Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that I enjoy games on Nintendo systems, and the Wii was my most played system of the last generation consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii). The Wii U has been my most played system over the last year though, and I have really enjoyed my time with the games on the system.
Every "next generation" home console system is now out in the U.S., though the newest two (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) might be kind of hard to find right now. While the Wii U released last year and I bought it day one, I have not purchased either the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One. Why?
Well, in short, because I'm pretty cheap. I have never purchased more than one console each generation, when they first release. I have always started with buying the lowest priced console in any new or "next" generation, and then usually pick up additional systems as their prices drop.
If you own a Wii, PlayStation 3, or Xbox 360 and are debating on buying a Wii U, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One this holiday season, which one would I recommend? Brew yourself some coffee, and take a look below at CoffeeWithGames' 2013 Holiday Console Buying Guide!
The Brew
Here is my first ever video game "Console Buying Guide":
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Caffeinated Thoughts
For me, the Wii U being backwards compatible with Wii games (and even using Wii Remotes and Nunchuks in some Wii U games) is a big selling point for the system for current Wii owners. If you already have a collection of retail Wii games, or even downloaded some Virtual Console games, you can transfer most of your save files from your Wii games and your Virtual Console games to your Wii U console.
I think another big selling point for the Wii U this holiday season is that it is now being bundled with New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U. Some stores are also still selling the "Limited Edition" Wind Waker HD Wii U bundle set for $299.99 as well. If you are looking at getting a Wii U console for someone for Christmas (or, other holiday), but not sure which game(s) to get them, here's a way to help figure it out. If you just casually ask them, "If Mario and Link were to get in a battle, who would win?", you will probably quickly find out which character and game series they enjoy more, and can decide to buy them either the Wii U Mario or Wii U Zelda bundle without them even knowing they helped!
The last generation of consoles, I ended up getting the Wii first, because it was the lowest priced console at the time. And even with the Wii's friend code issues and lack of online voice chat (for almost 2 years), I spent many hours playing games like Call of Duty: World at War, Monster Hunter Tri, The Conduit, and GoldenEye 007 online. I really liked that Nintendo didn't charge for the Wii's online multiplayer service, and I was really glad to see Nintendo keep the Wii U's online multiplayer free.
If you don't want to have to have a monthly subscription to play online multiplayer in games like Call of Duty: Ghosts and Assassin's Creed IV, then going with the Wii U might be your best decision now.
As always though, if you have any questions about the Wii U in general, feel free to send me an email or leave a comment below.
Questions
Are any of you looking at getting a PlayStation 4, Wii U, or Xbox One this holiday season? If you have already made your decision on which one(s) to get, what influenced your decision the most?
Also, if you didn't know much about the new systems, do you think the "Buying Guide" would be any help to you in making a decision and things to consider?
Links to the consoles' pages on Amazon.com are below, prices and availability are very hit/miss right now: