can you say 'N64 Expansion Pack' five times fast?

oilcanboyd

I have 4 wiimotes and nunchucks. Most of my friends don't have the wii and for my one friend who does we always play "spur of the moment". It's not like he keeps wiimotes in his car just in case. Also when you factor in the cost of the games the wii is a cheaper system. I think in the long run you will spend less for a wii than any other system. Can we change the chart to reflect the money you save by getting a game when purchasing the wii?

pdditty

@milrtime83: My sister owns 4 for her wii.

We've actually found that it's tougher to find someone to bring extra wii sticks (either because so few people we know have them, or their parents/sister/dog/grandparents are always playing when they arent) than it is to get someone to bring an extra xbox controller or 3.

IMO it's quite a bit easier to get by with just a couple xbox controllers than it is to get by without 4 wii sticks. I attribute this mostly to the fact that if you wanna play a game with someone on 360, you play him/her on live, and even if that person insists on sitting in the same room as you, you make him bring his own xbox anyway and set him up on the spare tv.

I've got 4 360 controllers, and I don't think they've ever once all been used at the same time.

On the other hand, i've got 4 wavebirds for the cube, and they get used at the same time every time we have people over.

RamV10

Why the **** do I need 4 controllers for Mario Kart and Smash Bros? Because I thrown them at the wall when I get frustrated online and have to replace the broken ones?

cirej2000

You forgot to add this:

Xbox live $49.99
PS3 Online eh
Wii WTF ... forget about it.

Earthslide

It may be fairly common to have 4 people playing at the same time, but I don't know anyone that owns 4 controllers themselves. There are enough people that have a Wii that there always seems to be someone to bring their 2 controllers so there are 4 wherever we are playing.

milrtime83

The math is wrong in the PS3 4 player column. It should be $550 not $500. The jump from 2 player to 4 player should be two times the controller price.

~Paik

Paik4Life

its almost like nintendo is doing what sega failed at with the 32x and sega cd...only they are making peripherals for people to use with included games

silent_grass

I'm concerned that a $15 estimate for the MotionPlus is being too conservative. I mean, the nunchuck on its own is over $20, and that's basically just an analog stick and two buttons.

Sportyboard

@dagamer34: My younger siblings love to play Mario Kart and frankly I do too. I always hated it when family/friends would come over and we only have 2 wiimotes and had to take turns.

pdditty

@wava: The wired 360 controllers are $40, the wireless that you have to supply your own batteries are $50, the wireless with rechargable battery packs are $60.

qella46021

@dagamer34:

I used to... 4 Wiimotes, 2 nunchucks. Gave one away when I gave my brother my extra Wii I won at work though. At most, in my experiences the most I've actually needed to have was two, so I couldn't care less.

As for my 360, I have 3 remotes as well... 2 wireless, 1 wired.

My PS3 has 2 Dualshocks and 1 Sixaxis

.Trenchant.

why do you say the xbox360 controller is just 40$ ... tell me where you find those, i think you are wrong, trying to make them look better than the ps3

waza

how is there only a $50 difference between the ps3 2 player and ps3 4 player? i bought the mgs4 pack for 500 and it came with only one controller. to buy 3 more puts me at $650.

Granted I know there are cheaper ps3 bundles out there but even the $400 bundle you only get one controller.

Nissan288

Who the F$*(@ owns 4 controllers? 2 is fine, then my friends have to bring their own. No need to start wasting money on stuff that will only be used every 3-4 months (3rd & 4th controllers)

dagamer34

Companies are there to make money, so making you "need" another peripheral is just a way for making more money. At least the prices on Nintendo's peripherals are somewhat reasonable, take Apple for example...

berbar

@Seevaur: Mario Kart and playing with the wheel sucks.

pdditty

The big advantage is that wii sports and a few other games do allow 4 players on a single remote. features such as this allow for the userbase to more slowly build up their remote collection. I've had the wii for over a year now I think, and just the other day I bought my 4th nunchuck, and I got my 4th remote about a month ago. the second remote comes with wii Play. it's still very easy to swallow despite the price.

mr_deadpool

The reason you don't have to factor in $50 annual for xbox live is because the chart is assuming you buy 3 extra controllers for same box multiplayer. If you factor in live, then cut out two of the controllers since almost no online games can you go online with 4 players on one box, most games are 1-2 people on one box who can play online at the same time on the same box. Which would make the 360 actually 50 bucks cheaper in the end. (or 30 bucks if you're talkin wired controllers)

nickgamertag01

@sorensilk:
That wouldn't be fair to the PS3, who gets the arcade edition anyway?

xFr3nLixPhYr3x

Are there any games that require you to have four nunchucks though? I have four remotes, two nunchucks, a wavebird, and a classic controller and I've never run into problems not having a something for everyone. Considering we primarily play, Wii Sports, MarioKart, and SSB:B I usually have everything covered.

My roommate and I had this discussion when I first got my Wii. And we figured that the only thing we'd need more than one nunchuck was boxing (which needed two at the most) and maybe the one decent game out of Wii Play (tanks). I'm guessing the Motion Plus may be along the same lines. We've really only seen it used with what, the disc dog game and fencing.

Seevaur

@satoru: @Earthslide: An Xbox Live gold account isn't required to play multiplayer on the same console or even with system link. Why would it need to be included? Now if they had a separate column that said "online play" then...

bobbyn01

Why is the Xbox 360 shown at $350? If you're comparing it to the Wii (which has no hard drive) you should use the Xbox 360 Arcade which is $280. That's gonna really throw this chart off...

sorensilk

@qella46021: Isn't that kind of the point though? I mean who really buys wired controllers anymore?

satoru

Dunno for the xbox360 shouldn't you account for the need for an Xbox Live account as well?

satoru

Shouldn't the PS3 for 4 players' price be $550?

AcidFaux

@aphex242: Until you account for the fact that the Xbox would then be the only console with *wired* controllers. At that point, the 360 has a $10 price advantage at 4-players, and none at fewer.

Canthros

@aphex242: The $299, 20GB systems aren't permanent, and are only meant to clear out the remaining inventory on those systems. It's like when Sony cut the price of the 60GB systems to clear those out last year to make room for the 80GB PS3.

Jason Chen

@pdditty: I haven't played kart for the wii, but I get a tingly feeling inside every time I even think of double dash. I'm getting it right now. And we have 3 wave birds and 2 wired controllers. Suckas get the wired controllers. or if we run out of batteries. Brothas can die for leaving a wavebird on overnight.

By the way, super accurate or not, this chart/article is eye opening, and definitely a good piece to write about.

I vote PS3. (Blu-Ray player, are we all forgeting?)

jiggaman2

@sorensilk: Amen, or if not the arcade, how about the new $299 systems MS has on sale in most stores?

The Xbox numbers should be $50 less across the board, essentially tying the Wii in the 2-controller model and spanking it in the 4.

aphex242

@Paik4Life: Oops yeah, you're right. Just fixed it thanks!

Jason Chen

This chart also assumes that the MotionPlus add-on won't be bundled with any new Wii or controller purchase. Companies often update their SKUs to include upgraded hardware, such as Sony did with the DualShock 3 controller.

If so, only those who already have a Wii and four controllers will need to go out and buy four separate add-ons.

David C

@waza: Amazon.

Jason Chen

In Nintendo's defense, getting together in a living room with four controllers and three friends is a lot of fun. I'm not saying online isn't great too though, it's great when you can't get together or for playing with random people you don't know who you don't want to invite to your den of gaming.
But yeah, the base price of the Wii being the least expensive doesn't necessarily make it the least expensive, since you need to spend so much extra to get it off the ground. If you ask me, they should go the way of the competition (gasp) and make a "Premium" package of sorts, which could come with most if not all of the accessories that 90% of people are going to get sooner or later anyway for less money than if you bought them separately. Then I'd be a bit more tempted to get one. And by that I mean the one I have now is technically my dad's because he bought it for no one in particular and it resides at his house. If I got one for my mom's house then I'd want something on the lines of a premium pack.

videoCWK

don't forget to include the cost of one game with the 360 and the PS3, since the Wii comes with a pack-in that is actually fun, and people buy and pay for separately in markets that it is not bundled (Japan)

quu

Well, there's a difference of making you "need" a new peripheral or "requiring" it. If the 360 starts having games that require the HDD, then that will alienate Arcade owners (and people are buying those, I just bought another 360 yesterday but didn't need the HDD since I already had a spare but the arcades were all sold out so I ponied up an extra 20 for the $300 premium). Like witht he expansion pack for the N64, you don't wan't to alinate any of your base.

nickgamertag01

@sorensilk: Because the chart seems to be designed to compare the typical system. The typical Wii is the same for everyone. The typical 360 would probably be the Pro. The arcade edition isn't really that popular.

geowrian

Cost to play online should be included, its one of those things that always gets overlooked when people compare xbox to ps3.

powerball

i fear the day when my friends will want to play mario kart or ssbb at my house, i have 2 sets of controllers (include 2 classic controllers with that)

not ready to buy more ...

waza

@dagamer34: I have 4 controllers and 2 nunchucks. But I don't know of any 4 player game that you need 4 nunchucks for.

Sora57

Also, some games you don't need a nunchuck attachment, or you can use your old GameCube controllers. I have 3 Wiimotes and 1 Nunchuck - I've never really had any need for any more nunchucks. You don't need it for Smash Bros. or Mario Kart, you only need 1 more Zelda, only need 1 for Mario Galaxy, etc. etc.

Rabid Penguin

good luck using that wii wheel ever again. huzzah.

mister_shhh

The $299, 20GB systems aren't permanent, and are only meant to clear out the remaining inventory on those systems.

Then you really should use the Arcade SKU for your numbers, as it is the closest model to the WII.

And why isn't Sony selling a hard drive less PS3?

Necroscope

@Sportyboard: the nunchuck contains a triple-axis accelerometer also

blakeHymer

The Wii has never really been "a great deal." Just because something is cheap does not make it a good deal. It was the only console at launch where the manufacturer was making a profit, and its the only console to not have any price cuts (even though cost of manufacture always goes down with the increase of sales).

In terms of what you get, the PS3 was always the best value, but that never really appealed to gamers (I believe this to be a fact). My opinion when it comes to gaming is that Xbox 360 is the best value since you get HD gaming and a large game collection for $299. I personally love Blu-ray and find PS3's media functions to be far superior to 360's, so that makes the PS3 the best value for me. MKV2VOB ftw... and don't forget the amazing slideshows PS3 puts on when you pop in a media card from your favorite digital camera. I don't know if it came off right, but even though I own a Wii, I think its absolute garbage.

Kizler

Unless you're playing Halo 3 with 3 guests like newbs...

nickgamertag01

You're not playing online if you're using four controllers. Duh.

Erwos

Kizler; I agree with you. I bought a Wii last year and quickly realized what a piece it was. I had it about 2 months and after being bored to tears with Twilight (bowling was fun though...as a mild distraction from my 360's real gaming) I sold it to a friend. The coolest thing about the system...the little blue light that illuminated when you had a message or something.

nickgamertag01

You're forgetting that a lot of people don't have friends, so you're going to have to hire hookers to play the Wii with you. That bumps up the price (potentially a lot if you're discriminating about your sex workers).

I think Penny Arcade covered this several years ago.

Sihanouk-s-Poodle

Ambiguous blob, you're right, the overall package for the PS3 was value wise cheapear than the 360 when considering the cost of those components seperately. But not by much at system launch. The problem with that and what Sony learned is by charging someone the price of all those components when a lot of people wouldn't even take advantage of them (blu ray drive for someone who doesn't own an HDTV, or Wi Fi from someone who has a wired network) they weren't giving people choice. Ok, so you spent 600 bucks, you have a blu ray player you can't use and wi fi you don't need, thanks sony. The miracle of the 360 was choice (miracle=sarcasm). If you WANTED hd playback, or wi fi, you could buy them. Sony made you buy those things whether you needed them or not. And my own personal experience with wi fi and wireless routers has been anything but good. I don't want a blu ray player, so I'd be upset if I got a PS3 and was forced to buy one. Or Wi fi for that matter. Sony quicly realized that people don't want to pay 600 bucks for a game console. They chopped $200 off the price in just about a year. Microsoft has only dropped their price about 50 bucks since launch.

nickgamertag01

@nickgamertag01: Harsh...

...but true.

Dr. Evil Genius

@Necroscope: Sony isn't selling a hard drive less ps3 because some games require the hard drive. Even the 360 is going to start requiring a hard drive for certain games [www.pcworld.com] so the arcade 360 should not be considered.

I think the consideration that most 360's/ps3's don't have 4 controllers simply because we get to play online. In my head (at least until LBP) the prices should compare 4 wiimotes against 2 of the 360/ps3 controllers prices. Because besides rockband, I usually only play 2 player on my ps3 or have people bring their own controllers.

rothgar

@Sihanouk-s-Poodle: People have been playing with their Wii-Wiis with hookers since the dawn of time.

Dr. Evil Genius

It could be Wii 2, or Wii Wii. The question is, will it just be a re-re-packaged gamecube with a new gimmicky controller and terrible mini games for all invalids to enjoy.

nickgamertag01

@jiggaman2 and powerball I think something that is also overlooked in addition to online membership when specifically comparing the Xbox 360 to the PS3, price wise, in a value kind of a proposition is the 360's lack of built in Wi-Fi... Wired internets is for chumps! I have a Wi-Fi network at home and my router is upstairs (thanks AT&T...) in the office where as my PS3 is down stairs in the living room. There is no way that I'm going to run wire or re-wire my whole place just to get a internet connection on my PS3 in my living room just to play online or to down load content, so W-Fi kind of became a no-brainer for me. I think that when you start to take into account the price of Microsoft's Wi-Fi adapter in addition to the system's cost, in the end it easily reaches the new bundled PS3's price, if not exceeding it!

Ambiguous Blob 2.0

I think that people who need 4 controllers for their console, and don't have friends to bring over their own controllers, aren't going to be playing that many 4-player games anyway.

Sockatume

@CutePuppyz: WiiII?

SuperCollider

Just wait for the Wii 2, where this will be built right in.

I'm calling bets on Super Wii as the Wii's successor.

NES...SUPER NES...thats my basis for logic.

CutePuppyz

@Dr. Evil Genius: Yeah, true. HD prices have come way down, but when PS3 was released, people may not have been able to afford the price of an HDTV (1k for decent at least at that time) plus the 500-600 cost for the system. Ex fiance not sloppy? I picked up a 50" Samsung DLP 1080p about a year and a half ago. I'm still on the fence about the PS3, if digital distribution takes off and I can get all the HD movies I want to my xbox I'm not worrying about blu ray (got burned by HD DVD add on...). Resistance 2 is tempting me though...My 360 is good for now.

nickgamertag01

You forgot to add wireless networking too 360 (to make it fair with PS3 and Wii?, idk if Wii has wireless built in or not) and maybe even the HD-DVD Drive (again to make it even although obviously its basically useless now...)

ab3

@nickgamertag01: ...and when you flip that around, why would one spend $500 on a console when they haven't upgraded their television?

I am selling my 720p w/ DVI Samsung HDTV to my ex-fiancee (not-so-sloppy seconds - the HDTV that is)and buying a 1080p Toshiba HDTV (wish it was a Samsung) w/ HDMI BEFORE I buy the PS3 @ the end of the month.

I just think that makes a bunch more sense.

Dr. Evil Genius

The MotionPlus, on the other hand, is a necessary purchase to play a big chunk of upcoming Wii games, since many games starting from the next year on will require the MotionPlus as a necessary accessory to enable accurate motion detection.

Is that confirmed? I mean, sure it's definitely something to think about, but right now Wii Sports Resort is the only game supporting the add-on. More games, surely, will support it in the future, but it would be silly for Nintendo to alienate their user base to such an extent, needless to say.

Blah8

@BootlegSnackz: So, SNWii?

nickgamertag01

@BootlegSnackz: So, Super Wii? Or maybe SNWii?

nickgamertag01

@Dr. Evil Genius: Correct, but the games are only "required" to be on blu ray discs because of their 720p (and 1080p in rare cases) native resolution. So, if you have a standard def tv you're obviously not taking advantage of the resolutions that require said disc. Microsoft is pulling off multiplatform 720p games at less than 8 gigs, so I wouldn't say blu ray discs are even required with most PS3 games. I know there are exceptions. But alas, you are right.

nickgamertag01

@CutePuppyz:

Actually going by that logic the names are like this...

Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System

So with similar logic, the Wii 2 would be named like this:

Nintendo Wii
Super Nintendo Wii

Which by most accounts makes no sense, I'm just pointing out the fact that Nintendo never call the NES or SNES the Nintendo NES or Nintendo SNES...did they?

BootlegSnackz

@nickgamertag01: The only flaw with your reasoning on the PS3 and Blu-ray is that the games are on Blu-ray discs so, the drive is needed whether you have a HDTV or a SDTV.

Dr. Evil Genius

@Dr. Evil Genius: Hilarious

nickgamertag01

@Dr. Evil Genius:
aside from blu-ray movies, blu-ray is going to be a moot point for games sooon now that Microsoft is going to allow ALL games (new and old) to be installed to the HDD.
You can install multi-disc games to the HDD and not have to worry about disc swapping, disc load times etc.
even the PS3 doesn't have HDD support like that. (Ever play MGS4? its doesn't install fully to the HDD)

arcade users will still have to swap though.
(why oh why did you make the arcade system Microsoft)

Jeff

@KristenBal: Good post. So bottom line, they all are pretty expensive, even the Wii. But I think in most cases people don't buy 3 extra controllers, at least not right away. Even Wii owners. Most games I played when I had my Wii you would actually take turns, so we didn't need 4 controllers any way.

nickgamertag01

@CutePuppyz: Wiini, because 2 in japanese is ni

Now, on the topic, i'm pretty sure your math is wrong. here's what I got

Wii (includes 1 wiimote and 1 nunchuck) = $250
Game with 1 motion plus = $50
Wiimote = $40
Nunchuck = $20
Motion Pluss = $20
Set of 3 = (40 + 20 + 20) * 3 = $240
Total price to enjoy this game = 240 + 250 + 50 = $540

PS3 80gb with 1 DS3 = $400 (the new bundle that was announ ced)
3 DS3 = $150
4 players game = $60
Total price to enjoy this game = 400 + 150 + 60 = $610

X-Box 360 20gb with 1 control = $300
3 wireless controls rechargable = 60 * 3 = $180
4 players game = $60
Total price to enjoy this game = 300 + 180 + 60 = $540

i juste checked this prices on gamestop, except for the motion pluss, which i read will be $20 and that WiiSports resort will bundle with 1 of this (much like WiiPlay did with 1 wiimote)

Seeing this, either 4 player wii games or xbox360 games are the best option, as PS3 still's pretty high. But then again, the only game I do need 4 controles to play is Smash brothers, the rest, i play em online, even Smash.

I do have 3 wiimotes, 2 nunchucks and 1 classic control, and I rarely use em all

KristenBal

@ab3: Well, it all depends on how into it you want to get. If you want to play the Wii online and DON'T have a wireless router, you have to by a usb adapter for wired internet since the Wii does not have an ethernet jack. The PS3 does not come with any HD cables, not even component, or a headset. The Elite comes with a headset, component cables, AND an HDMI cable (premium comes with all that except for HDMI cable. So you'd have to buy a headset and hd cables so you'd have to factor that in. The HD DVD player is only 40 bucks now for the 360 and you can get a third party wirelss network adapter for the 360 for as low as 70 bucks at best buy [www.bestbuy.com] . So, you can't really do a definitive price comparison because there are so many variables to consider.

nickgamertag01

I actually have 4 360 controllers (2 wired 2 wireless), and yes I have a live gold account, and I plan to buy the red one because one wired one is constantly connected to my PC for games and emulators. On the other hand, I only have 2 Wii remotes, one nunchuck, and a classic controller, which was a gift that I didn't need because I have a gamecube w/ multiple controllers.
The amount really depends on what kind of games you enjoy playing w/ friends (and their favorite games).

mferrari

@nickgamertag01: The HDTV is the not-so-sloppy seconds. The ex is another story.............

At any rate, I agree with you on the market penetration concept. Stand-alone Blu-ray players were $1,100 when the PS3 was launched @ $599. That was the only logical strategy they had in when it comes to the infamous PS3 LAUNCH!!! (in scary-movie voice)

Dr. Evil Genius

@Sora57: Rayman Rabbids II has a few games that require both mote and chuck with 4 players going at the same time. When I have a group over for a party, it's their favorite set of games to play.

Off the top of my head :
HotCake / Football (run with the chuck, tackle with the remote) One is keep away, the other is trying to give the other person the hot cake
Boulder Run (run with both chuck and mote)
Washing (wash underwear with both chuck and mote)
Spiderman (run with chuck, fling web with mote)

The guys over at Ubisoft are a little insane.

I agree that the cost of Wii Sports or one multi-player game should be added to both the 360 and PS3.

LoganSix

@Dr. Evil Genius: I do believe Sony included a blu ray player in the PS3 more for blu ray penetration in the market more than it was a required medium for the games themselves.

nickgamertag01

@nickgamertag01:

you can for some games (Warhawk comes to mind since I own that), but most game don't have an option to install anything. and MGS4 installs "parts" once you get to a certain part it stops to install more and if you go back, you need to reinstall the last part.

While Microsoft is making it so you can install EVERY game old and new, all you need to do is have the original disc in for copy protection reasons.

Jeff

@Rabid Penguin: 360.. not 306...

Rabid Penguin

@Dr. Evil Genius:
you still need the disc to be in on the PS3 installed games eg, I bought Warhawk for the PS3(disc version) it installs but the disc still needs to be in to play. and even computers games that install need the "play disc" to be in (if you don't crack it)

anyways back to the 360 update
Just one disc will need to be in the main disc. you wont need to swap multiple discs on installed games.

Jeff

@KristenBal: last I checked though, a wireless 360 remote will only run you ~$40. You added the charger kit to the 306's fun filled math, but not the Wii's. That's a saving's of $60 on the xbox side of things. I love both my Wii and my XBox though :)

Rabid Penguin

@ceilingFANBOY: No she did factor in the price of the battery pack for the 360 controllers, she said $60. The wireless controllers by themselves for the 360 are $50.

nickgamertag01

@Jeff: You can't hard install games on the the PS3s HDD? Wow, one for microsoft.

nickgamertag01

You forgot to factor in either a new set of batteries every 40 hours or the $30 battery set for every two controllers for the Wii and the you should have used a battery combo for the 360 controller instead of just the wireless one.

ceilingFANBOY

@Dr. Evil Genius: I think he meant disc swapping when the game is multi disc no? Like Lost oddesey is I think on 3 discs so you could play that game without having to swap discs. But yeah, they did confirm you have to put the disc in there for piracy purposes. I think this probably is stemming from final fantasy 13 most likely requiring multi DVD9s for all the CG cut scenes.

nickgamertag01

@Jeff: Blu-ray really isn't in the discussion for XBox owners anyway and from what I understand, disc swapping will still be a necessity because Microsoft doesn't want you installing the game and passing it on like... er... well... not-so-sloppy seconds.

Dr. Evil Genius

I think they took the giving you choices thing too far with the core unit (arcade). Or they just wanted to say the 360 was only $300. But the 360 was the first system to be successful that launced at 400 bucks. 3DO, CDi, Neo Geo, Jaguar(???)all tanked. I think they will start requiring it for games and the core owners are just going to have to buck up. I'm sure they'll slash the price of the 20gig soon.

nickgamertag01

i have 4 xbox 360 controllers, but i have friends.

i have 1 ps3 controller, cause all games i have on ps3 are single player.

vietiscool

I have four controllers, but I only have TWO nunchucks, because you rarely need them. So this isn't really a fair comparison. Most of the party type games are simple and only use the wiimote, or offer alternative wiimote only controls. so in actuality, with my setup (which is common among my co-workers), 4 wiimote's and 2 nunchucks, is the same price as say 4 PS3 controllers.

wills916

@nickgamertag01:
@Jeff:

**You are both correct**

Dr. Evil Genius

@Jeff:
@Jeff:

You are both correct. My mistake.

Dr. Evil Genius

@Jeff: Nice. That's what I thought.

nickgamertag01

@wills916:

one of the best 4 player Wii games (Mario Strikers Charged)
needs 4 controllers + nunchucks.

none of the wii games I play gets more playtime then it does.

Jeff

Actually, to make things fair, you need to add u$s 50 to the xbox 360, so it also includes wifi/wireless (which is something mandatory this days).

kwanbis

@nickgamertag01: *bring*

nickgamertag01

I have one Wiimote and two nunchucks. One hand is on my Wii, and the other hand is holding both my nunchucks, somtimes my friends come over when they're done watching pokemon and play with my Wii with me. And they always being their Wii over to get played with, too.

nickgamertag01

Its not mandatory for one, and its not 50 bucks for another. Its 70 bucks for 3rd party MSRP 100 bucks for MS. Ok, well add in the 40-70 bucks for PS3 HDMI cable since it doesn't come with any HD cables at all, and add in $40 bucks for the headset that doesn't come with it. Both of those things come with the 360 (hdmi cable only comes with elite, but componenet comes with 20gig model)

nickgamertag01

How is it fair to just dismiss the 2nd 3rd and 4th Xbox or PS3 players as "Free" because they exist in online play, but count the controller cost for the Wii?

I play a lot of 360 games with my friends online, and we bought separate 350 dollar consoles. That's a lot more expensive than the 4 Wii controllers I have.

I absolutely fault Nintendo for weak online play, and I love the convenience of online play on my 360, but if you're doing a straight number comparison and trying to say $Fun/x = z you don't get to count online players as if they didn't pay anything - in reality they pay a lot more for a separate console and XBL subscription.

If you have friends who come over to play the Wii a lot, have them buy a controller. It's cheaper than them buying a 360 to play in their own house.

ferroptic

@nickgamertag01: Starts to wonder about the public's fascination with playing with Wiis... Self-abuse shouldn't be encourage...

Dr. Evil Genius

Interesting comparison, but really doesn't mean much. A cost-BENEFIT analysis would be better, but obviously, that would vary by people. I'm used to 1080p (and upscaled DVD) movies; I cannot go back. People discount blu-ray movies as if it doesn't count. But to some, it really does matter. Having games and movies in one clean package is a major plus for me. Maybe not you, but it's my personal cost-benefit analysis.

berribrand

New Wiis will most likely come with second generation Wiimotes that have MotionPlus built-in.

Charbax

The xbox 360 pro is now 299 not 349.

wazups2x

@Rabid Penguin:

[www.gamestop.com]

I see a 49.99 price tag there. Yes, I made a mistake, but as far as I know, many 360 owners go for the charger option, being that one the $70 option

KristenBal

@nickgamertag01:
If you want to add al costs, add the cost to Xbox Live (uSs 60 per year, per five years it would be u$s 300), which is free on either PS3 and Wii. And add the cost of blue ray (about u$s 300).

kwanbis

When I visit my sister's family I bring my two Wii controllers so we have four total. I'll also bring over my Guitar Hero guitar so we can do coop on that game.

One thing that has struck me about XBox 360 games is that the most popular kind of play seems to be online competitive/cooperative play. Halo is purchased not for the single player campaign, but for the repeat playability of online play. This kind of play requires not just two controllers, but two complete game systems with two game discs.

Online play is a big reason why games like Halo and GTA sell so many copies. Not only must you get a copy, but your friends must get a copy as well. Contrast this with games like Super Mario Galaxy which I played for a couple weeks and then passed on to my sister for her family to play.

Regarding the Motion Plus, I'm not sure it's clear that we need one for each of our controllers. A lot of people have more remotes than Nunchuks, only one wheel, one classic controller, etc. A more interesting comparison might be to compare a full Wii Fit setup to the other systems.

One final point. Since the Wii is more fun and innovative than the other systems it's worth more money.

fletc3her

@quu: When I bought my Xbox it came with 2 free games, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and Forza 2. Complete games, not mini-games. ALso everyone who buys a Wii ( myself included) buys Wii Play- so thats an additional 10 dollars on of the controller purchases.

Also- everyone will buy the new Wii sports. That makes one controller setup basically cost $120> 50 for play and the Wii mote, 50 for sports and the motion plus, and 20 for a nunchuck.

I love my Wii, but I hope the motion plus by iself is cheap, because we will all be buying them.

Minigote

You also forgot the $50 price drop if you are still comparing the 20gig xbox in the mix. The earlier comment with the $50 live subscription kinda cancels that out though.

I have four wiimotes myself but only 2 nunchucks. I would hope that this attachment is priced properlly because if it is a "must have" with most future games then I can see some disgruntled people rising up. Although I would imagine most people would just take the hit and walk away from their local game store with their tail between their legs because they know the big N has raped them of their precious dollars once again without even seeing it coming...

Pokeysticks

I own 4 remotes, 4 nunchucks. I've got 2 kids, its nice to be able to play as a family. Didn't buy them all at once though which kept the cost bearable.

Also got a guitar hero guitar, wii wheel, and the shooty thing from that link game.

As for the new wii motion thing. Probably get two. If it turns out there are lots of games that take advantage of them and have 4 players I'll probably get 4. Either way, it won't all be at once.

citizensmith

@Paik4Life: Quickly people forget that your console actually comes with a controller, so no, it's not double.

GloStix

@KristenBal: Stop trying to make to 360 look bad by adding on extra costs. Not everybody uses the chargers, I fine with my ordinary rechargeable batteries..

GloStix