Terrapin Tables

Video game news

So right now the Electronic Entertianmenet Expo (E3) is going on in L.A. It's an annual event where the big game makers come out an reveal new games and consoles. Figured I'd update people on the big news items:

Playstation 3

• The PS3 is coming out in late November, witih a price of $499. This includes a 20GB hard drive and 5 years of free Sony's online service (also new with the PS3, so now all games can be played via's Sony's interface, rather than each game having it's own).


• A higher-end model will feature a 60GB hard drive and HDMI output, which will sell for $599. This will be the only console that can output full HD in progressive mode.


• The PS3 controllers look just like PS2's DualShock II's, except the come with wireless Bluetooth now. They also have tilt sensors in them.


• Sony's getting a lot of crap for their high prices, but Sony defends it because it includes a Blu-Ray drive, which is one of the two new High Definition DVD formats coming out. The $499 PS3 actually costs Sony $600 and change to make.

XBox 360

• Microsoft is basically showing off all of its games that are coming out. As expected, it all looks very nice.


• XBox's online service is staying at $50/year.


• The 360 will come out with an HD-DVD player add-on (HD-DVD is the other, competing, format for next-gen DVD players). The price will be "a steal".

Nintendo Wii

• The newly-and-horribly-named "Wii" has graphics similar to the GameCube, but Nintendo promises to change gaming forever with their controllers. Basically, it's a wireless remote with tilt sensors and motion sensors that you use to control you character. There's only a handful of buttons - motion will be integral to all games. So when you play tennis, you swing your arm. Golf is played standing up, and using the remote as a golf club.


• The Wii's price isn't out yet, but expect $200-$250.


• The Wii can be connected to the internet 24/7, with built-in Wi-Fi. It can download games, programs and updates and such while you're asleep.


• It includes a web browser.


• It can play GameCube discs, and has spots to connect GameCube controllers.


• It also includes a "Virtual Console" so you can play games from NES, SNES, Sega Genesis and N64. The games will be downloaded by the Wii from Nintendo.


• They're already showing off Duck Hunt. Sweet. (bonus: you can hear David Cross in the second video)

So the big winner so far is Nintendo - hundreds of dollars lower than the other consoles, with games that are looking very fun. However, due to an overall lack of sports games and adult titles, most people will opt for an XBox 360 or PS3. With the PS3's prices, and no guarantee that the Blu-Ray drive will even play Blue-Ray movies (the movie studios may put in copy protection), the 360 is gaining a lot of ground. It should also be noted that HD-DVD is backwards compatible with today's DVDs - Blu-Ray is not.

Posted by Rick at May 11, 2006 03:44 PM