Disclaimer: The proceeding article is editorial content. The views expressed are those of the author and do not neccessarily reflect the official position of the Advanced Media Network.
Choice is a good thing. So I’ve been told, anyway.
As we look at the two new system launches (late to the party, guys?), it’s clear that none of our next-generation systems is completely identical to the other. I’m not just talking specs, here. Sure, the 360 has a faster processor core, while the PLAYSTATION 3 has a more capable graphics processor, but if you take a closer look at what separates the consoles, those aren’t the differences that really matter.
The controllers are an obvious difference. We don’t even need to talk about how the Wii controller/s is/are different from anything we’ve ever seen before, because that’s a given. What really makes the difference is the three differing philosophies on what changes need to be made to a controller.
Clearly, Nintendo’s stance is that a radical controller change is not only beneficial for each hardware generation, but is, in fact, required. If you look at each of Nintendo’s controllers for each of its subsequent systems, it’s obvious that Nintendo’s engineers have tried to dramatically change the way users provide input. Sometimes it’s worked fairly well (Super NES shoulder triggers) and other times with mixed results (N64 three-handed controller was awkward to hold, but helped introduce analog control). It remains to be seen whether Nintendo’s new-fangled controller will catch on, but the truth is that this controller is continuing a long-standing tradition.
Meanwhile, Sony has taken a completely opposite stance. It’s controller is basically the same exact thing as the original Dual Shock. Sure, it’s got some slapdash tilt sensitivity and a vaguely familiar menu button in the center — shouldn’t that have an “X” on it, though? — but in reality, there’s very little new about the Sixaxis, other than its lack of rumble functionality. Sony has clearly made the point that nothing significant needs to change in a controller from generation to generation, anyone who’s being honest has to admit that the tilt sensor is a weak attempt at stealing Nintendo’s thunder without actually committing to the same course of action.
Microsoft, on the gripping hand, believes in tweaking controllers as necessary on a regular basis, but not in a complete overhaul. The original Xbox controller was a bit big and somewhat hard to handle, so we got a redesigned Type S before the console’s life was half over. The design was changed again for the 360. Not in any major, earth-shattering way, but I don’t think you’ll find anyone who’d say that the 360 controller isn’t a major improvement over both of the Xbox controller styles. And, unlike Sony, Microsoft was willing to change the layout a little and even add a couple of new buttons to the mix.
The hardware packages themselves are different, too. With the Wii, simplicity rules, and there’s one package, one configuration. Media playback is a very low priority for Nintendo, unlike Sony, where it is the primary reason for the hardware in the first place. Sony’s using the PS3 as a trojan horse to get a Blu-ray player into your home. Now, if that’s what you wanted in the first place, then you’re set, but otherwise you’re shelling out a lot of money for a feature that’s useless on an SDTV. Microsoft lets you choose what you want, and even a hard drive is optional. This could, in theory, save costs, depending on what kind of setup you want, but it might cost as much as a high-end PS3 depending on how you ration out the HD-DVD drive and other peripheral items. But at least it’s up to you, right?
What about software, though? In the console wars, we all know that it isn’t hardware specs or interface alone that sells a game system. IT’S THE GAMES, STUPID!!! Looking at the titles that will be available for the next-generation hardware, there’s also a clear line of separation. While this passing generation was all about multi-platform ports and sameness, this coming generation will see a much greater diversity of choice amongst software, even in the games which will be on more than one platform.
Grand Theft Auto IV provides a great example. While it’ll be available on the same day for both 360 and PS3, it won’t be the same game on both systems, as each version will have its own distinct downloadable content that won’t be available on the other. Of course, if you only get one version of the game, I would recommend the Xbox 360 version. Big surprise, right?
Exclusives will be huge, too. We all know that Halo 3 is going to be one of the big ones, but the 360’s already got some major exclusive content out there, what with Dead Rising and that whole Emergence Day thingy and all. A lot of PC titles will tend to come to 360 and not to other console platforms, but whether those are “exclusive” or not is up for debate. Plus, as we’ve talked about before, there’s a whole ton of RPGs on the way to Microsoft’s console.
Nintendo will have its own games just like it always has, and chances are they will be just as amazing as we’ve come to expect. Furthermore, the console seems to have far more third party support than the two previous Nintendo consoles. Those third parties, at this stage, seem hesitant to put their full weight of their established franchises behind the console at the moment, so Wii owners are going to see a lot of “side” games, meaning games that are based on long-standing series but are not official installments. Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles and Dragon Quest Swords are two great examples. If they sell, expect to see the major installments of those huge franchises hitting the Wii down the road. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, there will be a ton of games centered around the use the Wii controller. From what’s been seen, many of the games don’t necessarily have a lot of depth to them, but the innovative use of the controller should provide non-gamers and casual gamers a great deal of entertainment – and isnt that the point of the console, anyway?
Sony might be hurting a little bit right now, as at launch, its major exclusive titles are Ridge Racer, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, Genji: Days of the Blade and the killer app of Sony’s launch, Resistance: Fall of Man. While those are nothing to sneeze at, they certainly don’t have the pedigree that other upcoming titles will, making it appear that most of the PS3’s good stuff is a ways down the road, most notably Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4. Of course, Hideo Kojima noted that Metal Gear Solid 4 engine could, in theory, be used on the 360, so who knows how long Sony will be able to hold up that game as a reason to own the console. The loss of Metal Gear Solid 4 as an exclusive would certainly hurt the PS3, but gamers shouldnt forget about Heavenly Sword, Lair, Motorstorm, Virtua Fighter 5, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, Also, Calling all Cars, and others.
As such, regardless of whether or not Snake’s “last” adventure comes to 360, there’s still probably reason enough to purchase all three of our next-generation offerings. Sure, you could argue for or against any of them as much as you like, but each one offers something different enough to justify its existence. So, there are only two real obstructions to next-generation gaming: time and money. If you add the total cost of all three of the systems, plus at least one game for each, you end up with almost $1500 worth of material, there, and that’s not including any extra controllers, component cables (only standard with the 360 Premium), or online point cards or other expenditures. Since $1500 is about five years’ worth of my salary, I don’t think that this is a likely situation for anyone except recent lottery winners and people like Paris Hilton, who have certain…ways of procuring valuable stuff. (I meant that she inherited a lot of money, what did you think?)
Anyway, let’s boil it down, here. What system should you get this winter? I have two lines of thought on this one.
Party Line: Get a 360. Anyone without a 360 is a loser. You don’t want to be a loser, do you?
Reasoned Thought: Check out what each console has to offer and make a decision based on your own wants and needs. Or get all three, if you’ve recently found $50,000 in cash lying on the sidewalk.
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