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The Hidden Costs Of Gaming
Any gamer knows the cost of gaming goes far beyond the sticker price of the console. Before you know it you’re dropping bills on extra controllers, batteries, online subscription fees – the list goes on. With 3D gaming, motion controls, and downloadable content increasing in prevalence, the cost of gaming continues to rise steadily. How much will an ambitious gamer spend beyond the initial console purchase? We break down the costs for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii.
PlayStation 3
Want to play games like Killzone 3 in 3D and blast through Helghast with Move? Play Uncharted 2 multiplayer online? Download movies and games to your hard drive? Watch Blu-rays in full HD? Here’s what it’ll cost:
Console: PlayStation 3 (160 GB, includes DualShock 3, AV cable, USB cable): $300
Extras
HDMI Cable: $10
3D TV: Sony BRAVIA 46”, 1080p, 3D LED-LCD HDTV $2,500
3D Glasses: Sony BRAVIA $150
Extra DualShock 3: $55
USB cable extension: $10
Bluetooth: $15
Game: $60
Estimated Total: $2800 + console = $3,100
Motion Control (2-Players)
Two PlayStation Move Controllers: $50/each ($100)
Two Navigation Controllers: $30/each ($60)
PlayStation Eye: $40
Estimated Total: $200
Grand total: $3,300
Services
Basic PSN account ($0); PlayStation Plus ($50/year; $18/3 months)
Xbox 360
Want to play Gears of War online with your buddies? Download the latest games from Xbox Live Arcade? Knock out your kids while dancing around in your living room? Here’s what it’ll cost:
Console: Xbox 360 S (250 GB, includes wireless controller, composite AV cable, one month Xbox Live Gold membership, headset): $300
Extras
HDMI Cable: $10
HDTV: Sony BRAVIA 46”, 1080P, LCD HDTV $1,000
Extra wireless controller: $50
Controller batteries: Duracell Value Charger With 4AA Pre-Charged Batteries $17
Game: $60
Estimated Total: $1,137 + console = $1,437
Motion Control (2-Players)
Kinect (includes Kinect Adventures): $150
Estimated Total: $150
Grand Total: $1,587
Services
Xbox Live Gold account ($60/year; $25/3 months; $10/1 month) [Silver is free, but limits online activity]
Wii
Want to play Donkey Kong Country Returns with a friend? Download and play classics from the Virtual Console? Play sexy party games? Here’s what it’ll cost:
Wii (includes Wii MotionPlus, Nunchuk, Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, composite AV cable, sensor, stand): $180
Extras:
HDTV: Sony BRAVIA 32”, 720P, LCD HDTV $450
Classic Pro Controller: $20
Controller batteries: Duracell Value Charger With 4AA Pre-Charged Batteries $17
Games: $50
Estimated total: $537 + console = $717
Motion Control (2-Players)
Extra Wii controller: $40
Extra Nunchuk: $20
Estimated Total: $60
Grand Total: $777
Services
None ($0)
Keep in mind the costs listed only include the purchase of one game. Add the number of games in your library to the totals here and it’ll quickly add up. The grand, grand total of everything listed is roughly $5,700. Note: Prices listed for hardware is at standard retail. Prices do not account for sale promotions or bundles.
How much are you willing to spend on gaming? In an upcoming feature we'll break down the costs of handheld/mobile gaming. Stay tuned...
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