PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect

The multi-billion dollar gaming industry is one that is always striving for new innovations and gaming excellence to offer millions of gamers around the world, and the next big thing in this world is the art of motion gaming. Motion gaming is something that was introduced to the world by the Nintendo Wii game console, and for some time at least, this was the ruling console. But Sony and Microsoft being the mammoths they are, could not resist any longer, and soon they decided to stride into this segment as well. This is where the PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect debate really started.

The Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 were the undoubted market leaders as far as video game consoles were concerned, but the Nintendo Wii changed the face of the market. The Wii opened up a whole new demographic of gamers including adults, small children and elderly people. This is why for some years at least, their sales figures were way beyond the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

Motion gaming seemed so far fetched a few years back, and look at us today. The ability to play video games with a remote device that can just be moved and have the screen avatar match one's actions is something that was restricted to the science fiction realm, but this is now a reality. The Kinect has taken things a step further, and it was easily the most innovative gadget of 2010. So without further ado, let's carry out a detailed Sony PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect comparison.

The Sony PS3 Move

The Move is very similar to the way the Wii works, because you need to use a wireless controller for gameplay. In a way, the Move is a direct copy of the Wii, but the only difference is that Sony Computer Entertainment has a lot more serious games to offer. By optimizing the Move controller to work with existing games, Sony has played a master card. June 2009 was when the Move was first unveiled, and it had gamers salivating at the prospect. By September 2010 the Move was out, and in its first month it sold 1.5 million units, in its first two months it sold 4.1 million units, and it is fair to say that its sales figures may be anything between 5 million - 6 million units today.

In order to play the Move you need a Move motion controller (one for each player), and a PlayStation Eye camera. Needless to say you also need a Move enabled video game. The controller looks like a wand with a glowing orb on its head, and you can also get yourself a supplementary Move navigation controller for added features. These are wireless devices and they can be charged using a USB mini-B port. You can buy the PS3 Move package and connect it to your PS3 Slim, or you can buy a new PS3 console that comes equipped with all these devices. Up to 4 controllers can be used at the same time, in any combination of motion controllers and navigation controllers that you desire. These details are important for carrying out Xbox 360 Kinect vs PS3 Move comparison.

The Xbox 360 Kinect

While the Move openly copied the Wii remote, the Kinect offered something new altogether. The advertising tagline of "You are the controller" is something that had everyone excited, and the Kinect did not disappoint. With the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect, there is no controller at all, and the camera sensors respond to any actual human movement, as long as the person is within a specified radius. What this means is that all you have to do is move your hands and your body in front of the TV set, and your game avatar will follow you. The game also recognizes voice commands, so all you are doing is moving and speaking to play games. The accuracy is unbelievable, and this is the single biggest difference between the PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect.

The Kinect was originally called 'Project Natal', and it was released to the world in November 2010. The Kinect capabilities will soon be compatible with PC's as well, when Microsoft finally releases the new Windows 8 operating system. The Kinect sensor captures 3D movement, recognizes faces and recognizes voices as well, and this sensor sold 1 million units within 10 days of its release, and easily crossed the 8 million mark earlier this month. The new Xbox 360 Slim comes Kinect enabled, but older models will require the horizontal sensor to be connected to a USB port or power socket to draw extra power. It is said that within a distance of 11 feet, the Kinect will work perfectly.

Which is Better - PS3 Move or Xbox 360 Kinect

This brings us to the point of this whole PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect comparison. If you are interested in motion gaming, which one should you buy. There are a few factors that you should consider when you make a decision. The Move has a larger range of compatible games, because the technology is easier to incorporate. The Kinect still has some childish Xbox 360 games, so if you are in the category of a serious gamer, go for the Move. The Kinect requires plenty of space, so if this is a constraint for you, go for the Move. If you are also interested in watching Blu-Ray discs, go for the Move. But what the Kinect offers is something totally new and innovative, and so exciting that you will never get enough of it. This revolutionary new technology may look stupid when the neighbors watch you, but once you start playing without a controller, you will never get over it. So if you are a sucker for great new innovative technology, go for the Kinect.

As far as the prices are concerned, you can buy the PS3 320GB Move bundled console for $399. The Move bundle alone costs $99, and this can be used with an older console, as long as it is the PS3 Slim. A single Move motion controller will cost you $49 and a navigation controller will cost you $29. To play the Kinect you will have to shell out $399 for the 250GB console with Kinect, or $299 for the 4GB console with Kinect. The Kinect package will cost you $149 if you buy it separately and will work with the new Xbox 360 S and older models of the Xbox 360 as well.

This PS3 Move vs Xbox 360 Kinect comparison should be enough to help you make a decision. Both these video game console platforms are excellent in their own way, and have been positively received all over the world. The range of games available for each of them is only going to rise, so it all comes down to how comfortable you are with using each of the platforms.