What console would you recommend for a non-gamer?

Serendipity

I've played the Wii once or twice -

That's about it though, I'm pretty much a non-gamer and haven't played anything for years. So what console would you recommend? Xbox 360? PS3? Wii? I'm totally lost here so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Fongolio

PS3. Built in WiFi. Free online gaming. Works as a media server. Can plug in external hard drives. Blu-ray disk player. Regular firmware updates with real improvements. Internet browsing. The winner in my mind by a landslide.

Serendipity

I already have a this Media Center PC (HP DEC z560) in the theater room though, so I don't really need Media Center capabilities...

fatchowmein

Go take a look at the available games for all 3 consoles and see if something peaks your interest. You may discover a particular console handles a particular genre well (e.g. sports or first person shooters). You may decide nothing seems interesting so you're probably better off saving your money.

I have both the X360 and the PS3. The PS3 is mostly for Blu-Ray and the 360 is my front end for my Windows Media Center pc plus my gaming machine. I like the 360 for sports (e.g. Madden) and first person shooters (e.g. Call of Duty 4). I use my pc for RPG's (e.g. Oblivion) and turn based games (e.g. Total Medievel 2). I don't have a Wii.

Gaara

I concur with Fat, go over to GameTrailers and watch some reviews for various games and see if anything peeks your interest. You should also go to a store and try out the consoles to get a feel for the controller, as some people really don't like certain controllers.

I have a 360 because I like FPS games. Multi-platform games get slightly better reviews for the 360 and they have some exclusives that I really wanted like Bioshock and Gears of War. I will eventually get a Wii so I can play Zelda, Metroid and Mario and a PS3 for games like Final Fantasy and MGS4. It all depends on your taste in games.

Serendipity

Hmm, based on my limited experience, I've played the Wii before and really like Wii sports. In fact, I seem to like all of the sports games on the Wii since they are lots of fun. So the Wii will probably be my first choice.

I think the 360 and PS3 are better for other (FPS?) games, but I'm not sure if I will get into those types of games yet. The only thing is, all my friends play that guitar game (Guitar Hero?) on the 360 and I'd like to give that a try too.

So basically I'd like to say I'm most interested in sports and "fun" games, at the moment

zombie boy 2000

They have Guitar Hero III for the Wii.

Serendipity

Not in high-def though, or am I mistaken?

My friend's Wii on my XBR960 looked horrible.

zombie boy 2000

Yeah... it's not hi-def. I wouldn't say it looks horrible, but I haven't played it on a hi-def tv.

Serendipity

So I guess I seem to like the Wii for its "fun factor," but the 360 seems better ssuited for a high-def TV.

Is Guitar Hero available on all 3 platforms?

bobman1235

I don't think the Wii even has high-def capabilities.

But I'd still go with the Wii. If you're not a gamer and don't care about the HTPC capabilities (which the Wii actually has a few of too), you're going to have the most fun with the Wii games, especially with friends. Of all my friends who own game consoles (I only have a PS2 personally), the one with the Wii is the one that gets people asking about the console the most, or asking to play.


BTW, appadv, aren't you in college? Where do you get all this money?

Serendipity

bobman1235 wrote: »

BTW, appadv, aren't you in college? Where do you get all this money?

http://www.fandtgroup.com/

jwhitakr

appadv wrote: »

http://www.fandtgroup.com/

I don't get it ... you own F and T group? Your parents own it and buy you lots of stuff? You work for them? You don't work for them, but the company periodically sends you large-sized checks out of the goodness of their hearts?

Oh, to stay on topic, I'd go with the Wii also if you are just looking for the "fun" factor. I've played the PS3, 360 and the Wii and IMO the Wii is the best choice for a casual gamer.

Serendipity

Haha, I work there. Parents work for the department of transportation, totally different line of work.

Shizelbs

Are you talking about what system would be best for game playing for someone who hasn't gamed in the past or a system that does non-gaming things well?

audiobliss

Which console would I suggest to you, a non-gamer? None. You're a non-gamer. Why buy a console? I mean, seriously. There are SO many other things you could spend your money on or get into. Something more constructive. Sure, video games are fun, and I'm not dissing them at all. But why spend money to try to get into something that has no practical value? If you're already into them...fine. They're a cool way to pass some time and relax. But if you're not, don't try to get into them.

Spend money on audio or the HT. Or the car. Or more music. Or start playing a(nother) musical instrument. Or start skeet shooting. Or just target shooting. Or golf. Or tennis. Or badminton. Or just save it.


Of course, if you're dead set on getting a console, that's fine, too. But, not knowing too much about you, my advice would be to redirect the funds elsewhere.

jflail2

appadv wrote: »

Haha, I work there. Parents work for the department of transportation, totally different line of work.

Cool. What do you do there? I work with REITs on a daily basis. Obviously a bit different, but there's definitely some overlap there.

For the system, I'd expect the wii would be the most "group friendly", and is the system my non-gamer friends want to play when they come over to my house. For graphics, I'm loving my ps3, and the games are really starting to show what I paid good $ for.

Imperitor

audiobliss wrote: »

Which console would I suggest to you, a non-gamer? None. You're a non-gamer. Why buy a console? I mean, seriously. There are SO many other things you could spend your money on or get into. Something more constructive. Sure, video games are fun, and I'm not dissing them at all. But why spend money to try to get into something that has no practical value? If you're already into them...fine. They're a cool way to pass some time and relax. But if you're not, don't try to get into them.

Spend money on audio or the HT. Or the car. Or more music. Or start playing a(nother) musical instrument. Or start skeet shooting. Or just target shooting. Or golf. Or tennis. Or badminton. Or just save it.


Of course, if you're dead set on getting a console, that's fine, too. But, not knowing too much about you, my advice would be to redirect the funds elsewhere.

audiobliss is correct. I love video games but they do make me a little more fat and lazy. I also suggest soccer... because soccer is awesome.

Serendipity

jflail2 wrote: »

Cool. What do you do there? I work with REITs on a daily basis. Obviously a bit different, but there's definitely some overlap there.

I do graphics work. But I'm an Electrical Engineering major, so I'll most likely go for an internship in my field later this year.

About the "your parents must buy you lots of stuff comment" - I'd rather work on my own instead of having parents buy everything, so I work for my gear. I have some friends who are spoiled and have Lexus's, BMW's, and other nice cars that their parents bought for them.

No thanks. I'd like to have my own job. Plus it spoils them.

lanion

Wii has the party factor and innovative controls, but most games kind of suck.

Xbox and PS3 both have cool media features and very fun casual games on their respective download networks.

Xbox has more games and they are all very arcadey or like popcap games.

Playstation Network has more experimental games that I think a total non-gamer would find fun. Pixeljunk monsters, fl0w is a great six-axis game, eyetoy games, etc.

Wii would be the obvious pick, but the only good games are pretty much Nintendo 1st party games and Capcom ports with motion controls.

PS3 is my favorite but I love blu-ray and like Japanese games. next game from the people who made Shadow of the Colossus and Metal Gear Solid 4 sells me.

Serendipity

audiobliss wrote: »

Spend money on audio or the HT. Or the car.

Yeah, I guess you're right. What about lightweight wheels for the car? Or suspension upgrades? You're the car expert, let me know!!

As per the gaming systems, I *might* be interested in the wii, it just has that "fun factor" that I like about it...

Face

Buy a PC game and keep the rest in the bank.

Team Fortress 2 is a blast!

obieone

My recommendation, find 3 people, each with a different game, and invite them over for the day, OR, blow 8 hours at a 'Gamestop'. At least you'll get a better understanding of what you might like, without investing in something you DON'T.
Good luck in your quest, young Skywalker.

Serendipity

Face wrote: »

Buy a PC game and keep the rest in the bank.

Team Fortress 2 is a blast!

But I can't play stuff like Wii games in which a motion-sensitive controller is required!!

venomclan

Wii.

BeRad

I have all three. I have the Wii modded with about 35 games. I barely ever play it anymore (COD 4 is too addicting). However, the Wii is very fun. Over time the hand flailing does get a bit old.

My 360 is my primary gaming system as I mostly enjoy multi-player games. The Xbox Live does cost money, but is the best online system out there.

The PS3 is primarily a blu ray player right now, but Gran Tursimo prologue and Metal Gear Solid 4 are coming out as playstation exclusive games and I will be picking them up at launch (I love both those series of games).

For someone who isn't a gamer i'd say the Wii would be the choice. You can get Guitar Hero for it, Mario Party 8 is tons of fun for group play, (and super smash bros brawl i hear), and Mario Galaxy is a very fun first player game as well. All games for the Wii have a very small learning curve and are fun right from the get go.

Refefer

Go retro baby. Seriously, buy a PS2/Xbox and get the games for dirt cheap. If you're a non-gamer, why blow a big wad on something you'll only use seldomly?

orut08

Go for a wii since you already have the blu-ray player. The games they have for it are fun for any age group and the new mario kart coming out for it should be bad ****.

Serendipity

Refefer wrote: »

Go retro baby. Seriously, buy a PS2/Xbox and get the games for dirt cheap. If you're a non-gamer, why blow a big wad on something you'll only use seldomly?

I might just go PS2 then, although I still like the Wii

Willow

Refefer wrote: »

Go retro baby. Seriously, buy a PS2/Xbox and get the games for dirt cheap. If you're a non-gamer, why blow a big wad on something you'll only use seldomly?

I second this option as well.

audiobliss

Yeah, getting a PS2 actually is a great idea. Can get one CHEAP, tons of games pretty cheap, too.