This generation of console will be interesting to follow.  I have never seen such an odd bunch of machines ever released.

First up came the XBOX 360 and Microsoft decided to release in two different models.  The thing about this that that no console has ever won the number 1 position with more than one model.  They have gone further to release a third model that include the HDMI port that should have been incorporated in the first place.  I bought the premium model and the fact that it is not the best version doesn’t really bother me.  What bothers me is that Microsoft released a version without even a hard drive and tried to extort more money out of the customer by charging ridiculous prices for add-ons.  It will be interesting to see if they do not face reality and drop the core and premium pack and just stick with the elite pack.  This way the software manufactures will be able to know whether or not to use the hard drive.

Sony; seeing the mess that Microsoft got themselves into must have thought; we can screw things up better than they can and decided to release two versions of the Playstation 3.  Luckily, they decided to only release one model in Europe and I give props to them.  The only problem being an owner of the XBOX 360; is there really any reason for me to purchase this machine?  I’m sure Motostorm is a good game but over here in the UK, we generally get screwed over regarding the price of pretty much everything.  In the US; a game will cost 60 dollars but over here in the UK; the same game might cost as much as a hundred dollars easily.  When you have to pay that much you tend to be picky and Motostorm doesn’t justify that much money.

Nintendo; They decided to call their console the Wii.  Apparently this means together in Japanese but over here in the UK, it is usually associated with childish jokes connected to the male genitals.  So to have a console that is used as the butt of many jokes would not seem like the best start.  The fact that it is also just a Gamecube on steroids compared to the other consoles also doesn’t bode well in the long run.  I’m sure Nintendo are already working on a sequel as I write this and will be interesting to see when it’s released.  They have no on-line policy to speak of and for me as a single player really isn’t a problem.  The only thing I don’t really get is this motion sensor thing and the fact that they never have any in the shop.  There are those who think that as soon as the Nintendo fans have all bought the machine, that it will start to stop selling.  In my opinion; the fact that there are very few games for it, and even less that really make use of the machine will be the real reason it stops selling.  I do not want to play ports on this machine.  I do not want to just pay 10 to 20 dollars for an old game unless it is improved to make use on the machine. 

Will I be buying one of the two consoles that I don’t own?  I doubt it!  I already own a PSX, PS2, Gamecube, Dreamcast, XBOX AND XBOX 360.  That doesn’t include the Gameboy advanced, DS and GP2x which I own in hand held format; or the Numerous PCs that I can play games on.  For me I want to see all three formats do well and I will buy them when there is something that justifies the purchase.  I can get Zelda on the Gamecube, so that isn’t a real reason to buy the Wii.  The PS3 is too expensive.  Over here in the UK; the shops are already reducing the price of the machine and it hasn’t been out here a month.  The initial sales of the machine have dropped of.

So what was the point of the blog?  There isn’t one.  I just thought I would write something that I was thinking and do not in anyway say I’m right.  I just wish these companies would stop devoting there time to hardware and actually made some games that are fun to play and made use of each machines strengths.  Rather than releasing games that don’t really do anything new.