Games consoles: Edition 2 - Buyers guides - Digital & Technology

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Buyer's guide to games consoles

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Top tips

Decide what you want from a games device. The PS3 and Xbox are versatile, but if you want the ultimate in fl exibility, consider a PC, to combine games with word-processing and grumbleviewing duties.
Power is worth nothing unless there are games available to take advantage. The 360 has a much bigger catalogue of AAA quality games than PS3 and Wii.
There are a glut of peripherals for the 360 and there will undoubtedly be a huge selection for both the PS3 and Wii shortly. Logitech and Joytech accessories tend to be reliable and well built.
If multimedia’s your bag, consider the 360 or PS3, rather than the Wii. PS3, in particular, is a multimedia workhorse, with its Blu-Ray drive and wireless tendencies.

#1 Games console

Playstation 3

£299

Performance: Ferociously powerful, the latest PlayStation combines cutting-edge, Hi-Def gaming with enormous multimedia potential. A hard drive of up to 60GB and Blu-Ray player make this the nerve centre of a top HD home cinema set-up, while the ability to stream content to PSP is potentially another killer app.

Love: Sheer oomph and multimedia power, including Blu-Ray.

Hate: Pricey. AAA-grade games not exactly flooding the shops.

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Best of the rest - Games consoles

Xbox 360 elite

£300

Performance: The veteran of next-gen console-land gets an update – adding an HDMI port and a whopping 120GB detachable hard drive to the mix. With by far the biggest catalogue of games out of the big three, the Elite also has the most established and polished online service. What it lacks in power compared to the PS3, it more than makes up for with impressive software support,
and some seriously addictive, exclusive titles.

Love: Huge games catalogue.

Hate: Less powerful than PS3.

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Nintendo Wii

£180

Performance: This brings gaming to the masses with its amazing “Wii Wand” controller. Nintendo has avoided direct competition with the PS3 and 360 and gone down a pure fun route to next-gen glory. It seems to be working so far, as it’s the punter’s clear favourite, worldwide.

Love: Far more immediate, fun and lady friendly than its rivals.

Hate: Questionable longevity.

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