Choices, Choices...  by Caitlyn Konze, Gaming Assistant, La Crosse Public Library 

Gaming programs at libraries are on the rise and you are thinking of running a program of your own. But there are so many systems and variations, you have no idea how to begin. Never fear, your friendly neighborhood gamer is here! I will walk you through the mainstream systems, the pros and cons of each, and an estimate of system costs. 

Xbox 360

Pros:

+ There are a lot of very high quality games for this system.

+ HD capabilities

+ Xbox sanctioned rechargeable battery packs help save battery cost

+ Some free downloadable games and tons of demos

Cons:

- While some downloads are free, online play and extra game content will cost money

- Xbox, overall, has the most M-rated releases

- System is notorious for hardware failures that you may or may not be able to get fixed

- Designed for individual gamers, not multiple players

Variations:

There are two kinds of 360 systems. One is the full console, and the other is called the “arcade console.” The only difference is that the full console comes with a hard drive which is necessary to save game progress. Since system failures all revolved around the hard drive, the arcade system was Microsoft's idea of a remedy.

Price Range: $200-300

Other considerations:

The arcade system is cheaper, but if you want to download anything, make profile changes, or save game progress, you'll either have to buy a hard drive and risk hardware failure or buy a lot of memory cards. It is also worth mentioning that this system is an amazing individualized machine, but difficult to share. My husband and I share one profile on our system, and things can get extremely complicated when it comes to multiplayer games.

PS2

Pros:

+ Largest selection and widest variety of games

+ Least expensive in terms of games and console

+ Most popular system in gaming history

Cons:

- New games no longer being released for this system

Variations:

There is an original and a thin model. The thin model is quieter, but the original model has the endurance of a tank.

Price Range: $50-100

Other Considerations:

This system is on its way out, but it's going down fighting. You can still buy thin model PS2s new, but they are getting harder to find. Their graphics are getting dated, and memory cards fill up quickly. Most kids are looking for something newer and shinier than the PS2.

PS3

Pros:

+ One amazing piece of machinery

+ No cost for online play

+ Wi-Fi ready

+ The “new shiny” of the gaming world

+ Plays Blu-ray, DVDs, and CDs

Cons:

- Still pretty expensive

- Not as many games available

- Some models cannot play PS2 games (not backwards compatible)

Variations:

If you want this gaming console, you may need the help of someone familiar with game systems or computers to help choose your model. They come with anywhere between 20 and 160 gigabyte hard drives. Some models are backwards compatible, while others are not. Some can read flash drives while others can't. Some have four USB ports and some only have two.

Price Range: $220-420

Other Considerations:

This is the leading technology of the gaming world. Graphics are cutting edge. Being the newest system on the market though, there is not yet a huge supply of games to choose from. However, multiplayer games like LittleBigPlanet and The Beatles: Rock Band show enormous potential and the market is guaranteed to grow.

Wii

Pros:

+ No cost for online play

+ Wi-Fi ready

+ Several multiplayer games available

+ Most E-rated releases

+ Enjoyable for all ages

+ WRLS has one for loan to WRLS public libraries!  (Editor's Note:  For the first year, loans are limited to libraries who participated in the adolescent literacy workshop.)

Cons:

- No HD capabilities (yet)

- Controllers go through a lot of batteries

- No Nintendo sanctioned battery chargers

- Graphics are more cartoonish than realistic

Variations:

There is only one standard model of Wii out now, but rumor has it an HD Wii system is due on the market by 2011.

Price Range: $250

Other Considerations:

If you do not have a target age group for your program, this is the system for you! The incredibly innovative controls bring more physical activity to video games. Most Wii-exclusive games are very easy to pick up. Be careful about games that release for multiple consoles, however. The controls for more standard games (like first-person shooters) come across a little awkward for the Wii. But as an overall system, this one gets my personal seal of approval.