Survey says?

Sometime between his birthday in September and Christmas, it looks like Ben will finally be getting his first game system. He has always loved everything computer-related, but this year is the first time he has become way into video games. Our iMac has kept him relatively satisfied through Lego Star Wars and Star Wars Battlefront, but he has reached the point where waiting 6-12 months for a game to (possibly) come out for the Mac is just not going to cut it. Unfortunately, the iMac is a G5, so the Windows dual-boot option is not possible.

We are in the unique position of being completely open to any of the new machines: Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's Playstation 3, and Nintendo's Wii.

This is where you come in. We would love to know which machine you recommend and why. Despite the fact the two of the machines are months away from being released, Ben has managed to research them extensively. We're still not sure which way to go, though.

To give you an idea of our two-person target market, Ben is about to turn 11 and loves games like the two mentioned above, as well as Backyard Baseball and other good, clean fun games. Battlefront is his first of the older, more violent types, and it passed primarily because of the Star Wars familiarity and science fiction feel. I'm not planning to go much further down that path for a couple of years.

I, on the other hand, love sports games, primarily baseball and soccer (something completely missing from the Mac). The ability for the machine to serve as a DVD player as well is a plus. We do not currently have an HD television. Online gaming is, right now, of little interest.

Our biggest hesitations right now are...

Playstation 3 - price, BlueRay question marks
Xbox 360 - it will already be a year old
Wii - possible lack of big name games and series

I know many of you have strong opinions about gaming systems (Scoble? Evan?), so let's here them! Make your case for the best choice and why, and Ben and I will both be very grateful. Thanks!

Comments

[Nathan Smith]

Actually, from having seen the Wii promo video on Google, they're boasting an impressive number of titles. And, I think that style of a controller would be great for kids, who have tons of energy to expend with the real-world physics of the controller interaction. Suffice it to say, if I had kids, my money would be on the Wii. Just picture it: "Dad, I want to play Weee!"

[Chris Marsden]

I personally have a game cube which I got when I traded in my PS2. Main reason...No blood guts and gore. There are so many more fun and nonsense games available for the Nintendo consoles than for the other systems, and even when you buy a "violent" games there is less or no blood. In one of the PS2 games I had, you would track bloody footprints around after killing somebody. Not so with the Nintendo equivalent.

Best I can tell, though, there are fewer sports games available for Nintendo than the other systems. That wasn't always the case, but it was on the XBOX vs. PS2 vs. GameCube. Also, some of the "best" games did not make it to the Game Cube, including some of the Star Wars Line. This is confusing to me, because some of the Star Wars games came exculsively to Nintendo while others went to PS2 and XBOX but not Nintendo.

Personally, I will get the new Nintendo system, even though all the people on the website look like dorks with the new controllers. Just more available for young kids.

[mattsingley]

I purchased the Xbox360 a couple of months ago, and so far so good! I play FIFA 2006 "The Road to Germany" on it, and it's an excellent soccer game! I am happy w/ my choice to go w/ the 360, I LOVE how it links to my Media Center computer downstairs. It's excellent to have the ability to stream all 20+GBs of my music library up to my TV upstairs.

As far as kids' games go, there really aren't any titles for the 360. However,it is backwards compatible with most (not all) of the regular Xbox games. I have four kids, the oldest being 8, and on the 360 they play the classic arcade games (Joust anyone?) and some classic Xbox titles like Scooby Doo and Sonic the Hedgehog. I say go 360!

[Sean Sperte]

I don't see why the Wii wouldn't have all the major titles (minus the blood-n-gore) that the other systems have/get. Plus, when you think about the potential of swinging, throwing, hiking, tossing, casting, etc. with a sports game and the Wii'd controller you gotta smile. Looks fun.

Also, for what it's worth, I just purchased a DS Lite (and also own a PSP) and absolutely love it. Let me say that again, I LOVE MY DS LITE. The added bonus of DS to Wii compatibility is something I'm really looking forward to.

[Sean Sperte]

(I should clarify that I didn't JUST buy the DS Lite -- it's been tried and tested for a week now.) ;)

[Josh]

I would go 360. I own a PS2, and though the PS3 does sound very promising, I think the price will be a little too much for the average to afford.

I do not expect great things from "Wii". Nintendo is always playing catch-up. And releasing some goofy controller isn't going to help them.

You mentioned that online gaming isn't of interest right now, but I submit to you that as the gaming industry develops... I think it will become of interest to you and your son. XBOX has online gaming locked-down.

Good luck with your decision... and happy gaming.

[Rich]

The Wii is a winner--saw clips of the amazing controller. It is basically speakers and sensors that interact with the user. So, the controller is either goofy or genius. I think the latter.

If you like Nintendo, you will love the fact of playing all the old games from two or three systems ago on this machine.

Bigest bang for me is that Gamecube delivers more kid-friendly games. I have an Xbox. I will probably get a Wii. For the family, it will have more. (I have an 8 and 12 year old)

[Evan Erwin]

Get a Wii. You won't be disappointed.

It still has the Mario series, the Zelda Series, the Metroid Series (as he matures), and plenty of amazing technology to boot.

Plus, all the old great Gamecube games (Mario Party is AWESOME) will play on it. PLUS you can download and play the classics such as Super Mario Bros (NES) and Mike Tyson's Punch Out! Woohoo!

I doubted Nintendo in the past but I've since learned my lesson. Sony is drunk with power and Microsoft is more geared for the older gamer (more complex technology, more Mature rated games, etc).

And the control system on the Wii is to die for.

I also recommend a DS Lite. Getcha one of those, Nintendogs for the wife, Super Mario Bros for the family, and Mario Kart for Ben. You'll thank me later! :)

[John Ventry]

I have to vote for the Xbox 360. I just purchased mine about 2 months ago and so far so good. The sports games are just really starting to come out for it and the graphics are incredible. Plus, you can use it as a DVD player too.

[Blake]

I'd go XBOX360. The Wii seems hokey right now. It may turn out to be the best ever, but the XBox and the PS series are both proven already. At the least, I'd not buy the Wii w/o being able to play it in the store and really know you'll be able to get the hang of it.

Also, there are PLENTY of sports games on both X360 and PS2/3.