Xbox360, Nintendo Revolution, or PS3?

Since most of the information has been released on specs, features, and games, which one do you think is the must have console for the next generation?

I'm most excited about the 360 (since it's coming out first). Technically though, I'm salivating at what Sony has for the PS3. I'm gonna get both for sure. I'll get the Revolution on clearance
I'll be satisfying my Nintendo fix with my DS and Gamecube for now.

Thankfully, all of the consoles will be backward compatible..
I own an XBox now, so that actually puts Sony and Nintendo in a better position for my next console - so I'll be able to play some of the platform-specific PS2/Gamecube games that I missed (I miss Mario! And Zelda!)

Personally, I think I'll be a fencesitter until all three are actually out, and have a few good games available (after a price drop or two..).

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=162629

There's not enough info out yet to make any firm decisions. So far, though, PS3 is in dead last. Sure it looks pretty, but it's just more of the same. Xbox Live is what made me *almost* get an Xbox - their lack of quality exclusive titles is what prevented me. Microsoft seems to have made more improvements with online play, and that's what's driving me for this next gen. I can just imagine myself playing Xmen Legends 2 with3 other friends, all co-operatively online. That would be great.

Nintendo has promise (and owning a GCN now, backwards compatability would be a boon), but is still too much of an unknown to pass even preliminary judgement on.

Proper backwards compatability of Xbox 360 would be great - looks like they're having issues thus far, though.

Originally Posted by chdude3

Proper backwards compatability of Xbox 360 would be great - looks like they're having issues thus far, though.

That can be understandable.

EVen PS2 wasn't 100% backwards compatible. Some games simply couldn't play properly on PS2. They just went way, way too fast. Couldn't play them unless you were on speed or something.

Here is what I posted in my blog regarding the next-gen systems. Whether you agree with me or not, it doesn't matter, but it may give you some more information and opinion from a different perspective.

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So... the time has finally arrived. E3 starts today (for those of you that don't know... it's the Electronic Entertainment Expo... biggest gaming convention in the world). The big 3 (Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft) have held their press conferences and revealed the goods (mostly) and now I'm going to add my $0.02.

Let me start off by saying that none of the 3 current generation consoles (PS2/Xbox/Gamecube) are really better than each other. It's all about the games, the console is just a means to play the games. The big 3 have somewhat defined markets that they appeal to... Gamecube is for kids and adults who want "different & unique" games, Xbox is for Hardcore gamers & Online folk, and PS2 is for RPG fans & players that don't know better and just go with the hyped up Playstation name.

These defined markets have not changed much with the next generation systems. Let me give you the rundown on them first. (In order of announcement)

XBOX 360 - Powerful machine optimised for HD televisions & it looks cool. Nice wireless controllers as well (will be standard for PC gaming) Full media center functionality. Online focussed with multiplayer, additional content & customizable content (big focus on content creation). Overall, Microsoft is going for the "one box to rule them all" approach with A LOT of customization. This will be a system that if it isn't the most popular, will still be a big seller in the long haul due to it's media functionality (and the fact that it will be modded eventually to include even more cool ****). Release - Late 2005.

Playstation 3 - This guy is a powerhouse, looks like a grill & used Blu-ray discs. Top specs of all the systems... realistic visuals, etc. Media Center funcionality as well. Standard Online features as well as WiFi for communication with PSP. Controllers suck (they look like boomerangs) but are wireless as well. Backward compatible with PS2 & PS1. Overall... there is a lot of potential for the media center functionality, especially with the PSP connectivity (imagine downloading a TV show and transferring it to your PSP wirelessly for the bus ride) not to mention the gaming possibilities with using the PSP as a controller (Nintendo has been doing this for a while, now Sony can as well). It's going to be popular, but there's nothing special there (reminds me of the PS2). Release - Mid 2006.

Nintendo Revolution - Not as powerful as the other 2, but Nintendo doesn't want it to be. It will still look great (in fact I bet the average gamer won't even notice the difference on a regular TV), but their intent was to make the games A LOT easier & cheaper to develop (something game designers were bitching at Sony/Microsoft for at the GDC conference earlier this year). It's small and looks ok (although the final look hasn't been revealed). The controllers (not revealed yet) will be wireless and have some "secret tech" involved. It will be more backward compatible than ANY system in history (take that Sony)... it will run emulators for (at least) NES/SNES/N64 and Nintendo's entire library (and more) will be available for download from their online service (plus it will play & possibly download Gamecube games). No "Media Center" info as of yet (except playing regular DVD's) but the system is still a year away so who knows what may still be revealed. Fully online, with a service to rival Xbox Live (and FREE) as well as WiFi enabled for communication with the DS (and presumably the next Gameboy) including downloadable demos for the DS, etc. and connectivity (using the DS as a controller for First-person shooters would be great). Overall... they are going for the casual gamers, and by keeping the specs reasonable they will undoubtedly launch at a much lower price point than their competitors (which is one of Nintendo's strengths). With an entire backlog of games available, the Hardcore gamers & the casual "I only like Tetris & Mario 1" will both love this box. Release - Mid 2006.

So... while all of the systems were talking about "Change" in this generation... not a lot has changed. Sure there are some cool new features, but I think the big 3 will keep their respective markets, expand a little into other markets, and all sell piles of systems until the following generation (unless one of them screws up in the meantime).

The things that most interest me (or bother me) about this next gen.

1. Xbox 360's customizable content. They are planning an entire online marketplace where users can create content for games & sell (or give away) it to other users. Imagine a racing game where you could choose from 100's of user-created courses for download... a Sims game with thousands of unique objects... a Halo game with unlimited maps for multiplayer... and so on. Not only is this great for the games as the game designers can create the "how to make this..." software and let the users go to town making all the content, but users have an incentive (financial) to do so. This keeps game costs down (on some games) and creates a community of gamers who can have their ideas seen & played. This in my opinion will be the biggest thing going to the Xbox 360 if they do it right. Nintendo & Sony would be smart to copy this (quickly). I mean, would you buy a game for a system that limited you to 12 levels, or a system that allowed downloading of hundreds of levels? It's a no-brainer.

2. Nintendo Revolution's backword compatibility emulation. This is HUGE for casual gamers. They specifically mentioned "Earthbound" (a very rare & popular SNES game) as being available. While this is great for the gamers (many of which would never come across an original Earthbound cart in their lifetime) this could be VERY bad for independant video game stores who make their living on classic gaming (with NES/SNES/N64 being their bread/butter). Who would pay fair market price for Final Fantasy 2 when they could just download it (legally) for a couple bucks? Granted, their are collectors that would, but casual old-school gamers are a bigger market that will be lost in a few years. Nintendo on the other hand will be rich. Once the networks are set up, all of their old content will become a big giant cash machine, with no manufacturing costs, etc. This may also be the end of "ports"... old Nintendo games re-done for never handhelds, etc. as I would expect that following this revelation, the next Gameboy will probably do the same (with emulation from NES/SNES/N64/Gamecube + old-school gameboy/color/advance).

3. Media Center functionality. I'll be honest. I have a Modded Xbox. Even though I can play copied games, or emulated old-school stuff... I really only use it as a Media Center. There is a huge market for media centers that is just starting to emerge and this will probably be the biggest selling point of the Xbox 360 & PS3 (we'll have to see about the Revolution). Unfortunately, I have a feeling that they may screw it up with too much DRM protection (digital copy protection basically) that won't let users do what they actually want, but will allow them to do things by "the rules" imposed by the creators of the content. i.e. Sony will most likely offer their own PPV movies, downloadable music, etc. but they will be limited as to what can be done with them, and they won't play "rogue" formats like Divx, etc. Xbox 360 will be a little better by having much more connectivity with competitors devices (PSP/iPod already confirmed) but still may lack in "rogue" formats that are primarily used for illegal downloads. We'll just have to wait and see. As much as Nintendo should add this functionality to theyr system, I don't think they are interested (as they are a gaming company and have no "outside" content like the others do) they would be wise to offer an add-on that does all of the media center stuff with full access to all formats without copy protection, and available to access all of the standard download services that will own the market (Apple iTunes, Google Video, etc.).

4. The HD era. Xbox 360 is really pushing this, and PS3 had followed suit (with better support even), but Nintendo doesn't care. Why? Because the market IS NOT ready for HDTV. Sure it has started, and some hardcore gamers have them and want their consoles to look nice on them, but the majority of people don't have one and don't plan to buy one in the near future. I don't know a single person who has one or plans to buy one soon. Especially Nintendo's core market... very few will have HDTV's as they tend to be families on a fixed budget, students, and adults who want fun over picture quality. I'm sure the games will look nice on Widescreen TV's (look at Resident Evil 4) but at least for Nintendo... Hi-def HDTV support is not needed for this generation (especially since playing an emulated NES game on an HDTV is just overkill).


So there's my little pile of content for the day. As for which of these systems I plan on getting... I couldn't tell you. All 3 of them appeal to me in different ways, but whether it will be enough to buy one over the other we'll just have to wait until they launch to find out (because I won't buy a system unless it has at least a few games that I want to play). If I had to guess... I'd say the Revolution (because I like "different" games) and the Xbox 360 (because we'll hack it and it will be a "better" media center, and I'll be creating content for it and following that market closely). The PS3 will only appeal to me if it has some cool exclusive games or offers a lot of PSP connectivity that actually interests me (which I doubt it will).

I played all 3 consoles, and my favourite is

.....I don't have any intent of buying any.....
but I think the most interesting will be 360.....can't wait to see it's potential and addons. But I still gotta watch the press conferences, but no time tonight....***** what am i doing here

Originally Posted by d_jedi

Thankfully, all of the consoles will be backward compatible..
I own an XBox now, so that actually puts Sony and Nintendo in a better position for my next console - so I'll be able to play some of the platform-specific PS2/Gamecube games that I missed (I miss Mario! And Zelda!)

Personally, I think I'll be a fencesitter until all three are actually out, and have a few good games available (after a price drop or two..).

xbox 360 will only be backwards compatible with select bestselling games, so technically not fully backwards compatible

Originally Posted by joshmxpx

xbox 360 will only be backwards compatible with select bestselling games, so technically not fully backwards compatible

so the 360 will be designed to play certain games only?, not all....quite weird.
might as well make them all compatible.

Originally Posted by wanted

so the 360 will be designed to play certain games only?, not all....quite weird.
might as well make them all compatible.

Because unlike the others, this one will be fully software emulation and MS has to pay nvidia dough .
And remember when the PS2 launched, even Sony said not all the PS1 games will work.

Originally Posted by NDman

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=162629

That thread is about the look/design of the systems, not which one you would actually get

I have an Xbox as my primary system and a GC as my secondary now but I wouldn't say I have brand loyalty to either of them. It'll all depend on what games come out. Xbox360 and PS3 seem like they're more or less evenly matched when it comes to graphics and sound (has Sony announced that all PS3 games will be 16:9 and 720p too?). 360 does have an edge when it comes to online stuff though.

I picked the Playstation 3 because Metal Gear Solid 4 is going to be on it exclusively (at least for now).
Also because most of the current Xbox games don't appeal to me in terms of style (gameplay, art direction, etc.). I just want more games that offer engaging stories (emotionally, not just action movie crap) and elegantly beautiful worlds. If the Xbox 360 has a lot of games that I want later in its life cycle then I will certainly get it as well.
I do hope they change the controller design before the PS3's launch though; that thing looks hideous. At first I did not like the PS3's console design either but after looking at more pictures it is starting to grow on me (black ones looks quite sophisticated with its piano gloss finish). The 360's design is nice too (well, better than the current Xbox... in my opinion); the switchable faceplates is a neat idea.