I've owned a bunch of systems over the years. The original Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Original PlayStation, Super Nintendo, Atari Lynx (if you even know what that is) and even a B&W Gameboy. Plus my brother has owned several Xboxes.



I can confidently say that over the years I feel one console manufacturer has melded the balance of: fun, playability, multi-player experience and broad player base... Nintendo. For one, the company has been around since the beginning of gaming as we now know it. Where's Atari? Any waiting for the new system from Sega? They're starting a Kickstarter campaign, really?



Before I continue, take note that the current top three consoles: Xbox 1, PS4 and Wii U are selling for about the same price. Considering that the Wii U came out a year earlier than the other two, I'd expect the price point to be slightly lower, but there you go. If you're reading this, I suspect you're trying to decide between one of those three systems and not trying to decide if you want the U with Mario Kart 8 or the one bundled with Luigi U, just a guess. So, ill try to compare those systems as best I can.



For starters, both the PS4 and Xbox1 have a fair (if not considerable) more games than the Wii U. However, quality trumps quality and many of the quality games that can be found on the Xbox1/PS4 can be found on the Wii U. Being a year older, I always find it odd at all the comparison videos on YouTube between the U and/or Xbox1/PS4. The thing is, in most cases the biggest difference is in grapic quality. Check out an Assassins Creed 4 side by side comparison. The texturing is better, but not ridiculously more. The water and sky look slightly nicer, but not enough to make the overall gameplay suffer. So, in the games that are for all three consoles, who had the advantage? Well, that all depends. If all you care about is online multi player, buy a PS4/Xbox1. Why? Because there are thousands of not millions more playing these systems online. But, if online play is not your exclusive domain, here's something to consider about the Wii U. The U comes with a controller that has a built in screen. Many games have taken advantage of this screen and used it for maps, item selects, and just about anything that will enhance your gameplay over a basic controller.



Where the Wii U really shines though is in three areas:

The original Wii was the first console to incorporate motion controllers into its platform. Players could almost feel the ball release in bowling or serving that ace in tennis. The Wii U builds on that concept that started with the Wii. When playing Mario Kart 8 with a wheel, you almost feel like you're driving the car. Sure, you can play it with a basic controller, but it's just not the same. No other company has even come close to duplicating Nintendos success with motion controlled games. I'd almost say it's their exclusive domain.

Secondly, the Wii U excels at group multi player gaming. I'm not taking online, I'm talking the "sitting beside you on the sofa, junk talking, high fiving, drink spilling, cat scaring" coop/versus multi play that gets everyone involved. Who knew that living, breathing, humans could coexist on a 72" lcd gameland and be sharing oxygen and cheese curls? Wii U, hands down, has the best (if not only) large group multi player in the same room game experience of any system. I'm taking 5 or more players here. There are many games for the Wii U that whole groups of people can play. Trust me, we've had 10 people playing one game (caveat: onviously not everyone had a controller, but it was still awesome). Look at the titles available for the top three consoles and see who dominates the "alone in my parents basement with my 'online' friends" games and who owns the "let's get a group together and have some fun" games? And I'm not knocking the online single player FPS games... Uh, yes I am. I've seen my brother stare at the screen like a zombie for 6-8hours straight playing games with "friends"'he's never met. C'mon guys. Put on some sunscreen, go out the front door and join the rest of us earthlings occasionally. Ok, done with that rant. So, easy descion here. "Am I into online gaming or group/some online gaming?

And lastly, I feel Nintedo has the broadest game genres to choose from. Here again, the Xbox1/PS4 may have scads more games, but it's a plethora of FPS games (btw, that's First Person Shooter for grandma or Aunt Sue who's looking to buy little Tommy a game system). So, do I want to shoot: Krauts, Japs, futuristic humans, modern day humans, historic humans, prehistoric humans, vampires (once human), zombie (dead human) or just some aliens? The weapons, methods and ways to assassinate are truly amazing. Hey, not that I don't enjoy a good throat slicing, scalped, disembowimg, lynching every once in awhile... I mean, who doesn't? Right? But when you're not on the mood to play that sorta game with mom and want something a little more sanitized for the kiddies, who doesn't want to play a little Mario? The fact is, the Nintendo Wii U does offer some of face stabbing, sniper shooting games (many of the most popular titles, such as Call of Duty) but they also offer something that seems to be sadly lacking in the other big two... games you can actually play with children and the family. Games like Nintendoland (actually a collection of games), all the Mario titles, Super Smash Bros, Wii Sports, Mario Kart 8, etc. In fact, many of the greatest games on the Wii U are Nintendo exclusive games. There's nothing, NOTHING like Mario Kart. Other developers just don't even try. And taking about broad appeal, when's the last time you saw a 70yr old, 25yr old, and 14yr old playing a video game together? I'll tell you one thing, it wasn't Black Ops2 on the PS4. In fact, my mother recently mentioned how much she liked bowling on the Wii. Snicker if you want to, but no other system has the broad appeal of a Wii.



In closing, sadly the current top gaming consoles and their offering of games is just a reflection of our society. If you grew up in tight knit gaming (cards, boards, etc) family like me, your going to appreciate the Wii U for what it is and what it does. If you're looking for the best single player online gaming experience, this isn't for you. Regardless, I applaud Nintendo for offering a gaming console that tries to bring people/families together and share in the gaming experience (instead of just trying to up the company stock so the CFO can buy another Porsche.



And now for something most people probably don't even care about, but I'm gonna say it anyway. Someday if you live to be 105 and everyone you knew and loved is gone. Before you go to bed each night, what will you be thinking about? Killing an entire team in Halo (Kill Tac) or laughing with your parents while sharing a memory. I don't care if you buy a Wii U, PS4 or nothing at all. Just make some memories. Life is relationships and Life is short.