X BOX WINNER

Yes, despite having HD capability, most people are still going to be playing on NTSC TV's. It's not hard to push a lot of polygons for a crappy resolution like that.

But CP_bound brings up the most key question in terms of reaching a more mainstream audience. I think they've crawled out of that hole now because the games are so much more diverse. Having Conker games certainly helps, but if they can get party games or cart racing games, they'll own all over the place. Certainly getting Rare into the fold will make a difference.

The compatibility thing should be interesting, but I suspect it'll be better than they say. The PS2 literally has a PS1 in it, but I haven't heard if PS3 will do emulation of a console-on-a-chip. Actually, the best thing to do is translation, which adapts instruction calls for one CPU to make them work with another. That's the approach Apple is using for their Intel-based systems next year.

Joe E said:

I think Resident Evil 4 gave it a run for its money. Yes, capcom, and the system has the least juice (aka GameCube) delivered the most detail and lifelike textures I have ever seen in a game to date

Well since this thread has turned into a full fledged console war, I suppouse I'll pipe in here. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Gamecube is definatley NOT the system with the least "juice" as your calling it. Of the 3 major consoles out right now, the PS2 is the least powerful, with Gamecube being in the middle and the Xbox being the most powerful. And just for the record, Resident Evil 4 is currently in the process of being ported to the PS2, and I can garauntee you it wont look as good as it did on Gamecube because the PS2 just isnt as powerful.

Just a few things I know that the ps3 will have.....

Blue tooth.

HD dvd player.

Able to play both playstation 1 and 2 games.

Mp3.

flash drive.

I personaly do not care for the xbox console as much as I do the playstation2. There is a better selection of games for the ps2. The only games that I like for xbox is halo and doom, plus the controlers are more comftrable(sp) for the ps2 opposed to the bulky xbox controlers.

I do own all 3 systems(xbox,ps2,gamecube).

We just recived a demo disk at work for the ps3, and it shows some of the games that are going to be launched with the system, and they just blew me away.

I can tell by the questions from our custumers that the ps3 is going to be a much bigger hit than the xbox will be. A lot of possitive feedback about the ps3 and not too much excitment about the new xbox. We actualy have people ask us just about every day about reserving a ps3, but yet had anyone ask to reserve an xbox. It seems as if xbox is cutting corners just to be able to launch the system by christmas.

But in the long run, I am sure that once again that I will own all 3 systems because they will all have games that I want, like playstation will have grand theft and socom......gamecube will have zelda and metroid.....xbox will have halo.

We've already established that the first out of the gate has an advantage regardless of how powerful the platform is. You said it yourself with the PS2 and Xbox.

Sony has been towing the "better selection" line for a long time, but what it really has is "more" selection, not "better." Not even close. Heck, I didn't even buy a PS2 until DDRmax came out, because there wasn't anything compelling enough to buy. Quality over quantity is the only thing that managed to keep Nintendo in the loop at all through the Gamecube and N64 years.

Advantage Microsoft this time. Mark my words. I've based my opinion on the business of the industry, not some ridiculous fanboyisms.

I've gotta chime in here now.

X360 has the software (XBox Live) but the PS3 definitely has the hardware (Cell processor, BlueTooth, Blu-Ray). Like Jeff said, Sony has had a "scatter shot" way of toting their games; there's hundreds of games for PSX and PS2, but its only once in awhile that a game hits the mark (God of War :) ).

On the same note, look at the current X-Box library. It has taken years for the number of quality X-Box titles to grow to what it has become today, and Microsoft is abandoning about half of that library. I know there are people who have come into my work who are greatly annoyed at the lack of *confirmed 100% backwords compatibility* with the 360. Those people have been collecting X-Box titles for years, and they will be very upset if not all of those games play on the 360.

The whole thing about backwords compatibility, however, is really only important for the first year or two of the console's life. Especially with next-gen games starting at $59.99, new games for the consoles will be slow to be sold, I believe. I've had people who originally traded in their PSX for the PS2 launch, only to buy the PSX again a few years later when it is only $19.99.

Jeff, not to call you out, but what about the Sega Dreamcast? That came just before the current generation of consoles, and the DC is nowhere to be seen today. I don't think the earlier release date will be too big a deal regarding console popularity. Sure the 360 will ship more units at its launch, but that will only be due to its release date - November.

(It's gonna be hell selling those this year...)

Jason1 said:

Well since this thread has turned into a full fledged console war, I suppouse I'll pipe in here. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Gamecube is definatley NOT the system with the least "juice" as your calling it. Of the 3 major consoles out right now, the PS2 is the least powerful, with Gamecube being in the middle and the Xbox being the most powerful. And just for the record, Resident Evil 4 is currently in the process of being ported to the PS2, and I can garauntee you it wont look as good as it did on Gamecube because the PS2 just isnt as powerful.

Touché’, you got me ;)

My statement was meant to be semi sarcastic, in that to the GP, the cube seems like that little cute system that just runs Mario Sunshine and the likes and has no power. Most Cube-less people seem to talk trash about the cube because they don’t see the few games like Metriod, Eternal Darkness, and the 3 Resident Evils, that challenge even the capabilities of the X-Box

Hopefully the new Zelda willl make people Realize the cube has some pop

MiLLeNNiuMRiDeR said:
On the same note, look at the current X-Box library. It has taken years for the number of quality X-Box titles to grow to what it has become today, and Microsoft is abandoning about half of that library.

What are you talking about? Xbox has had great titles since launch, and they're not "abandoning" anything. The truth is, you don't know what will be compatible on the new machine, and I suspect the things that don't work will be rare. Besides, if compatibility was that important, you'd keep your old one anyway!

I have a Dreamcast. It failed in part because the marketing sucked, and partly because of lack of "franchise" games. The games they had were many at launch, and really great (Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis, for example), but awareness was terrible. The bigger issue in gamers minds, I'm sure, was the disaster that was the Saturn, and I'm sure not everyone was willing enough to get over that to buy a Dreamcast.

In other words, that was nothing like the forthcoming generation. The biggest risk during the holidays is actually the old hardware, that they'll price it lower. If the PS2 and Xbox go down to $100, that's going to hurt sales to some degree I'm sure.

I still haven't bought a PS2. I've played one a few times, but it never had the games that I would want to play. The only drawback to having an XBox is that the EA games were made for PS2 and so the graphics sucked on Xbox.

The recent drawback to the Xbox is that you can't find a decent controller. I need to have a finger surgically attached to my palm just to have a CHANCE at reaching the black and white buttons on the controller-S. The orginal controllers were the first ones that were comfortable. Even the second gen ones that were not quite as bulky but kept that configuration were worth good. Despite my wanting a wireless controller for mine, I can't because they are all stupid controller s's.

And lastly, I'll be waiting until 6 months out to pick up mine this time around. One is financial issues the other is that it took a while for the bugs to get out of the original X release. Mine had run fine for a year or so (just long enough for the warranty to run out) and then I started having optical drive issues (lots of DDE). Eventually had to just buy a new drive and put it in. Hopefully the components last longer this time around.

I have to say I agree with Jeff about this go around. The only reason Sony has dominated is because they were first to market. Both sides have their share of games that are exclusive and excellent, but Sony had the market because they got there first. Now its time to see what someone else can do with a next-gen market all to themselves.

BTW, when is the release for PS3? I'll probably get my X360 around that time since they'll probably do a nice fat price drop to really screw with Sony.

Microsoft is actually going to launch Halo3 the same day as Sony launches the PS3. Very clever of them, in my opinion, but man do I feel for the electronics stores open at midnight that day! :)

I don't understand what the big deal is with the Blue Tooth, Blue Ray crap. Whoop-dee-doo, you have a bit more advanced hardware. Well that's a good and well, but you still need the software to back it up. And right now they look like they are falling short on that front.

If you want to compare systems, just check out all the titles for each system here: www.gametrailers.com

It gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect from the games, and also gives you a rundown of what platform hosts it in a glance. I think they have an interview on there somewhere with J Allard too.
*** Edited 8/15/2005 3:08:29 PM UTC by ***

Ps3 comes out in the spring of 2006.

Xbox has not impressed me. The only differance That I can see in the game systems is that the grafics(sp) are slightly better for the xbox. But not enough to wow me.

The one big complaint that I have with all 3 systems is the controles. It is so hard to learn all the differant button configurations due to the fact that there are way too mant buttons.

What ever happend to B A START SELECT?

cp bound......it does make a big differance(blue tooth) to a lot of people that are into wirerless game play.

Also, one of the resons that sony has had the market over xbox is not because they were the first, but because they have had a much better selection of games for all age groups. Xbox caters more or less just to adults. Just look at the number of childrens and e rated games that ps2 has opposed to xbox.......thats a HUGE selling point.

Wow. All this talk about PS3 and Xbox360, and not a word about Nintendo Revolution. Sure, we know very little about it, and sure, I'll admit that it will probably fail up against these two powerhouses, but still. Can anyone say "entire Nintendo back catalog"? That alone should be worth the price of admission.

Now, I'll admit the PS3 and X360 look great, and they will probably sell well. But the only thing that's stopping me is money. Gas prices are now $2.79. A gallon. FOR UNLEADED. That is absoultly insane. With the talk of next-gen games rising to $59.99 and even $69.99, where is the absoulte point? Gamecube came out with an $150 dollar price tage, while the PS2 and Xbox came with a, what, $250-300? Nintendo has always been about a family system with a low cost, and I really hope that doesn't send them to the grave. Because the only thing we are certain of right now, is that E3 2006 is the "year of the Revolution".

And I just hope Nintendo isn't too late.

crazy horse said:

...it does make a big differance(blue tooth) to a lot of people that are into wirerless game play.

Xbox360 will also be wireless. I don't follow your reasoning there.

The funny thing about Blu-Ray is that Sony is in the minority in supporting it. It does technically have a slight edge over HD DVD, but Sony is trying really hard to Betamax themselves again.

I fear for Nintendo. The SNES was great fun in college, and the drunken party nights playing Mario Kart on the N64 were awesome, but they're just way, way too late this time. Honestly the Gamecube hasn't had a lot of action at my house.

I've gotta admit the BlueTooth compatibility is for the real geeks/techies/image-conscious people. Alot of the latest and greatest cell phones have BlueTooth compatibility, as well as some top-of-the-line cars (BMW and Mercedes, I believe). There are also BT mice, keyboards, as well as headsets that should be compatible with the PS3 without any modification.

Nintendo is, sadly, on a downfall. I'm in line for the Mine Ride yesterday and I get a voice mail on my phone from a 817 area code, from Texas. If you reserve games from GameStop you know about getting a phone call the day before the game comes out from "Aeris from GameStop", an 817 area code. Well I figured it was some game I had reserved, only to be notified that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has been delayed until 2006.

Got home and researched the delay. With the bad comes some good, the Nintendo DS will drop $20 in price on 8/21, when Nintendogs is released here in the US.

Zelda was supposed to be their huge Christmas killer hot item, but with it being pushed back into next year, Nintendo is in the hurt. On top of that, rumor is that the Revolution won't launch til '07. Waaay too late.

Oh, and speaking of dropping prices, word is that a new PS2 will drop to $99 right around the same time the X360 launches.

The only reason why I would think they would do that is to unload all the overstocked PS2's. If PS3 is truly totally backwards compatible, why wouldn't you rather pay the extra 200 for the new system when it comes out?

In my opinion, if anyone was going to buy a PS2, they already would have.

You would be suprised. When the new "thin" plastation 2 came out, we sold hundreds of them to people that already had the old ps2.

To my suprise, the main reasons was because it was smaller and had the online modem built into it.

First out of the gate has the advantage? Well I guess the Dreamcast was a major exception then.

Dreamcast would have done much better if it included a DVD drive. Sega was too excited to get their product on the market first that they didn't wait just a few more months to drop a DVD in it instead.

Personally, I really think the lack of DVD, along with mass piracy in Asia, is what killed the Dreamcast.

Now excuse me while I go play Crazy Taxi.

yeah I agree, piracy was a serious problem. I don't think a modchip was even required to run copies, but I could be mistaken. There were sure some great games for that system though...

I've gotta agree with what crazy_horse said; we also constantly sold out of new slimline PS2's last holiday season. The top two reasons, besides gifts, was that 1) the new slimline was COOL! 2) their old PS2 gave them DRE's (Disc Read Errors).

Sony is dropping the price on the PS2 so that they can compete with the Xbox 360. Sure, most everyone out there that wants a PS2 may already have one, but think of the grandma or grandpa buying for their grandchildren. They're going to be thinking about these video game systems and all they see is one for $99 with a large selection, or one for $399 with limited games and most likely a limited number of consoles. (Not to say that there won't be a PS2 shortage again this holiday season.)