The Console War

Okay so yea I'm a little late to the fight here on this one, but that doesn't mean that I'm behind.  So you probably know that by "The Console War" I mean the debate about why to buy what on which console, or even which console to buy if you're just now getting into it.  Yea, this issue has kinda been beaten to a pulp before so it feels like beating a dead horse but sadly enough its something that me and my friends still argue about.  But I will do my best to also modernize the argument a little bit to keep it fresh.

Also sorry about the delay between posts but the semester is coming to a close so that means that homework is getting a bit tougher and more involved, oh and Skyrim.

Okay so as well all know in November of 2005 the current generation of video game consoles launched starting with the XBox 360, then following next November with the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3.  Now even with the years head start on them the 360 was having some trouble dealing with all the hype that the PS3 and Wii were generating.  Yea it offered the newest and easiest form of online play; yea it boasted a graphics core on par with an Alienware; yea it offered a great backwards comparability with launch (although not extensive, and it still isn't extensive), but even with all of these things the PS3 and its Blu-Ray player, and the Wii with its motion controls still sold out for months.

Now I don't know about you, but I remember people camping outside of Best Buy for a week trying to get their hands on a PS3 or a Wii when they launched, and then turning around and selling them on eBay for almost double the price (my brother did this, gotta love free game consoles).  I also remember Game Stop not being able to fill their Wii pre-orders almost 6 months after the system had released.  With all this going on it was almost certain that the 360 was going to loose the console war.  But the truth was far from it.

 

People camping outside of Circut City get interviewed.

Yes, the 360's launch was much less hyped and there was a lot less drama that went along with it.  That doesn't mean that it failed, you see when the PS3 and Wii were launching the 360 unleashed its first exclusive, Gears of War, which I covered earlier, and that, coupled with Achievements, was what saved and secured the 360's position in this generation of consoles.

The PS3 however, boasting not only a Blu-Ray player, but a comprehensive home entertainment setup, and free online play in one system was quite a magnificent piece of hardware.  For those of you who don't know/remember the original 60GB had a full array of camera card inserts on the front of the system, along with an HDMI output on the back, to guarantee that their customers got the greatest experience they could possibly have, for the low low price of $799.  Yes the PS3 was by far the most expensive, but it was also the most versatile.

A vintage image for ya.

Lets not forget the Nintendo Wii either.  Motion controls, avatars that can transfer from game to game,a wholesome family experience.  The Wii was definitely able to compete with the best of them.  Built around not only bringing the family together but also encouraging kids that exercise is fun and healthy.  The other thing that the Wii boasted was the fact that it was the cheapest of the three starting at  $299.  So with Nintendo's name behind it and other great things like promises of a new Mario Kart and new Mario Parties, plus Zelda games, it's no surprise that the Wii was able to keep up with the 360 and PS3.

However for some people they were already biased on their decisions and what they were going to buy because of the last generation.  However for other people, like me, a careful decision had to be made because $300 was a rather large investment for a gaming console.  Things that had to be considered was how was each system built?  How would they accommodate your needs?  How much would you use its features?

For me, and from what I saw, I made my decision on the 360 for a couple of reasons.  The 360 was more designed toward having a great gaming experience, and nothing else.  With the Achievement system you could compare your progress with that of your friends and XBL had a great system for match making and voice communication going on.  It's absolutely NOT because I didn't like the PS3 or the Wii, its just because the 360 fit me, my personality, and my play-style best.  

Another reason I got a 360.  Damn I miss this UI.

The sad thing is all of the hate that had existed between them at the start of it still exists today between some people, even though some of these people own at least two of the consoles.  Yea I get that you have some video game franchise allegiances, but that doesn't mean that others are inferior.  It all boils down to one thing, personal preference.

How we treat people who have a different opinion from ours.

You cannot advance video games in society if we as a community of video game enthusiasts don't band together and get over our petty arguments.  We have to realize that something like this is stupid because it boils down to arguing about your favorite color and why its better than all the rest.  Just remember this the next time you go out to your local video game store to pick up Skyrim (which if you don't have it buy it) and see someone standing next to you buying it for a different console.  Or when you and your friends are arguing over why you bought what game for what system, remember that it just comes down to personal preference.

See ya next time kids.