I would like to buy something this year, probably at Christmas, but I'm not sure what. I have a Wii U - and it's great - but it seems increasing likely that many AAA 3rd party titles will never see light of day on it. Also, the console will be approaching its third year and it's fun to get something new now and then. My question is what to get? What is the best value? The most fun? The best complement to the Wii U?
In my house I also have an XBox 360 and a mid-level PC. It was pretty good 4 years ago, but it's showing a bit of age now. Other systems I own from the past include ColecoVision, NES, SNES, PS2, PSP and XBox. I like all game genres - platformers, RPGs, FPS, 3rd person adventures, RTS, MMO. Some of my favorite all-time games include Donkey Kong, Joust, SMB3, Legend of Zelda, Mega Man 2, Final Fantasy 1,4,6,10, Actraiser, WoW, Age of Empires, F-Zero, Castlevania 4, Mass Effect, KOTOR, God of War, Rachet and Clank, Halo, Fable, Zelda: OoT and MM, Street Fighter 2, Call of Duty: Blops2, Starcraft, SMG, Xenoblade, SM3DW and Zelda:WWHD. I like online competition and local multiplayer - though I have a harder time getting people together for the latter these days. I greatly prefer gaming with a standard controller over keyboard and mouse, with the exception of RTS, and I prefer to relax on my couch and play on a big screen over a monitor, most of the time. I hate the idea of online subscription fees, but they are becoming more and more unavoidable.
It's been a while since I've looked heavily into PC spec research, so I'm just educating myself on that recently. Years ago I dreamed of having an Alienware PC or Laptop so there's a part of me that still lusts for one. The options I'm considering are:
1. Playstation 4.
Having not owned a PS3, part of me misses the Playstation brand. I greatly enjoyed my PS2 and PSP, and I currently love my XPeria phone. If there was backward-compatability, this system would have greater appeal. The $399 price is acceptable, the PS+ fee is off-putting. The performance seems solid. Support for AAA 3rd party content seems excellent. My interest in the 1st party titles is lukewarm.
2. XBox One
This seems like a tough sell to me right now. I have no interest in Kinect. It is $100 more than PS4. Titanfall looks very fun, but can be played on my PC or 360. Halo has lost a little magic for me when Bungie left it. Fable has lost its creator. Gears never took off for me. More people seem to be buying PS4's, which means easier options for playing online with friends on that system. If there is a good reason why I should consider this system, I'd love to hear it.
3. Alienware Desktop
Cool case, excellent performance, higher price than either console, but no online fees and it is a true PC, which is a necessity anyway. I've always liked the style of these machines.
4. Alienware Laptop
Like the Desktop, but with a little less power and customization, but more mobility. I like the idea of ease of hook up to the living room TV, or for traveling.
5. Another brand of Boutique PC
Laptop or Desktop, there are other high-end PC makers like Alienware used to be, that I am only now becoming familiar with.
6. Custom built PC
Built from the ground up with custom parts.
What should I get this year? What is the best value, with the best games? Also, I like cool-looking boxes.
