The Battle of the Games: Nintendo's Wii vs Sony's PlayStation 3

Unlike popular belief, not all battles are being fought in arenas, or transpire between living beings. Many contests are being waged on an industrial level, where technology professionals fight for public recognition. They want to create the most popular product in their field and sell more goods than their most feared competitor.



One of the most competitive industries is the entertainment and gaming business. Video game console giants Sony and Nintendo know all about it, as they have been competing against each other for decades. Their battle has actually grown stronger and Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) is getting heavy competition from Nintendo's Wii, which is equipped with innovative features and unique wireless controllers.

The only way to find out which console matches your lifestyle best, and who will win the gaming battle, is by comparing the most important game features of both systems.

What kind of gamer are you?

The Wii is an excellent choice if you are new to the world of video games, or if you have trouble with traditional, complicated remotes and controllers. Wii is also favored by families, because the system offers something for all household members and not just for the active five year old or teenager looking for a thrill.

The Wii is a great social booster and spices up just about any party, even if you invited guests who never played video games before. Friends can play together for hours and can even share photos and information through the Internet.

On the other hand, the Playstation 3 gamers tend to be more hardcore. They enjoy the elegant black design of the console, the High Definition graphics, the robust multimedia capabilities and the huge hard drive space. There is certainly nothing wrong with spending a few hours playing competitive sports games, or blasting aliens.

Which games do you like?

Instead of dealing with complex characters, most wii games have fairly basic stories and are a lot of fun. They are easy to understand, just like the Wii controllers. An intuitive design means that the player can concentrate on the game, rather than trying to master the controller.

Compared to Wii games, the PS3 games often look like compositions of video game and movie production. Action game stories can be complex, and have characters which can look quite lifelike thanks to highly detailed action and cinematic cutscenes.

Most of the sports, music and action games for the PS3 are also available on the Wii. The versions do differ, with those of the PS3 being more complex and intense, because of the system's enhanced sound, graphics and processing ability.

Which graphics do you prefer?

Nintendo has taken a different approach for this generation's console system, and although the Wii's graphics are bright and crisp, the system lacks High Definition (HD). The PS3, on the other hand, includes a Blu-Ray player, has full HD capabilities and the games have spectacular, life-like graphics, all of which is ultimately reflected in the price.

And the winner is...

Unlike in a real-life boxing match, where points for every round are added up, this bout has no set winner. Everyone comparing the systems will have a different end result after adding up all the advantages and preferences they feel beneficial to them. What system will ultimately end up in their shopping cart will depend on their personal needs and budget.

If you are a die-hard gamer who doesn't mind the extra expense, the PS3 may be right for you, but if you have a family, enjoy lots of interactions with friends, and like to concentrate on the games, rather than fight with the remotes, the Nintendo Wii is the ultimate video gaming system for you.