TechBower » Gaming

Five Tips For Choosing Your Next Gaming Console

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:41:04 +0000

If you’re reading this article you’re probably one of those late comers to the next generation console market. If so this article is for you. Here are the top five things to consider before going out and spending your hard earned cash on a system.

AGE:

This is a very good question to ask yourself. What is the age of the person this console is for? If the answer is under 15 than you’re probably going to want to consider getting the Nintendo Wii (good luck finding one). While the Wii is very popular in adult audiences, the majority of games are developed and marketed to kids. This said it will be a lot more fun to those younger minds and the game selection is a lot better suited for their age unlike the PS3 and Xbox360 which is geared (generally) to a more mature audience (above 15 years).

ONLINE GAME PLAY:

This is a big factor since so many game titles support this feature. If you’re one who is tired of beating the computer (and maybe your friends and family), than online game is an option for you. While the free options of the Wii and PS3 might look enticing, truth be told you get what you pay for. Game developers are (obviously) in it for money, so they will create better content for those who are paying than for those who are not. That said an Xbox 360 will be your best bet. Online game play is a lot better, more streamlined and the content available is a lot better than the offering of the PS3 and worse the Nintendo Wii. On the other hand if online game play is not a major option for you than a PS3 might offer the same thing you are looking for minus that few to join Xbox Live.

BLU-RAY:

Now that the format war is over, and Blu-Ray is the champion (by cheating of course) it’s probably a good idea to ask yourself if it’s time to jump on the Blu-Ray bandwagon (given you don’t already own a BD player). Well if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in this category there is no doubt that the PS3 will be the obvious choice. It is by far the cheapest Blu-Ray player on the market and with the ability to play games of course, that sweetens the deal. On the other hand if you are not into the Blu-Ray revolution (I feel your pain HD-DVD owners), or you are interested in not only watching but also creating Blu-Ray media than this is not an option for you.

HIGH DEFINITION GAMING:

We will not consider the Wii in this category as its graphics are still in the Stone Age for the most part. It’s hard to find a winner in this category as both the PS3 and Xbox 360 both carry killer graphics and have a maximum output of 1080dpi. Both systems will perform equally on a properly equipped HDTV set. Though you might tend to notice a slight difference in quality taking into consideration that PS3 games are all on Blu-Ray (I can assure you it’s all in your head). A classic example is to compare Call of Duty 4 side by side on both systems and see if you can tell the difference. If you can you have the eyes of an eagle.

HOME THEATER:

Again the Wii will not be considered in this segment because these features are too advanced for it. There is no doubt that Microsoft did a heck of a job integrating the Xbox 360 with home computers and making it the center piece of the home entertainment system. While the PS3 carries some features in this department, the props go to Microsoft for thinking of them first and refining them to a greater degree. There is no doubt that the Xbox 360 will totally outshine the PS3 as an all around system for listening to music, HD downloads and of course online game play. Not to mention syncing with Windows Media Center.

GAME SELECTION:

This is a no contest area. The Xbox by far has a wider game selection than both the PS3 and Wii combined. The Xbox 360 has been on the market for a year longer than the other systems and take into account that it has more exclusive games than both the other systems it makes it a sweet deal. For those who cannot live without GTA, well as you already know the latest in the franchise has made its way to the 360 so that is a no show there.

PRICE:

Since its release the Xbox 360 has gone through three price drops. The PS3 has gone through one and the Wii, none (to be expected when even after two years you still can’t find it on the selves). Right now the base Xbox system is only $20 dollars more than the Wii. Pretty appetizing if your eyes are set on the 360 although it will be hard to convince Nintendo fan boys it is a better deal. The PS3 on the other hand is still selling for $399 for the base model and with no price cut in sight for the near future it’s safe to say that it will continue to remain the most expensive system for the foreseeable future. So if you want the most for your money the props go to Microsoft for making a system that beats the PS3 and Wii at most things and still offering it at a starting price in the range of the Nintendo Wii.

Getting In Shape With Nintendo…

Andrew — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:25:44 +0000

Nintendo recently released Wii Fit, which is a game for the Nintendo Wii that is all about getting into shape, but having fun while doing so. It was released into the United States on May 19, 2008. To do these exercises and workouts you have the Wii Balance Board. This board may seem kind of cheap and not worth the $89.99 you have to pay for it, but actually it is pretty technologically advanced. This board measures the user’s weight, center of gravity, and calculate their body mass index when given the user’s height. The game consists of over 40 different physical activities. The game is divided into four different activities. The first activity is yoga. If you have done yoga with an instructor at a YMCA or a gym of some sort, you are probably familiar with poses such as Half-Moon, Warrior, Tree, Sun Salutation, Standing Knee, Palm Tree, Chair, Triangle, Downward-Facing Dog, King Of The Dance, Cobra, Bridge, Crocodile Twist, and Shoulder Stand. These are all of the poses you will find yourself doing if you buy Wii Fit. The second activity you will run into when playing Wii Fit is Muscle Workouts. You will find yourself doing Single Leg Extensions, Press-Up and Side Stands, Torso and Waist Twists, Jackknife, Lunges, Rowing Squats, Single Let Twist, Sideways Leg Lift, Parallel Stretch, Tricep Extension, Arm and Leg Lift, Single Arm Stand, Press-Up Challenge, Jackknife Challenge, and Stretch Challenge. Now onto the Aerobics exercises. You will partake in Jogging (fixed distance and fixed time), Step aerobics, Hula Hooping, Jogging (1 and 2 player around the 3D Island of Wiifity), and Rhythm Boxing. The last activity that you will encounter while playing Wii Fit is Balance games. Games you would play in this activity consist of ski jumping, ski and snowboard slaloms, heading soccer balls, table tilt, tightrope tension, balance bubble, penguin slide, and zazen (player must remain balanaced while having complete focus on a flame).

-Information on Fit: www.wikipedia.org

GTA4 to be banned?

Bernard — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:06:12 +0000

GTA4 to be banned? Highly unlikely, however cities across the country are banning advertising on busses and within the city. How is this at all fair for Rockstar? They are not allowed to advertise now just because stupid kids are taking what they see in the game too far?

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Stores across the country are now making it mandatory that anyone who looks under the age of 18 to show their ID. Companies like Gamestop and Target are actually creating new policies just because of Grand Theft Auto 4.

This game is obviously not meant for youngsters, however if parents allow their kids to play it that is their decision. I think that not allowing a company to advertise a video game is wrong.

What does everyone think? Is it just those few kids who take the game too far who ruin it for everyone? Or are the measures that are being taken the right thing to do?

Grand Theft Auto 4 Cheat Codes

Bernard — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:01:14 +0000

For all the cheaters out there…here are the latest cheats for GTA4 on Xbox 360:

Cheat modeWhile playing the game, press Up to display Niko’s cell phone. Press Up again to access the keypad. Then, enter one of the following codes to activate the corresponding cheat function. Once a code has been entered correctly, a new “Cheats” menu option will be available on your phone, below “Options”, where you can access the cheats without having to enter the phone number again. Note: Do not save the game after enabling a code to avoid unforeseen problems. Enabling some cheats may prevent achievements from being earned.

GTA 4 Released!

Bernard — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:04:19 +0000

The newest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series is sure to please fans. GTA4 features increased graphics, and plenty of new features.

GTA IV renews the series with a renewed version of Liberty City detailed to the last pothole and rooftop vent. There are now four boroughs to explore plus extra area outside of Liberty City proper. With the ability to climb stuff, drive cars, steer boats and pilot helicopters, the world of GTA is more accessible than ever.