BandwidthBar

Gaming consoles like the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 have come a long way from the consoles of the late eighties and early nineties. Today gamers want to test their skills against people all over the world, not just their friends and neighbours. By connecting your PS3, Wii or Xbox 360 console to the Internet, you can play against nearly anyone and download tons of new stuff for your games.

 

Each console has its preferred way of connecting to the Internet. The PS3 and Xbox 360 prefer being plugged into a LAN connected to the Internet while the Nintendo Wii has wireless connectivity. Whatever the preferred method, the consoles are designed and set up in such a way that connecting is simple and easy.

 

Once connected to the Internet the functionality of the console can improve considerably. The first thing most consoles will do once connected is to download firmware updates for the console. These updates, usually shipped with games, fix small bugs and issues in the console programming and generally make the gaming experience more pleasurable. These updates are necessary if you want to go online and challenge other players online.

 

Perhaps the main reason you would want to connect your PS3, Wii or Xbox 360 to the Internet is to play online. Many games offer players the opportunity to play the games online against players from around the world. Whether strategy, first-person shooters or arcade games, people from all over the world can play together without a computer connected to the Internet.

 

Parents should be aware that there are no regulations in online gaming. Not all players are friendly and you may be subjected to some rather unfriendly and downright rude people while playing online. Very few games have language filters and there are often no moderators to ensure fair game play. While playing online can be great fun and a nice way to make new friends all over the world, it is important to be aware of the dangers and play accordingly.

 

Another advantage to connecting your PS3, Wii or Xbox 360 console to the Internet is the ability download movies, pictures and games to your console. While still relatively limited in its scope, the Nintendo Wii has taken the greatest strides in this arena by allowing players to shop online, receive weather reports and share pictures online through their various channels.

 

Gaming consoles have become so much more than just a machine to play games on. These days they are becoming computers in their own right. Once connected to the Internet, game consoles gain a whole range of additional functionality that most people never thought possible.

<< Back