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Community Newsletter: Q&A: To Wii or not to Wii? That is the question.
- 12/14/07 4:30 PM
Wireless vs Cat5
by stevenhs - 12/24/07 12:46 AM In reply to: A few clarifications: by merlin11221How much is a low-end wireless router going for now? $40. The Wii has a hardwired Ethernet connection and PS3 and Xbox360 don't? I'm not sure about that.
mistaken info
by dsteitz4 - 12/15/07 9:26 AM In reply to: My 25-yo son bought one ... I'm 61 and we play together ... by DKspokaneOk...first, the PS3 DOES play older Playstation 2 AND Playstation 1 games! If you have the the PS3 60GB model or the PS3 80GB model, older gameplay is possible. The now defunct PS3 20GB, and the new PS3 40GB do NOT play older games.
Know your gear BEFORE you quote!
As for the general respnose to original question at hand...
Get him a Wii. It's what he wanted.
Now, in a blue-sky world, get all THREE! A Wii, PS3, and an Xbox 360! Yup.
I have all three and love them. Each console has something cool, fun, and unique to offer.
Actually Lord Gregor
by nico_14_ian - 12/15/07 10:15 AM In reply to: mistaken info by dsteitz4"The now defunct PS3 20GB, and the new PS3 40GB do NOT play older games.
Know your gear BEFORE you quote!"
The 20GB model DID play older PS2 and PS1 games. The only system out there right now that DOES NOT play PS2 games, is the 40GB model. Know your gear BEFORE you quote! I'm done 
As for the Wii. Sure, get the kid what you promised! I would've hated for my dad to back out on the same deal he offered me when the PS1 came out. So yeah!
wii
by shirley Morrison - 12/23/07 8:17 PM In reply to: Actually Lord Gregor by nico_14_ianyou made your son a promise. Keep it!
To Wii or Not to Wii
by jonesedwin - 12/15/07 10:05 AM In reply to: My 25-yo son bought one ... I'm 61 and we play together ... by DKspokaneI have a PS3 and you can play original PS and PS2 games. I own all 3 versions of the Playstation, and all of the games I have are reverse compatible with the PS3. In addition, you can also download PS and PS2 games from the Playstation store to play on the PS3. The Wii allows you to do that also. I have an Xbox, and some of their games are not compatible with the Xbox 360. So I say get the kid a Wii.
To Wii or Not to Wii
by stevansky - 12/15/07 3:15 PM In reply to: To Wii or Not to Wii by jonesedwinI have played the Wii and think it is a really awesome game console. It was the sports package and I was really shocked to discover that playing a video game can give you sore muscles!
On the DOWN side as some have previously noted they are VERY HARD TO FIND, and have recently become VERY EXPENSIVE. My brother got his for $248 +tax but after looking online at some of the major retailers the cheapest quote I found was $677 +tax !!!! I think that's a wii bit much! Guess I'll wait until after the first of the year when the feeding frenzy has died down and see if the price drops back into the reasonable zone again.
Regarding the Systems
by Savagess2546 - 12/17/07 6:54 PM In reply to: My 25-yo son bought one ... I'm 61 and we play together ... by DKspokaneI don't mean to sound rude. But do a little research before you sent replies like that. First of all. The Playstation 3 will play all Playstation games, even the old ones. Second, the Xbox 360 doesn't require a 150 dollar piece of equipment to play online. An annual 50 dollar fee is all that's needed. And even though the Wii has built in WiFi. What if it the WiFi technology goes outdated? Then the console is outdated.
Wii -- Sony got it right?
by stevenhs - 12/24/07 12:37 AM In reply to: My 25-yo son bought one ... I'm 61 and we play together ... by DKspokaneI am a bit confused: "Sony got it right". The Wii is a Nintendo product. Sony's product is the Playstation 1/2/3.
A matter of perspective.
by spacecracker - 12/7/07 7:54 PM In reply to: To Wii or not to Wii? That is the question. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Brenda.
You ask a good question. And as you make your decision for what games console to buy, there are several considerations to be made.
First, and I think foremost, is what your son thinks he wants. I have little doubt that he has already investigated the Wii for himself to some extent, be it through reading about it on the internet or playing at a friends house. There may be a specific game he wants to play, like Mario or Zelda, that he could not play on the other systems, which is why he has asked for a Wii specifically. Perhaps he is drawn to the more physical approach that the systems controller requires to play many of the games. There could be a number of reasons why he has asked for a Wii and it would probably do you well to find out if that is the case. You may find he makes your decision easy for you. Another consideration is his videogame budget. How much are you willing to spend on his videogames per year? While your brother-in-law has a point that many of the games made for Wii are for more 'casual' gamers, your son may be more interesetd in a lighter experience where he can just sit down for a few minutes and have fun without having to worry about following an intricate plot or thinking about solving difficult puzzles as in some games. And if he is looking for a deeper experience, the Wii does offer a selection of games such as Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. And of course there is always Pokemon. Personally I dont believe that him "growing out of" the system will be an issue. There is plenty available to amuse a 12-16 year old.
As for the other two systems, if you find that he does not have those Wii specific desires that I mentioned earlier then perhaps they should be given more consideration. Some things to consider are that both of the systems are much more expensive than the Wii and do generally cater to an older audience; typically the 18+ crowd. Also, particularly with the Xbox 360, a lot of the enjoyment to be had with the system is via its online aspect. It offers the opportunity to play most games with other people across the country and allows for the online purchase of arcade type games and extra content for specific games, etc. This also costs a nominal fee per year and requires broadband internet access. PlayStation3 also has a dedicated online gaming network akin to Microsoft's Xbox Live service. And while largely technologically superior to the Wii, and offering a much more robust online, multiplayer experience, the Xbox 360 and PS3 are arguably targeted at different audiences and cater to different consumer interests than the Wii. For example the PS3 is also a Blu-Ray dvd player and the Xbox 360 offers an addon HD-DVD player. And they are both created to look best on high definition TV set-ups.
Honestly, I think the biggest help to you would be to understand why exactly your son has asked for a Wii by name. He may give you some very valid reasons for purchasing it over the other two consoles. But the other major considerations, as I see it, are the amount of money you are willing to spend for the system and the games/accessories. Consider that most Wii games will be $50 or less while most Xbox 360 and PS3 games will be $60.
Also, consider what your son really needs. Does he need a high definition dvd player? Does he need the ability to go online to play his games with friends or random people, for a small fee? Would he be better served by more 'fun' and lighter games or does he need a deeper, more involved experience?
If I were in your shoes, I would feel just fine about putting a Wii under the tree for him this Christmas, but the other two systems are viable, and worthy, alternatives. I really think it is more a matter of what he wants to do with the system, and how much you want to spend now and into the future. I hope this was of some help.
Good luck and Merry Christmas,
Josh
Correction.
by spacecracker - 12/7/07 7:58 PM In reply to: A matter of perspective. by spacecrackerSorry Rhonda. I called you Brenda! Whoops.
Keep it simple spacecracker
by waynees - 12/14/07 7:29 PM In reply to: Correction. by spacecrackerWhy the long explanation? Just buy the darn thing for the boy. He erned it.
Give it a rest,Spacecracker
by airborne502 - 12/14/07 8:44 PM In reply to: Keep it simple spacecracker by wayneesThe lady wanted an opinion not a book
on tap dancing! Give her a break!!
airborne502
I liked Spacemaker's reply.
by porkchop00 - 12/15/07 7:40 AM In reply to: Give it a rest,Spacecracker by airborne502I liked Spacemaker's reply. But, I also appreciate your comments to keep it short. Yet, Spacemaker's critique for me, a newbie in the elctronic game stations, was informative, and helpful, and one I've not been able to get even from product sales people.
Mr. T
Buy him a Wii
by rpjasin - 12/7/07 7:56 PM In reply to: To Wii or not to Wii? That is the question. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Buy him the Nintendo Wii. If he wants it that bad, he has done his research and knows what he wants. My 19 year old son has had Nintendo since Game Boy and Super Nintendo, and Nintendo builds the best systems and they have lasting value. Video game systems come and go, but Nintendo is always there. The hand controllers are great, and you can get actively involved with him in the fun. Highly recommended! Bob
Buy him a Wii!
by rjsahorvath - 12/15/07 5:04 AM In reply to: Buy him a Wii by rpjasinWe have had a Wii for close to a year now and have not regretted it. It is mainly for our 12 year old son who uses it everyday. However, the whole family (mom, dad and 17 year old brother)also join in on occasion. The 17 year old prefers his own shoot 'em up, blood and guts Xbox 360.
Get him the Wii ... you won't regret it!
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