Sega, Nintendo, PlayStation, Wii and Xbox. The big names in games consoles have each, during their heydays, held a virtual monopoly. Nevertheless, many of the best-loved games remain the same old standards, with grainy old Super Mario surviving against the odds and the unlikely hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, refusing to die.
Whatever the console, and no matter how often the player has sworn to buy no more addictive games using your prepaid card, the fact is that most gamers will soon be poring over the small print of the new releases and weighing up which ones would make wise purchases. Game reviews make fascinating reading and possess a language of their own. While some players rank heart-stirring aesthetics over adrenalin-pumping action and other players thirst for knowledge about the game’s history and designers, there will always be those, too, who are just genuinely addicted to their favorite games.
Bear in mind the following points:
• Snags and irritations often pepper the reviews posted by fellow players on game websites, and the wise buyer pays attention to these
• A game’s price should be factored into the decision to buy or not to buy. Ask yourself how much use you will get out of it. Does it represent value for money when compared with other similar products?
• The Reviews the game has received are an invaluable tool. When searching, try typing in the game’s name followed by the word ‘sucks’ to see how often a negative response turns up.
• Get out of the house and look for the opportunity to try out the game in a high street store.
Best of all, for many players is the availability of a multiplicity of mind-blowing games at no cost. Online sites like MMORPG offer the novice and the veteran a load of advice, reviews forums and links to the most voted for of all interactive games where the attractions comprise playing in real time and with real opponents.