Wii vs PS3 and Xbox

[Drattigan]

This just spawned from an MSN conversation so it may not work as a gaming debate topic, but I'll give it a go anyway. :p

Right, my thought is:
'You can't compare the Wii to the Xbox 360 and the PS3'
I'm sure some of you will disagree, but hear me out.

Nintendo's latest advertising scheme has told us that by doing small exercises that will challenge us mentally and physcially, we will function better as humans. This makes perfect sense and I think by planting this idea in people's minds, in a time where obesity is quite an issue, it'll pay off in the long run. By using the Wii remote and nunchuck, we're having fun but at the same time keeping fit. It really isn't a bad thing.

Microsoft and Sony however, are developing consoles for gaming. Their view is that consoles should be focused around and for games only (ofcourse, there are a few exceptions - what with CD playback, etc). This means that games created for their consoles are generally just gaming for gaming's sake, not gaming for your own body's sake.

Yes, Nintendo do have many 'game' games on their system; but ultimately their goal is exercise, which is why I believe you can't compare the Wii to the PS3/Xbox, and why I think this whole 'OMG PS3 PWNS DA WII' (and vice versa) makes little sense.

What do you think?
(Oh and please, don't turn this topic into a fan-boy war.)

[machete yeti]

i like the 360

[Jay]

Erm..I don't think excirse is what they're going for overall...its fun and new ways to play, for an afforible price, while all the while having an easy to use control method that can appeal to people of all age groups and thus expand the gaming market. And thats what its done, extremely well I might add.

Nintendo said ages ago that they are not trying to directly compete with the other two anyway, so I don't know why your making a thing out of it. Theres plenty of games coming out for the "hardcore" gamer anyway, even if its a little lacklaster at the moment.

[CoX]

Nintendo said ages ago that they are not trying to directly compete with the other two anyway, so I don't know why your making a thing out of it. Theres plenty of games coming out for the "hardcore" gamer anyway, even if its a little lacklaster at the moment.I don't think he is making a thing out of it. There are lots of fanboys, even on this forum, who will go "lol wii sux" without even thinking. This is what the comment is aimed at. I think. :p

And I do agree that the Wii is uncomparable to the other two - the one thing that has remained constant about video gaming since its birth is the control method of a joypad. The Wii doesn't have this "standard" set-up, and so the games feel completely different.

Of course you can compare the graphical capabilities and the range of games and blah blah blah, but in terms of gameplay experience, its a very tough call.

[cyber_turnip]

Nintendo aren't going for exercise at all, I mean, whilst you move more when playing with a Wii, it's still hardly that much physical activity. They'd have developed some kind of gaming running machine or the like if they were trying to go for that.

I agree they're attempting different things though. I just wouldn't call it 'exercise'.

[Ozzylator]

Exercise? No. Difference? Yes. Comparable? Possibly.

[the last sheika]

This all depends on which way you're comparing the consoles. I could compare the Nintendo 64 to the Xbox 360 quite easily, but many people would say "Nintendo 64 is weaker" and leave it at that.

[Midget]

yeah i really don't think they were aiming for exercise, think they were just looking for a different way to approach gaming rather than the standard joypad setup.

and i guess they can be compared but in the end it's down to personal preference... some people would rather sit on their arse twiddling their thumbs on a joypad (like me) and others would prefer to be more active and use a wiimote (which i do also enjoy, just not as much as the former)

my only problem with the wii at the moment is the lack of games that appeal to me, and whilst the developers aren't think "my gosh we need to make games that midget will like" it's still a perfectly valid reason to favour my other console in my opinion

and my opinion on the ps3, yeah it looks good and all but it really is far too much money for the casual gamer like myself to pay and also, most games for the ps3 will come out for the 360 anyway, so it doesn't seem worth getting on at the moment

[Thomp]

The exercise thing for the Wii is a bonus really, and it only really relates to Wii Sports, as you're constantly moving around and working your body. Other Wii games like Zelda aren't exactly "stand up" games, you can play them easily sitting down... it's just more fun to stand and slash around :p

[CoX]

my only problem with the wii at the moment is the lack of games that appeal to me, and whilst the developers aren't think "my gosh we need to make games that midget will like" it's still a perfectly valid reason to favour my other console in my opinion

and my opinion on the ps3, yeah it looks good and all but it really is far too much money for the casual gamer like myself to pay and also, most games for the ps3 will come out for the 360 anyway, so it doesn't seem worth getting on at the momentQFT. Although the Wii does have some awesome titles coming out over the next few months like Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart Wii. Although lest we forget Metroid Prime 3 was originally a launch title.

I honestly think that right now, with everything taken into consideration - price, range of good games, features, graphics - the 360 is the best console to buy. There are hundreds of decent games, many of those being "must-have" exclusive titles like Dead Rising and Gears of War (no I refuse to put Halo 3), plenty of awesome games lined up for it like Mass Effect, and the supreme online services it offers.

I'm picking up a gaming PC next month in place of one (cos lots of 360 games make their way to PC as well), as I want a new computer for work as well as a new gaming format, but if you have a 360 and a Wii, you're pretty much settled in my opinion.

[Ozzylator]

and i guess they can be compared but in the end it's down to personal preference... some people would rather sit on their arse twiddling their thumbs on a joypad (like me) and others would prefer to be more active and use a wiimote (which i do also enjoy, just not as much as the former)

It's a common misconception that *all* Wii games require you to prance around in front of the telly like a twat. Two cases in point: Twilight Princess, Resi 4. Both incorporate the Wiimote into gameplay seamlessly and casually.

[Drattigan]

Perhaps the word 'exercise' is a slight exaggeration. What I mean is that Wii games are generally centered around the user being involved physically or mentally, unlike the PS3 or 360. The Wii comes across as more of an interesting device than a games console.

[rubberfishy]

...Microsoft and Sony however, are developing consoles for gaming.

You seem to be saying that the wii is for exercise with not many games and the ps3 and 360 are focused just on playing games.

I think this is kinda the wrong way round. I would say that the wii focuses just on games and being a gaming machine (being one that also includes exercise in some games) whereas the ps3 and 360 I believe are entertainment machines.

Nintendo have already said this before a few times.

[Ozzylator]

Perhaps the word 'exercise' is a slight exaggeration. What I mean is that Wii games are generally centered around the user being involved physically or mentally, unlike the PS3 or 360. The Wii comes across as more of an interesting device than a games console.

They're all games consoles. Don't be silly. They all play games, that is their primary function.

[the architect]

just posting before the topic is closed :-D

[Seriphyn]

Yea though I like the Wii, I include it out of this generation's fight. The Wii can't compare technically to the 360 or PS3, but nor can the PS3 or 360 compete with the coolness/experience of a Wii. It's...just not the same.

[allfalldown]

A friend of mine describes the Wii as a toy rather than a gaming console. I wouldn't have thought of that myself, but I do see his point.

[Feawen]

It would've been good if the Wii installed slightly better graphics cards even, but I don't really care about graphics. Just to let it look a bit better with HD and so on. I play sega mega drive games still, without complaint.

What I think the Wii does is experiment with new ways to play a game. It's very easy to use the same old controller format because it's tried and tested. Gone are the days of trying to find the best controller, and this is the only different type. I like the controller myself, and the only problem I see with the Wii right now is the complete lack of new games in the past while. Once brawl comes out it seems they're getting it in gear. It's a bit awful that they bring out a console and don't supply it with games until a year later.

The xbox is a good console, the wii is an experiment. And I like both. I can't say much about the ps3 because I haven't seen it.

[Splush]

You can't compare then in some aspects and contexts, but you can in others. A bit of a cop-out maybe, but as much as you can say the Wii is offering a different thing it's realistically still an option consumers are comparing alongside the 360 and PS3 so comparisons are still legitimate. For all the assertions that the Wii is offering a totally distinct experience from the other two, there'll still be plenty of people weighing up whether to get a Wii, PS3 or 360 this christmas.

If the portion of the Wii's market comprised of "non-gamers" becomes so large that the "gamers" buying them represent an insignificant minority, only then would I say you can't compare them.

[ray]

A friend of mine describes the Wii as a toy rather than a gaming console. I wouldn't have thought of that myself, but I do see his point.
Look at it this way, how many games on the Xbox 360 and PS3 can be enjoyed by both kids and adults? Biggest sellers like Halo 3 and Bioshock are all adult video games.

Nintendo has always marketed their consoles to kids because that is the target audience video games were originally made for. As those kids have grown up they suddenly think they are the true gamers and that video games are for them, instantly labeling Nintendo consoles as toys just because most of the games don't feature blood and violence.

I think the main difference is the prices of the consoles.
Here in Australia a PS3 is over a thousand dollars, how the hell is a kid or average middle class person suppose to afford that?

[the last sheika]

Look at it this way, how many games on the Xbox 360 and PS3 can be enjoyed by both kids and adults? Biggest sellers like Halo 3 and Bioshock are all adult video games.

Nintendo has always marketed their consoles to kids because that is the target audience video games were originally made for. As those kids have grown up they suddenly think they are the true gamers and that video games are for them, instantly labeling Nintendo consoles as toys just because most of the games don't feature blood and violence.

I think the main difference is the prices of the consoles.
Here in Australia a PS3 is over a thousand dollars, how the hell is a kid or average middle class person suppose to afford that?
Despite the Wii being the cheapest, I wouldn't be surprised if there are more under tens with Halo than with Zelda...

[NTG]

i like 360 and the wii

[Youlikeyams?]

^

Most contributive post ever concocted on these here forums.

[rubberfishy]

^

Most contributive post ever concocted on these here forums.
I think you're being a silly billy