| Digital games from the basic of tetris, super | | | | functions. |
| Mario, ping pong and other flash based games | | | | |
| to massively multiplayer online role-playing | | | | Console Disadvantages |
| games can be played for free or after paying | | | | |
| some membership fees on both specialized | | | | • Difficult updation: If some of the |
| consoles and on your good old personal | | | | components inside the box become dated, the |
| computer (PC) Since gaming consoles have | | | | whole console need to be replaced to keep |
| developed web capabilities between August and | | | | playing newer games. No remedies for that. |
| December of 2002, the debate on which option | | | | This way you need to invest quite a hefty |
| is better, has gained steam. | | | | amount with each turn in technology. No such |
| | | | problems with PCs. |
| Given the enormous popularity of gaming | | | | |
| consoles such as PlayStation 2 and Xbox, some | | | | • Lack of versatility: Computers can do |
| industry analysts have suggested that PC | | | | whole lot of things besides supporting online |
| gaming has seen its day and that consoles | | | | games. On the other hand consoles perform |
| will be dominating force in future. But PC | | | | only one task really well. Some console |
| gamers have seen such claims biting dust | | | | manufacturers may try to make them a little |
| since the days of Nintendo. This article | | | | more flexible, but it's unlikely they will |
| discusses the advantages and disadvantages of | | | | ever support near the selection of |
| gaming consoles. | | | | applications that is available for PCs. |
| | | | |
| Console Advantages | | | | • Lack of inter-connectivity: It is the |
| | | | biggest grouse against gaming consoles. There |
| • Cost Advantage: Good PCs cost much | | | | is a clear lack of inter-connectivity between |
| more than the consoles. The Xbox currently | | | | the different console brands because of |
| sells for around $200, often with a couple | | | | commercial compulsions. |
| games in the bundle, while it's easy to spend | | | | |
| that much or more on a quality PC video card | | | | When it comes to online play of flash based |
| alone. | | | | games or multiplayer strategy games for free, |
| | | | players can pit against each other only on a |
| • No Fuss: With consoles, just plug it | | | | specific network of people playing on same |
| in and start playing. No operating systems, | | | | types of consoles. There is no way for |
| drivers to deal with and to top it all, there | | | | console gamers to jump into a fray on one of |
| is no more heartburn of finding a game | | | | the countless servers available. The PS2 has |
| incompatible with your system after buying it | | | | made some progress in this area, forging the |
| with much anticipation. | | | | way for cross-platform gaming between PS2 and |
| | | | PC users, but only one or two titles support |
| • Multiplayer gaming made easy: Just | | | | this right now. |
| connect your console to Internet through a | | | | |
| DSL or Cable Internet connection and get into | | | | Of course, there are many things to consider |
| a multiplayer game. | | | | before deciding on a gaming platform. |
| | | | Foremost among these is deciding which games |
| • Play where you want to: Play it on | | | | you want to play, how much money you want to |
| the couch, your bedroom, even bathroom with a | | | | spend, and whether or not you need a PC for |
| gaming console. No more sitting on dedicated | | | | other purposes. Go for a good computer if you |
| table. | | | | want to do multi tasking, but for a die hard |
| | | | gamer nothing less than the latest console |
| • Easily gettable games: since consoles | | | | would do, would it? |
| don't have copying ability, the console games | | | | |
| are more readily rented and returned to the | | | | Or better still, check out that offer even |
| retailer than PC games which are easy to | | | | the most popular games such as tetris click |
| copy. | | | | here for free tetris to play now, super |
| | | | Mario, ping pong and other flash based games |
| • Easy learning: Console games tend to | | | | or multiplayer strategy games for free. You |
| have a relatively low learning curve. You | | | | can get a good practice at computer gaming, |
| might need fast thumbs, but you certainly | | | | don't have to download anything and you get |
| won't need to spend hours in a tutorial | | | | everything for free! Now aren't you game for |
| trying to learn how to operate basic game | | | | that? |