Next-gen gaming: what to buy and when
On Nov. 22, 2005, approximately 400,000 copies of the highly anticipated Xbox 360 were released to a national frenzy of eager gamers, completely selling out within hours. The next generation of console gaming had officially begun. Due to the progressive financial expansion of the gaming industry (a business that made more money last year than the motion picture industry), the upcoming ’bout of video game system releases could harbor the most heated competition among hardware and software companies ever witnessed.
The creative powers behind Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will all be zealously vying for your valuable buck, but which will be deemed most worthy of your hard-earned tender? One thing we’ve learned from the last tier of console-based competition was that each console had something unique to offer gamers. But will the Xbox 360 and the upcoming Playstation 3 and Nintendo Revolution yield the same degree of content-based variety?
Microsoft Xbox 360
Garnering media attention reminiscent of the 2000 release of the Playstation 2, the successor to Microsoft’s console debut has already found similar launch success despite reports of widespread system crashes. Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the “Halo” franchise, the Microsoft Xbox emerged as an unforeseen threat to Sony’s electronic empire and the Xbox 360 appears to take advantage of its predecessor’s strengths while enjoying increased third and second party developer support. When that pesky drought of console units finally subsides, gamers will have a choice between the “Xbox 360 Core System” configuration that includes the system and one standard controller for $300 and the “Premium Edition” configuration that includes a wireless controller, built-in hard drive, Ethernet cable, Xbox Live silver subscription, headset, and an HD AV cable for $400.
The console itself operates with the IBM-based “Xenon” CPU, a custom ATI “Xenos” GPU, and contains 512 MB of RAM with game software utilizing the DVD-ROM storage medium. The controller is a slightly-redesigned iteration of the original Xbox’s controller “S” and it includes the addition of two extra shoulder buttons and an Xbox button that can turn the console on or off, pull up the Xbox Guide menu, and provide access to any music, movies, or games contained on the system. Much like its predecessor, the Xbox 360 will take advantage of the successful Xbox Live venue for online gaming. Microsoft’s proficiency in this area last time around alludes to this console being the ideal choice for online gamers. The system launched with 18 games that ranged from enthralling FPS’s like “Perfect Dark Zero” and “Call of Duty 2” to lackluster sports titles like “NBA Live 06″ and”NHL 2K6.” With a variety of impressive titles on the way for FPS fans (“Gears of War,” “Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter”), RPG fans (“Elder Scrolls IV,”Mass Effect,” “Blue Dragon”), and action-adventure fans (“Saint’s Row,”Splinter Cell 4”), the Xbox 360 line-up aims to please casual and hardcore gamers alike.
And did I mention a little game called “Halo 3?” The detachable hard drive and customizable faceplates are also nice touch, although backwards-compatibility for only select Xbox games is a bit of a drag.
Playstation 3
The clear financial victor in both the U.S. and Japanese gaming markets, the undeniable success of Sony’s second foray into the console business was largely due to the sheer number of renowned game franchises developed exclusively for the system. Sony’s third and second party upper-hand looks to continue with next-gen versions of “Tekken,” “Metal Gear Solid,” “Final Fantasy,” “Grand Theft Auto,” “Resident Evil” and “Devil May Cry” already confirmed for the Playstation 3. With the system’s utilization of the “Cell” microprocessor, RSX GPU, and the Blu-ray disc storage medium for high-definition video it will reportedly have far more “floating point” capability for graphic rendering. These hardware specs establish the Playstation 3 the most powerful next-gen system.
The high cost of the console’s hardware, however, will likely guarantee a hefty price tag although Kazuo Hirai, the president of Sony Computer Entertainment America, stated that the console will be “competitively priced against the Xbox 360.” Most of the criticism for the new system has been concentrated on the console’s bulky, George Foreman Grill-like appearance. The fact that it appears Crocodile Dundee was chosen for the console’s control design doesn’t help matters either. And is that “Playstation 3” logo the same font used for Sony’s “Spiderman” film advertising? Despite the system’s current aesthetic setbacks, the console’s capacity to play both PS1 and PS2 games should give franchise game fans even more incentive to pick the system up when it hits store shelves during the third quarter of 2006.
Nintendo Revolution
Shaping up to be the ideal console for Nintendo fans and gamers looking for innovation, the next Nintendo system (codenamed “Revolution”) aims to deliver just what its projected moniker infers. The system will utilize an IBM “Hollywood” CPU, an ATI “Broadway” GPU, and will be backwards-compatible with the Nintendo Gamecube. Additionally, Nintendo will employ an online “Virtual Console” service that will allow gamers to download classic games from Nintendo’s extensive library.
The classic games themselves may also feature enhanced visuals and the opportunity to play online. The most “revolutionary” feature of the new console, however, will undoubtedly be its controller. With an appearance that recalls a television remote, the Revolution controller will be able to respond to its location and orientation in full 3-D and accept a myriad of specialized peripherals, including a “nunchaku” style analog stick. The unique controller, along with the system’s small size (which will reportedly be the same length as three DVD cases stacked against one another) contribute to an overall ultra-sleek exterior that will be available in a variety of colors.
New gaming iterations of Nintendo staples like “Mario, “Zelda,” “Metroid,” “Super Smash Brothers,” and “Donkey Kong” are all confirmed for the system and will likely take advantage of the Revolution controllers unique capabilities. Additionally, the nature of the console’s exceptional controller has attracted other developers to the system, including Hideo Kojima of “Metal Gear Solid” fame. Although Nintendo has announced that more information about the console will be revealed on May 9, 2006, a release date for the system is currently unknown.
Mack Perry is a game critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments and questions can be sent to him at mackp@cc.usu.edu.
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