Video games have never been as fashionable as they are now after almost four decades since the first Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. The Atari generation came later and achieved great success by working in conjunction with the Sears stores where their game consoles were sold. Soon after, The Odyssey simply disappeared. Many companies tried, but couldn’t compete with Atari, which dominated the market until 1983, when personal computers became more affordable and offered better games. Then came the Japanese who took over with their Nintendo and Sega series until the mid-1990s, when cartridges went down in history and DVDs ruled with the promise of longer, richer, more challenging video games.
Today’s market is mature with the best video game consoles that guarantee your best gaming experience. Whether you’re looking to get an Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, or Nintendo DS, you better know the basics.
First, the games. Why would you want a video game console that doesn’t give you the games you want? Playstation, PlayStation 2, and Super Nintendo are so popular because they offer the most game selections for virtually every genre imaginable. If you are particular about the games you play, get a system that does. Don’t make the mistake of getting an Xbox and looking there for Mario and Luigi. You will have a better chance of finding them on Gamecube, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS and Super Nintendo. However, with your Xbox and Xbox 360, you can go crazy with Halo. Meanwhile, Final Fantasy has moved to Paystation 2, but older versions are still on the SNES, Game Boy Advance, and Playstation.
When it comes to graphics, the newer consoles are naturally better than their predecessors. But between older systems, you will hardly notice the difference. PlayStation will give you the same visual quality as Nintendo 64 and Super Nintendo, but Nintendo 64 is sharper than Super Nintendo and Super Nintendo is far superior to the original Nintendo. With the newer breed, the differences are more pronounced. You will find that your portable Nintendo DS and PSP are inferior compared to home consoles because they run on limited power. The PSP also offers a better resolution than the DS. By far the Xbox 360 and PS3 give you the best graphics yet, with the Wii pretty close.
Some unique accessory features come with each particular system, but they do not necessarily have an impact on your gaming experience. Some use motion sensors for control, like the Wii, while others use the good old joystick. Portability is another feature that your Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance offer. If you want interactive games online, Xbox or Xbox 360 give you the best advantage online.
The games of then and now have become very distant. These days, video games are as serious as any traditional sport and if your satisfaction means anything to you, you should be serious about choosing the system that works for you.
