Purchasing a Console for the Library

To begin, I entered the search terms “video game console” in Wikipedia.com and learned about the various popular consoles available. Since I’m researching for the library, I want a popular system because I want our system purchase to draw children and teens into the library. I also want a popular system so there will be a large variety of games to choose from. The three major consoles on the market now are the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. To further research these three consoles, I went to the manufacturers webpsites where they display system capabilities and a variety of the games available. I noted that all three systems allow for parental control options which would also be handy in a library setting. On Amazon.com, the Xbox 360 cost $349, the Wii cost $319 (though bundles were much more costly), and the PlayStation 3 cost $399. I didn’t feel the price difference was significant enough to choose one console over any other. I then checked the price difference between replacement controllers. Most of the controllers with cords for all three consoles were $20-$30 each. The games for the Wii typically ranged between $20 and $50. The games for the Play Station 3 typically ranged between $20 and $60. The games for the Xbox 360 typically ranged between $30 and $70. Before purchasing a system I’d conduct a poll at the library to see which console the patrons would prefer (I'd collect as much data as possible from the children's and teen section of the library, though parental input would be welcome as well). If the poll did not lean heavily to a certain console, I’d choose the Wii, not specifically because of the price, though the games were slightly cheaper. The reason I’d choose the Wii is because we could purchase active games at the library (such as Wii fit) where children and teens can exercise while they play.