The news is not at all surprising regarding the new version of Wii as the rumors were in progress already. Industry was already speculating a potential new Wii version with a price tag ranging from $350 to $400. The disappointment prevails regarding the potential date of release. Nearly every one of the experts was of the view that new system will hit the market by October of this year however; the date is fairly far. Awfully gamers have to wait a lot more.

Games-oriented sources of information anticipate the name of next level Wii as “Project Cafe.” Moreover, it is predicted that new system will ship from Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn. The sources are also of the view that Nintendo can also choose the mid-October or early November for the sake of earliest release. On the other hand, Nintendo can also focus on collecting a huge stock of the new Wii first and then launch it early 2012 to avoid the stock shortage in the market upon launch. The company experienced stock out for Wii release last year when the console was very hard to find in retail stores therefore, before new release company wants to full its inventory of the system. Quite the reverse, another reason for Nintendo to release the console in early 2012 might be that the company wants to make release near holidays. The release of such consoles timed with holidays results in remarkable sales. Wii in 2006 was also launched near holidays and brought outstanding success for the company in terms of sales.

The new console is believed to have a fairly improved horsepower; however gamers have to wait till E3 to know exactly about the specs.

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The Wii addition in the Netflix is going to make it more powerful source of entertainment and the Wii is no longer strictly a gaming device but a box of entertainment which will even grow by the time. Like the PS3 a special Netflix “instant streaming” disc will be required for the Wii and it goes even without announcing that HD’s out of the question since the Wii cannot push above 480p. So this will put Netflix streaming in even more homes as the Wii remains as the best selling console up till this time. The coordination of both these services will take the future entertainment services to much higher levels.

1. Street Fighter IV:

Consoles: Xbox 360, PS3

Price: £40 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Developers: Dimps/Capcom

Publishers: Capcom

Genre: Fighting

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This is a fighting game produced by Capcom, and the console versions for Xbox 360 and PS3 were released in Feb 2009. Models and backgrounds of Street Fighter IV have been rendered in 3D, whereas the game play is still on 2D surface. Classic game has been mixed with certain new features that give a new look to the game as well as increase the attractiveness of it. New entries include “Focus Attacks” and “Ultra Moves.”

As far as visuals are concerned, a new hand-drawn look has been given to the environment along with ink smudges and ink strokes. Main characters include all 12 characters of Street Fighter II plus few new additions; Dan, Fei Long, Sakura, Cammy, Gen, and Rose.Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Smartly balanced fighting game
• New characters

Limitations:

• Complex controls

2. Killzone II:

Consoles: PS3

Price: £30 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Developers: Guerilla Games

Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Designers: Mathijs De Jonge, Neil Alphonso

Genre: first person shooter, tactical, action

This is a first person shooting game for the PS3. Events of Killzone and

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Killzone: Liberation are followed in this version, too. Helghan is the planet where whole game takes place. Players play the character of Sergeant Tomas “Sev” Sevchenko. Guerilla games call the surroundings in which the game is played “Hollywood Realism.” Main characters of this game are Sergeant Tomas “Sev” Sevchenko, Corporal Dante Garza, Sergeant Rico Velasquez, Corporal Shawn Natko, and Scolar Visari.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Wonderful online modes
• Next generation visuals

Limitations:

Controls are like that of a tank

3. MadWorld:

Consoles: Wii

Price: £30 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Developers: Platinum Games

Publishers: Sega

Designers: Atsushi Inaba, Shigenori Nishikawa, Tokuro Fujiwara, Yasumi Matsuno

Genre: Beat ‘em up

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This game has especially been designed for the Nintendo Wii and has been released in March 2009. Jack is controlled by the player through a third person perspective via the Wii remote or the Nunchuk attachment. There are several levels in this game, and the player has to clear them in order to reach up to the higher level. In every level, there is a “Boss” who has to be defeated in a certain time limit. A time limited mini game “BloodBath Challenge” is common for every level. More points are gained by torturing the foes; due to which the game is being highly criticized and is thought to be an ultra torturous game.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Fun to play it

Limitations:

• Highly torturous and violent game

4. Empire: Total Wars:

Developers: The Creative Assembly

Publishers: Sega

Designers: James Russel

Genre: Turn based strategy, Real time tactics

This is basically a PC game, and now the console versions are available too.

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It covers the early modern time period from 1700-1799, and is based on politics, economics, religion, exploration, founding of new colonies, and conquest. Battles of land and water both are involved. “Road to Independence” is a story mode game included in Total Wars based on British colonization of America.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Detailed land battles
• Classic size
• Deeply engaging game

Limitations:

• Shaky sea battles

5. Resident Evil 5:

Consoles: Xbox 360, PS3

Price: £30 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Developers: Capcom

Publishers: Capcom

Designers: Jiro Taoki, Jun Takeuchi, Kenichi Ueda, Masachika Kawata, Haruo Murata

Genre: Third person shooter, Survival horror

It has been released in March, 2009. This game takes place ten years after the epic Resident Evil’s events. In the first 3 weeks of its release, 500,000 copies of RE5 were sold worldwide, making it the highest selling game of the UK franchise. Players control either Chris Redfield or Sheva Alomar.

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Now, there are several verities of weapons in the game. Also, a new kind of enemies is there called “Majini”.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Zombie culling
• Cooperative action

Limitations:

Solo playing isn’t much of a fun

So, this is all about the top 5 games. These are fun and a great time pass. Surely, they won’t let you look anywhere else than the screen.

Gaming is becoming more of a passion than mere time pass. These days, there is a distinct faction of tech fanatics who are obsessed with gaming and consoles thereof. Keeping this group in mind, gadget producing companies are sending into market fresh gaming consoles frequently, with different specs to fulfill the variety of requirements every gamer has. If we look into the range of gaming gadgets available for sale, we will be astonished at the choices of memory, interface, accessories, outputs and durability. Today, I shall review top 5 gaming consoles stating the entire specifications and features, plus quoting the price range. These are the most sold and loved consoles out of all those exhibited in shelves.

1. Nintendo Wii:

Our top rated console is Nintendo Wii that has taken a lead over all the

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other gaming tools. With a gamepad more like a remote control and a name truly awkward; Wii is still the best of all choices. Let us have a look at its specs:

Specs:

• Height: 1.75”
• Weight: 3.84 lbs
• Media type: Nintendo Wii disc,  Nintendo GAMECUBE disc
• Processor: IBM PowerPC
• Maximum Installed RAM: 512 MB
• Video output: ATI Hollywood
• Input device: Joystick , Remote control
• Wired/Wireless connectivity technology
• Features: Motion sensor , Rumble feedback , Built-in speaker
• Connector type: 4 pin USB Type A, 4 x Game controller, Component video output, Composite video output, S-Video output, 2 x USB
• Free expansion slots: 2 Nintendo GameCube Memory Card , 1 SD Memory Card
• Included accessories: 2 Nintendo GameCube Memory Card , 1 SD Memory Card
• Price range: $249.97 – $289.99 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

Even when it is not as powerful and does not possess graphics as wonderful as its rivals like Xbox and Play Station; it is being sold like anything. It has proved to be a success in consumer market.

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It comes with all the necessary equipment required to attach it to television, though HDTV owners will have to get a Wii component cables. It is a lightweight console that is also not big in size. Lay it vertically or stand it upright; it is your choice. If the inbuilt 512 MB memory isn’t enough for your stored games; get an SD card. The included game Wii Sports is perfect for sport-o-holics, featuring baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, and boxing.

Wii is not a next generation HD graphics gaming console; it focuses on rendering fun and delivering quality gaming experience.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Motion sensitive game play options
• Uniquely designed gamepad
• Free online game play
• All GameCube games and controllers compatibility
• SD slot
• Included Sports game
• Compact size
• Affordable

Limitations:

• Controller takes time to get used to it
• Nunchuk controller sold separately
• No HD graphics or surround sound
• No support for CD or DVD play

2. Sony Play Station 3:

With large storage options of 80 and 160 GB, Sony PS3 is a leading console

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in the gaming market. Backward compatibility makes it even more appealing. Let us look at its specs:

Specs:

• 12.8” x 10.8” x 3.9”
• 11.lbs
• IBM Cell 3.2 GHz
• Integrated 256 MB XDR DRAM
• 80/160 GB hard drive
• nVIDIA RSX
• Video adapter memory – 256 MB – GDDR3 SDRAM – Integrated – 1920 x 1080
• External wireless gamepad
• 6 x USB
• CompactFlash Card
• BD-ROM,  CD-ROM,  DVD-ROM
• Connectivity features: Bluetooth , IEEE 802.11
• Price range: £379.99 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

It is equipped with Blu-ray drive, which is mostly absent in other consoles. Here, PS3 has an advantage over the others.

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SD and memory stick Duo card slots are an addition, and also there are HDMI and Ethernet ports. Up to 7 wireless Bluetooth gamepads can be attached to a PS3 at a time.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• HD games
• Awesome graphics
• Quiet operation
• User friendly interface
• Nice design
• Free online play
• Blu-ray drive
• HDMI output
• Backward compatability

Limitations:

• No rear USB port
• Fingerprint-prone outer material
• No IR support
• Expensive

3. Xbox 360 Elite:

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It renders magnificent gaming experience with High Def games and has awesome multimedia features. It is not as jam-packed with features as PS3; even then it is one of the most liked gaming consoles out there.

Specs:

• MS Windows XP Media Center compatible
• IBM PowerPC 3 cores 3.2 GHz processor
• Integrated 512 MB ( 512 MB ) GDDR3 SDRAM
• 1 MB cache memory
• DVD-ROM 12x – Tray
• 120 GB hard drive
• ATI Xbox 360 – 256-bit – 2D/3D graphics acceleration
• 500 million triangles/sec
• Integrated 10 MB Video adapter memory
• Maximum resolution 1920 x 1080
• 16-bit / Surround Sound
• Wireless external gamepad
• 1 x AV cable port , 3 x USB 2.0 , 1 x Ethernet ( RJ-45 ) , 1 x HDMI
• Free expansion slots 2 ( 2 ) x Memory
• 1 x HDMI cable included
• Included accessories: Xbox Live headset , Wireless controller , Component HD AV cable , Ethernet network cable , 120GB external hard drive
• Internal power supply
• Price range: $480 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

It is almost same as the previous Xbox 360 else than the black finish and

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HDMI port. Stream directly from your iPod or PC after installing free Windows Media Connect software on a Windows XP enabled PC. You can attach USB keyboards too, but not for the gaming purpose. The front IR port lets users use many remote contrils with the console. With the Marketplace feature and a little backward compatibility, this is a very fine gaming console indeed.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Great games
• HD games
• User friendly Dashboard interface
• Xbox Live service
• Windows media extender
• Digital media center
• Easy purchases via Marketplace

Limitations:

• Loud DVD drive and cooling fan
• Gargantuan power supply
• No built in wireless networking
• Second-rate DVD player
• Paid subscription necessary for online gaming

4. Nintendo DSi:

Featuring 2 display screens and 2 cameras, Nintendo SDi is a unique console by Nintendo. Best incentive to buy it for the DS holders is the DSi shop. Let us know its specs:

Specs:

• 5.4” x 0.7” x 2.9”
• 7.5 oz
• Processor: ARM9 134 MHz
• Integrated color LCD display, 3.25” TFT active matrix
• 260000 color(s)
• Built in stereo speakers
• 4-way cross keypad – Integrated – 6 button(s)
• Free expansion slots: 1 Nintendo DS cartridge slot , 1 SD Memory Card
• Price range: $169.99 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

There are two 0.3 mp cameras along with two 3.25” LCD displays. Personalize your console with media and games either by storing manually or downloading them from the DSi shop.

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This handheld gaming console is being admired by gamers from all walks of life.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Two wide screens
• Two cameras
• Multimedia capabilities
• Thinner than DS Lite
• DSi shop

Limitations:

• No support for Game Boy Advance games
• Low battery life
• Confusing internet security settings

5. Sony PSP 3000:

It doesn’t has much upgrades to offer than the previous PSP, still it is a fine handheld which offers a wide range of multimedia capabilities and is a nice media hub.

Specs:

• 6.7” x 0.7” x 2.8”
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• 6.7 oz
• Media type: Universal Media Disk
• 333 MHz processor
• Integrated 64 MB memory
• LCD color display 4.3” TFT active matrix
• 130,560 pixels
• 480 x 272 resolution
• Built in stereo speakers
• Integrated gamepad
• 1 x Headphones / remote control , 1 x USB ( Mini-USB Type B ) , 1 x DC power input , Component video output , Composite video output , Microphone
• Free expansion slots: 1 Memory Stick Duo
• Price range: £199 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

There are basically two changes that Sony has incorporated in PSP 3000; a more colorful and less reflective LCD pane, and a microphone. Some quite important and notably significant features include Wi-Fi, video playback,

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LocationFree TV, audio playback, photo display, built in Skype client, PS3 remote play, web browsing, RSS reader, internet radio, Google search, network update, and video output. One can attach a PSP camera, a GPS attachment and a keyboard via USB port.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

• Improved less reflective LCD
• Microphone
• Improved AV output
• Built in Skype client

Limitations:

• Pricy
• Fingerprint-prone screen
• No inbuilt storage

So, this is the top ranked gaming consoles overall review. You have their bad and good points in front of you, and can easily find out which one you should choose for yourself. See your budget, and set your priorities; go shopping!

Since the launch of PS3, gamers have yearned to get one, but few had the courage to spend this much for it. The Blu-ray drive even added to its worth, given that only few devices at present can play Blu-ray disks.

Unfortunately, neither the amount of decrease in price nor the time of such happening has been specified yet. It is being said that 80GB PS3 is dropping down from $399 to $300. This is indeed an outstanding drop-down.

A major UK high street retailer has reportedly been informed by Sony that soon there is going to be a decrease in PSP and PS3’s price rates. Sony has not commented whether it is only a rumor or there is some truth attached to it.

Latest news states that perhaps the dropdown of price was nothing but a rumor; in fact Sony plans on stabilizing the price with adding few “bonuses” to it, e.g. packing along the PS3 an FoM and Motorstorm. Even this is a great offer for dedicated gamers.