With so many different types of systems available it is often hard for someone that doesn't play video games to keep up with it all. There is Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PS2, PSP.....
We have put together this Guide to Video Game Systems in hopes that we might help prevent some parents from suffering the embarrassment of not knowing what the heck your kids are talking about.
First, let's familiarize you with some of the components of a "Gaming Systems".
Each Gaming System has it's own technology and is comprised of the following:
Gaming Console: This is the actual component that the gaming media that contains the actual game, such as a DVD or CD, is played on. Without this there is no gaming system as this contains your CPU, memory, and other such input and output ports.
Gaming Controllers: These are your input device for playing the game. These are much like a mouse or keyboard that you use on your computer. Many controllers contain many buttons that perform various actions such as making a character in the game run or shoot a gun or some other assigned function. **A PC is a type of gaming system and in turn gaming systems are a type of PC
Video Game Media: The most common type of Video Game Media are DVD, CD, Gaming Cartridge, and downloaded files. **Note that each video game is proprietary to it's own Gaming System but may exist for several different types of Gaming Systems. So you might find a certain game is available for the PC and for the Xbox 360 but not available for Nintendo Wii or PS3. Each video game will state on the cover what Gaming System it is for.
Viewing Screen:The Gaming Console has to be connected to some sort of monitor or TV to view the game on. Some of the Portable Gaming Systems have small Monitors built into them much like many cellphones now have. In fact many cellphones contain gaming systems along with the rest of their many functions.
The section below explains several of the more popular gaming systems along with the necessary hardware. Some gaming systems may have gaming accessories that are compatible for other types of gaming consoles. But this is not the norm and for the most part gaming consoles have their own "proprietary" gaming accessories and games.
Gaming Systems:
Here are some of the more popular Gaming Systems
PC:
We believe that the PC is not the most popular gaming system but more games are created and played on the PC than on all of the other Gaming Systems put together. The reason is the PC has been around longer and can perform other functions besides just being a gaming system. The PC is often an entry into video games as many families have personal computers and laptops. There are many thousands of video games available for the PC, many of which are not available for any of the other Gaming Systems.
There are also many websites that have video games free to download or play online at no cost. Just Google free PC games and you will find a ton of arcade sites that allow you to play their games for free.
Technical Specs
This list could be vast and would change almost daily so only the basic details are listed.
Manufacturer: Various, Dell, HP, Gateway, etc..
Game Media: DVD, CD, online downloadable files, online remote hosted media (flash games etc..)
Viewing Screen: PC Monitor
Online Playable: YES
Available Controller Slots: Various
Number of Games Available: Untold thousands
Gaming Accessories: mouse, keyboard, guitar and other musical instruments, joystick (flight stick), airplane throttle controlls, gaming automobile steering wheel and pedals, headset, video / webcam, surround sound system, Data storage (hard drive), other
Xbox 360:
The Xbox 360 is Microsoft's gaming system and is an upgrade from their original gaming system the Xbox. The Xbox 360 is probably the most popular gaming system outside of the PC though the Nintendo Wii surpassed the Xbox 360 in sales. Recently Microsoft lowered what was a very expensive gaming system making it more affordable to consumers. As a result sales have soared and has insured that the Xbox 360 will be around for some time to come. There many video games available for the Xbox 360 covering all genres from the hard core shooter games to the more family oriented classic games such as Monopoly. The Xbox 360 is also backwards compatible for for it's predecessor the Xbox.
Many new releases for the Xbox 360 are highly anticipated by gamers with many titles being sold out within hours of release. You may choose to Pre-Order many popular games before they are released to the public insuring that the game is secured for the customer with the game arriving a day or two after the official release. There are no extra charges in pre-ordering and this is a sure fire way to insure that you get your game before they are sold out.
Technical Specs
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Game Media: DVD, online downloadable files
Viewing Screen: TV / Monitor
Online Playable: YES via subscription based Xbox 360 Live
Available Controller Slots: 4 with wireless controller capabilities
Number of Games Available: The total number of games available seems is a mystery. Not counting the Xbox 360 Live Arcade games there is a known amount of 587 games though I cannot verify how close this is to the actual number of games available. There is a list of Xbox 360 Games listed at wikipedia.org.
Gaming Accessories: At this writing there are many accessories available for the Xbox 360. Multi-button controller (many various types to choose from), keyboard, face plates (for changing the appearance of the gaming console), guitar and other musical instruments, gaming automobile steering wheel and pedals, headsets, video / webcam, surround sound system, External Data storage (hard drive, memory card), carrying cases and storage units, auxiliary cooling systems (the Xbox 360 has had some problems with it overheating), remote control, dance pad, and other accessories I am sure that I am missing some.
Nintendo Wii:
A unique feature of the Nintendo Wii, and one that makes it stand out from the rest of the gaming systems is it's wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions. This revolutionized the gaming industry in that many games call for you to act out actions such as swinging a sword or a tennis racket as opposed to sitting in your chair and pushing buttons. Of course this was a big hit with parents knowing that their children would at least have to stand up and get a bit of exercise. The older Nintendo GameCube system games can be played on The Wii.
The Nintendo Wii was the top selling gaming console sold during 2007 and revolutionized the meaning of video games by introducing a video game entitled the Wii Fit, that caused you to get out of your chair and exercise. The game includes all sorts of exercise competitions and has an exercise manager to help you keep track of your workouts.
That's the scoop on video game systems........
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