It's officially the Next Generation.

(originally posted on previous blog 10/9/06)
With 2 new game consoles coming out this Christmas (PS3, Wii) and 3 out within the last 2 years (DS, PSP, 360) gamers have a lot to be happy about. Well of course if you are anything like me your pocketbook is suffering. There are a lot of good reasons to buy any one of these systems, but why own more than one? Because they each have areas of strength that might be of interest to different people. Let hit them all one by one.

Nintendo.
DS and DS-Lite:
The DS was an ugly hodge-podge of interesting technology boosted only by several quality titles, mostly published by Nintendo (of course). The sexy redesigned DS-Lite with the growing stable of solid games now gives users a reason to buy this system.

Pros:
-Backward compatible with hundreds of quality GameBoy Advance games
-Solid library of first party games
-Innovative controls including touch-screen and a microphone
-Innovative features including Dual-Screen and WiFi
-Guaranteed to have some sort of connectivity to the Wii by 2007
-DS-Lite is small and sexy, in a girly geek sort of way - PINK!
-Price - this is a good value for dollar system at $130

Cons:
-Original system was downright bulky and ugly, and they are still selling it - at the same price.
-Not compatible with original GameBoy Color games (GBA is).
-Not a lot of quality third party support, though it is growing.

Verdict: a worthy purchase 8/10

Wii:
This system is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. Nintendo fanboys will buy this in droves, the price is right and it appears they will be able to meet holiday demand on launch. However Nintendo hasn't had a huge success in living room based consoles since the SNES (10 years ago).

Pros:
-First party games - this is what sells Nintendo systems.
-Innovative new controller - Wii remote
-Backward compatible - in theory dating back to NES
-DS compatible, should allow for more innovative designs.
-Priced right - $250 at launch, one SKU.

Cons:
-Third party support?
-Internet support?
-Innovative controller - fatigue?
-Lowest graphic power in next gen
-Backward compatibility heavily skewed toward Nintendo top titles - games you played 10-20 years ago, and you get the priviledge of paying for them again...

Verdict: wait and see, if the games come this is a buy: 7/10

Microsoft:
Xbox 360:
This system has a lot of things going for it, but it won't be successful worldwide. Marketplace and Live Arcade are a mixed blessing. Some of the items are worthy and priced right, some are not. Most of the <$2 items should be free, and when are they going to start dropping the prices, or
making older items available for free? Greatest hits pricing could help keep this stuff fresh.

Pros:
-Good value for the money at $279/$350 (w/20GB HDD)
-XBOX LIVE shows how to do network play correctly
-Player community is strong and growing
-Achievement system for 100% game completion is innovative, and somewhat competitive.
-Backward compatibility with key titles from Xbox1
-MS has deep enough pockets to maintain it even if it fails.
-Very powerful system, truly nextgen with HD, HDD, and Broadband
-XBLA download retro or innovative new games with updated graphics and online play

Cons:
-Limited third party support from key innovators (notably Konami, Square-Enix)
-Spotty 1st party support, some good titles, some stinkers
-As of 2008, have lost control of Bioware (KOTOR/Mass Effect), Bungie (Halo), Bizarre (PGR)
-Doesn't sell in Japan - so likely not to get key Japanese titles
-Marketplace Points - Pay $60 for an incomplete game and another $20 to get all the levels and enhancements that weren't included in the box. :( NO THANKS! Most of the stuff on marketplace has little to no value, but you could easily spend hundreds of real dollars on it.

Verdict: A lot of good, and a few great, titles now as well as some in the pipline. If you like online play and american/european games get it now, if not wait and see 8/10

Sony:
PS3
Well Sony has the deep pocketbooks and enough experience in the industry to be successful, the've proven it in 2 successive generations of hardware. No game company has ever been the industry leader in consoles for more than 2 generations, perhaps Sony is thinking a little too far ahead. They dug themselves a huge hole this upcoming generation, one that will be hard to get out of. Sony will lose a lot of marketshare this year due to inability to deliver systems and pricepoint.

Pros:
-Name brand - successful worldwide, they can sell on branding alone
-Deep pockets, they can afford a few years of losses and maybe make it up down the road
-Strong first, second and third party support - they'll get the games.
-System specs are equvalent to 360 (though may not surpass it).
-Backward compatible - this is HUGE for Sony with a great library behind them.
-Compatible with PSP - may allow for some innovative development.

Cons:
-Their network support is likely to be a minor improvement over PS2... which sucked.
-The specs are likely overstated and it will underperform - most Sony products do.
-OMG it's freaking HUGE - invest in power companies. Unsexy!
-Price - It's too high and multiple SKUs just confuse people
-Heavy advertising for a launch that can't possibly meet demand - BAD IDEA unless you are eBay scum, or a Sony Marketing rep, then you'll love it!
-Sony forced formats - No one wants or needs Betamax, Mini-Disc, Memory Stick, ATRAC, UMD or Blu-Ray, but you get them anyway. Reeks of failure.

Verdict: WAIT and see. Hold off until they drop the price substantially, unless you absolutley must have a Blu-Ray player, then it's a great bargain as stand alone players are $1k. 3/10

PSP:
This system is a mixed blessing of sexy hardware and missed potential. They are now packaging it at a fair price point so it's could be fun if you like to take your console games on the road.

Pros:
-New $250 price includes 1GB MSPD a game and a movie - the return of quality bundling.
-Hands down the most powerful handheld ever, and likely will be for some time
-Easily hacked to play homebrew games including all your favorite classic systems via emulation
-Should be able to play PS1 games after the PS3 debuts but likely will require a PS3
-Solid library of quality console ports, play the games you love on the road.
-Great features including high res screen, WiFi, USB, Memory Stick

Cons:
-Where is the game support? No "killer apps"
-UMD forced format - who needs/wants it? And the games load SLOW.
-Limited use of all the advanced features - why no infrastucture WiFi games?
-Seems to already be dying a slow death.

Verdict: The only system I ever reserved prior to release. I had high expectations, and only the homebrew has panned out. If you like homebrew or PS1/PS2 ports, get it. If not avoid it. 7/10

So What system(s) should you buy?
If you like Online gaming don't hesitate to buy the $400 dollar premium Xbox 360 package and a LIVE subscription. You can purchase both at online discounters for under $400 shipped (I did). Avoid the $300 package, especially if you own an HDTV, it doesn't include the $40 HD component cable or a storage device; $40 memory card or $100 HDD!

If you want to play Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid, Star Fox, and the list goes on and on... You probably already have a DS, and you already pre-ordered your Wii. if not, don't hesitate. If you want to play 20 year old Nintendo games I would recommend PC emulation over a Wii. I know it's a grey area, but I can't condone paying money for games you bought and played a LONG time ago, unless they are HEAVILY updated in graphics and online play.

If you want Sony games, stick to your PS2 or consider a PSP, but I would avoid the PS3 which reeks of early failure. It may pick up some steam after they start discounting it and getting units and games on the store shelves, which won't happen until late 2007 at the earliest.

Gaming on the cheap?
Buy a PS2 or a DS-Lite for $130 and with great libraries of solid titles which include backward compatibility for PS1 and GBA respectively. You really can't go wrong if you don't already own these systems.