Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Ask yourself how much you want to spend. PlayStation 3 tops the chart at between $500 and $600. Xbox 360 is next in line at between $300 and $400. The Nintendo Wii is a bargain at $250.
If you are purchasing a console as a gift for a younger audience, be careful which choice you make. Games available for consoles vary in the levels of violence. The games designed for the Nintendo Wii are far and away the most family-friendly, followed by the PS3 and the Xbox 360.
Consider how active a gamer you'll be. The Wii offers a unique kinesthetic experience with controllers that allow you to move around a lot while playing a variety of games. Playstation 3 offers games that make use of the Eye Toy accessory, as well as games that use dance pads. Xbox 360 has a few games that use a steering wheel-style controller.
Decide what kind of games you want to play. If you like role-playing games, the PS3 should be your first choice. If you enjoy party games that are fun for all, get the Wii. If you like to play online games, go for the Xbox 360.
Consider the accessories you'll need. An extra hard drive? A High-Definition DVD player for your Xbox 360? An online subscription to play Halo 3? Make notes before you purchase. You will save yourself time and trouble if you can purchase all the equipment in one trip.
Check to see if your local electronics or other big-box store has a package deal. These can net you a free game and some accessories for the same price as the stand-alone console.