Wednesday, May 17, 2006
(sorry about the wall of text, feel free to skip around it's pretty organized)
This is the about the closest I'm gonna come to the truth about each system. I'll admit I'm pretty biased (or biast) against the ps3, but I've tried to accept it. I'm prolly missing alot of things, and a bunch of stuff is going to go against you're opinion, so STFU unless you actually have something reletive to say.
The Wii: It's a gamble system, and it's all riding on the Wiimote, numb-chuck. I haven't made a final judgement on the Wiimote, but I can say I like it "in theory". Real life is alot different than theory, and Nintendo is going to really have to work in leaps and bounds it seems to get the Wiimote to work like we all expect it to work. Right now 3rd party support looks really strong, but a control flop pretty much means 3rd parties support's gonna flop too. The plus side is that nintendo gaurantees a few great first party games that are always fun to play. These are Zelda, Metriod, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart. Not to mention that Nintendo always adds a great title with ever generation. Wolves (anti-sheep) will complain again and again about the graphics, but we all know the Wii isn't about graphics for this gen so STFU. On thing I don't like is that there is no standard hard drive to store game saves, and downloads. If you a sheep the Wii is a definate buy, and has the most promise of any system nintendo has released since the SNES, if you are on the fence about getting one stay there until you see how the Wiimote pans out in the final design.
Outlook: better than the Gamecube.
The PS3: If you've had no doubts about buying a ps3 yet don't bother reading this! It's no doubt that the ps3 will have the best graphics this generation, but that also comes with a hefty price tag. The price tag is well worth it, but you really have to ask yourself, "do I need what the ps3 is selling me?" Blu-ray discs, gigabit internet, bluetooth, and the cell. They are all good pieces of hardware, but also quite high on the cost:performance ratio. You're probably asking yourself right now ".... do I need that?" Well lets just say sony's not the best at spotting tech trends, and it's pretty much hit or miss. For example the ps2 was a huge hit using a dvd drive (dvd was about 4 years old at this time), but they failed to see users playing on high speed internet. If you found you needed a dvd drive before 2000 you might need a blu-ray drive, but if you didn't it's a luxury. If you're still in doubt ask a pc gamer he's getting a blu-ray drive to play pc games. You can expect sony's hardware to be top of the line technology, just don't expect it to all work, or even be used. Onto the controller, personally I hate the dual shock design, and was estatic when I saw the batarang, but appearently few others felt the same (nobody even got to handle the controller FGS). Sony had been in a lawsuit for patent infringement on their rumble tech in the dual-shock, and couldn't at it to the dual shock design this time through, but instead added tilt, and direction sensing to the "no-shock". Some say they ripped Nintendo off, but we all know sony had motion design layed out, and Nintendo just tested the market for them (another example of how sony doesn't understand the market). As for online we all know that some part of gameplay will be free, but we don't know what, for how long, and how good it will be. If ps2 online is any example don't expect much more than a ps3 myspace account, and laggy gameplay that takes hours to set up. Though I don't care for many the ps3's titles there are a lot of gamers that do. Sony has a couple developers with titles that have done very well on the ps2, and they look to be exclusive on the ps3 also. Unfortunatly things can change in this industry, and since sony owns very few franchises it's known for alot of ps3 games that seem exclusive could be seen on other systems. If gamers ignore the ps3 in the 6 months after launch due to it's expense, don't expect developers to put in the effort to make many high quality games for the ps3. If this happens the ps3 will become another PSX, 3do, or Jaguar (the psx can play ps2 games though).
Outlook: Not so good expect PS3 to loose their console dominance, but it sony skimps on protection the ps3 could be the best user-ware(hacker) system.
The xbox 360: The original xbox has been one of the greatest consoles I've ever owned, and it convinced a hardcore hermit to try consoles again. The 360 looks to be no exception with impressive hardware, and amazing software abilities. Honestly at first the 360 hardware didn't look like much power on paper, but boy MS did a wonderful job making this system able to push out some amazing performance. There is no HD-DVD, or Blu-ray drive standard, but if you talk to the pc guys they're saying they won't need one for the next 5 or 6 years so it's a good guess neither will the 360. You may of also heard some performance problems, but I doubt that we'll hear anymore of that once it gets past the launch jitters they work out the bugs (happens with all electronics), and the problems are still below 5% of all systems sold. The performance is only overshadowed by it's software. The XNA tools help developers use the same tools they'd use for pc game creation, but add optimization for the 360's hardware. Not to mention tons of model and shader support, and pretty much everything you'd expect from a pc game on a console. There are tons of accessories for the 360, and more to come, but these usually weigh a bit of a high price, but they are the best quality. Xbox live (online) is hands down the best online gaming out there though it does cost about 5-7 bucks a month (or 50 a year) it's well worth it for anyone with a high speed connection. If you've never used live before I know your skeptical about paying for it, and at first I was too. After a 2 month free trial I was hooked, and could easily justify spending $1.50 per week to play. Xb connect is an alternate free online service, but it sucks trust me. As we come down to the games I've fell in love with the xbox line up. DOA, Ninja Gaiden, PGR, Forza, Elder Scrolls, and Halo just to name a few. The future looks great with tons of xbox exclusive games on the way. Some people will say the xbox only has FPS ports, but just check out the Xbox 360 page on GS, and you'll see different. One gametype that the 360 will probably lack in is JRPs which is different from WRPG's, and if you don't know what I'm talking about you probably don't care. The 360 won't be quite as pretty as the ps3, but we won't see as much of a difference as we did between the ps2, and xbox. I know I should say some more negative, but I just can't think of anything. Oh how about the possibility of lemmings getting owned by pc players in cross-system MP matches.
Outlook: Expect to see alot more lemmings in the future.
This is the about the closest I'm gonna come to the truth about each system. I'll admit I'm pretty biased (or biast) against the ps3, but I've tried to accept it. I'm prolly missing alot of things, and a bunch of stuff is going to go against you're opinion, so STFU unless you actually have something reletive to say.
The Wii: It's a gamble system, and it's all riding on the Wiimote, numb-chuck. I haven't made a final judgement on the Wiimote, but I can say I like it "in theory". Real life is alot different than theory, and Nintendo is going to really have to work in leaps and bounds it seems to get the Wiimote to work like we all expect it to work. Right now 3rd party support looks really strong, but a control flop pretty much means 3rd parties support's gonna flop too. The plus side is that nintendo gaurantees a few great first party games that are always fun to play. These are Zelda, Metriod, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart. Not to mention that Nintendo always adds a great title with ever generation. Wolves (anti-sheep) will complain again and again about the graphics, but we all know the Wii isn't about graphics for this gen so STFU. On thing I don't like is that there is no standard hard drive to store game saves, and downloads. If you a sheep the Wii is a definate buy, and has the most promise of any system nintendo has released since the SNES, if you are on the fence about getting one stay there until you see how the Wiimote pans out in the final design.
Outlook: better than the Gamecube.
The PS3: If you've had no doubts about buying a ps3 yet don't bother reading this! It's no doubt that the ps3 will have the best graphics this generation, but that also comes with a hefty price tag. The price tag is well worth it, but you really have to ask yourself, "do I need what the ps3 is selling me?" Blu-ray discs, gigabit internet, bluetooth, and the cell. They are all good pieces of hardware, but also quite high on the cost:performance ratio. You're probably asking yourself right now ".... do I need that?" Well lets just say sony's not the best at spotting tech trends, and it's pretty much hit or miss. For example the ps2 was a huge hit using a dvd drive (dvd was about 4 years old at this time), but they failed to see users playing on high speed internet. If you found you needed a dvd drive before 2000 you might need a blu-ray drive, but if you didn't it's a luxury. If you're still in doubt ask a pc gamer he's getting a blu-ray drive to play pc games. You can expect sony's hardware to be top of the line technology, just don't expect it to all work, or even be used. Onto the controller, personally I hate the dual shock design, and was estatic when I saw the batarang, but appearently few others felt the same (nobody even got to handle the controller FGS). Sony had been in a lawsuit for patent infringement on their rumble tech in the dual-shock, and couldn't at it to the dual shock design this time through, but instead added tilt, and direction sensing to the "no-shock". Some say they ripped Nintendo off, but we all know sony had motion design layed out, and Nintendo just tested the market for them (another example of how sony doesn't understand the market). As for online we all know that some part of gameplay will be free, but we don't know what, for how long, and how good it will be. If ps2 online is any example don't expect much more than a ps3 myspace account, and laggy gameplay that takes hours to set up. Though I don't care for many the ps3's titles there are a lot of gamers that do. Sony has a couple developers with titles that have done very well on the ps2, and they look to be exclusive on the ps3 also. Unfortunatly things can change in this industry, and since sony owns very few franchises it's known for alot of ps3 games that seem exclusive could be seen on other systems. If gamers ignore the ps3 in the 6 months after launch due to it's expense, don't expect developers to put in the effort to make many high quality games for the ps3. If this happens the ps3 will become another PSX, 3do, or Jaguar (the psx can play ps2 games though).
Outlook: Not so good expect PS3 to loose their console dominance, but it sony skimps on protection the ps3 could be the best user-ware(hacker) system.
The xbox 360: The original xbox has been one of the greatest consoles I've ever owned, and it convinced a hardcore hermit to try consoles again. The 360 looks to be no exception with impressive hardware, and amazing software abilities. Honestly at first the 360 hardware didn't look like much power on paper, but boy MS did a wonderful job making this system able to push out some amazing performance. There is no HD-DVD, or Blu-ray drive standard, but if you talk to the pc guys they're saying they won't need one for the next 5 or 6 years so it's a good guess neither will the 360. You may of also heard some performance problems, but I doubt that we'll hear anymore of that once it gets past the launch jitters they work out the bugs (happens with all electronics), and the problems are still below 5% of all systems sold. The performance is only overshadowed by it's software. The XNA tools help developers use the same tools they'd use for pc game creation, but add optimization for the 360's hardware. Not to mention tons of model and shader support, and pretty much everything you'd expect from a pc game on a console. There are tons of accessories for the 360, and more to come, but these usually weigh a bit of a high price, but they are the best quality. Xbox live (online) is hands down the best online gaming out there though it does cost about 5-7 bucks a month (or 50 a year) it's well worth it for anyone with a high speed connection. If you've never used live before I know your skeptical about paying for it, and at first I was too. After a 2 month free trial I was hooked, and could easily justify spending $1.50 per week to play. Xb connect is an alternate free online service, but it sucks trust me. As we come down to the games I've fell in love with the xbox line up. DOA, Ninja Gaiden, PGR, Forza, Elder Scrolls, and Halo just to name a few. The future looks great with tons of xbox exclusive games on the way. Some people will say the xbox only has FPS ports, but just check out the Xbox 360 page on GS, and you'll see different. One gametype that the 360 will probably lack in is JRPs which is different from WRPG's, and if you don't know what I'm talking about you probably don't care. The 360 won't be quite as pretty as the ps3, but we won't see as much of a difference as we did between the ps2, and xbox. I know I should say some more negative, but I just can't think of anything. Oh how about the possibility of lemmings getting owned by pc players in cross-system MP matches.
Outlook: Expect to see alot more lemmings in the future.
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