I'm in a bit of a dillema here. I have three or so choices I'll list them. Buy the Wii. Buy the 360. Just get some new games for my PC like Neverwinter Nights 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. These are my choices and I only have money for one. In depth the Wii would be sweet because of stuff like Red Steel and Twighlight Princess and it cost way less than the 360. On the other hand I have enough to get the 360 core unit and if I get a used one its not too much more expensive than the Wii. Other 360 reasons Halo 3, Halo Wars, a rumored KOTOR 3. Sticking with my PC it saves money so I can actually buy stuff at Ohayocon. So what is a poor boy to do? Any input or advice would be welcome you might know about some sweet games I have yet to hear of that could influence my decision.

P.S. You may be wondering why I show no interest in the PS3. Well besides the price tag which is too rich for my blood at the moment my PS2 crapped out on me and I told myself I would never buy another Sony gaming system.

PS3>Wii>XBox 360

Save your money. Get cool stuffs at Ohayo and get the systems 2+ years from now when the prices are reasonable.

A good point but by that time there will probably be a new system out that I will want lol. But I have indeed been considering a playing a wait and see game before I make any decisions. But what to buy at the con? $300 worth of Pocky? I guess that would be pretty sweet.

Yeah, agree'd with RPB3000, its safer to just save your money for conventions than buy the systems the moment they come out, and plus, probably when they first come out, so many people are going to have already bought them, the chances of you actually getting one the first week or weekend of them being out is very hard, unless you stand outside the door and wait until it opens, or they release it.


But if you really want to get something now, go ahead and get the games, you'd be better off since most people would be worried about the systems than the games for the PC at the moment.

If you absolutely must buy now, may I point out that everything on the 360 will eventually come to the PC and end up being better for it?

360 has already failed to take off.
The Wii looks pretty good.

If you're a serious gamer, I'd say maybe grab a PC game, and keep some money in reserve for the Wii once it has a few more titles out with it, but either way I think it's going to be the system to have for the forseeable future. If for no other reason than the party games.

Good points all around although PC won't get a sixteenth of what the 360 gets in the way of games and I don't feel the 360 has failed, at least not yet it can't fail any worse than the PS3 will in any case. I mean counting out the 360 is like counting out America and you can't count out America theres no telling what crazy bastards like us will do.

Well i'm on the other side of the fence from most folks here it seems for me it goes..

360>Wii>PS3

I've had my 360 since December 2005, and i've never felt back about picking on up. In fact in the last few months i've played my 360 alot more than the PS2, or any other system.

I don't think I would count out the 360 either, heck sales are just now starting to go up in japan and while there's no doubt it won't make much a dent in japan, increase in sales is always a good thing. Plus it seems Blue Dragon is getting a good vibe from folks so there's some hope for systems to go out the door in Japan still.

PS3 just has nothing on it that makes me want to buy one. It's sad because I love gaming, and i've been pumped for every system that has come out. But there's no title on the PS3 that makes me want to rush out and buy one. With the 360 there was Dead or Alive 4, Perfect Dark Zero (even if people disliked it), and Kameo. I enjoyed each of those games when they came out and I bought a few other titles inbeween. Sure there have not been alot of "strong" release titles during it's current launch, but I don't blame them really. I'd want to save great titles to go up against other systems.

Gears of War is great, I enjoy the multiplayer and co-op with other folks over live or just when I have a friend over it's great to play the story mode with them instead of just having the option of one on one deathmatch.

Saint's Row was alright. Call it what you will, it still was great to play through, and the online mode was enjoyable once the new patch came out.

Phantasy Star Universe, sure it's on the PS2 and PC as well, but i've enjoyed playing it on my 360 with people that I've met through other Xbox Live Games. You start to get to know the people on your friends list and it makes future Live Games more fun. Problem with this for all versions is the lack of content. ~_~

Viva Pinata, now sure this might seem like a kids game. It's aimed at kids after all, but it's had good reviewes so far. It seems alot of people are buying it for there kids or there wives. I know my wife only will play games she dubs as "cute" aka Animal Crossing, and Harvest Moon. But this is the first 360 game she's played and that she's really enjoyed playing. Plus the more you play it the harder it gets and so far that's made it more enjoyable for me.

Chromehounds, a good mech game that was fun to play online. I sold it awhile back due to wanting to pick up another title, but that didn't make the game itself any less fun. I joined a guild of folks and made some friends as we had some fun in PVP battles against other folks. Good for mech heads.

Xbox Live Arcade, now this option is going to be on all systems in some form or another, but so far it's been something that's sold me. Texas Hold'em, Uno, Smash TV, Contra and other games that you have to pay for, still end up being fun. Sure some have problems, like Contra, but overall it's another way to meet folks and have a good time.

Now while this might seem that i'm a strong 360 fanboy, the truth is i'm open minded in my gaming and I see what's good about anything that I play. Just right now there is nothing I REALLY want to play on the other systems coming out. Next year perhaps, MGS4 and FFXIII are intersting looking. But that's really about it. Things will need to shape up and a lower price to really make me want to buy a PS3.

The Wii on the other hand looks ok, I fear though that it's gimmick will just die over time. Sure it seems great now, but after a few hours of waving your hands around and moving, some might just not want to play ever again. Alas some gamers are lazy folks. While I hope this is not the case, the only reason I would really want a Wii right now is for Zelda. Nothing else really calls to me with the Wii at the moment.

The PC gaming market, I don't really get into that whole mess. I mean I do play PC games when something interesting comes out. RTS games are all the same these days, FPS games are all the same in terms of style. Heck the new battlefield game was BF2 with a new Skin and match types. I would like to play a new MMO, but there's very few of those that are coming out that I really want. Tabula Rasa is a game i'm hoping to see something out of though, and WoW, well i'm just burned on that game and I never got to 60.

Overall I think the future looks good for everyone who enjoys gaming. I just don't know what's to come with the PS3 that would really make me want the system. I know what's to come for the 360, and I look forward to alot of the upcoming games. Plus i'm happy with the 360, and that's the most important thing about buying a system. Is if you feel that what you just paid money for, is worth it.

http://www.microcenter.com/images/specials....front.full.jpg

Plus it seems right now at Microcenter that they are offering a 100 buck mail in rebate on any Xbox 360 system bought.

Good 11-13-2006 to 12-3-2006

So if you decide to buy the core anyways, might as well get a rebate for doing so, although i'm not sure how easy it will be to obtain the system itself from them. They don't do this deal online either, so you would have to go to the store here in Columbus and hope they have one in.

Thanks for the info! I might have to take a trip up to Columbus then.

Mashidar: Have you looked at Lair at all?

Lair seems interesing as well, i'm more used to Factor 5's work on the Star Wars games on the gamecube. So it could be good, then again it could be bad. Watching trailers and what not makes me think of a upgraded version of Drakengard.

Their use of the PS3's controller will either be loved or hated. I've never been a huge fan of motion movement with a controller. Heck the power glove was neat back in the day but we see how that went. I'd much rather have rumble over motion in a PS3 controler.

What if i'm playing Lair, and I drop my controller mid-flight? I'm not saying it's bad, just that it will be different. Different is good, but it will really just depend what happens with more time if it will be a game that I would want. Right now from everything i've seen about it, it's something that I could wait on.

Plus to expand on your comment of 360 games going to the PC. Yeah that will happen no doubt, in time though. I'm sure Gears of War will come to PC down the line, and it will make more money for Microsoft going that route. But for those that don't want to deal with the hassle that PC gaming tends to come with, going with a system would allow you to have the game sooner, 95% of the time i'm sure, and you would not have to worry about any of the issues such as graphic's card issues, memory issues, driver issues, or anything else that could ruin a game on a PC if your system is not up to par.

Some folks have been saying that NWN 2 is a pain to run on most systems, although i've not purchaed the game myself to know first hand, if it was a game that was on a console system, be it PS3/360/Wii, at least you would not have to really do any system troubleshooting to get it to run.

Unless that is you have a defective system, but that's another ball of wax to get into.

Mashidar as to all RTS being the same I don't think you have seen the trailer for Halo Wars its an RTS set in the Halo universe prior to Halo and deals with the early conflict with the Covenant. The trailer for it is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. Run Halo Wars through youtube and be amazed.

I really don't think you're being fair to PCs in all of this- consoles have troubles too, you know. DRE PS2s, Xboxes that just refuse to work (or catch on fire), cartridge systems needing to be cleaned out to play their games. PCs really don't have problems unless the user messes with it. Neverwinter Nights 2 is kind of a special case in that, while it IS a big name, it's a piece of trash (a game like that shouldn't run slower than Oblivion). Much like any platform, software quality is hit-or-miss. Of course, unlike a console game, NWN2 can be patched. Or, if need be, hardware can be upgraded and/or replaced easily. If something is broken or insufficient in a console you complain about it. In a PC you fix the problem.

I'll stick with my PC for the bulk of my gaming, thank you very much.

Oh i'm not saying that systems don't have problems. I just said it was another ball of wax really. I'm aware that problems can happen with consoles much like PC's, but the difference is to me that if my system is dead, i send away for repairs or buy a new one depending on the price and problem.

I'm looking at general public though with the use of a PC, I watched so many people come into Best Buy when I worked there to have Geek Squad fix there PC, or add new hardware that they recommend, or software installed. You, no doubt, have an understanding about PC's and how to upgrade them and fix them if there is a problem. Others might not be so lucky to know how to do it, and while it's easy to learn, many would rather leave it to others to fix it for them. I know I troubleshoot my father's PC that I gave him awhile back when something goes wrong or it needs upgraded so he won't have to go to somewhere like Geek Squad.

Console gaming is ment to be simple really, you buy the system and any game you buy for that system means you can play it without having issues. Although with this generation it seems that games are released and if there is a problem they release a patch to fix it. Saint's Row had a patch for Multiplayer, a few live titles had patchs as well, also the updates to the Dashboard for new features and updates.

Also PC games can have problems on install, alot of folks don't even know what system spec's are. The amount of people that don't know that information and still buy games for there PC is rather high i'm afraid. I'd ask people all the time if they know there basic spec's and there reply was.."It's a Dell." or "It's a compaq." That does not mean PC gaming is worse, just that more problems come up because upon install it might not run fully on a system, or heck there could be a problem with there hardware that would cause them to have to go to someone to get it fixed if they are unable to do it themselves. Many assume that like consoles with there games, that if you buy a PC game, you should just be able to put it in your PC and play without any problems system wise.

Again it's not a strong issue that happens often, heck the only game I played as of late that didn't run well was Auto Assault and D&D Online. But I gave up those games before the first month was up. But still errors can happen from just installing it onto your system, not often, but still more so than any console game that i've played in a system. I've yet had an issue where I put a game into my console, besides the NES with the old fashion need to blow into the cart and sysem, and it didn't run well or need any tweeking to make it playable.

The one thing I will agree with is that if there is a hardware issue on a console you have no option but to go to tech support to get a new system or repair done on it, or you need to buy a new system. But as I said also, even if you can fix the PC problems yourself, it does not mean it's a general option for most folks that tend to get consoles. People tend to complain about consoles because people know if they break they might get screwed in terms of repairs, unlike with PC's where worse case you can take it somewhere to be cleaned up and repaired if you can't do it yourself. Although man Geek Squad does make money from the prices of there services.

So overall i'm not against PC gaming, just that from talking with general public that buys software and console systems most seem to feel abit more easy getting a console because they don't need to know system specs or any hardware settings. They just know that they have to make sure the logo on the game case matchs there X-Cube-Station 12 DS for it to work at home. Even then people tend to return items because they got something for the wrong system so it's not perfect.

Again most folks that I run into on the internet know how to use there PC, and know enough to fix there own system so PC gaming is the most simple to go with in terms of problems. But i'm also looking at folks that might just use there PC to play games from time to time and don't know what is what on there PC in order to make a game work. That's the only reason I feel the way I do about consoles and PC gaming. I just like things simple and would avoid having to play the chance game if I can if I can have a console version of the same game that's on the PC.

PC does have mods though for alot of there popular games so that's a huge plus. I loved playing Natural Selection mod for Half Life, something that I could not do with a console system unless it was released for a system down the line. But things like that are rare to happen it seems.

I've read up on Halo Wars, i'm afraid it will still be the same type of RTS game no matter the universe it's set in. I'm not saying it's bad, in fact I enjoy RTS games. If it controls like Battlefield for Middle Earth 2 did on the 360 i'll be really happy with the game.

Maybe it's just because I've fallen out of the PC gaming loop, but my perceptions of late have been that there are less and less PC gamers (though they are becoming more and more hard core). That these days people don't seem as interested in sitting at their PC for a few hours as they do in moving it to the couch.

This is all speculation, but a few reasons might be that with increased graphics in consols there is less need of games that test your video cards capabilities (plus your TV screen is bigger anyhow). Also, now that consol games are online too, there is no edge for for PC games in that department either. Plus consol games are more conveniant (plug and play) no loading, hard disk space issues, you don't have to stop running other programs, and you can still use AIM without inturrupting game play. Last (and I know Yrent disagrees with me on this) I think a controller is a much better instrument for killing than a keyboard and mouse.

Don't get me wrong, certain games are better for a PC. Civilization would suck on a system, as DID starcraft.

Yeah.. I think a reason is that game designers are now focusing more on the multiplayer then on those who sit at home playing alone. Multiplayer on the computer means internet connection. For some of the newer games a really fast internet connection. And thats a monthly bill. Where as if you get a consol it's a one time payment then it's yours and you can invite friends over and such, plug in a few more controllers and there you have it, multiplayer without a $30-$40 a month price tag.

And then there's me, who sucks at all multiplayer games except for a select few on the Sega Genesis and N64, and therefore could care less. In which case the PS3 is total win, because it has the best single-player games coming out for it, and the best hardware capabilities.

That's very arguable actually. I would say that in terms of hardware Xbox 360 is actually superior because it's basically the same thing as PS3 but comes with more memory. PS3 does have Blu Ray support, so that's also attractive.

PC is still the best though.

PC is the best but sadly PC gaming is dying and PC gamers are getting screwed in the way of games. As for best single player games I doubt the PS3 will get anymore than the 360 or Wii. Also I don't get why people get so worked up about Blu ray I mean 360 supports High Definition DVDs. Only thing PS3 has got is backwards compatability and a 60 GB hard drive on the top end version.

Backwards compatibility is a definite bonus. And the Wii's false advertising about being backwards compatible (because you can download ROMs to it) is obnoxious. If it was truly backwards-compatible, you could plug your old cartridges in them to play them.

Also, Blu-ray > HD-DVD. Although I'm already feeling a Beta vs. VHS vibe from this war...

I don't even want to imagine that.

Oregon Trail on a system...

You custom make your party, choosing outfits and such.

And then you can see great graphics which shows you and your party wasting away from disease!

And then there's always the good old, drop dead for no reason.

With accomying dramatic soundtack!

That's rediculous on so many levels! Cartridges grow old and die with time, plus it would be nothing but ports and readers! Downloading the older cartridge games was clearly the best (and only) feasible solution.

As for PS3 games, I'm sorry dude but I have not heard of a single title I'm excited about. I hate to say it, but the 360 is a much more attractive system at this moment.

Well, you know they are going to make Final Fantasy XIII for it. But who knows if that will be good with the current trend of things.

At least Wii is backwards compatible with Gamecube which is as much as can be hoped for these days and it can use all GC controllers and accessories. Plus damn near everybody I have ever talked to about it has said they had a PS2 die on em much like mine did so I do not feel Sony makes a quality product. Although the 360 was not what I would call up to par at launch.

Better shot of something coming out of Mistwalker studio's with Lost Odd. and Blue Dragon for the 360 than FFXIII being that great. After all at least Mistwalker Studio's has old FF Talent involved, where as FFXIII no doubt will take some new departure from the series.

I enjoy FFXII, but frankly the last few have disappointed me really.

I don't have a problem with them doing it, and I wouldn't expect them to have multiple cartridge ports on their system. (Although it's almost feasible to have a single port with multiple adaptor carts for the various systems) What I have a problem with is them calling it "backwards-compatible" with all the systems it claims it is when it really isn't. If they said "backwards-compatible with Gamecube and features the ability to download and play your favorite classic games!" then it would be fine. But they sound like they're trying to use the classic-download feature to directly compete with the PS3's backwards-compatibility to the original PlayStation, which isn't the case. If you don't have the internet, the Wii's feature is shot. But the PS3 can still play games 2 generations old.

Sidenote: I almost wish Sega would come out with a system that would play Sega CD, Saturn, and Dreamcast games. That would be fun.

And what's this about carts getting old? My freakin' Atari games still work fine. In the meantime, I've had to throw away CDs because they got too scratched up. Carts are much more durable and long lasting than CDs ever will be.

Dude! Me and a friend of mine were just wondering yesterday if Sega will ever just ten years down the road come out of nowhere and get back in the hardware game. I honestly think/hope they will. I think the stakes just keep rising in the system wars and its only a matter of time before new players join and old players(Sega and Atari) get back in the game.

Perhaps but doubtful. I mean Sega and Atari are kinda on the level of game developers now. Plus a key factor of any system these days is how much third party support it could muster. Sega or Atari I doubt has the funds to bribe any strong support to a new system that the powerhouses at Microsoft or Sony have.

The only way they could really compete I think would be to first get alot of funding, and then go for a system that allowed you to do things that other systems on the market did not do already. The Wii will sell not because it's more powerful or better than the other two systems on the market. But because like the DS it will hit it's market of being fun and creative.

I'm betting that the Wii will destroy Japan much like how the DS destroys Japan's gaming market at the moment.

I mean it's not to long ago where it was just sony and nintendo, then microsoft entered the market and because of the name "microsoft" it was shunned by alot of people who had a dislike for the company itself.

Sega had there shot as well as Atari i'm afraid, I don't think they will do more but pump out more half assed games, if you are sega, or PC games like NWN2 from Atari.

Although Test Drive Unlimited for the 360 was not to bad.

Actually I've never had a singe problem with my PS2. I even forgot it was on for almost 4 weeks and it still works perfectly.

People that have no idea what they're talking about shouldn't pretend to. The systems are night and day in terms of execution.

What, do you only read IGN or something? PC gaming has never looked better. Do you even know what's coming up in this next year? Between Unreal Engine 3 and the new hardware coming out, I don't even see how you doubt

Yeah, it supports them if you want to pay an extra $200. Where's your price delta now?

You've got a point that's simultaneously bad and good. Nintendo, to my knowledge, never actually said anything about it being backwards compatible with anything but GCN (I damn well hope so- they're practically the same inside!). The bad news for Nintendo is they're making it a pay service with a fairly lame list and pricing scheme. Word.

Too late Daddy-o, they already did that. Civ was on SNES- it played pretty well. So was Warcraft 2, actually; sucked though.

Yeah because Hironobu Sakaguchi really knows how to write a story. The same story, in fact. He did it from FF4 through FF9. It peaked at 6 and went downhill from there. Throw in sokme Sonic Team rejects and the only redeeming quality is Uematsu on the music. I honestly don't have high hopes for Mistwalker. They'll make a decent few RPGs, but I doubt I'm alone when I say "I'll probably never own a 360, so I miss out. Oh well."


PS: I fucking LOVE how Invision's crap-ass borads don't know how to quote properly.

Our PS2 is about 2 years old and it plays PS2 games fine. But it refuses to play any sort of PS 1 game now. So while I can play PS2 games, I can't play PS 1 games.

My PS2 is ancient now, and plays everything fine. PS1, DVD, Audio-cd, whatever. It's never had a problem.

Also, slimline PS2s have always sucked. I remember seeing an ad at the EB at Easton saying that you could bring in your old PS2 and exchange it for a slimline and they'd give you a free game. If that doesn't tell you something... *shakes head*

I have to wonder though if there's certain sets of PS2s that were error prone. Like bad production runs or something.

While Ataris return to hardware is unlikely if it was going to happen it would have long before now in all truthfulness but hey a man can dream can't he? As for Sega I still have my Genisis and alot of fond memories and while it might be a while if they can scrape up the money they might throw their hat back in the ring someday and I would like to see it. I mean Hell if a developer has a few hit series they might just enter the grand arena. I mean I think that if Bungie wanted to they could have their own system. I mean they are still counting their Halo money let alone their Halo 2 money. Nor would I be surprised to see Dell/Alienware try to make a system of their own if they had the notion to do so. Also Vincent what kind of PS2 did you have? Was it the slim version?

P.S. I really do not pay much attention to IGN I mainly read EGM and Newtype USA for my info. Or if not them Wikipedia. Snoogans.

Newsflash:

Microsoft owns Bungie. They specifically bought Bungie so that they could use Halo (which was in development at the time as a hybrid PC/Mac game) as the flagship of the XBox.

A good point but do you think Microsoft wouldn't field multiple systems if they felt it would benefit them? As impractical as that seems they are Microsoft they are kind of evil to the core with deep pokets a terrifying but not umcommon combination. At least Nintendos back in the race with the Wii which will be more sucessful than the N64 or Game Cube if it gets 3rd party support and with a Resident Evil in the works and an interesting game called Thorn planned I think they will. Hell if the Bleach Wii and Clash of Ninja 5 games in the works for make it Stateside it would not be a wasted purchase for the otaku plus a FF and a Dragon Quest. Snoogans.

No Microsoft would not support a system that was developed by Bungie or any first party developer. Frankly a first party developer gets alot of funding from Microsoft as it is, and I doubt they would want to have to get into the hassle that developing a system costs. First Party developers want to make money after all not risk losing it.

Plus you need to add in the fact that to make a system you have to get in bed with alot of other groups to make the parts for the system, as well as make sure you are not getting a product that might just be worthless in a year or two.

Nintendo will do well with the Wii but not because of games like Bleach or Naruto. Those are just a small market grab in the US. They have to have good games that use the controler design in a new way that will make playing games fun. Heck the DS is huge in Japan and does ok here in the US. I think the Wii will do great in Japan, and it will do well here for now, but there needs to be a few more good games to come on the Wii.

After all a big push right now is the new Zelda game and the fact that it's new. What will happen a year from now?