| There is now a video games console to
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| | separately may include additional
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| suit practically every need, taste and
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| | handsets for multiplayer games;
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| budget. But the range and diversity of
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| | subscriptions for online gaming; and
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| gaming systems, never mind the games
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| | special cables which will boost the audio
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| themselves is a daunting prospect to the
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| | and visual performance of your unit.
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| uninitiated.
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| | 3. Compare Prices
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| This guide - adapted from Johnny
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| | Retail competition in this market is
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| Minkley's excellent overview of video
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| | fierce, so shop around for the best
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| game consoles at productsifter (dot) com
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| | prices. Game (and to a lesser extend)
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| - will answer all your questions, and arm
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| | console prices vary wildly from place to
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| you with the information you need to make
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| | place, so doing research in advance and
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| your purchase in confidence.
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| | checking prices on-line makes sense.
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| The raison d'etre of any games console
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| | Unless you really need to buy the latest
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| is, fundamentally, gaming, notes Johnny.
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| | blockbuster on day of its release, wait a
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| But today's systems offer much more. Are
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| | month or two - all games are reissued on
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| you an online gamer? Are childrens' games
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| | budget labels and console prices also
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| a priority? Want to take full advantage
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| | fall over time.
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| of that 50-inch flat-screen plasma TV? Or
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| | 4. Duck and Dive
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| are you just looking for cheap
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| | Staff at specialist computer games stores
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| hassle-free fun with friends and family?
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| | are much more likely to have expert
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| Johnny, who has been using video game
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| | knowledge than their equivalents at
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| consoles for 20 years and writing about
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| | supermarkets and the like. But if the
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| them for more than seven, concludes that:
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| | supermarket is cheaper, don't be afraid
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| Nintendo Wii is the best console for
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| | to take advice from one place and buy in
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| families
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| | another. Also, consider asking the
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| Nintendo DS Lite is the best handheld
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| | specialist store for a discount if you
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| console
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| | know the product is available for less
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| PlayStation 2 is the best budget console
| |
| | elsewhere.
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| Xbox 360 is the best console for online
| |
| | 5. Read Expert Reviews
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| gaming
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| | Don't know your Halos from your
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| The new PlayStation 3 is the best
| |
| | Half-Lifes? Websites such as
|
| high-definition video games console
| |
| | ProductSifter (dot) com, and all have
|
| Once you've decided what you want the
| |
| | excellent reviews and rankings for a wide
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| console for and which one to get, where
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| | range of video console and game products.
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| next? Here are the key things to keep in
| |
| | 6. Test before you buy
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| mind to buy a games console in complete
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| | Many games shops have in-store demo
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| confidence:
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| | units, so you can take a game or a
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| 1. Watch out for worthless extras
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| | console for a test run before you buy.
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| Many shops offer bundle deals in addition
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| | Remember, you can also rent video games
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| to selling stand-alone consoles.
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| | or use online clubs like to cut costs
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| Typically they throw a load of games in
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| | further.
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| for "free". While the savings can be
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| | 7. Check the age ratings
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| substantial with such deals they can also
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| | Every video game should have an age
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| be illusionary. Are the "free" games on
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| | rating. In Europe, the Pan-European Game
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| offer actually worth having? If you are
| |
| | Information standard is used. It is not
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| not careful you could end up spending
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| | legally binding, but offers a clear guide
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| more than you intended on games you will
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| | to parents about a game's suitability for
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| never play so check them out first.
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| | children. Also, any game featuring mature
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| 2. Make sure all the essentials are
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| | or realistic content is rated by the
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| included
| |
| | British Board of Film Classification. For
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| Do not assume everything you need to get
| |
| | more on this subject go to: AskAboutGames
|
| your console working will come in the
| |
| | (dot) com.
|
| box. Extras you may need to purchase
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| |
|
