WiiS360: Hands on with all 3

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I was in Fargo, on the launch weekend of the Wii and PS3, and I got a hands on fro 30 minutes with both, and a 360. Here is my oppinion with all 3:

Wii
Games played: Exitetruck, Red Steel, Wii Sports (demos)
Pros:Interesting and next gen gameplay and controls, fun for more than 1
Cons: For non Zelda/Mario etc m,ay not be that great selection later on
General summary: Truly next gen, the remote was almost spot on most of the time, but it was very sensitive, especially in Red Steel, you have to take your time with the aiming, which can screw you. My 2nd fv of the 3, ande a great system overall, though some may not get much to choose from, if it follows the Gamecubes game library situation.

PS3
Games played: Resistance, DMC4, Genji 2, Lair (demos)
Pros: Actually doesnt feel like a Wii ripoff, excellent game selection and variety, very pretty.
Cons: High Price otherewise not much
General summary: It actually feels different from the Wii, using Motion sensing and a conventional controller feels actually unique. The game selection is great (get Lair!) and the tilt sensing is actually used quite well, especiually in Lair, but Genji and Res use it well too (leaning/dodging, shaking off monsters) My personal favourite, despite the price

360
Games played: GRAW, PGR3, Cal of Duty 2
Pros: Lokks pretty, umm... yeah
Cons: Weak game selection, no real next gen innovations, doesnt really strike you as WOW!
General summary: A weak system, even a year after launch. If you dislike shooters, raqcers or sports games (like me) you wont get much out of this system, and it does nothing truly next gen (unlike the Wii, and PS3 to an extent) I personally couldn't recommend this one, but you decide. Pretty though.

[Azisien]

I wasn't overly impressed with the 360 either, but I must say, Gears of War is just wow. If only it had been Halo. A nice boon to the 360, though I'm not sure if it's releasing on other consoles/for PC. It just seemed made for the Xbox controller, unlike *EVERY* shooter I've ever played on the Xbox.

Still waiting to try out the Wii-Wii and the PSTwee. Which will both be in like 3-6 months because none of my friends (or me) were hardcore enough to camp out, or buy it on Ebay for three lungs and a crocodile head.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Well, I played all 3 in a Gamestop, and only what they offered on demo. I have yet to play Gears, but really, the 360, I thought would have a better game library by now, but it really doesnt. Get the Wii and PS3 as soon as you can.

[Bells]

some are saying that a few games look better on 360 than those on the PS3
which is ok, since the PS3 is harder to produce to AND its just launching...

Althoug, when they start launching those "50-70Gb of content games" (Which im really hoping for) with free online multiplayer... well... fuck the Xbox...

Also, i saw a buttload of positive feedback on the Wii, as it seens, people can still be lazy as always, because the wii wont tire you... and its the only console that can make Fishing games fun! Rock on!

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Wii and PS3 are likely to dominate, probably tie, 360 is being left in the dust. I'd love to get a Wii, but there's next to no gmaes I want for it (not a Nintendo fan) but if they get more stuff, I'll get. Also, Lair is a must hagve this gen, if you get a PS3, MAKE IT YOUR FIRST GAME!

[Mondt]

The sad thing is, though, after everyone's ranting and raving, X-Box had the most successful launch in units. Or at least I think they did.

In any case, the PS3's use of both normal controllers and motion sensitive stuff bothers me. I haven't played it, but I would think that I'd rather go to one extreme or the other. In any case, X-Box still wins the best online, in my opinion...

[ZERO.]

I like the 360 for the online and it has some games I want to get my hands on. (Gears of War, Halo 3 when it is released, lost planet, ect.)

I don't really care about the PS3, to much money for a fucking system.
I would rather upgrade my computer.

The Wii is cool with me. I got to play it a little with a friend and I had a good time.

[Tydeus]

Dude, honestly, 30 minutes with each is no way to make a real review. I mean, why even post this? Seriously? If I can go do this myself at a Gamestop (and I wouldn't, 'cause 30 minutes is nothing), then why do I need someone posting it? That sounds kind of hostile, right there, but it's not, really. It's just matter-of-fact.

Anyway, saying the 360 has a bad library because the Gamestop had a bad library is not really an accurate statement.

You didn't play any of the really talked about games for 360 -- Oblivion, Dead Rising, and Gears of War would probably be the biggest three, and you played none. Furthermore, lets look down the line: Halo. Halo Wars. Peter Jackson's Halo thing. Lost Planet. Bioshock. Huxley. Mass Effect. Lost Odyssey. Alan Wake. The Darkness. And that's just off the top of my head, and they all look amazing.

PS3 -- what am I (and the community at large) excited about? FFXIII, and White Knight Story. And MGS 4 if I were an MGS nut. Resistance has been called good, but no console-mover. And for 600 goddamn dollars, I expect a whole shitload of console movers. And since FF and MGS are going cross-platform, why buy a PS3 for those games?

Furthermore, will the Blu-Ray be important to you? You have no idea after 30 mins. Will Xbox Live be so much infinitely better than PS3's online service? You don't know after 30 mins. Will the graphics really be that much different? Well, by the look of Mass Effect, Gears of War, and Halo 3, no. 30 mins can prove that.

And, saying 360 isn't "next-gen"? What does that mean? You throw that around without saying it.

So, you know, don't shit on people's $400 investment after playing it for 30 minutes. It's just not appreciated, or accurate, or even remotely scientific, and you obviously didn't do any research to make a more accurate statement.

I'm not shitting on the PS3, btw -- it doesn't appeal to me, and I have my reasons for not buying it, but I don't throw shit around like "not next-gen," and "weak library" without looking up their libraries!

[Mike McC]

I have to agree with Tydeus. Just because you don't like it's main game genres, that does not make it a weak system. It has Oblivion, which is a definate draw to the RPG crowd, granted it's not Japanese style. But, if Blue Dragon gets brought over, and I suspect that it will, that'll make a strong Japanese style RPG. Also coming is Fable 2.

Also, technically speaking, the 360 has better graphical capabilities than the Wii. The Wii chose to focus on the innovative controller aspect over the graphical capabilities this time around.

It'll be some time before the three systems really hit thier true strides. It often takes well over a year before games exploiting the full capanilities of a system come around.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Im saying it's not next gen. Next gen is Wii's Wiimote, waht that does, or PS3 to an extent (not nearly as much) The 360 has little to offer that truly is next gen beyond the looks. Also, 30 minutes is plenty, as most game journalists spend 30 seconds on each. This is my oppinion, yours may differ. I said, if you aren't a fan of thoses types of games, you wont have much to get. It's not that 360 is bad, but someone like me wouldn't get much out of it. if you like those types of games, 360 is perfect for you, if not, you probably wouldn't like it (like me)

[Mike McC]

Technically, "Next-Gen" is determined by processor and graphical capability. Controller and methods of control have little to nothing to do with next-gen status. It's always been graphical and proceesing improvements over the previous generation that has defined next-gen. This is how the industry has defined it. While graphical capability is often almost immediately obvious, processing capability is a lot more subtle, And is typically seen through being able to handle massive amounts of free objects, larger play areas, or more complex effects without slowdown. And the XBox 360 does fix into the next-gen crowd.Also, 30 minutes is plenty, as most game journalists spend 30 seconds on each.Where do you get that from? Most, if not all, of professional game reveiwers often delve deep into the game, to see all that it has to offer. To spend 30 seconds on it and review it based solely off that experience would be a horrendous gaffe for the reviewer and they'll potentially lose all thier credability.

[Domon]

The ps3 is the perfect choise for me, because none of my computers can go on the net(posting from school). So if I get a PS3 I can just get cable internet and browse the web from the ps3. Cause all I use comps for is the web.
Desire to play console games= 10/10
Desire to play PC games= -5/10(negative five)

but I am still dying to play more RaiRO!!!!!!!



[Oh and EDIT] I believe that next gen is what you make of it. The dictionary or where ever you got that fact is full of shit[/EDIT]

[Mike McC]

[Oh and EDIT] I believe that next gen is what you make of it. The dictionary or where ever you got that fact is full of shit[/EDIT]The most basic definition of Next-gen is that it is literally the next generation of video game systems to come along. This definition lends it to more of a stretch of time rather than any sort of capability, controller or graphical. However, there is often a change in the capabilities of the systems, especailly since the third generation (which had the NES and the Sega Master System). Each new generation has brought with it graphical and processing enhancements over the previous generation. To say that has nothing to with the definition of 'next gen' is akin to saying that there was no next-gen change from the NES to the SNES, or from the Playstation to the Playstation 2.

Simply put, Next-Gen means "An advancement over the previous generation", which is most often seen in the graphical capabilities and processing power. Which is something all three seventh generation consoles do.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

O consider next gen to be a major innovation, this gen isnat all that next gen, the only major thing was console online play, the gen before, the introduction of 3D. This gen, the only real next gen console is the Wii (or PS3, depends on the game really) As for my 30 second thing, pretty much everytime a game is previewd, especially at E3, they barely get a chance to play it, I exagerated a bit, more like 5 minutes. Also, I didnt say 360 is bad, but it is for nonfans of the genres I posted. Same with the Wii, if you dislike Mario or Zelda, you may not get much milage.

[Mike McC]

As I stated, it will take a little time before the true capabilities of any of the above systems will really begin to shine. It takes some time for developers to really get to know how to utilize the system to it's full potential. The games at the end of a system's lifespan look much better than those at the begining, so it is still a bit too soon to say that there's no major innovation. Because there hasn't been time to really show it.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

True, but the biggest innoation in gaming ever was done by the Wii, allowing games to be played only with hand movemnts, one step closer to VR. I am just unimpressed with th 360 overall, there are pretty much next to no games I am interested in, but thats just my oppinion. I am not a fan of the games on the 360 (or the Wii for that matter) but someting doen the reoad may suprse me.

[Tydeus]

The only problem, Lord of Joshelplex, is that by your definition of next-gen, really there are only three generations: (1) 2D consoles. (2) 3D Consoles. (3) The Wii.

While this is all fine and dandy for you, no one, and I mean no one uses that definition. If the commonly accepted definition of "next-gen" is not what you mean, then don't use it. Say "truly innovative," "revolutionary," hell, even say "earth-shattering." But be specific, dude. Hell, calling the 360 in no way truly innovative is perfectly accurate. It's just like Xbox 1, but everything upgraded. No real big achievements there. But, for me, that's fine. Calling something "not-next-gen" has a totally different connotation. In fact, usually it's been the Wii that's been referred to that way.

So, say what you mean, basically.

[Azisien]

If generations were based off specs alone, the Wii would be like year 2000, because the computer collecting dust in my garage has better specs than the Wii. But that makes NO sense at all, the Wii is clearly ahead of my garage computer. Generations = unit of time.

Now let's get past this *ENTIRELY USELESS* debate and talk about hands on with the three consoles. :D

I've played the 360. It's decent. Way I see it, it can only get better, through games. The specs are pretty spot-on. Gears of War is nothing short of revolutionary for the FPS genre, IMO.

I've already heard the Wii is amazing, and Josh here tells me the PS3's little controller upgrade is fun. What the PS3 lacks, is units, and games. Of course, it just launched, so not so foul on the games part (360 had...uh...see nothing comes to mind for the 360's launch). It needs more consoles out there, though. I bet 2% of the gamers who want to buy a PS3 actually own one.

[Tydeus]

Going off what Azisien said -- that's really what makes me dislike Sony: the arrogance. They, for some reason unbeknownest to us mere mortals, feel like they can just shit all over their customers. What, we promised 400,000 units and only delivered half that, despite the fact that 400,000 still would have been a huge shortage? Fuck you. We're Sony. What? You want HDMI output cords, because why the fuck not? Fuck you. We're Sony. Square and Kojima are going cross-platform? Fuck them. We're Sony. Our console costs $600 so we can invade your home with a useless technology that delivers way more capability for content than anyone will need for the next ten years? Fuck you. We're Sony.

You get the idea.

I want them to fail, basically just because I want them to start treating gamers like oh, I don't know, the people who buy their crap, and keep them from losing everything.. That's what happened to Nintendo, and now gamers get the Wii. See? Rejecting people who treat us like shit 'cause they have a monopoly (or, in the case of Sony, pretend that they do) means we get treated better in the future.

[Demetrius]

I'd also like to put in that Nintendo's developer's package is said to be the best of this round of systems and is drawing developers away from other systems... The Wii is awesome, the PS3 is freakin' cool, just too expensive and hard to get at the moment aaaand the 360 is weak compared to the innovations put forth in the other systems. I think this is because Microsoft thinks computers, when you make a new system you upgrade the specs and stick with the same OS (for the most part) and try for more pixel pipelines and a higher FSB, that is about all you do. Console systems are a different ballgame and Microsoft is still new in this format. I personally will have a regular Xbox with the mods to work as a media station, I already have my Wii (with Red Steel turn down your sensitivity until you are used to the game) and will hopefully get a PS3 next year around this time.

[Tydeus]

Well, while Microsoft hasn't really innovated, how has Sony? It just seems like they really upgraded the specs (beyond all necessity). That doesn't really seem like innovation to me...

I mean, I guess they kind of threw in a motion-sensor last minute, for no goddamn reason. But, really, with a standard-style controller, the motion-sensor is totally superfluous. Sure, it's cool, but, uh, what's the point? How does it add to the system?

And, yeah, you can browse the web, but I have a computer for that. With a mouse. And a keyboard. And different browsers. And other applications, that I can use in tandem with the internet, and anything I download. I mean, everything non-game-related that the PS3 does, a computer does better. Doing more is not the same as doing better. Microsoft has focused on what they do well, and what's wrong with that? I'd rather have a system that does a few things, does them well, and improves on those few things with each generation, rather than add a bunch of useless shit that I don't need, but that costs me an extra $200. Ever wonder why the kind of actors who release albums are neither good actors nor good singers?

I have a computer. My computer can browse the internet. My computer can play DVDs (and so can my DVD player). My DVDs are basically the same quality as Blu-Ray, because only so much quality can be extracted from film (especially films made pre-Blu Ray, or pre-DVD, for that matter). My computer, however, cannot play games. It sucks.

My Xbox 360 can play games. This is all I care about. Indeed, it's all anyone should care about when it comes to consoles. If consoles are turning into computers (like Sony seems to be envisioning), then why have consoles? Oh, I guess because you can't license some games exclusively to one brand of computer or another. Seriously -- consoles are for games. Don't let that get diluted, because it will hurt the gaming community in the long run.

[Bells]

I said this before... the PS3 uses blueray for games too... and there is benefit from that... its just not 100% usable yet... the same damn thing for DVD... if no one bought the first DVD consoles because they want DVD players for their DVD movies, than will could just as well be having the PS2 now...

Also...where the hell you saw that MGS4 or any Kojima game went crossplatform!?

the Xbox had more than enough time to build a strong base of games... and guess what... i would say its a mild one at best... a few good hitters, and a bunch of low rankers...

The PS3 has a solid moderate launch line up, and a fair group of heavy titles comming up... and maybe even more along the way...

If you really love the Xbox360 all so god damn much, then tell you what... keep it... play with... and in 1 year, take a look at what the Ps3 has to offer... the price will be down, the game quality will be up, and until then, you're not playing a bad console... it will be a good time to enjoy the quality...

The Wii is a Console that can be bought at launch day, because of its low price and nice games... so thats nintendo opening the game with a home-run right there...

Since i cant afford neither of these 3, i'll just wait for Spore for my PC (which i would really love to see on the Ps3, who looks like the best console to take it, maybe even the Wii)

[Nique]

I'm just kind of skimming over this thread - has anyone really touched on the fact that had been addressed with the last generation's 'Console Wars', which is the simple concept that the games really make the system?

I'm not saying the guts of the machine don't matter - I mean the looks and capability of these things are some of the initial selling points obviously. But very few developers really utilize the full capabilities of these systems, yes? These things could run the space-station and we play the equivilant of Tetris on them. Until someone comes along and really taps the potential of these things... Specs are for bragging rights only.

Also, the strongest titles on each systems opening lineup aside, most niche gamers are going to buy the system(s) that play the games they want. Final Fantasy? PS3 is your best bet. Mario? Nintendo.

More general gamers who care more about how well multi-system titles play (sports, racing etc) will probably have a paticular style in mind - 360 offers power, storage, and loads of 'sparkle', I guess we can say. PS3 offers realibility and comfort in an established brand name plus some new nifty technology. Wii brings interaction and innovation from a company with deep roots in gameing.

I guess my point is that it's kind of silly to compare when it seems like these systems all offer different things... all of them great features. It all depends on what you're looking for.

For my money, PS3 and Wii are where it's at. But I can understand why someone would get an XBOX360. It has some solid system-specifc games, it runs pretty smooth, and boy are they ever fun to mod.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

The only problem, Lord of Joshelplex, is that by your definition of next-gen, really there are only three generations: (1) 2D consoles. (2) 3D Consoles. (3) The Wii.

While this is all fine and dandy for you, no one, and I mean no one uses that definition. If the commonly accepted definition of "next-gen" is not what you mean, then don't use it. Say "truly innovative," "revolutionary," hell, even say "earth-shattering." But be specific, dude. Hell, calling the 360 in no way truly innovative is perfectly accurate. It's just like Xbox 1, but everything upgraded. No real big achievements there. But, for me, that's fine. Calling something "not-next-gen" has a totally different connotation. In fact, usually it's been the Wii that's been referred to that way.

So, say what you mean, basically.

That's how I personally consider things, but if you have your own definition then go for that. I juust don't consider prettier graphics innovation, or next generatiopn.

[Razorx]

I have only heard promising things about the wii, same with the ps3. The thing that really surprised me was the price of the wii, it was only $250! most new systems come out at around $500! which is the reason why I'm Not even thinking about getting the ps3, it costs $700! if you don't mind I'll be perfectly fine with my ps2, thank you. But From what I heard, its worth it.

[Krylo]

Just one small thing:360PS3 offers power, storage, and loads of 'sparkle', I guess we can say. PS3 offers realibility and comfort in an established brand name plus some new nifty technology.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't understand where the X-Box offers more power storage or sparkle when the PS3 is the one that has the bigger hard drive, the extra memory card ports, the stronger and faster processor, more memory, and basically better stats all around. Not to mention the much much much stronger line up of console specific games (where nearly every game that I care about on the X-Box I can get on computer and/or another console). It ALSO has a bunch of stuff that's not really necessary, admittedly, and has a much bigger price tag.

It'd be more accurate to say the 360 offers reasonable quality next-gen gaming at an affordable price. It's like the bag cereal of video games. Not bad, but you still get what you pay for when you buy the less expensive option. ...Unless you get a Wii, then you're getting considerably more than you pay for.

[Fifthfiend]

Just throwing this out there, but don't we already have a thread for (http://forum.nuklearpower.com/showthread.php?t=15922) "This system is betterer than that one, based on I say it is"? Is it too much to ask that we try and keep this one for comparisons from people who have actually had their hands on, heck, I'll go so far as to say even one or two, out of the three?

[Nique]

I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't understand where the X-Box offers more power storage or sparkle when the PS3 is the one that has the bigger hard drive, the extra memory card ports, etc etc

I was trying to be nice about the 360. It was kind of a stretch... :(

I wasn't exactly trying to say that 360 had the bigger guns, just that they were, in general, still big guns. I'm not sure where that analogy would put the Wii, exactly...

[Lord of Joshelplex]

FF's right. He probably stopped a flame war where evryone flames me for liking PS3. We went off topic big time. How about we go back to talking about playing the systems, like this was originally intended. I enjoyed myself with the Wii (Red Steel, despite the sensitivity, which I hear is changeable, was a shooter I actually liked), but after playing Lair (my GOTY) I know which system I'm goin with. I will probably get a Wii, it depends on the games, just like the GC, didnt get it cause no games I wanted, but the Wii has developers attention this time, So I have hope. The 360 just hasn't got much attention in the last year. I still think that the PS3 and Wii controllers feel different from eachother, not PS3 is a ripoff (It's a TiltForce 3, an update to other Sony tilt controllers) I personally want a PS3 the most simply because the games I want and the companies I like are with Sony.

[Tydeus]

Yeah, it really does just come down to games. I'm reasonably happy with my 360 right now -- I've gotten about 150 hours out of Oblivion (all 1000 achievement points. :D), 50 from CoD2, and probably another 50 from Dead Rising. Tack on another 20 for Ninety Nine Nights rental. So, overall, not bad. But, I am kind of pissed off that I have to wait for most everything big on the 360. Microsoft is definitely brining bigger creative guns to bear than they did last gen, but damn if they aren't taking their sweet time. Gears and Phantasy Star Universe did just drop (I'm the kind of person who can get sucked into pretty much any MMO, especially if it's hack and slash. I must have PSU), but I haven't gotten my paws on them because I am, sadly, banned from Xbox for an indeterminate amount of time. *sigh* Lost Planet hits soon, which is nice, and I recall there being some other big January releases for the 'Box. Of course, I'm the kind of stupid asshole who buys an Xbox just for Halo, and then has to rationalize why he didn't get a PS3 by shitting on it. What can I say? I'm prone to buyer's remorse.

PS3 really just doesn't have my kind of games, though merely uttering the word "Wii" causes me to throb with pleasure. I have to say -- Nintendo has had a brilliant launch. Plenty of units, an SKU that makes a profit, and a launch title that sells consoles (Zelda). So, definitely kudos to Nintendo for really pulling through.

As to the Kojima thing -- I heard it from a friend, so I'll ask him. He is trustworthy, though, so I do think it probably did happen (Kojima going cross-platform, at least with MGS 5). We all know that FF is going cross platform, which makes me happy beyond measure. Anyone know if Squeenix is bringing Kingdom Hearts along for the cross-platform ride? Because that would be too beautiful for words.

I think also Xbox is appealing to cheap-ass gamers like me. Not only because it's cheaper than PS3, but because the games you buy a 360 for are by-and-large shooters. That means multiplayer, which means nearly unlimited hours to extract from any single game, which means you get your damn money's worth.

[Red Fighter 1073]

The problem that I think Microsoft is how they handled the Xbox 360. I think a lot of people will agree with me when I say that the Xbox was awesome and it was a great system with tons of good games.

Microsoft just hasn't been as innovative as people would have liked, I guess. Sure, there are a few new innovations like the marketplace that goes hand in hand with the Xbox Achievement Points. If anything, these XAP, are the best innovation because it is a really great way to get people to buy the Xbox games, so that they can have more achievement points and buy more stuff with the points instead of paying for it with cash.

Also, I think the 360 does have great games. There's Oblivion, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, Gears of War, Dead Rising and tons of others. One reason I think that the 360 hasn't really shined as much as the other systems on this forum is its lack of superb RPGs. Sure, there's Oblivion, but then again, why get a 360 to play it when you could just buy it for the PC.

That's another thing that's wrong with how Microsoft has dealt with the Xbox 360. So many of the really great games that people want are available on the PC as well.

Anyway, concerning the other systems, I probably will never end up buying the PS3. I was never a Final Fantasy fan or Metal Gear Solid fan, so I wouldn't buy the $500 system for those games.

I might eventually buy a Wii later on. I just don't really like the game selection out right now. The control system is extremely innovative, but I don't want to buy an innovative system with games that I'm never gonna want to buy. I'll probably just wait until some more stuff comes out..

[Bells]

Just throwing this out there, but don't we already have a thread for (http://forum.nuklearpower.com/showthread.php?t=15922) "This system is betterer than that one, based on I say it is"? Is it too much to ask that we try and keep this one for comparisons from people who have actually had their hands on, heck, I'll go so far as to say even one or two, out of the three?

Cant we merge this and the other thread together?

[Fifthfiend]

Cant we merge this and the other thread together?

Orrrr we could just use this thread for actual, hands-on accountings of the gameplay experiences currently on offer by any among these several consoles, and anyone who wants to talk about how they know Zelda's gonna be awesome because the Cell processes eighty sextillion Monkey Bytes of Xbox360 is just biding its time until Gatesbot pierces the Skynet communications codes and unleashes Robomageddon can just go do that over there, in that thread that we have for that.

Okay yeah, I like that. That second idea. We're gonna do that one.

Just so it's clear, I'm gonna do a line. After this line, we're going to be on-topic, or we're gonna go post our things in some thread where that post is on topic.

Okay, here's the line:

______________________(On Topicing Only Past Here!)______________________





so no messin' around!

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Got to play more of the PS3 yesterday, at my friends. I must say, despite being a shooter I'm enjoying Resistance, cool weappons, interesting gameplay, and nice art make it a neat game, plus the onliine (40 playes I hear) might befun, but my friwend doesn'y have wireless.

[Magus]

I played Motor Storm for the PS3. It had good graphics. Although I don't really get the high-resolution obsession people have. In my opinion bushes shouldn't be made out of clear straight lines. I think games deserve a little blur to make them look nicer. It might have just been this game, though, which I don't think it is very high-profile except for being a launch game.

As for the controls of Motor Storm, they put the accelerator on a shoulder button, which is just wacky. X was the boost instead, which you're not supposed to use very much. Wouldn't it make more sense to put that on R2?

As for the gameplay, it was fairly fun. There's plenty of places to wreck and wrecking was going on all around me, though of course I didn't wreck because I'm hardcore. Most of the tracks are like steep cliff paths around bottomless canyons as well which gives the game a bit more excitement and fun.

As for the tilt-sensing crap, I don't like it. In this game all it did was change your tilt while airborne, but as I'm one of those players who plays games lying in a fetal positon on a bed a lot of times. I don't really care for something that I might accidentally tilt when I don't want to. The Wii's a bit different since it's a pointer, but I hope the PS3 controller doesn't require a flat plane for most games. I'm sure that's been addressed though.

So final analysis: the game's are very shiny looking, though no better than the 360's graphics. Motor Storm was okay for the twenty minutes I played it. The PS3 is black and shiny and usually placed like an obelisk with spotlights shining on it, an effect which may be ruined when you take it home to your dank, dark den. Keep that in mind.

EDIT: Oh, and Squarenix going cross-platform with Final Fantasy spin-offs doesn't make me all that excited, and Kojima keeps saying silly things like that he wants to make a different game for the Wii, that MGS4 is going to be the last MGS game, etc., and I think the man is just wacky enough to quit doing MGS, and easily not bring it to the Wii and instead come up with some other series. The man's insane, I tell you.

BUT, if it were true, I'd be all for it. It'd save me wanting to get the PS3, although I'll get it eventually, even if it's eight years from now when it's down to 150 dollars.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I just found out that the copies of Lair at the Gamestop that were on sale were preorders taht get you a demo, for $55. I thought it was a launch game, now Im sad, I played Genji2 and Gundam, and I liked them both. I will get a PS3 and a Wii, when games I want come out (Onimusha 5, something not Mario/Zelda)

[Tydeus]

EDIT: Oh, and Squarenix going cross-platform with Final Fantasy spin-offs doesn't make me all that excited, and Kojima keeps saying silly things like that he wants to make a different game for the Wii, that MGS4 is going to be the last MGS game, etc., and I think the man is just wacky enough to quit doing MGS, and easily not bring it to the Wii and instead come up with some other series. The man's insane, I tell you.

BUT, if it were true, I'd be all for it. It'd save me wanting to get the PS3, although I'll get it eventually, even if it's eight years from now when it's down to 150 dollars.

FF spin-offs? Whaaa? I thought FF XIV was going cross-platform? What is this. This pain that hurts me? *Numb*

As to MGS, I heard that MGS 4 will actually be cross platform, and that whoever publishes his crazy ass (Konami? Capcom? Neither? I can't remember who it was for the life of me) is forcing him to. It's still in that "internet rumor" phase, I guess because Kojima (though he said it) is unreliable, and apparently, bat-shit insane (according to you -- I wouldn't know, not caring about MGS and all)

As to on-topicness, I was wondering about the PS3's interweb-spinning capabilities. Online gaming is damn near a necessity when I buy games these days (again, because I'm a cheap asshole), and if Sony's online service can't hack it (I've heard differing reports, but all were pre-launch), then that makes it pretty much a no-brainer for me. Of course, Live could be better, and free, but what I'm really interested in knowing is if Sony's service is worth that $50 that you save each year.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

MGS and FF are going cros platform? I know the spinoffs are, but the main series?

[greed]

The latest internet rumour is that Konami execs and moneymen are pressuring to make MGS4 crossplatform between PS3 and 360, but Kojima is resisting. Though unless Sony's willing to get on their knees and give Konami all the incentives they want which a new report from Sony says is unlikely, considering the cost of developing these days, it makes financial sense to cross platform if you're working on either of the high end consoles. FF13 seems likely as well, though I imagine it will depend on the sales of Blue Dragon and the effect it has on 360 sales in Japan. If the 360 dies over there, which seems likely if the last ditch effort of Blue Dragon and co fails to spark interest, Square-Enix will likely back off from Microsoft.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Didn't it die in Japan already, I heard that PS3 ans Wii sales (each, not combined) were 400% more thatn 360.

[greed]

Worse than that, gamecube beats the 360, but they are releasing a string of RPGs next year as a last ditch effort, they've said if that fails they're officially closing up shop.

[Domon]

for the record, I am not a fanboy. My dream is to own all 3 systems(PS2,Wii,360 In that order).
But at the moment I only make 400 bucks a month and I gotta pay bills and eat food so I really dont got that much cashflow(I hate that game).
Right now I have like 800 bucks in my pocket, and I would give it all to someone for a PS3, because although I am not a fanboy, I AM a sony whore.
Sony always comes first and is #1 in my book. But that is not to say that I do not look forward to owning and playing a wii and a 360, they just come second and third.


But OMFG I want MY PS3 already!

I havend played a PS3 or a Wii but I have played a 360 and to me its just Xbox2 .


I am however pissed at sony for having a shortage of PS3s they should have just realesed at xmas.

I have contemplated going over to the dark side and getting a 360 first. but I cant bring myself to settel.

anyway the point that Im trying to make is that unless you are a troll I pretty much agree with you all.

[Tydeus]

Worse than that, gamecube beats the 360, but they are releasing a string of RPGs next year as a last ditch effort, they've said if that fails they're officially closing up shop.

Why is it that Japan won't buy our shit? I mean, we came to love Japanese-style RPGs, adventure games, and fighters? Why do they resist our shooters, sports titles, and strategy games?

I'm not saying they should go crazy over 360, but, I mean, Halo? Really? They don't even care a little teeny bit? And, despite Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey, I doubt 360 will gain any ground in Japan. It's probably for the best if Microsoft stops dumping development and advertising money into that tentacle-porn-loving pit of despair.

[Kerensky287]

I was one of those crazy people who waited on launch day for a Wii, and then my parents turned around and said that I'd be getting it for christmas. So, the only time that I've actually gotten a CHANCE to play the system was at a friend's house. That wasn't a good example anyway, because his system is messed up. His TV is a crazy projector screen thing, but it just projects onto a wall, which I believe makes it hard for the Sensor Bar to make sense of anything. I tried playing Red Steel and Wii Sports on that screen, and it didn't work well. Golf, specifically, was bugged. I was trying to do a very small swing, and it started charging up for the most powerful swing available. Then I started swinging the "club" like a baseball bat and it worked slightly better.

So... I haven't had a very reliable experience with the Wii.

My 360 experiences have been better. I like the idea of an online system that's completely integrated with the games, and the way that you can bring stuff from the dashboard (ex. music) into ANY game you play. About the games... well, a killer-app is sure to come around sometime. Gears of War is amazing, Rainbow Six Vegas is pretty good (in my mind, a successor to Star Wars: Republic Commando, which I loved like crazy) and I hear Oblivion's awesome. Dead Rising is probably the most fun you can have "messing around" with a game outside of Half-Life 2: Garry's Mod. And, umm... Halo 3 is coming out soon. I'm not too sure how Halo Wars will do unless it comes to the PC as well, but Halo! Halo, for Pete's sake!

I'm not really a Sony hater. I dislike them because... well, I'm not sure. Maybe it's the fact that they have almost all of the RPGs I like exclusively on PS2, maybe it's the fact that they have the only version of DoA2 with an English soundtrack.... stupid reason, I know... maybe it's the fact that the PS2 was the first to come out and it still managed to beat all of the other consoles down, while the 360 is struggling to get fun games out. But yeah, I never plan to get a PS3.

I plan to maybe get a PS2 secondhand so I can play Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12.

[Bells]

People are really fond of beating R:FoM because of GoW now...
even knowing that GoW may find its way into PC's soon (that would be a knife to the heart of the Xbox) and the fact that took 1 year for the Xbox to show That level of quality in 1 game... while R:FoM came really close to do the same on launch day, and with slightly better multiplayer...

The only things that makes a Xbox better than a Pc is the fact that its cheaper and not all the 360 games became Pc games... so yeah... thats pretty much shows why i dont like the 360... i rather upgrade my pc, play one of the many crossplatform games and also play all the other games that are Pc exclusive...

A Joystick aint a problem... since i've had even the experience to play Ocarina of Time with a Dualshock on my Pc in the past (not all that bad!)

So yeah... the Wii seens to be on its way to sommethign really good IF nintendo dont screw up...

[Solid Snake]

I've played all three systems so far. Own none, but tried 'em all.

Didn't enjoy the Wii, though it wasn't really the Wii's fault. I'm just one of those classic old-school gamers who prefers the traditional controller layout over the Wiimote and its crazy motion-sensoring shenangians. With the Wii so far it just hasn't really felt like I've been playing videogames. Man, I sound like such an old-timer with that statement, reflecting back on the "good old days when you had to walk uphill to school both ways in a blizzard," but it's true, there's something I just like about the old-school console controller button-pressing. The Wiimote confuses the crap out of me.

BUT, the Wii has some damn good games, and given some time to adjust to the Wiimote, I do suspect I'll enjoy it. I'll just never view playing Wii games in the same way I view traditional console gaming. Which may be precisely what Nintendo is shooting for.

Anyway, Zelda: Twilight Princess was underwhelming. There, I said it. Mind you, I only played through a very small portion of the first freakin' part of the game, back when Link is doing stupid errands and playing with his slingshot, but frankly, I thought Shadow of the Colossus for the PS freakin 2 had better graphical presentation than this. Seriously. I'm sure Zelda gets better, but if the controller continues to frustrate me and if the game continues to just feel like a glossed-up Gamecube port, I'll probably just settle for the Gamecube version and refuse to purchase a Wii just yet.

I'm still excited for SSBB, though, so of course I'll be buying a Wii someday. Eventually. After a price drop or three.

As for the PS3, here's yet another system I'm just not going to buy yet. Resistance is pretty good and I think the PS3 has the most potential of any next-gen system. But the price is so steep buying a PS3 won't be worth it until after the big-time games are released for the console. (I'm lookin' at you, MGS4 and FFXIII.) Resistance is a freakin' fun game, and I actually found it more akin to my playing style than Gears of War, but it's not worth the system on its own merits.

For some reason or another, perhaps simply because the PS3's controller looks and acts essentially like a standard controller, the motion-sensing elements of the PS3 controller don't confuse my poor, poor brain as much as the Wii does. It's easier for me to grasp, but this is coming from someone who's just very, very used to the PS2 mechanics. The PS2 has been my primary system since 2001 (I also own a Gamecube, but it doesn't see nearly as much play) and the PS2 will likely continue to be my primary console for at least another year down the line.

So I'll probably buy a PS3 a year or two from now. Just not yet. (I'm also worried there's going to be a lot of mechanical shutdowns and problems with the PS3, just like the PS2...though oddly, my PS2 has never broken down in the five or so years I've owned it.)

Finally, the XBox 360...is not my system. Not my system at all. Admittingly I'm so biased against Microsoft and the XBox it's not really even funny. But I've never been a huge FPS fan -- Halo just isn't my thing -- and what other great, unique titles does the XBox 360 offer? Well, there's Dead Rising, and damn I really would like to play Dead Rising. But Dead Rising just ain't worth the cost of the system.

I mean I can understand why a lot of people thoroughly enjoy the X-Box 360. But I'm primarily an RPG, action/adventure sort of gamer. I do enjoy the occasional RTS and sports game on the side, and I may buy one or two FPSes every generation, but basically I'm the exact opposite kind of gaming demographic than the one the X-Box is shooting for.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I can't believe I love R:FoM as much as I do, I hate FPS. I also liked Red Steel on Wii, but that is the only Wii game I really enjoyed (no Zelda for me)

[Bear]

Me, being one of the lucky snots who actually managed to get a Wii at launch, am looooving it. I personally don't know how anyone can be underwhelmed by Twilight Princess, but that may be because I honestly don't pay attention to graphics all that much. I've played 360 games, which are beautiful, but I always just seem to forget it while I play.

Zelda owns, by the way. Played it, beat it, love the story, love the gameplay, and overall, one of my favorite Zelda games ever. Wii Sports is also a freaking riot when you have friends over.

Note: Racing fans should probably wait for NFS Carbon, if you want a Wii racer.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Well, me and my fried were playin Red Steel on Wii, and he polled a muscle in his arm, so now I am reconsidering my oppinion of that system, as this is apparently a common occurance.

After getting even more time on teh Wii, I think the Wiimote is gonna end up like the DS stylus, more of a gimmick tahtn anything, now that the wow! factor has worn off, I get sore after long periods (3 hours, my average sitting is about 4) of Red Steel with my friend (still hurt and sore) I think it will wind up like the DS, popular, but not as innovative as first thought...

I seem to enjoy the Wii a little less everytime I play it. I dont k now why, but I do, similar to the DS, people go WOW! AMAZING! At first, and care less and less every time they play it.