Games Consoles Buying Guide

We're here to help you buy a new games console. We've got advice and information about all the latest games consoles, including Microsoft XBox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and Portable, and Nintendo Wii and DS Lite. We discuss the features and specifications you need to look for, whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift.

Once the territory of nerds and geeks, games consoles are now on almost everyone's shopping list. You can find portable ones to take out and about, or choose a sleek unit that integrates with your home entertainment system. You can play on your own or play against friends at home, or other gamers over the Internet.

Games consoles vary widely in price, so even if you end up buying more than one, it's worth making sure you buy models that really suit your needs. To make it easier, we answer the questions you should ask yourself before you buy:

• What's my budget?
• How do I want to use my games console?
• What games do I want to play?
• How flexible do I want the console to be?
• Will it look good?
• What else should I care about?

Click on any of these links to get some valuable advice, and tips on how you can use PriceRunner to find the perfect games console.

Alternatively, go straight to any of these to read more:

• Handheld consoles
• Home consoles
• Can I play my old games?
• Display
• Accessories
• Input/output
• Batteries

What's my budget?

If you are investing in a new games console it's a good idea to decide how much you want to spend initially, and how much you are going to budget for games and accessories later on. After all, a games console will get boring if you don't buy any new games to play on it occasionally, but it's also all too easy to spend far more than you planned if you don't think about all the possibilities upfront.

Whether you are going to buy the console and games separately, or are thinking of buying a bundle, check out how much games cost on average for the console(s) you are considering, to get an idea of the ‘running cost'. Also make sure you know what is included in the standard package and have a look at the price of any additional controllers or connectors you might need to get started. Anyone buying a handheld console might want to budget for a case too.

How am I going to use my games console?

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a handheld games console or one you will only use at home. Then think about whether you want to play games on your own or with others. If you want to play against other people, you need to check the options for each model you are considering.

Handheld consoles

Handheld, or portable, consoles give you the flexibility to take them out and about. They are, by nature, primarily single-user devices, but some can be linked up to other handheld or home consoles (via cables or wireless connections), or to the Internet, so that you can play multi-user games.

Most handhelds have one screen, but the Nintendo DS and DS Lite have two, with games written specially to take account of this. Screens vary in size and colour support, but are getting better all the time, with the latest models offering amazing graphics for such small devices. Sound on newer models is usually great too, but in both cases you should check the reviews to make sure you are getting what you want, including speaker and headphone options.

Their sizes and weights vary, so you should check these too, to make sure you are happy to carry your choice around. While some are truly small (with correspondingly small screens), portable doesn't necessarily mean pocket-sized, unless your pockets are large.

Home consoles

The major console manufacturers all offer ‘home' consoles, with the latest models taking gaming to new heights. They all offer multi-user gaming, although if you want to play against others at home using the same console you may need to budget for extra controllers. Always check what you are getting with the package you are buying, including the number of controllers and their type.

Wireless and Internet options widen your multi-player options, but again check what comes as standard as you may need to buy additional cables. Internet gaming now really assumes you have a broadband connection.

What games do I want to play?

Knowing what games you want to play will go a long way to helping you decide which console to buy. There's a range of games available for most consoles, although the newer ones may offer less choice initially. Have a think about what kind of games you really want to play and then check what you can get for the console you want, bearing in mind what is suitable for any children who may be using it.

Here's a range of games types to get you thinking:

• action, adventure, combat, fighting and role play
• activity
• board (including versions of traditional board games like Scrabble or Monopoly)
• driving, flight, racing
• music, dancing, party and quizzes
• platform (where you play a specific character)
• simulation and strategy
• sports

Games enthusiasts have their own views on which console is best for each type of game, but this can change over time as new games are released. If you have any preferences for specific games (or characters), then see what platform they are available for; likewise for any games you may have access to via friends and family.

Also bear in mind what format the games come in. Sony's UMD disks, for example, are actually mini CDs, so this doesn't mean you can automatically play standard CDs on these consoles too.

The controllers that are available will affect your enjoyment of the games on offer. The motion sensors on the Nintendo Wii, for example, are designed to encourage more people to enjoy gaming as they allow you to mimic real-life actions during gameplay. And some handhelds include styluses, which may or may not be something you like to use.

Can I play my old games?

Almost all new games consoles offer the option to play games that were designed for older models in the same range. You should check this before you buy, though, and make sure that the console you are considering is fully compatible with the game type and format of any games you have.

Buying games released for older consoles can be a way of building up a games library for any brand new console that doesn't yet have many games designed specifically for it.

How flexible do I want the console to be?

Games consoles are no longer just for playing games. Even handheld models can offer extra functions, with some letting you view digital photos, play music, send messages and drawings to other users, and even watch movies (if they are in the right format).

The larger and more powerful home consoles are even more flexible. Common features include broadband connections with dedicated online services specifically for users of that console.

You can also use them to play CDs and DVDs (although you need to check the formats supported and may need to buy add-ons to get this functionality). Some newer models are designed to be connected to home cinema systems so that you can get really good sound, and offer TV and radio features. You can also find Dolby Digital on some models.

If you have, or are planning to get, a High Definition (HD) TV, you might want to buy a games console that is compatible with this.

Will it look good?

Manufacturers are very aware of the need to produce slick designs if they want their consoles to appeal to a wide audience. So if design is the key for you, there will be something out there you will love.

Handhelds now come in a range of colours: different colour models are usually listed separately on PriceRunner, so have a look around before discounting one type that only seems to come in pink.

Even home consoles are now designed to look good in your home, rather than be hidden behind the TV. They are generally tower designs, though the GameCube is, of course, a cube. If space is an issue, make sure you check the size.

What else should I care about?

Display

All consoles are not equal when it comes to their display. If you don't understand the difference between the graphics processors they use, then you can at least compare the number of colours and the maximum resolution they offer. The resolution is the number of pixels it will display horizontally times the number vertically - the higher the figures, the more detailed the images can be.

References to a display resolution of 1080p means a console can output 1080 horizontal lines in what's called “progressive scan” format (so it creates all the lines at once). A resolution of 1080i means the display is “interlaced” – the odd number lines are created first, and then the even number lines – but in most cases the human eye can't tell the difference. Both of these resolutions are equivalent to High Definition (HD) TV formats, with the progressive scan 1080p offering the smoothest images which are good for very fast-moving images.

Accessories

There are a lot of accessories that you can buy to go with your new console, as well as all the games you'll be tempted to buy. These are just some of the ones you may want to consider and which you should find listed in the Games Consoles Accessories, Games Controllers or other relevant sections on PriceRunner:

• batteries
• cables (leads)
• cases
• chargers and adapters
• controllers
• headphones
• mats (dance mats)
• memory cards
• remote controls
• stands

If you are want to buy one pack that includes multiple accessories, try looking under the individual headings of the items it contains.

Input/output

You should consider how you want to link up your games console and look for ports that match any other equipment you have, such as your TV, audio system and/or your PC. You should also look out for memory card slots, which can be used to add memory or for games. Also look for microphones (either built-in or microphone ports).

And don't forget to check how many ports there are for adding extra controllers, for multi-player games.

Batteries

Handheld consoles use batteries, so check to see if they can use rechargeable ones and if the charger is included in the price. Have a look at the battery life claims too, but remember that, over time, rechargeable battery life gets less and eventually you will have to replace them. If you don't want to miss any gameplay time, look for spare batteries that you can charge up and take with you.

PC specification

If you need to hook your console up to the Internet via your PC to download games or play against others, check the minimum specification PC. Also check whether you need broadband and if there is any minimum speed connection.

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