How annoying is it when you choose the wrong option?

Firstly I'll keep you informed of my buying habits for computers and gaming systems.

I bought an Amiga A1200 when they came out at around £450, a great computer that could play great games, I really should have bought a PC as I was studying Computing, but no, I chose the Amiga....well we all know what happened next.

I then bought a CD32 and only 6 months later Commodore went bankrupt...everything went down the tubes A1200 and all.

Next, a Playstation, what a buy, got a load of fun from the machine.

Then came the Dreamcast in December 2000, the PS2 was just out and a fortune, but the DC had Shemnue...that was the seller for me. Only 6 months later and Sega discontinued the console and retired from making systems...what a bummer. It was a great system with amazing graphics...Shemnue and DOA2 looked immense for 2000

So I just stuck with the DC and starting buying games when they were cheap (£5-£10) and amassed a 50+ title collection. I skipped the GC, PS2 and Xbox.

Then I heard about the PSP and I was determined not to pick up a system that would die only 6 months later. The DS looked cool and was much cheaper, but the PSP was a PS2 in my hand. Well I got one in December 2005 and still have it and love it. Although the DS has rushed ahead and gets loads more games, I still feel that the PSP will serve me well over the next 3-4 years.

Now, what next, the 360, Wii and PS3 are out. I like the look of all three but I will not be deciding on my console for a while yet. This time, I also want to get it right. I've not had much luck with my choice of console and although I want a PS3, I will not pay anywhere near the money they are asking for and not until there is a great selection of games available.

Have any of you guys had a similar experience?

I still consider the Dreamcast to have been the "right option": got more than my money's worth. Ditto the N64, Xbox, etc.

If I'd invested $600 in a PS3 to play Motorstorm for the next 5 years however I'd probably feel differently

Nope.  Never had that problem.  That's one of the perks of being a fanboy.  Seriously, the only non-Nintendo hardware I've ever owned were a Genesis my brother gave me, and a cousin's old Master System that broke a week after he decided he didn't want it anymore, and I haven't gotten around to fixing yet. 

I know I'll be gettin a Wii as soon as I have money.  Just how it is.  Sorry I can't help

i dont really see people would choose a "wrong console".  if people want a particular console for whatever reason, it was their choice so i dont think it was wrong.  so in the end, how do you define "wrong console"?

 I agree whole-heartedly, with exception of the Xbox. I never got much life out of that console.

Here here.  I think the only reason you can think you chose the "wrong" console is if you don't enjoy the games you play on it, or don't think it was worth the money you spent on it.

I had an N64 and a Gamecube, both of which "lost" their respective console races.  But I don't think either one was the "wrong" console because I had a blast with both of them.  Much later in the Gamecube/Xbox/PS2 race I saw that the PS2 had several games that I wanted to play including Gradius V, R-Type Final, and GT3/GT4, so I ended up getting a PS2 after the price had dropped.  If you go where the games you want to play are, you're doing fine.

360's a very good bet although you'll want to wait after the price of the premium drops because of the Elite - another MS tomfoolery that costs them more than they actually get. 360 will definitely get very good support all through its life although the variety of games is fewer than Wii (way much bigger than Xbox though).

Wii - good luck finding it. Currently, with the path it's going - it's set to be the successor of PS2 (console-wise) and DS (overall). The Wii will be your best bet for finding all kinds of games eventually.

PS3 - ha...ha...really, not worth it all right now. Wait a few years until pricedrops and there's some pretty good 1st and 2nd party games worth owning. Treat it like the Gamecube or N64 - it will have good games, but not worth owning the first couple of years.

All just opinions based on the current trends of the this gen's consoles.

I only buy a console when its current lineup/features justifies the price to me.  If something's coming later, then I'll wait 'till later, there are plenty of alternatives in the meantime.  I bought a Wii 'cause for $250 the launch lineup and the novelty made the price worth it to me even if the Wii ended the next day.  Every game that comes out in the future just makes that purchase more worthwhile.

I prefer the 360 over the Wii... thats just me, I love FPS and racing games

How can anyone not have brought a PS2, probably the greatest game system ever.

I've just got my PS3, and even though none of the games are hugely better than PS2 games (well GoW, FF XIII and GTA SA are far better) the graphics and the fact that there are so many games coming later this year. I can't see the 360 matching it in any way other than price.