Comparing 360 To Wii, PS3 then and Now

[XboxEvolved]

So I might be doing a little piece showing how 360 compared to PS3 and Wii when all were originally launched, and how it stacks up to them now, as well as if what MS has done different in the past few months (such as adding Avatars) has had any real effect.

To be honest, I have looked everywhere for a list of features of the dashboard from 2005 to now, and can't find anything. The basic points of the article though would be something like comparing all 3, with a "this one wins, these 2 tie, or all 3 tie" type of deal. So far here are the points I have and where I think each lies:

Visuals: tie 360, PS3, a few years ago 360
Sound: PS3 a few years ago same
Controls: ?
Controls "in the future": ?
online: 360
games: ?
games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii
non-gaming features: tie PS3, 360 a few years ago same
best value: Wii a few years ago same
along with how each did in 06, 07, 08, and this year so far
06 (wii/360 tie) 07 (360) 08 (tied between all 3) 09 (likely Sony)

I dunno..not 100% sure where the article is going, other than maybe a progress report to show how the 360 has evolved since Nov 05. If anyone has links to stuff about dashboard, versions, hardware, hardware revisions, etc about any of the systems that would be helpful.

[iSDK]

So I might be doing a little piece showing how 360 compared to PS3 and Wii when all were originally launched, and how it stacks up to them now, as well as if what MS has done different in the past few months (such as adding Avatars) has had any real effect.

To be honest, I have looked everywhere for a list of features of the dashboard from 2005 to now, and can't find anything. The basic points of the article though would be something like comparing all 3, with a "this one wins, these 2 tie, or all 3 tie" type of deal. So far here are the points I have and where I think each lies:

Visuals: tie 360, PS3, a few years ago 360
Sound: PS3 a few years ago same
Controls: ?
Controls "in the future": ?
online: 360
games: ?
games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii
non-gaming features: tie PS3, 360 a few years ago same
best value: Wii a few years ago same
along with how each did in 06, 07, 08, and this year so far
06 (wii/360 tie) 07 (360) 08 (tied between all 3) 09 (likely Sony)

I dunno..not 100% sure where the article is going, other than maybe a progress report to show how the 360 has evolved since Nov 05. If anyone has links to stuff about dashboard, versions, hardware, hardware revisions, etc about any of the systems that would be helpful.

Visuals: PS3 ... you have seen footage from Uncharted 2 right? ... right??
Sound: PS3
Controls: I would say the dual shock design for a control pad is just about perfect, although i do often use the 360 pad for shooters on the PC/Mac.
Controls "in the future": I see "future" as what else they can do. PS3 currently wins that for me. Linux (in phat PS3), Media accepted formats, and BluRay
online: Online vs. Gaming MS, otherwise Sony. I don't wanna pay money to DL free demos.
games: 3-way tie, although I couldn't care for the Wii at this point.
games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii (KISS - keep it simple stupid, its why Guitar Hero/RB have been so popular)
non-gaming features: does bluray not give PS3 a 1up?
best value: Wii a few years ago same (at this point I might argue that otherwise now... full wii mote now is around $80... yikes)
along with how each did in 06, 07, 08, and this year so far
... Wii gets the sales... idk what else to say.


I would say it would be important to show how the three have evolved from software updates.

360's seems to be more and more about XBL and "social media/connection"
PS3 seems to be more about open media standards (strange for Sony) and pushing BD
Wii... wii ware?

either way have fun!

[masteratt]

Visuals: Early on 360 before developers figured out the PS3. Ever since then KZ2, Uncharted, Heavy Rain etc. Totally untouched. Definite win for PS3.

Sound: can't really say from experience but I think technically PS3 is better?

Controls: DualShock for me all the way. 360 pad uncomfortable after long use for me (i.e: 3 hour Shadow Complex session).

Controls "in the future": Couldn't care less about NATAL or Sony Motion Controller.

online: 360 I guess :shrug: Although personally I will NEVER pay to play online, so for me PS3 will always win. Plus I may be wrong but most games support more players online on the PS3 it feels like. With MAG being the final nail in that coffin.

games: 360 until 2008 where PS3 got the 1st party magic to appear.

games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii obviously.

non-gaming features: Yeah I would think PS3 edges this with Blu-Ray.

best value: Tough call now that PS3 is $200. Value is in the eye of the beholder I guess.
But technically you are getting more for your money when you buy a PS3 now (weather you want all those extras is not the point since we are talking value).

along with how each did in 06, 07, 08, and this year so far:
Sony came out the gates coughing and stumbling but took steroids and is now a monster rushing down the track.

360 came out rushing with one leg broken (RROD) and is now just hopping along at a very steady pace (too steady for somes likings). Occasionally pick pocketing Wii's casual approach.

Wii is...Just Wii.

[JasonXe]

Visuals: PS3
Sound: PS3
Controls: Tie. Just got to get use to each one.
Controls "in the future": I think you're referring to natal/motion.c? Idk, will see.
online: 360.
games: Tie, subjective.
non-gaming features: Tie: I would say ps3 for blu/movies but netflix balances it out.
best value: PS3

[Lucent Beam]

Visuals: Early on 360 before developers figured out the PS3. Ever since then KZ2, Uncharted, Heavy Rain etc. Totally untouched.

I disagree. Even from recently just watching Noah play Uncharted and me starting Heavenly Sword, I noticed a massive significant difference in graphics from anything I've been playing on the 360 for the past couple years.

Even if it's just that those developers put more effort into making it look nice, I still found it really really noticeable (especially during cut scenes, I don't think I can think of any 360 game with cut scenes that good).

[curryking1]

Visuals: PS3
Sound: PS3
Controls: Tie. Just got to get use to each one.
Controls "in the future": I think you're referring to natal/motion.c? Idk, will see.
online: 360.
games: Tie, subjective.
non-gaming features: Tie: I would say ps3 for blu/movies but netflix balances it out.
best value: PS3

I'd have written this if it weren't written already...

Except for current controls. My thoughts on that are that others have basically been trying to emulate the Dualshock with their own controllers (the GC controller for example), but none have been able to match it.

The 360 controller, from what I can tell, pretty much has an identical layout now aside from a, in my opinion, far too round and wide form factor... and a switched analog stick and d-pad. Never used the d-pad myself on it, but everything I've read seems to agree it's not very good.

For games and controllers I say what masteratt said essentially.

And apparently the 360 controller doesn't have pressure sensitive face buttons or something either. There's a number of PS2 games that simply don't work without analog pressure (e.g. Metal Gear series).

[Lucent Beam]

. and a switched analog stick and d-pad. Never used the d-pad myself on it, .

The d-pad on 360 does suck, but I personally love the Gamecube & 360's analog stick locations. I find the top, wider spot to be much more comfortable to play on. In addition, I like how the 360's controller is rounded in.. I think that makes it more comfortable too. Honestly, one of my biggest deterrents from playing games on both PS2 and PS3 is the controller... it is far too uncomfortable to push right with my left thumb and push left with my right thumb. It's too much of a stretch and I feel like I had little control and little accuracy when doing so. Even if it were in the same location but rounded in like the 360, I feel like I'd have an better time with it... a lot of times I just would quit playing a game because my hands would hurt.

....Which leads me to wonder, if there a way to swap out the Dualshock's sticks with rounded in sticks? Hmmm...

[frosty]

Visuals: At first it was 360, back when Resistance and Motorstorm was all we had. HS and Uncharted changed that right quick though.

Sound:

360 - 16 bit 48khz 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS compressed to 640kbps/1.5mbps
PS3 - 24 bit 192khz 7.1 Dolby True HD or DTS Master Audio uncompressed at various bitrates
Definitely PS3 from the get-go

Control - At first, 360 (rumble), now, PS3 (rumble + bluetooth + USB charging capability + 3 day lithium battery)

Future Control - PS3 from what I have seen so far, but time will tell

Non Gaming features - PS3 since day 1 bar none (internet browser, Blu-Ray, standard HDD, DLNA compliance, Divx, Linux (though not anymore), USB printer support (without linux), photo gallery, etc)

Online: 360

Games: I'd have to give the exclusive game nod to PS3. The quality of it's exclusives just seems better to me. Especially with new IP's.

Best downloadable games: PS3. XBLA has some really cool titles, but a lot of it is older games being re-released. PSN's originals are of the highest quality, and there are a very high number of them.

Games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii. By a looooooong shot.

Best Value: PS3. Gives the most bang for it's buck. Not even with the rumored price cuts will 360 pack in as many features as $300 will get you on PS3. To make 360 give you the same as PS3 (multiplayer gaming, 120gb hard drive, wifi, controller charger) you will still spend more than $300, and that doesn't even touch on blu-ray, internet browsing, photo galleries, or gamesharing.

[Applefiend]

Weirdly enough I had OrangeBox on both 360 and PS3 and found it easier to play on the Dual Shock 3. Maybe this thing that the 360 controller is better for first person shooters is just received wisdom?

Also the dpad on the 360 pad is plain broken. Try playing frogger on xbla on it.

With fast recharge, dual shock, pressure sensitive buttons, good dpad, 6 axis the rest Dual Shock 3 is a generation ahead of the 360 pad. Let's be honest.

But yeah, as far as online goes, what's most important is which side has the most headsets I imagine., no? Don't play online.

[curryking1]

Lucent, you must have really small hands lol.

I always figured the Dualshock 3 was for small hands. My hands are relatively small, but I guess my fingers are a little long.

In any case I wouldn't say my hands are much bigger or smaller than most people's my age. I think you may have a size smaller than everyone else lol ;-]

Although, I do remember when I was in Gr. 4 I couldn't hold down shift and reach the T or Y key with my left hand lol (can't remember if I was doing it wrong though now... it doesn't seem far at all! :S). Maybe that's you now! =O

Weirdly enough I had OrangeBox on both 360 and PS3 and found it easier to play on the Dual Shock 3. Maybe this thing that the 360 controller is better for first person shooters is just received wisdom

I honestly think it is.

I can play Halo about ten times better with a Dualshock than a 360 controller or the Duke (I played Halo 1 once on Xbox, I managed to destroy my friends in 4 player split lol, and beat most of the game on the second highest difficulty in co-op :D).

But the discrepancy between what is apparently supposed to happen and what does actually happen cannot be all accounted for just by my experience with the Dualshock.

The Dualshock feels natural in every game, and certainly no less natural in a shooter for me.

[Lucent Beam]

Maybe this thing that the 360 controller is better for first person shooters is just received wisdom?


I think it's really just anecdotal opinion. I'm absolutely pathetic on a FPS with the PS3 controller... you should have seen my utterly pathetic attempt at the Killzone demo. I'm not that awesome at FPSs to begin with but I certainly am not so retarded that I can't turn a corner or something (no joke, it was like I was drunk). For me, that controller just does not work because I can't make the inner stretches. For anyone with bigger hands though, I don't see why the 360 would be better than the PS3 other than just personal preference.

& curryking, yes I am pathetically small, lol. Honestly, with my fingers wrapped comfortable around the bottom of the controller, I can't even position my thumb directly on the center of the stick because even that is an uncomfortable stretch. (And the way it's stretching is... hold out your left hand in front of you and make an L shape... my thumb needs to stretch down beyond that to make a wider than 90 degree angle to push the control stick to the center.) When I play PS2 or PS3 I just barely grab the far-left tip of the left stick with my thumb and kind of just push it from the side.

[Viper]

Visuals: PS3. The only time the X360 led this category was in 2005.
Sound: PS3.
Controls: Wii. (Don't forget you have the Wii remote, nun-chuck, Classic Controller, WM+, Balance Board and GC controller - but the Wii remote and Nun-chuck still provide the best control aside from fighting games).
Controls "in the future": No change until further notice.
Online: 360 with PS3 gaining ground quickly.
Games: All 3. Diversity of gamers between them ensures a level of parity.
Games that appeal to the masses and why: Wii. Does this really need to be explained?
Non-gaming features: PS3. Would have been a tie if HD DVD hadn't croaked.
Best value: PS3 by virtue of being sold at such a loss.

2006: Tie. X360 had most of the year to itself while PS3 and Wii made their grand entrances.
2007: X360.
2008: Wii. No one has ever seen a triple threat launch like SSBB, Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii. Ever. Like them or not they dominated 2008 and even 2009 so far.
2009: Tie: All 3 are hitting good strides and have a damn good holiday line up prepared.


EDIT:
Lucent brings up a point why I've never liked the PS family of controllers. Their analog stick positioning. With the release of the N64, your left thumb learned that pushing up with your thumb meant going up and pushing left with your thumb meant going left. With the Dual Shocks, your thumb position is 90 degrees to the right making all movements feel off....90 degrees off. The GC, Wii, Xbox and X360 have continued the N64 analog stick position which feels more natural to a lot of people.

[curryking1]

I would recommend carving the PS3 controller so it's less wide Lucent...

But the DS3 is hollow, so you'd end up with some really sharp sides and lots of cuts if you tried that ;-]

[frosty]

you know what... I'm going to design an add on that snaps to the top of the analog sticks and has extensions that stretch to the side, making the top of the analog stick more like a sideways oval than a circle. That should help smaller folks like you. maybe even something like this...

[JasonXe]

Dpad does suck. Can be fixed with just a knife but that's whatever. To me it's just getting use to the controller. Try playing sf4 on the ps3 controller and you get use to it.

I don't think i ever notice the pressure sensitive stuff, and what not. All I do is press the big X in the middle of the xbox controller, and start playing. As for batteries, just buy a plug & play.

[Lucent Beam]

. As for batteries, just buy a plug & play.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the PS3 have to be on in order for a controller to charge? Because that is definitely not the case with the 360's play and charge kit: when the 360 is off, it still charges. For that reason only, I feel like the 360 has the best powering of its controller.

Wii by far has the worst and usually when I go to try to play a game and realize the batteries have drained, I just give up and play something else instead.

[frosty]

yeah, but you can also plug the ps3's controller into any usb enabled device for a charge, so you can charge your controllers with your pc without even taking up a usb slot on your ps3. also, and usb wall charger will charge a sixaxis, so that negates the 360's charge kit advantage of not having to have the system on.

[Applefiend]

I'm, you know, incredibly old and have to look out for my hands. I can tell you straight up for long sessions it's better to have fire/iron sight on L1/R1 than on triggers. It's also better on racers to have acceleration/brake on pressure sensitive buttons.

Also I have no hand strain issues on NES, SNES and Genesis controllers. Just 360.

360 controller still beats the N64 controller. Third worst controller ever, only the Atari Jaguar and 5200 controllers beat it.

[curryking1]

There should be a 'general hardware comparison' too... by the way...

I feel the product quality that comes with the PS3 is very good. The Dualshocks are extremely durable, and the system and controllers require no peripheral maintenance whatsoever.

Also, with the PS3 I was very worried that wireless controllers would bring endless headaches for me (I'd rather deal with wires than most other things) but the built-in Li battery solution was perfect and would be the only thing I could accept as completely a step up with no compromises.

The quality of the controllers is just very, very high. I have dropped them on hardwood hundreds of times... not a scratch, not a dent, no other quality loss to speak of. As well, the battery life on the controllers is really good.

I think the package you get with a PS3 and how user friendly every aspect of the hardware is... (re: you don't have to think about anything but charging the controller) that goes quite a ways to making the console fun in itself.

P.S. That said, I think both the Wii and the PS3 deserve some flak for the console reliability. If the GI poll is to be trusted and the failure rates are 7.9 and 10.8 percent or whatever respectively, that is not very excusable. Really, that's pretty bad. Should be more like 2.5% and 5% to given the hardware of each. Even 7.5% would be OK for PS3. 10 and up is way too high.

but doesn't the PS3 have to be on in order for a controller to charge?

Well whatever you are charging for anything... has to be on... the power has to come from somewhere.

Plug the PS3 into any USB slot, like a PC slot, and it charges. You can even play while it's charging from something else.

[Viper]

Curry, I'm 100% positive those figures (50-something % for X360, 11 for PS3 and 8 for Wii) are incorrect or from a skewed sample.

While Sony had some build quality issues with PS2, they've certainly fixed them with PS3. And Nintendo has been known for rock solid durability since the SNES.

[iSDK]

Curry, I'm 100% positive those figures (50-something % for X360, 11 for PS3 and 8 for Wii) are incorrect or from a skewed sample.

While Sony had some build quality issues with PS2, they've certainly fixed them with PS3. And Nintendo has been known for rock solid durability since the SNES.

Until they murdered my launch purple Gamecube like a thief in the night so I would be forced to go out and get one of those fancier panasonic silver ones. DAMN YOU NINTENDO!!

[JasonXe]

Until they murdered my launch purple Gamecube like a thief in the night so I would be forced to go out and get one of those fancier panasonic silver ones. DAMN YOU NINTENDO!!

sending a ninja cat to "take care" of that gamecube....muahehehe

[curryking1]

Curry, I'm 100% positive those figures (50-something % for X360, 11 for PS3 and 8 for Wii) are incorrect or from a skewed sample.

Probably. I hope they aren't anything near that high. I really didn't think the Wii would even approach 7 or 8%, it does sound unreasonable.

Same for the PS3 and it's numbers... I'm more confident in the build quality with your assessment lol.

My SNES still works. I actually dropped it once (yep, I was once that stupid and probably not much smarter =D).

It looked like I did a lot of damage to it because the top and bottom casing sort of shifted along each other and on one side look slightly disengaged, but luckily it was all superficial.

[Lucent Beam]

I've had pretty terrible luck with my recent Nintendo products. My GameCube froze pretty often. My launch DS had issues with the triggers about a year in (that just randomly resolved itself after a couple weeks). My launch Wii could only play disc about half the time. My replacement Wii has trouble loading discs (usually have to try at least 3 times) and randomly deletes my VC interrupt saves.

The next sentence I almost typed was "my Sony products have never given me any trouble," but I'll have to instead type "The Sony products that I've bought in the United States have never given me any trouble." When I bought a slim PS2 at the Japanese launch in 2004 when I was living there... games wouldn't play unless I stacked heavy objects on top of the system (because the sensor couldn't tell that the tray was closed.) The store wouldn't let me return it for a new one initially... so after about a month, I tried again, this time with many tears, and they finally agreed. But I like to pretend that that didn't happen.

[curryking1]

All my consoles work. Still. :pleased:

[Applefiend]

Bad luck, apart from the original NES reliability/build quality on nintendo products is superb. And even with the NES that was very user serviceable. Pop open the hood, replace the 72 pin connector, good to go again.

[Lucent Beam]

I apparently have the kiss of death to electronic devices, no matter what kind of pristine care I take with them.

[iSDK]

I apparently have the kiss of death to electronic devices, no matter what kind of pristine care I take with them.

Maybe you should wear one of these on each appendage or something.

http://www.ebest24.com/images/products_images/unfurl/ebest24b093em.jpg

[curryking1]

^LOL! That was good...

[Viper]

My SNES still works. I actually dropped it once (yep, I was once that stupid and probably not much smarter =D).

My controller cords to my N64 were tripped on twice by my oldest son knocking it to the ground. Not only did it still play, both times the game was still on and functioning.

[XboxEvolved]

Well with the controls I was not sure because it depends on what you are talking about. I think that is very subjective. I like the 360 controller much more than the feel of any other controller most of the time because the analog is placed in a easier to reach spot, and the feel of them is better for me. The d-pad on PS3 controller is better though.

With visuals I think it really depends on how you look at depth of visuals, and I wouldn't really say Heavenly Rain is something we haven't seen on 360 and PS3 in a multi-plat title. With 360 you still have Gears 2, Alan Wake on the way. You also have the fact that many games (even ones advertised by developers to look better on PS3) look better on 360. Downloadable games I really don't know. I can tell you that in a months time Xbox Live had 5 decent titles (well not TMNT) exclusive to the service, over 100 community games, several different ways to make your own games (and emulators) all without hacking the system.

Best Value you can look at this in a number of different ways. This is more subjective and depends on the consumers needs. Each fills specific needs for the consumer. However, I tend to agree that the Wii is the best value by a -inch- over 360 and PS3 but we will see how that value is this holiday. Perhaps, I can save this editorial for 2010...

Also about the whole analog thing, you guys are very mistaken I think. The pads are dipped in making it easier so that your thumb doesn't slip for fast movements, and I don't know if this is true or not, but the PS3 analogs "feel" like they are further away from the controller. The position of the analog and the position of the triggers makes it easier too.

Also to add to what Viper said about PS2 build quality I got one early on and the specific factory it came from had a lot of faulty ones, yet Sony still was charging about $100 (plus shipping) to fix them. They didn't remedy the issue fast enough for me so I didn't play a PS2 a lot from 2003 all the way up to now. My Xbox on the other hand I didn't have problems with until 2005 with the DVD drive, although I heard a number of Xboxes had DVD drive problems similar to PS2, Microsoft offered to fix the ones that were broke then for free and also did a power cord recall at one point for some reason...giving people that had one a new cord and a free Xbox Live pack.

[Applefiend]

Well, to me it's like this:

Nintendo. They're on their own mission to sell "games" to their own crowd. They aren't competing with Microsoft and Sony anymore, they do their own thing. As long as they don't do it near me. I'm fine they don't make games for me anymore, I have lots of games thanks. The brain training and the Wii Fit and the rest. When Nintendo lovers actually think 3rd rate games like the Conduit compete with Halo 3, Killzone 2 or COD4 you have to laugh like a drain though. Over here they have a DS advert with Olivia Neutron Bomb, showing how she brain trains every day. I always think "Since when has anyone been interested in your brain love". I'm horrible. Leather jump suits, that's what your career was based on pet.

The very fact Nintendo use Grand-MILFs as their spokespeople shows you where their head is at.

Sony. Consoles that sell for $299 at launch, sell a million on their first weekend, keep selling for 10 years and rapidly sink to $199 when the masses buy them. Backed up by a killer list of exclusives, first and third party. They decided they didn't want to do that anymore. Weirdos.

The Sony fan received wisdom is the 120 Million who bought PS2 are all just waiting around to buy a PS3 when the price is right. Sure they haven't all gotten old, have kids, and have no time for games anymore?

Microsoft. Have had Playstation 1 and 2s audience handed to them on a plate, and are intent on totally f**king it up. First there's the greed. The lousy value for money, the appalling build quality. All this from a company with stacks of cash. Then there's the uninspiring exclusives, mostly PC games on console. The online tax known as XBox Live. Paying 50 bucks a year for player matching. I can get real live "players" for $50 a year from match.com. Actual real ladies who will let you put your hand up their jumper. Giggidy giggidy. Also, Natal is sh**. Nintendo's 2005 motion control is better and more precise, never mind about the 2009 kind you can buy right now. It's casual garbage. So casual it makes Wiimote look hardcore.

360 should be outselling PS3 2 to 3 times week in week out. With PS3 Slim at $299, they've probably totally shot their bolt now. Greedy bast*rds.

Microsoft. Stop charging for essential stuff like online, wifi and charge and play, produce a console that doesn't break down every 6 months, and do something fricking original, don't just copy what Sony or nintendo did years ago. Or what PC gaming was doing ten years ago.

In summary, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are all s***heads and deserve to die. Also they smell and even Christina Aguilera doesn't think they're beautiful. The End.

... PC Engine 4 Life. :)

[woundingchaney]

The thread and the concept behind it is just as subjective now as it was years ago. Does it really matter at this point?? People that play on the console that they perceive to have the best value, it is an entirely personal decision and one that is made primarily from personal interests. Stacking up bullet points doesnt get us any farther in the here and now than it did after E3 2005.

As far as all this goes, I prefer pc gaming to the consoles. I keep my PS3(s) for the couple of high profile titles that comes out every year (and the other one solely for BD playback).

[goku2057]

yeah, but you can also plug the ps3's controller into any usb enabled device for a charge, so you can charge your controllers with your pc without even taking up a usb slot on your ps3. also, and usb wall charger will charge a sixaxis, so that negates the 360's charge kit advantage of not having to have the system on.

You can do that with the play and charge kit too. I can change batteries on the fly. What about you?

[curryking1]

The thread and the concept behind it is just as subjective now as it was years ago. Does it really matter at this point?? People that play on the console that they perceive to have the best value, it is an entirely personal decision and one that is made primarily from personal interests. Stacking up bullet points doesnt get us any farther in the here and now than it did after E3 2005.

As far as all this goes, I prefer pc gaming to the consoles. I keep my PS3(s) for the couple of high profile titles that comes out every year (and the other one solely for BD playback).

Yep to both paragraphs. I really don't care much for comparisons, especially not at this point. I'm totally satisfied with what I have right now.

*is also a PS3 + PC guy* :cloud9:

[iSDK]

You can do that with the play and charge kit too. I can change batteries on the fly. What about you?

While I dislike the cost of MS's option they really do have it at convenience. Allowing the consumer (us) to quickly pop in some batteries from our TV remote for the last few minutes of play time is great. I much prefer the recharge/battery option of MS than Nintendo's wii motes that kill your batteries so fast and often you forget about wanting to play it. (wii fit board I'm look at you)