Choosing a Video Game System: Which one is best for the family?

It’s hard to find any kid these days not pressed for one of the top video game systems this year. “They are all really good in their own way, but if I had to choose I’d go with the Xbox 360” says Amiel Tomlin a high-school teenager who like many his age knows alot about the different game systems that are available. It’s the parents who seem to be in the dark, questioning their choices and looking for advice at every turn. Look no further than this AOL Digital Lifestyle article, we are here to help and to guide you through the complex tech choices you have to make for your family. It’s true videogame systems have changed a lot since the non-threatening days of Ms. Pac-Man and Frogger. The game systems these days are much more powerful than their predecessors, they are capable of resembling very vivid, life-like graphics, connect easily to the internet and offer way more features than ever before. All the choice is causing some adults to give up like Jennifer Longmire who says, “I don’t know if I feel comfortable putting up the money for a new video game system, I’m getting a little overwhelmed”. Choosing which video game system is right for your family can be more daunting a task than one would think.

So, let’s get started:

First you have to make a decision on how much money you are willing to spend, the new video game systems aren’t cheap. As far as price goes the Nintendo Wii is the least expensive at $250.00 which is a lot less than the $499-$599 PlayStation3 and $399-$499 Xbox360. The difference between the game systems boils down to personal preferences and system features.

The Nintendo Wii

This system boasts a new interactive way of playing video games. Wii (pronounced wee) uses a motion-sensitive controller that looks and feels a lot like a TV remote control. It's designed to be more inviting and comfortable for non-gamers to use, unlike button-heavy controllers. It contains a speaker, which makes the experience all the more real. The Wii Remote can be swung like a racket in a tennis game or like a sword in an adventure game or as a steering wheel in racing games. The Wii also comes packaged with one Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, an AC adapter, a sensor bar and an AV cable. It also includes a game called Wii Sports, which is a collection of five sports games bowling, golf, baseball, tennis and boxing. It was smart for them to include this game as it provides a fun and easy way to start learning the new way style of playing. The Wii Sports games are very easy to play and aren’t graphically intense but this system was designed for gamers and non-gamers anyone can pick up the controller and start playing Wii Sports.

The Wii also offers:

• Built-in Wi-Fi delivering free online services.

• Virtual Console allows you to play some of your favorite old school games like Donkey Kong Jr.

• Compatibility, the Wii can play games from Nintendo’s previous system called GameCube, you can even use the GameCube controllers.

• The built-in SD (secure digital memory card) slot for storage and photo viewing this is one of my favorite features of the system.

Other considerations are that the Wii does not have a built-in DVD player like the other systems do and you do run through triple AAA batteries for the controllers, obviously this depends on how often you play.

Nintendo Wii Bottom line:

From ages 4-94 the Wii is tremendous fun for the whole family. You can’t go wrong with this system. Parents can logon to the parent section of Nintendo here: Nintendo

The Sony PlayStation 3

Sleek, elegant and swanky are all terms used to describe the look of the new PlayStation 3. And looks aren’t all it has in its favor. This system is pretty hi-tech. It too comes with a wireless controller that while very different than the Nintedo Wii, is still brings a different feel to playing video games. The PS3 controller has SixAxis motion sensing, which means the controller's capable of sensing motion in six directions: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. This does make for interesting gameplay, and since we are discussing the controller it should be noted that it doesn’t come with force feedback (this allowed the controller to rumble in your hands) an option that bothers some gamers. For real comparison purposes most people compare the PS3 and the Xbox 360 to each other as they are the more technically powerful systems.

One thing is for sure the graphics on this system do look great and the fact that it has a built-in Blu-ray Disc player is pretty amazing, since a Blu-ray player costs just as much as the whole PS3 game system.

The PS3 also offers: • Full Hi-Definition 1080p resolution

• Backwards compatibility, meaning the PS3 can play previous PS2 model games

• Free Online connectivity (the 60 GB version offers Wi-Fi)

• Built-in Blu-ray Disc player

• Memory Card slots are offered with the 60GB version

PlayStation 3 Bottom Line:

If you have an HDTV, or a home theatre and a house with any serious gamers the PS 3 will make a great choice for you hands down. This console is so advanced, one thing is for sure Sony doesn’t intend for you to buy another game system for a good while.

Microsoft Xbox 360

While the PS3 and the Wii are new consoles that came out in November of this year. The Xbox 360 debuted last year. The Xbox 360 games look outstanding in hi-definition and the system in its sleek white case is a much more pleasing design for the living room. The Xbox 360 leads the pack in its online abilities. The online subscription service called Xbox Live has received great reviews from the gaming community and has been known to offer an unmatched set of online features to chat and play games with friends and download new content. Nintendo's online service called WiiConnect24 and Sony's PlayStation Network, are both free and do offer the Xbox 360 some competition as all systems now offer some connectivity to the internet, although neither appears to be as comprehensive as Xbox Live. Outside of gaming the Xbox 360 and the Sony PS3 have the ability to play movies in high-definition. However they use different formats. The Xbox 360 plays standard DVD movies and requires you to buy a $200 attachment to play the HD-DVD format, the Sony PS3 uses Blu-ray and it comes standard. The Xbox 360 like the PS3 does double as a home entertainment, digital media hub, it even allows downloading of low-cost mini-games, tv programs and movies on its Xbox Live Marketplace.

The Xbox 360 also offers: • Games have been designed to at least 720p resolution with many titles available in 1080i and 1080p in 2007.

• Backwards compatibility with most of the previous Xbox games

• Internet connectivity (not free)

• Can play games and standard DVD’s (HD DVD’s with the extra kit)

Microsoft Xbox 360 Bottom Line:

The Xbox 360 delivers on graphics, solid performance and a head start in online features. This system caters to the serious gamer and makes for a great HD movie box when connected to a HDTV with the extra Xbox attachment. Bonus you will actually find an available Xbox 360 they don't have any reported inventory shortage. One caveat to the Xbox 360, if you have been playing for a little while and the fan kicks in, the system gets to be a little bit noisy.

Now, once you purchase your console, I'd recommend budgeting a little money for games they cost about $50 each. Speaking of games, this is one area where more parents could be more educated - Game Ratings. Each game has a rating and description on the box so you can see if the content is appropriate for your child. To find out more about video game ratings you can log onto The Entertainment Ratings Safety Board Website

So what about parental control options?

All the systems now offer parental control features. The built-in parental controls let adults set the system to play only games or movies of a certain rating and lock their selection with a PIN code. On all my tests the Parental Controls default setting is "OFF" which means that the consoles will allow all content to be played unless you change the settings.

Don’t let shopping for a video game system get you down. At the end of the day it really boils down to what type of gamers you have in the family. Hardcore? The PS3 and XBOX 360 are very competitive, with the technological edge going to Sony. Casual or newcomer gamer? The Wii delivers an amazing experience and to me the most fun for a relatively low price.

Lastly, don’t just take others advice parents should go out and test-drive each system and review the current library of games available. Families will differ in their preferences and each system has its own pros and cons but making an informed choice will provide a lot of family fun and worry-free entertainment.

Mario Armstrong is a technology talk show host, writer, consultant and public speaker that explores how technology impacts the way we work, live and play. He is heard on NPR and XM radio and seen on WMAR-ABC2 TV.