The Battle of the Console Prices

Look at your computer right now. Look at it very closely. Chances are- virtually 99% or more of all readers reading this line- are on a computer. And on that computer are parts- and, again, with a 99% probability, that computer cost over $1,000. That means virtually 98% of you are on a PC that cost you more than any other gaming purchase ever- more than any console that has ever graced the market (Except certain over inflation of the XBOX 360). Why did you pay so much for the computer? Why are people like myself willing to shell out $3,000 for a computer when they complain about $50 Video Games?

Easy. We've been taught to do so. Computers have always been more expensive. Even though the extra (Now somewhat worthless) computer currently in the corner of my house is only as powerful as the XBOX, I still paid five times as much for it. Yes, I said that: five times. I paid $300 for my XBOX- and $1500 for the computer in the corner. My XBOX can do everything my laptop can, too- view videos, run Windows, browse the web, you name it- and I could do it with very little modding at all. So what gives? Why are we, as console gamers, expecting consoles to be extremely inexpensive, when we simultaneously dish out money that could buy us a car on shiny computers?

Like I said, your expectations are different. And guess what- that's going to be a huge debate this Christmas, when it comes down to the difference between the XBOX 360, selling at about $400 or so, and the Playstation 3, selling at about $500-600- and possibly the Wii, retailing at an estimated $200. There is definite delineation when it comes to the price in the systems- no longer are the systems so similar they mirror each other completely, so a lot of decisions are being made on the consumer side. Should a mother buy her son the cheap Nintendo Wii, or the expensive Playstation 3? Should she split the difference with an XBOX 360? That's a tough question.

So, in no way is this article going to be a breakdown of prices to parts or whatever- because when it comes down to it, no company is completely killing it's own wallet or yours (For example, the PS3 parts account for the large price, and the cheap Wii parts will account for the lowered price). However, I think analysis needs to be given on the side of the consumer- and this article will answer the question, “If I walked into a gaming store when all three consoles were released, which should I buy?”.

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