One of the most exciting and popular developments in gaming has been
the emergence of the gaming console. Such names as Nintendo and
Playstation are now firmly part of popular culture. And the recently
introduced 7th generation game consoles are stunning in their
sophistication and spectacular graphics. So what exactly is a game
console?
The modern video game console is an electronic device that provides the user with a gaming experience. Game consoles are essentially specialised computers that users play games on by manipulating a controller. The devices are attached to televisions to provide the display. The latest models feature high-definition video outputs and are total multimedia units. They can play DVDs, music, show photographs and of course connect to the internet via wifi. Handheld game consoles, including the Nintendo Gameboy and Sony PSP, are played on the go and of a portable size. Now let's look at a little history.
Computer games may seem hyper modern but in fact they date back all the way to the 1950s. However, game consoles didn't appear until the mid-70s when the first microchips appeared. Then such brands as Atari quickly amassed huge followings for their games, especially Space Invaders.
The emergence of the Internet in the 90s added a new dimension to video console games, allowing players to compete with others online anywhere in the world. Players were also able to instantly download the latest games along with hacks and tipsheets.
Nowadays, three devices dominate the market for 7th generation game consoles - Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. The first two have impressive multimedia capabilities. You can connect the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to your TV and sound system to product a powerful gaming and entertainment experience including audio CD and DVD playback. The Nintendo Wii, however, is purely a gaming device.
The modern video game console is an electronic device that provides the user with a gaming experience. Game consoles are essentially specialised computers that users play games on by manipulating a controller. The devices are attached to televisions to provide the display. The latest models feature high-definition video outputs and are total multimedia units. They can play DVDs, music, show photographs and of course connect to the internet via wifi. Handheld game consoles, including the Nintendo Gameboy and Sony PSP, are played on the go and of a portable size. Now let's look at a little history.
Computer games may seem hyper modern but in fact they date back all the way to the 1950s. However, game consoles didn't appear until the mid-70s when the first microchips appeared. Then such brands as Atari quickly amassed huge followings for their games, especially Space Invaders.
The emergence of the Internet in the 90s added a new dimension to video console games, allowing players to compete with others online anywhere in the world. Players were also able to instantly download the latest games along with hacks and tipsheets.
Nowadays, three devices dominate the market for 7th generation game consoles - Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. The first two have impressive multimedia capabilities. You can connect the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to your TV and sound system to product a powerful gaming and entertainment experience including audio CD and DVD playback. The Nintendo Wii, however, is purely a gaming device.