The official release year of the game console. Usually, it is indicated by the date of official sale. This information allows you to determine the "age" of the device — and, accordingly, its functionality (to some extent), including within its own platform. So, for example, the difference between the Xbox One S and Xbox One X in terms of name is not particularly obvious; but knowing that the first was released in
2016, and the second —
in 2017, you can definitely determine which model will be newer and more advanced. Accordingly
, the novelties of 2020 and
2019 will be even better.
Additional items supplied in the kit in addition to the actual console. Joysticks are not taken into account in this category — their availability and quantity are indicated separately (see below).
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Game included. A game (or several games at once) for the console — usually on a separate medium like a DVD, but other options may be provided (for example, a license key for downloading the official version). The specific games supplied in the kit, even for the same model, may be different, this point needs to be specified separately. However, anyway, complete games have common features: they are initially optimized for this console, and often they are designed to demonstrate to the user all the advanced features of the device (for example, control using the motion controller described below or VR glasses). The cost of the game is included in the price of the bundle, but it is usually much cheaper than the same game sold separately.
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Motion controller. A game controller that allows you to control the gameplay not by pressing buttons and deflecting levers, but by the movements of the user. This allows you to play many games using the same movements as in the real world — for example, by waving your hand while holding the controller in it, imitating a bowling ball throw or hitting a tennis racquet. The design and principle of operation of such devices may be different. So, the controller for
...the Nintendo Wii is held in the hand or in a special adapter (for example, imitating a pistol or rifle). Microsoft Kinect is a camera that monitors the position of the player's body and controls the game accordingly. The PlayStation Move from Sony works in a similar way — only, in addition to the camera, it uses an external manipulator with a bright marker ball. Anyway, the motion controller is able to significantly diversify the gameplay. It is best to purchase it immediately with a prefix — it is at least easier and faster, and often cheaper.
— Digital camera. Digital camera features vary by console form factor (see above). So, in portable models, it usually represents a “peephole” located above the screen or on the back side; sometimes there are two cameras at once. In games, such equipment can be used, in particular, to recognize a player by face, to work with augmented reality technologies, to automatically adjust the 3D screen to the position of the user's head, etc. In addition, many portable consoles with this function also allow “non-gaming” options for using the camera — in the same way as it is done on a smartphone or tablet: for video communication, broadcasting on the Web, shooting photos and videos, etc. The specific functionality in both cases may be different. As for desktop models, here the digital camera is usually implemented as a separate device and is most often used to operate a motion controller (see above) or virtual reality technologies (see below). At the same time, we note that Microsoft Kinect is not considered a digital camera — it is a full-featured motion controller that works without additional equipment. But the camera used in the PlayStation consoles only works with the PS Move controller and the PS VR system, so it belongs to this category.
— VR headset. A helmet or virtual reality glasses is an accessory that enhances the effect of immersion in the game. Wearing such a helmet, the user can turn and tilt his head, examining the virtual space as if he were looking at it in the real world — the sensor system changes the image in front of the eyes accordingly. Thus, the maximum "presence effect" is achieved, and the gameplay becomes more diverse and interesting. For example, in racing or a flight simulator, it is convenient to control the environment with the help of a helmet, and in shooters and “roaming games” it may even be possible to look around the corner with your head stretched out. Models bundled with VR accessories can be sold without them, but the console and headset set is usually cheaper than the headset and set-top box separately (not to mention the fact that buying everything at once is more convenient and faster). Note that a VR headset may require a digital camera (in particular, this is the system used in PlayStation consoles); in such cases, if there is no camera "on the farm", it would be useful to clarify its presence in the kit.
In addition to those described above, other optional accessories may be included in the package.The volume of the set-top box's own built-in storage (see "Storage"). The larger this volume, the more information can fit directly in the device, the less often you have to clean the storage. It is worth noting that the same model of a desktop set-top box can be produced with different volumes (
500 GB,
1 TB and
2 TB). For portable set-top boxes, much less volume is available — up to
250 GB
