Amber Dixson/Assistant Art Editor
JESSICA BIBER
Staff Writer
After Microsoft released Xbox 360 in November 2005, fans knew it would not be long before Sony and Nintendo would increase the competition. One year later, gamers gathered for the release of Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Now that the Christmas rush is over, Pepperdine students are weighing in on which system made a happy holiday and which system should have been left in the box.
PlayStation 3 hit retailers Nov. 17 — two days before the Wii filled store shelves. Shoppers went crazy for the PlayStation 3, with news sources citing burglaries and even shootings as impatient crowds fought to get their system. Without citing an exact number, Sony declared that PS3 sold out within one week.
Similarly, the Wii arrived at stores Nov. 19 and within seven days gamers cleared more than 600,000 units from the shelves.
These systems represent the “Next Generation” catalog of video game systems. But despite this classification, there is little these consoles share in common.
The Wii includes a new remote-like device that players use to mimic the actions they see in video games. For example, in a tennis video game, the player swings the Wii console like a tennis racquet.
“The Wii is more interactive than anything else on the market,” said junior Ashley Wynne, who owns a Wii. “It is a good two-player console because you can get really competitive. It’s a fun party game.”
Not all individuals are as thrilled about all the movement the Wii provides.
“Sometimes the Wii is annoying,” said junior Adam Younger. “It’s nice to just zone out with a video game every once in a while, and the Wii doesn’t really let you do that.”
Nintendo launched several popular titles along with the Wii, including “Twilight Princess,” the latest in the “Legend of Zelda” game series. For the nostalgic fans, the Wii has unparalleled backwards compatibility that allows for online download of previous Nintendo games, like “Donkey Kong,” “Mario Bros.,” Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “Super Mario 64.”
Wii best-sellers, according to gamestop.com, include “Rayman: Raving Rabbids” and “Call of Duty 3.”
Those features, paired with the relatively affordable price of $250, make the Wii a very favorable option.
“I would buy the Wii,” said freshman Chris Boger. “It’s a lot less expensive than other systems like Xbox or PlayStation. And what makes it so attractive is that it is different than anything that has ever come out before.”
Not to be outdone by its rival, Sony PlayStation 3 also boasts some impressive features. The sleek black console is capable of unrivaled graphics. And for hardcore gamers, this is a notable trait.
“The PS3 has Blue Ray technology,” said freshman Katie Cullen, an avid gamer. “And the graphics are so good — they are just amazingly beautiful.”
That said, the superior graphics come at a price. The 20GB version of PlayStation 3 retails for $499, while the 60GB version retails for $599. The lower-priced model does not include the Wi-Fi capabilities of the larger memory version.
For some, the PS3’s small game library and its high cost provide good reasons to wait before rushing stores.
“I would love to own a PS3,” Cullen said. “I will someday, just not yet. I am waiting until later because more games will be coming out.”
Current PS3 best-sellers, according to gamestop.com, include “Resistance: Fall of Man” and “Madden NFL 07.”
Boger is also among those who are waiting on the PS3. “I wouldn’t buy it now because I’m sure the price will come down,” he said.
For others like Wynne, PlayStation 3 is not a desire now or in the future.
“From what I’ve heard, the PS3 is really overpriced … The Wii is really the only video game [system] I have ever been interested in playing,” Wynne said.
And so perhaps the verdict rests with personal preference. For those who enjoy a family-oriented game that sneaks in some physical activity, the Wii might be the better choice. If, on the other hand, one is looking for impressive graphics and is OK with spending an extra dollar (or a couple hundred), the PlayStation 3 might be the ticket. Either way, when venturing to the gaming aisles at the nearest superstore, a healthy dose of caution might be necessary — not about which game to buy but about the hordes of shoppers who made headlines this past holiday season.
01-25-2007