Should I buy my girlfriend an xbox 360 or a Nintendo Wii for her birthday?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

My girlfriend is really into videogames and I want to get her a new system for her birthday, but I am torn between these two systems. The only thing I know for sure is that she doesn't want the Playstation 3. Which suites me fine because I can't afford it either.

She already has a Gamecube, Xbox and PS2, but she trades her games in as soon as she is done with them so it isn't like an existing collection is really a consideration.

Does anyone have any thoughts on either system?

I am afraid the only video game system I own is a Gameboy, and the last one before that was an Atari!

Thanks,

[liontamer]

1. depends on what types of games she prefers

If she's hardcore and into online gaming she might prefer xbox, but even among the serious gamers that I know, the wii is described as irresistably fun. I think it's like a guilty pleasure for gamers. On second thought, maybe you should get her that one so she doesn't have to lose cred by buying it herself. good luck :)

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. I don't think she plays online

but if I would be saving her geek cred by buying her the Wii, that might be the way to go.

"oh no, I don't really want the Wii, my stupid analog boyfriend bought it for me"

[alarimer]

2. I have not even seen a Wii in any store since its release

Six months ago! I guess it depends on where you are and how hard you want to search. They do not seem to be readily available, even on Amazon. So maybe go with the Xbox 360 for now. They are easy to find.

[xmas74]

3. The new Walmart ad says that

every store will have at least seven of them in stock, starting today.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

7. I have seen them in Target from time to time,

[xmas74]

12. I received the ad in the mail on Tuesday.

They said a minimum of 7 at each store.

It's worth a shot-if I had the money I'd snatch up a Wii!

[anti-everything]

4. Questions to consider...

Does she like the more violent adult games, or the games that everyone can play? Or both? I'm a hardcore gamer, I tend to like the more adult games, but I like the ones everyone can play, too. If she only plays adult games, Xbox is the way to go. That being said, I'd rather have a Wii. Another question, would she rather have something that will get her some exercise? If so, the Wii is the way to go. Personally, I'd rather have a PS3 than both, but Wii is my second choice.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. she is all over the place,

She doesn't like the games that are just blasting your way through a maze, although she does like the Grand Theft Auto games, right now she is playing a game for PS2 called "Bully" or as she calls it "Grand Theft Auto: High School". She doesn't like most sports games, primarily because she hates pro sports with a passion, but I could see her getting into the cutsie Wii sports games.

But she also likes the Mario Brothers and Zelda games she plays on the Game Cube,

I'm not sure there is a real wrong answer at the moment, just perhaps a better one.

[anti-everything]

9. You have a tough choice...

Does she like playing and competing with you or others? How much does she like Zelda and Mario? If she likes the GTA and bully games, it sounds like she wants a PS3. I like PS2 better because of the GTA and Bully games, but can't afford a PS3. I love sports though. I also love Mario and Zelda. I'd say, if she loves Mario and Zelda, you should probably get her a Wii, especially since she doesn't want a PS3. But then again, I'm a guy. It sounds like you have a kick ass girlfriend though.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

14. I gave her brother a call this morning,

Her brother is into videogames even more than she is and he told me to go with the Wii because there are no "next generation" games available yet that she is interested in and by the time Grand Theft Auto Four comes out in the fall the Xbox 360 probably won't be anymore expensive than the Wii is now.

I asked him about the PS3 and he just said "the games right now just plain suck" and that is why she isn't interested yet.

So I guess a Wii it is, if I can find one.

Thanks for your help,

[anti-everything]

11. Your girlfriend is very lucky

to have a man that puts a lot of thought in her birthday present. You are very lucky to have a woman who loves gaming. My final decision is to tell you to buy the Wii. Play games together with her, she should like that, that's probably what she wants, just don't be too competitive. Have fun playing games with someone who loves you. Either way, be involved in what she likes to do.

[helderheid]

8. I bought the 360 for my husband... where the hell is he anyway?

[MonkeyFunk]

10. I have both

and I really really love the Wii. The XBox 360 is a bit of a disappointment, in that a LOT of my old xbox games can't be played on it.

But the Wii is great fun.

[taterguy]

13. I don't know much about WII but here's what I really like about Xbox 360

It lets us connect our computer to our DVD SurroundSound. We have all our CDs loaded onto a hard drive and can customize playlists for all occassions and moods. Fun, fun, fun.

We can also torture guests by playing a slide-show of all our digital photos on the TV

[RedStateShame]

15. If you don't have a Hi-Def TV, definitely get a Wii.

The 360 and the PlayStation 3 are made with the high-definition in mind, so without one of those sorts of sets, you're not really getting the most out of it. The Wii has no high definition capabilities, but the games are SOOOOOO much fun!!

[Kutjara]

16. If she's a hardcore gamer who likes to play online...

...you should go for the 360. The Wii has inferior graphics and no real online capability at present. The 360 has XBox Live, which is the best online gaming community of any of the consoles.

If, however, what you really want is to watch her bounce around the room while waving a joystick and nunchuk, then the Wii is the obvious choice.

The Wii is targeting "casual gamers" and trying to attract people who never normally play games. The XBox is for gamers.