One of the most popular forms of entertainment these days is using video game systems or consoles. People spend a lot of money on video game consoles and on the different games that are available for them. A gaming system can provide a lot of relaxation and fun for a whole family.
Why would people purchase a game system instead of a computer? Most games available for gaming consoles also have versions for the desktop computer. So what are the advantages of the consoles?
There are several reasons why people purchase these game systems instead of a desktop computer.
• It is usually much cheaper.
• No compatibility issues with games.
• No need to set up or install the game before you can play.
• Shorter waits for the game to load.
• Easy to connect to TV and stereo.
• All games for a particular game system will run.
• Multiplayer capability that may not be available with a home computer.
So what exactly is a gaming system or console?
A simple explanation is that it is a highly specialized computer. It contains a processor and memory and power supply just like a desktop computer. It may also contain a storage device such as a hard drive. It runs a software kernel that provides the internal interface between the different hardware components and the video game. The console also has various external interfaces. The interfaces usually include connectors for audio and video output, and one or more user control interface. A console may supply video to a computer monitor or TV, sound to your computer speaker or stereo system. There is also an optical drive (CD or DVD) or game cartridge receptacle to allow playing different games.
The user control interface is what makes the gaming consoles sparkle. It gives the game player a unique experience that is totally superior to watching a TV. Instead of passive entertainment, the console provides an interactive form of game play. Joysticks or specialized game controllers are plugged into the user control interface to provide this unique interactivity.
If you have a home entertainment system, you may be interested to know that you can connect the outputs from most gaming consoles to a wide screen TV and digital surround speakers. Some say this provides for more satisfying and realistic game play.
There is a wide selection of games for most game consoles. Game developers are continuously developing new games for the different consoles. Certain games are available in a version for the desktop computer, or are available for multiple gaming consoles. You can’t run a game that’s designed for one console on another, however. You’d have to buy the version for the other console if you wanted to run it there.
Which console should you buy? There are several available. You should choose a game console that has great graphics and sound quality and a wide selection of available games. Some of the consoles on the market today are the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Wii. The Wii Remote Controller, used with the Wii, measures movement of the player and allows users to experience games like baseball and golf in a realistic way while staying indoors!
If you are considering buying a gaming system, it’s best to first consider what kind of games you want to play, then do some research on which systems can run those types of games. That way you will surely be able to enjoy many hours of relaxation and fun with your gaming system.
