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Third generation video game consoles are based from three major companies, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. The third generation consoles are Nintendo Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's Playstation 3.

Nintendo Wii:

Pros/Advantages:

A revolutionary idea. The Nintendo Wii (hereafter known as Wii) gets the gamers attention as the console brings the gamer into the console. The controls are motion sensitive and involves both of your hands (soon to be your feet). Not only are the games fun to play, but the console itself is fun to use.

The Wii offers and menu when first turned on with a series of different 'channels'. Each channel is kept up to date and Wii offers more channels trough the Wii shopping channel, some cost money, others are free.

The Wii also has the option to buy Wii points, either through cards at a store, or using a credit card at home. With these points, gamers can buy games that were on previous consoles as far back as the very first Nintendo and gamers can buy new channels for the game.

The Wii's target audience can honestly be anyone. The Wii was built for the average person who may not enjoy gaming a lot all the way the extreme gamer. The Wii is targeted for all audiences and is an excellent choice for all.

Free online features.

Cons/Disadvantages:

Gr aphics - A lot of people could say that the graphics are somewhat 'childish'. However, in comparison to the other consoles, they are the weakest, but still decent.

Overall:

9/10.

XBox 360:

Pros/Advantages:

Very good console with very good graphics. The XBox 360 (hereafter known as 360) has an excellent menu system and features. The 360 has so many features and conveniences that it takes gaming to a new level.

Graphics on this console are very good. It runs many games with high end graphics such as Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3.

The use of Microsoft's Windows Media Center Extenders (hereafter known as WMCEs) is very useful. For those that are not sure what WMCEs are; if a gamer has a computer with Windows Media Center (hereafter known as WMC) the gamer can run a network and run all of the gamer's music/movies/etc.. through to the XBox. This is one of the only appliances (not even systems) that will do this.

Online Features - Costly However

Cons/Disadvantages:

Hard ware: The 360 has a 35% failure rate. Not very good to have, however, warranty supported.

Online Features - Expensive in comparison to the free online interactions in the Wii and Sony's Playstation 3.

Overall:

Good console - 8/10.

Playstation 3:

The Playstation 3 (hereafter known as PS3) is the last system to be released in the third generation consoles.

Pros/Advantages:

The PS3 has ridiculously, awesome graphics. By far the most advanced.

The PS3 has controllers that have some motion sensitivity in them. However, not even close to the Wii, but it is still moving in such direction.

Online features - Free.

Cons/Advantages:

Poor launch games. The PS3 when launched did not have really any games that had a 'wow' factor to them, which hurts the quality of the system.

A high failure rate. Not even close to that of the 360, but still noticeable.

Extremely expensive. The PS3 is averaged $200 higher than the 360 and $250 higher than the Wii.

Overall:

Advanced system, however, not worth the money overall - 6/10.

In conclusion/Author's notes:

I personally believe that the Nintendo Wii is the best third generation console. It to me is the most fun to play alone, and with friends.

Best third generation gaming console: Nintendo Wii!

Learn more about this author, Michael Gilbert.
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