| In this article we are going to ignore the other main | | | | same motions, using your full arm and hand, that |
| console on the market the Xbox 360 and | | | | you'd make with the real objects. |
| concentrate on the PS3 and the Nintendo Wii. Like | | | | With the Wii, you don't sit on the couch and just |
| the Xbox, the PS3 and the Wii bear little resemblance | | | | press buttons. You typically stand. You get a |
| to the toylike game consoles of the 1980s and 1990s. | | | | workout. In fact the Wii controller, a slim rectangular |
| They are powerful computers that have been | | | | gadget that looks like a TV remote control, has a |
| optimized for graphics and sound. And, like the Xbox, | | | | wrist strap to prevent it from being hurled across the |
| the two new contenders can handle multimedia and | | | | room while you are, say, serving in tennis. The |
| can connect to the Internet. | | | | controller also has a small built-in speaker and it |
| These two new game machines couldn't be more | | | | transmits vibrations to make the play more realistic. |
| different. The PlayStation 3 is a bulky, shiny black | | | | To show off these capabilities, every Wii comes with |
| box that costs between £300, and | | | | a free disk called Wii Sports that includes simple, basic |
| £400 retail (wholesale | | | | sports games - tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, and |
| £250-£300) for the more expensive | | | | boxing. These aren't fully realized games; they are |
| 80GB version. The PS3 includes a hard disk, a | | | | more like demonstrations. The graphics are crude and |
| networking port, Wi-Fi wireless networking, and | | | | the games lack multiple levels of difficulty. But they |
| playback of DVDs and CDs. It produces high-definition | | | | are terrific fun. |
| video. In fact, the PS3 can also play a | | | | We assume some clever game developer can |
| next-generation, high-definition movie disk, called | | | | produce more sophisticated versions of these sports |
| Blu-ray. | | | | games, and of other types of games that make full |
| The Wii is a small, thin white box that costs just | | | | use of the Wii controller. There are also likely to be |
| £190 retail (wholesale £150) and has | | | | specialized controllers that can take advantage of the |
| much wimpier specs than the Sony. It does have | | | | Wii's motion sensitivity. |
| Wi-Fi, but it lacks a hard disk, a networking port, and | | | | The PS3's controller, which resembles the one on the |
| the ability to play DVDs or CDs, let alone Blu-ray | | | | previous-generation PlayStation 2, also has some |
| disks. It cannot produce high-definition video. It has | | | | motion sensitivity. But it seems much more limited, |
| fewer ports and connectors. | | | | and the controller doesn't vibrate. |
| Yet, the modest Wii seems to be the more exciting, | | | | The two products are clearly aimed at different |
| fun and satisfying of the two machines with but the | | | | audiences. While the PS3 has a lot of multimedia |
| PS3 has more rich, realistic graphics and intricate | | | | features, it is really for hard-core gamers with deep |
| game play in some of the half-dozen PS3 games I | | | | pockets (or with parents with deep pockets) - the |
| have tried. | | | | folks who spend days mastering all the levels and |
| But the Wii wins hearts for one reason: It uses a | | | | secrets of a complex game. |
| wireless controller that can detect your arm and hand | | | | The Wii is for casual game players, including younger |
| motions and transfer them to the screen, so that | | | | kids and older adults who find the complexity and |
| you can physically control the action. This opens up | | | | finger skills required for the PlayStation and Xbox to |
| huge possibilities. In sports games, you can actually | | | | be intimidating. Even adventure games and racing |
| swing a baseball bat or tennis racket or golf club. In | | | | games on the Wii seem easier to get into than similar |
| adventure games, you can slash a sword through the | | | | titles on the PS3. |
| air or throw a punch. You make pretty much the | | | | |