How many gaming systems do we really need?

[Pat Coyle]

With gaming systems from Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony serving as not just game consoles, but as multi-media storage devices and virtual athletic accessories...how do we decide which one we should buy? Or do we need them ALL in order to live a fully satisfied life? Do you Wii? Or are your an Xbox aficianado? Or are video games against your better moral judgement? Share your thoughts here.

[Nicki Laycoax]

I think that the Wii is more for interactiveness. It gets family and group activity going. I'm not a gamer, but I definitely see the need to have at least one other console than the Wii. I play the Wii, and we also have a PS2 (old, I know...) The Wii doesn't seem as "hard core" gaming as the others.

[Bob Sullivan]

Our situation is odd. My best friend is a computer gamer and he spoils us and the kids. As a result, we have a X-Box 360, an Playstation 2, and a Wii on tap at the house. (My running joke is that if my freelance business fails us and we end up out on the streets, we'll still have a stack of game systems out by the fire pit where we're warming our hands)

The kids love the variety of games. They're more loyal to games than the systems themselves. I can appreciate how the 360 wants to be the gamer's everything, but I don't like how they nickle and dime everything. For my wife and I, we're most happy with World of Warcraf on the PC, which is an investment to buy the game and its expansions, but since we've been playing it pretty much exclusively for almost two years, (there's no way, essentially, to "finish" the game--and yes, it's as addicting as you've heard, which is why I set a STRICT mid-evening time block for myself and it's forbidden during work hours) it's probably a wash compared to the multiple titles we would have gone through otherwise.

Bob

[Brian Huff]

I've never considered myself to be a gamer, but I've always had some type of system in my house. My wife and I are now dedicated Wii-ers. While it can't play Blu-Ray DVDs, store all of my photos, or provide super high end graphics, it does provide enjoyment out of playing video games.

I read an article about the competing video game market and it said something to the effect that Sony and Microsoft are going after the hardcore gamer. Nintendo is going after the hardcore gamers mom.

[aaron story]

I don't know how many we need...but the Wii is pretty rad.

[Steven A. Shattuck]

We have had a Wii in our office (from time to time). It's a nice break for clients who are in our studios for a shoot or an edit session. In video production, there are a lot of built-in breaks (rendering, video capturing, etc.) and some that are not so built-in - you need a break every once in awhile. Some folks over at Borshoff have enjoyed a game of Wii bowling in our studios!

[Jeremy Williams]

I got a Wii about a year and a half ago and it's a blast. My wife doesn't like video games, but she does enjoy the Wii. We got the Wii Fit (which is a great way to get you motivated to exercise, especially if exercising isn't your thing) and got Guitar Hero and Mario Kart Wii for Christmas. The gameplay is just so intuitive with the Wii. I'd highly recommend it.

[Stephen James]

I enjoy playing video games and therefore try not to play video games. :-)