: Three main bundles to choose from. Arcade = 280USD, but no HD and crappy Arcade games included (You can add more, but the Memory is too small). Pro = 350USD and two games included (Forza2 AAA and Marvel Ultimate Alliance). HD DVD support costs 180 additional USD. Split screen multiplayer matches on Halo can cost you 120USD extra for 3 additional controllers of your own.
Type of games: Every possible genre, this is the best thing about the console + Halo3.
As Hadrian wisely states, Live Arcade is a really sweet deal. Bomberman is amazingly fun, Worms, Symphony and many others, off and online.
Also, most PC games are being released on the 360 as well. (The exclusives aren't bad either).
Good overall library.
Retro compatibility: Somewhat meh. Not all the Original XBox games are supported, the good ones are, but some great multiplayer ones are not.
PlayStation3: The most "powerful system" of the pack. The game catalog is (let's face it) mediocre. But there are some really good SONY gems coming this season and some other major 3rd parties for next year. But even with those, you have a lot less to chose from, when talking about games. To its favor, the PS3 is probably one of the cheapest Blu Ray disc players in the market (to my knowledge).
Price: Two options, no PS2 support and nogame bundled costs 400USD. If you go for the 80G model with an Off Read racing game included thats 500USD. 3 extra sixaxis controllers would add 150USD more to the final price. (To play what?, Resistance?)
Type of games: Very limited library. Some "meh." original games, the good stuff is yet to come, so patience is the key with the PS3 (Home, Little Big Planet, MGS4). Right now, games for the PS3 are hardcore gamer oriented. +err... no must haves here yet.
Retro compatibility: Again, like the 360, not all the PS2 titles play well (or even at all) on the PS3, besides, if you really want to play PS2 games gotta have the 80G version. I know there are some PSX fanatics out there too, so maybe a little extra bonus is the fact that you are also able to play Final Fantasy 7 and some other PSX gems on the PS3.
PC: Hell, a PC can do pretty much anything you want. That includes posting this here and playing some cool retro games only hadrian (and maybe Urza) knows about. The bad thing is that any PC game you want to play you'll have to install. hadrian is right about emulators as well, want to play some Mario 64?, good luck finding the correct plug-ins.
You can have all the accessories you want connected to you PC and the protections you want to, but when you brother in law uses it there is all kinds of pop ups and ad ware so you gotta maintain it too.
Price: Depends on what you need, to make this "analysis" clear let's say you are considering getting a PC to play the latest Supreme Commander Expansion. Then the cheapest to spend would be.... (help me with this one guys) 1000USD? for a Dell XPS?. Extra stuff, AKA Wide screen monitor, decent speakers, gaming mouse and a gaming keyboard, you can end up paying up to 5000USD.
Type of games: Everything, BUT not much family fun. I mean, I don't know many people to actually set up their PCs on the Living Room. If you do, then you are one of the few that does. Still, most PC games (the commercial ones) are for Hardcore PC gamers. + Crysis
Retro compatibilty: Well, this is a really strong point for the PC, with a little help you can pretty much play ANY console game up to the PSX era.
As a personal opinion too, I think I would get a Wii and a PC that can run the Organge Box games in high (so its not a powerhouse, and doesn't cost that much).
I know it's not sorted at all, and most comments are personal opinion only, but I welcome suggestions to keep updating this.
Edit1: with some first opinions, thanks guys.
Edit2: Just for the record, I got myself a PS3, mostly because of PS2 support. Still, I try to make my opinion is 100% objective and fact based.