As final papers and exams rapidly approach, students — fortunately or unfortunately — will have another distraction to keep them from their books.

Nintendo and Sony’s new video game consoles have already attracted thousands of loyal gamers worldwide, but for very different reasons. Nintendo, using a gaming-for-all approach, has simplified its approach with user-friendly Wii, while Sony is looking to draw hardcore gamers with a pricier model that boasts high-tech graphics and extra features.

The Nintendo Wii, released Nov. 19, is selling for $250, whereas the Sony Playstation 3, released Nov. 16 costs nearly twice as much, at $500 or $600, depending on the system. Microsoft’s Xbox 360, a revamped version of the console introduced in 2001, was released in November 2005 and sells for $300 or $400, depending on the system.

WII: UNIVERSAL APPEAL

“Nintendo is taking a completely different direction,” Perrin Kaplan, vice president of marketing and affairs for Nintendo, said of the Wii. “We’re focusing on the fun of games instead of cold tech specs.”

Kaplan said the new motion-sensor controller, perhaps the Wii’s most anticipated new feature, is lifting gaming buffs off the couch and getting them physically involved in the game.

“Instead of pressing a button to swing a golf club or a sword, you actually make the same motion that you would in real life,” she said.

Additionally, Kaplan said Nintendo’s increasing allure is based on the Wii’s successful branching out toward gamers of all skill levels.

“We have games for hard-core gamers, like “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,” but we also have games for newcomers, like “Wii Sports,” she said. “We’re reaching out to new audiences, since that’s the only way our industry will grow. Kids, parents and grandparents are all enjoying playing.

“We’re going in a new direction, and right now we have the playing field all to ourselves.”

Fahid Hussain, owner and editor-in-chief of Codename Revolution, a popular gaming blog, said in addition to the motion-sensitive remote, the Wii’s modernized versions of classic games of the past, such as “Bomberman ’93” and the original “Donkey Kong,” will keep aficionados coming back for more. The Wii is a substantial upgrade from the GameCube, which Nintendo released in 2001, he said.

“[Gamers have] the ability to download a library of classic games,” Hussain said in an email. “Another great feature of the Wii is WiiConnect24, which allows for the system to stay active even while it is turned off and gives an opportunity for game developers to send brand new content (a new weapon, new level etc.) and surprises to your machine for an already-purchased game.”

Hussain noted that while the graphics on the PS3 and Xbox 360 are superior to the Wii’s, the Wii gives consumers more for their money, as the system comes with a console, a game and a wireless Internet connection.

“Although some hardcore gamers may not find the graphics as appealing as they would have wished for, hardcore gamers will still find games like ‘Madden NFL 07,’ ‘Need for Speed: Carbon’ and ‘The Godfather: The Game’ on the Wii — all with new controls,” he said. “Casual gamers will find games like ‘Super Monkey Ball’ and ‘WarioWare: Smooth Moves’ appealing and fun, while non-gamers will enjoy ‘Wii Sports,’ ‘Wii Play’ and ‘Big Brain Academy.'”

Mitch Smiley, a junior in the College of Communication, said he was lucky to find a Wii at a local Gamestop store after giving up on the 600-person line outside the Best Buy at Landmark Center on Nov. 19.

Smiley said part of his reason for purchasing the Wii is that he could not afford its competitors.

“The Playstation 3 is almost twice as much,” he said. “Plus, the Wii is focusing more on gameplay rather than just graphics, which is important.”

Smiley said he thinks only the most devoted gamers will dish out the $500 to $600 for PS3 or the $300 to $400 for Xbox 360.

“They know the graphics are better,” he said, “and especially for sports games, when they’re more excited to see realistic movement, they’ll pay for it.”

James Hodge, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, noted that another new feature of the Wii is the ability for gamers to create virtual players that resemble themselves.

Hodge said he bought the Wii on its release date for a very specific reason: “It has Zelda.”

PLAYSTATION 3:

TECHNOLOGY FOR A PRICE

Sony spokesman Scott Goryl said PS3 is the most advanced entertainment system ever created.

“PS3 is an incredible value for the consumer and comes standard with advanced technologies, such as the cell processor,” he said in an email. The system also includes a hard drive, DVD player and wireless Internet connection. Like the Wii, the PS3’s controller is wireless, but it has a traditional design and is not motion-sensitive.

“We call the PS3 ‘future-proof’ because it won’t become obsolete in one, two or even five years from now,” he said. “The technology in PS3 will be relevant for many years to come.”

Goryl also said new games for the PS3 can hold more than 10 times as much memory as games for the PS2 — the system Sony released in 2001 — and its cell processor can work 40 times as fast. More room for data means developers have endless possibilities to create life-like, high-definition visuals, he said.

“In addition to the unit, internal hard drive and free network capability, you get the new intuitive wireless controller, AC cord, USB mini-cable, Ethernet cable and Multi-AV cable with composite plugs — everything you need to start enjoying your PS3 immediately,” he said. “We are also including the blockbuster hit Talladega Nights:  The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Ferrell, which was one of the biggest films of the summer.”

According to Goryl, 22 titles will be available for the holiday season-the most a console has ever released during a launch period-including the popular “Resistance: Fall of Man” and “Madden NFL 2007.” Each game will cost less than $60.

Hussain noted that in addition to other new features, a new Linux Operating system in the PS3 makes it possible to create spreadsheets and use a word processor.

“It also has a more thorough online system,” he said.” The ability to download content from classic Playstation titles to brand new games is a strong point; something the PS2 lacked.”

Hussain agreed that “for most gamers, the price [of the PS3] seems to be a bit too high.”

For this reason, Hussain said the system will probably appeal to the most experienced gamers.

Because of the advanced graphics and gameplay, Hussain said sports games, such as “Tony Hawk’s Project 8,” “Fight Night Round 3” and “NBA 2K7” will be the most popular.

While most college students are opting for the more affordable Wii, some are shelling out $600 for PS3.

Jeffrey DeVries, a senior at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., said in an email that the PS3’s ability to play DVDs, which the Wii cannot do, will give it an edge.

Derek Friday, a senior at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, N.C., said in an email that in addition to being a Playstation loyalist, he is excited to see the new features.

“The six-axis controller, a lithium battery within each controller that naturally recharges itself, Bluetooth technology, and the Blu-Ray technology sound pretty good,” he said. “I dished out $650 because I trust Sony not to disappoint me. I have both of their previous consoles and have never had a problem out of either.”

THE OLD AND THE NEW

Although the Xbox 360 was released last year, Hussain said he thinks it still may be the victor in the holiday battle between the three systems.

“Nintendo and Sony did not meet enough demand during launch time, which resulted in unhappy customers who were sent home because there just weren’t enough units available,” he said. “Retailers currently have a large supply of Xbox 360s in stock and have been pushing for 360 sales to consumers since the new consoles were released.”

Hussain also noted that the Xbox 360’s unique Live Arcade system, in which gamers can download games, as well as TV shows and movies, will help the Xbox maintain its popularity.

“Most gamers will find the $300 version of the Xbox 360 to be a tad overpriced,” he said. “However, with the $400 version, gamers will not only get a few extra accessories and a wireless controller but also a hard drive and an HD Cable.”

Ben Caro, a COM junior, said in an email that he is an Xbox fan because the system’s gameplay is simply better.

“The games for the 360, in terms of editorial reviews, are generally much better than the games for PS3 or Wii,” he said. “For instance, according to [the blog] Metacritic, which grades everything from new books to TV shows, the Xbox 360 has four games that have ranked in the 9-10 range (out of 10), the Wii has one, and the PS3 has no games that have been ranked very well.”

Caro attributed the rush of gaming fans that stood in line for several hours to buy new consoles to fad-driven behavior.

“It’s for the same reason a Harry Potter fan stands in front of Barnes ‘ Noble when the new installment comes: for the excitement of being there and getting it first,” he said. “So it doesn’t matter what it costs.”