Scores of people have a tough time trying to figure out which is better, PS3 Move or Xbox 360 Kinect, and it wouldn’t be much surprising if you happen to be one of them. Here’s a comparison between these motion-sensor gaming systems which will help you decide which is a better bet of the two.
Even though it was Nintendo that opened the realms of motion-sensing gaming for the entire world, it doesn’t have any place in the battle for the best motion gaming system as of today. As sad as it may sound, this very fact highlights the giant strides that we have taken in the world of gaming.
So, who are the contenders for the top spot today? On one end, we have the motion-sensing gaming system developed and introduced by Sony Computer Entertainment – the PlayStation Move, and on the other, we have the motion gaming system manufactured by arch rivals Microsoft – the Kinect for Xbox 360. (You can refer to Wii vs Kinect vs Move for a three way comparison.)
Sony PlayStation Move
The PlayStation Move is a motion-sensing gaming system, comprising PlayStation Eye camera and the PlayStation Move motion controller, which is developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is also referred to as the ‘PS3 Move’ for its compatibility to the Sony PlayStation 3 video game console.
This motion-sensing game controller platform uses a handheld motion controller wand with the PlayStation Eye camera to detect motion. While the PlayStation Move Bundle, comprising Move motion controller, Eye camera and Sports Champions Game, is priced at $99.99, the PS3 Sports Champions Move Bundle, which includes a 320 GB PlayStation alongside the PS3 Move Bundle, is priced at $399.99.
Microsoft Kinect
Microsoft Kinect, also referred to as Kinect for Xbox 360 or simply Xbox 360 Kinect for its compatibility to Xbox 360 console, is a motion sensing gaming system developed and marketed by Microsoft. The best part of this motion gaming system is that it facilitates full body gaming wherein your character on the screen jumps when you jump, and kicks when you kick – without resorting to handheld controller for these tasks.
While the Kinect Bundle is priced at $149.99, the Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect (which includes Kinect sensor, Built-in Wi-Fi, Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360 wireless controller, etc.) is priced at $299.99 and the Xbox 360 250GB Console with Kinect (which includes Xbox 360 S console, Xbox 360 250GB hard drive, Kinect sensor, Xbox 360 wireless controller, Xbox 360 Headset etc.) is priced at $399.99.
Which is Better – PS3 Move or Xbox Kinect?
Basically, Microsoft Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation Move battle is all about full body tracking vs. 1-1 controller tracking system. In terms of compatibility, PlayStation Move is compatible to all the PS3 models irrespective of whether you bought it yesterday or four years ago. On the other hand, there does exist a dedicated slot for Kinect in all the Microsoft Xbox 360 slim consoles, but if you own its predecessor – Xbox 360, you will require an additional power adapter and a USB connection for the same.
While both these motion-sensing gaming systems boast of amazing precision when it comes to controls, the fact that your entire body comes into play with Kinect is something that is quite innovative if you are agile enough to sweat it out. At the same time, you also need to take some precautions with lighting in the room and speaker placement (so as to make sure that there is no light/sound interference) if you intend to go with the Kinect motion-sensing gaming system.
Keeping other things aside, if you only concentrate on motion-sensing gaming, the technology that PlayStation Move resorts to does give it an edge. In fact, it is this very technology which ensures that it has a wider range of compatible games to offer. If you are a fan of hardcore gaming, the list of Kinect games is more likely to be a bit of a disappointment for you with most of the games featuring in this list being too amateurish by the hardcore gaming standards.
On the other hand, the list of games compatible to PS3 Move has something for all – right from family oriented games (like the ones which are available with Nintendo Wii) to hardcore games like the Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, R.U.S.E., Time Crisis: Razing Storm, etc. Microsoft Kinect does have sports and fitness games which work fine owing to its full body tracking system, but the appealing games with the tendency to trigger an adrenaline rush surprisingly seem to be missing.
Going by the comparison of Move and Kinect, it is very difficult to come up with a concrete answer as to which is better as preferences tend to differ from one person to another. That being said, opting for Microsoft Kinect would be a good idea if you are looking forward for an all new, innovative technology, which is expected to make it big in the near future. However, if you like to live in the moment and make the most of it, PlayStation Move is an ideal bet for you with a range of amazing games – the list of which is expected to get better with time.