Marketplace.comConsole-based video gaming is one of the most popular of modern digital technologies cutting across age demographic and gender divides. Todays players have three dominant platforms to choose from: Nintendo Wii PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by Microsoft. Each is an impressive multifunctional device with designs meant to encourage integration into existing home entertainment systems and networks but each goes about this in different ways. Taking a few minutes to examine the main features and getting more familiar with available options accessories and possible lAlternative Styles of each console is the optimal way to determine which is the best choice for the players in a household. Console ChoicesArcade Casual and Party games are a Wii Specialty.View larger.Consider Games Before Choosing a ConsoleThere is not just one kind of console video game and so the machines that are are used to play them are different as well. Considering the types of games to be played their availability for the consoles being considered and the ability of those consoles to present the best gaming experience possible for the games genre and content is important. The games developed for Wii tend to be more easily accessible family-friendly productions heavily influenced by Nintendos classic gaming history. Filled with cartoon-like and childlike characters as well as Arcade-style gameplay situations Wii games are often referred to as Casual Games or Party Games typified by brief simple mini-games. These small games-within-games are tailor-made for players new to the puzzle-solving aspects of gaming and how that is translated through game controllers to the screen by the player.PS3 and Xbox 360 provide the processing power that Action-Adventure Shooter Racing and RPG games need.View larger.PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles are the current version of earlier console releases whose user bases were rooted in game genres such as Action-Adventure Shooters Racing Sports Role-playing games (RPG) and so on. Gameplay developed in these genres tends to require more focus on the part of the player and more graphics processing power from the console in order to maintain a quality experience. That is what continues to be the main focus of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Capable of full 1080p HD quality graphics presentation when used with the proper cables and displays in this area Xbox 360 and PS3 are far beyond what Wii is capable of. Iconic game franchises like Halo God of War Fable Metal Gear Solid Gears of War Killzone Mass Effect The Elder Scrolls and many others have grown up on these platforms feeding off of their power. And with the rise of online multiplayer gaming through Xbox LIVE and PSN the high energy fine graphical specialties of these platforms only continues to grow. Motion GamingAlthough motion gaming has been front and center since the launch of the Wii in 2006 the other two consoles have their own motion gaming offerings that provide unique play opportunities on their respective platforms that have also found a wide audience. See a breakdown of the motion gaming capacity of each of the systems below. Wii Remote Plus and NunchukThe Wii Remote Plus controller is the standard wireless controller that ships with each Wii. It combines the intuitive motion controls of the original Wii Remote with the precision technology of the Wii MotionPlus accessory all built-in to a single unit. The device is handled in a wand-like fashion and uses internal gyroscope and accelerometer technology to pinpoint the players movements and physical positioning which it then relates into a game via a sensor bar connected to the console. The Wii Remote Plus has only a few buttons making it easy to use. It also contains a speaker a Cane Beverageble feature and an external connector for other input devices like the Nunchuk controller and the Classic Controller. PlayStation MovePlayStation Move offers a new and innovative gaming experience for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system by fusing realistic high-definition gaming along with accurate intuitive control. Consisting of a PlayStation Move motion controller a PlayStation Move Navigation controller (optional in most games) and a PlayStation Eye camera (all sold separately) PlayStation Move enables sophisticated ultra accurate motion control and immersive gameplay only possible on the PS3 system. In addition the PlayStation Eye features the ability to process up to 120 frames/second and a built-in 4 microphone array for pristine video quality and video chat capabilities. Kinect for Xbox 360Easy to use and fun for everyone Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 utilizes revolutionary full-body tracking to put players in the center of the fun that is 100% controller-free. After configuring itself by registering a range of points across your body this amazing technology allows Kinect to recognize and mirror your movements in the game in effect making your body the c