For a long time now, I've been wanting to catch up on a bunch of stuff I missed in gaming. I've missed a lot. I missed the Gamecube, the Xbox, the NES, and many many many other things. So now it's time to catch up.

I've put together a plan that will catch me up completely, and set me up well for the oncoming generation. I'm so hardcore .

In 1986, the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in the U.S for only $100. In 2006, the Playstation 3 will launch for at least $400, most probably around $500 or $600. I fail to see how this is good for the industry. What makes systems that cost more than constructive sources of fun like musical instruments a good investment.

I remember when I first started buying my own games, new games were $40 a pop, the hot new system, the Dreamcast, was only (I think) $200, and soon after that, the PS2 launched at $300. I remember thinking that was rediculous. Games like SSX, Tekken Tag, and Twisted Metal Black were $50! Outrageous! So what is this I hear about the new system, $400 for this Xbox 360, and $60 for Call of Duty 2, Codemned Criminal Origins, or Elder Scrolls IV.

At this pace, next gen systems will cost $500-$600, with new games at $70! What can gamers do to help? Well, the answer is a lot more simple than you think.

As far as games go, don't pirate. Piracy is raising prices because publishers have a harder time selling copies and making money on games that are free on the internet. For systems, this is a toughy, but the answer is exactly the opposite of what you would think. Don't buy them at launch.

The more people that buy an Xbox 360 at $400 is the more reassurance that Microsoft has that this price is reasonable...so just remember this the next time you're making a game related investment.

Does it get any better than this? Over the past few weeks, I've been playing some of the best games out there. Resident Evil 4 and SOCOM 3 are new to my collection. I've been playing classics on N64 like Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario 64. I'm still playing Half-Life on Dreamcast (thanks to billy_the_kid). Super Mario World and Donkey Kong 3 on SNES...I haven't even bought Shadow of the Colossus yet! It's a great time for gamers everywhere...lemmings are getting a new console in less than a month...sheep are playing their DSs, and even a couple GC games...when was the last time there were so many great games to play? SNES? N64? Dreamcast launch?...IDK, but I'm livin' it up.