So… you want to become a gaming nerd, but don’t know where to begin? This gaming for newbies guide will quickly bring you up to speed.
About a month ago, I came across a whole bunch of my Twitter followers drooling over the latest Tomb Raider game. Completely baffled and rather uninterested, I muted said people (sorry)! I didn’t know, however, how much I wanted to be a gamer, until I had the controller in my hands. My addiction to gaming came when I was invited to a friends house to play Portal! A gaming session went from being my worst nightmare, to the most enjoyable way of spending a few hours. I knew then that I wanted to become a gamer. Knowing which type of gamer you are, which console best suits you, and what type of games you’ll love is a lot of work for a newbie. I found the whole process rather daunting. Luckily for me, I had some friends who were all too keen to help share some of their passion for gaming.
A few days after receiving my console, and I can completely understand where that passion comes from – the life of a gamer is a wonderful one!
So, let’s begin.
Deciding which console is right for you.
Deciding which console to buy is a daunting task. The PS3, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox offer us the best gaming experience we have seen in years. Graphics are sharper, and much more realistic and we have the ability to play online, but each console differs greatly. Let’s look at which is right for you.
Who is the console for? – Typically, the Xbox has been known as the guy’s console. The Wii is perfect for the younger generations – an all-round, fun, family entertainment console, perfect for family get togethers. It’s also considered as the best fitness console. The PlayStation is best known for its diversity – games to suit everyone.
Extra features – The Xbox and the PlayStation both win in the extra features category. Both can play DVDs, while only the PS3 is capable of playing Blu-ray.
Storage – Another win for the Xbox and PS3. Huge hard drives allow you to backup full games, and download directly from the Xbox Live and through the PlayStation network.
Online gaming – And it’s another win for the PS3 and Xbox – both offer the very best in online gaming. The Xbox however currently claim to have four times the amount of online players to PlayStation. This has become a huge part of the gaming experience, and with good reason. Playing online against friends and strangers alike is an immensely enjoyable experience. The human element to online gaming is a by far more satisfying and challenging experience than winning against a computer. Now let’s discuss those extra costs – Both the Wii and the PlayStation offer a free network service, fully built into the system. Xbox, on the other hand, charge you a hefty £40.00 for a one year subscription, and while that might not seem a lot… after the cost of the console, some games, controllers, and whatever other accessories your heart desires, it’s an unnecessary added cost.
Do graphics really matter to you? – If they do, you’ll really want to go with the Xbox or PS3, which are both best known for their HD graphics and crisp audio.
The catalogue of games – This is a tough one. The Wii is the best for the entire family. It keeps people of all ages entertained for hours. The Playstation and Xbox, however, offer the more exclusive games, and a wider selection of games – so, again… it’s another win for those two, in my opinion.
Go to page 2 to see my list of best places to buy your games and best games for first time gamers!