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