I am concerned that to get the most out of the latest systems, it will take a lot of money. With the "real" PS3 anounced at $600 without a game, This next generation will have me spending several thousands of dollars, when I usually spend several hundred. Not only do the consoles cost more, but the games do too. Most new Xbox 360 games start at $59.99. I imagine new PS3 games will cost even more. Then you have to add the cost of having a HDTV to take full advantage of the new systems, and a surround sound system.(And all the appropriate cables) This is great if you have these things already, but if you don't, those items will set you back $1000 easily without even picking up a console! The Wii console is the only one to recognize this, as it has no Multimedia capabilities (Cd, DVD, HD-Dvd, Blu-Ray, MP3..etc) The only problem I really have with the Wii console, is that the graphics look like the Xbox 1. That to me is a big disappointment, but I could live with it if the games match the hype. I am really excited about the downloadable older games on it more than the controller. Of course, Xbox 360 is doing this also with Xbox live Arcade. PS3 has to be careful with pushing the Blu-Ray movie format so hard, that people don't have enough money to buy games. This happened in Japan with the PS2/DVD compatibility issue. This is also happening with the PSP and the UMD movies. I'm sure this does not please game developers for the system, since they have to compete with Sony's movie ambitions at the same time. This is where Microsoft and Nintendo can exploit Sony's weakness in this area. Sometimes I think Sony is more concerned about winning the next generation DVD format than the overall sucess of the PS3. Anyway, I'm getting off topic here. One thing that is nice though is the trend moving towards hard drives instead of memory cards. This is definitely the way to go, as it saves money in the long run for consumers.
Well, as I said before, at least the games that I still want for the Xbox 1 are now dirt cheap (especially used). So the longer I wait, the more affordable this next generation will be (and the more money I will save!).

 I am very pleased to see the explosion of games on the PSP.  I have yet to purchase one, but it is looking better by the minute!  I also have been looking at the Nintendo DS, but it doesn't really have any games that appeal to me.  I am not a a fan of Castlevania games, Nintendogs, or Metroid.  The only games that look interesting to me on the DS (for my tastes) are the new Resident Evil game, Metroid Pinball, and Mario Kart DS. The main appeal is backward compatibility with GBA games.  I am waiting for a little while before I get a portable system,  in hopes that the PSP will drop to $200 soon.  I like Capcom's games, and I am VERY impressed with capcom's releases coming onto the PSP.  The UMD feature and music features are not important to me at all, but are nice extras to have.  I hear rumors of a PSP with a hard drive being available next year.  That may be when I jump in anyway.  We'll see....

Xbox.  May you rest in peace.  Well, not really, I am going to be playing with you for quite some time!!!  I have been getting really high quality games for very little money.  I love the end of a consoles life, as it represents the "sweet spot"  The system is being maxed out to it's potential, and slightly older games can often be had for under $20 (under $10 in many cases, if you don't mind getting used games, which I don't!).  Xbox live makes the older games that much sweeter.  I'm still contemplating if I am even going to get a new console this next generation.  I am having so much fun without doing that!   One thing is for certain, good things come to those who wait!


   

I like the trend going on that has older games playable via download.  Whether this be a game service like Gametap, a yearly subscription + pay ie Xbox live, or what Nintendo has in store for the Revolution via downloadable games, I am liking what I see.  Who wants to have to drag out a 15+ year old console just to play some classics.  I sure don't!  Finally, I will be able to officially retire some of my older game systems, and have the games stored digitally (and legally!).   Of course, the other way this trend is proceeding is with compillaiton disks (ie Midway's arcade classics, Capcom classics, Namco classics etc.)  The library I am most interested in is Sega's.  Sega has already re-released many of it's older games via Gametap.   I hear rumors that they will do this also for Nintendo's Revolution.    The only question that remains for me is to see how the quality of the emulation of the older systems will be.  Many perform emulation flawlessly, while others do quite a poor job.  I really like what Xbox live for 360 is doing with the older games, making them all new online experiences with classic gameplay.   In fact, I have a great Idea for Revolution.  How about being able to download games to the Revolution, and then be allowed to download them onto the latest Gameboy as well!!  (which would have a hard drive, like the Ipod)  That would rock beyond imagination!!

I miss the days when the hardware was pumping out the music of a game, as opposed to pre-recorded music on a DVD. Sonic the Hedgehog series, M.U.S.H.A, Thunderforce III, Nights, Donkey Kong Country, the list goes on and on. This is not to say that pre-recorded music can't sound excellent, as one only needs to look at any of the Final Fantasy games to see that. I just think that too many games don't pay as much attention to the quality of music as they should. EA is a good example of how the game industry is going in the wrong direction. EA trax are often horrid examples of music that I usually turn off at my first opportunity. Oh well, at least there is always vgmusic.com. **sigh*** 
:?

I believe that I will skip on joining the next generation of consoles for the first time in 20 years. (I skipped on the NES and Sega Master system in favor of my Apple IIe games). I have been in the console cycle non-stop since I got my Sega Genesis back in 1989. (I also had an Atari 2600 as my main console until 83', when I got my Apple IIe) Since that time, I got a Game Gear, SNES, Sega 32x( I know, but I just had to play Doom, and the SNES version didn't cut it!!) Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, PS1, and XBox. I have since sold my SNES (big mistake) and my game gear (I'm ok with that one). I have so many games to catch up with on my current consoles, that I don't think I need to jump up graphics wise just yet. I am considering getting a PS3 in 2009 however, simply because I don't have a PS2. I do have a PS1 though, and a handful of games. Having 3 consoles in one will be worth the money alone for me for PS3. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy my current generation Xbox w/ Xbox live. I will also catch up on games that I missed for: Genesis, PS1, Dreamcast, and of course, Xbox. If the PS2 drops below $100, which may happen within the next year, all bets are off, and I may just get a PS2, and get all of the great games that are exclusive or better made for that system. Viva la Current Gen!  When it comes to the Xbox 360, PS3, and revolution, I M NOT E!