Image by beetronix

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

Image by windsoreats

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.

Image by windsoreats

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

Image by kaboodle

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.

Image by hot-screensaver

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:

Image by engadget

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

Image by news.cnet

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.

Image by daylife

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”
  Image by wormdeals

• 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,

Image by ubergizmo

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!

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.