Erm, Sega didn't withdraw the Saturn for the Dreamcast. Maybe you're a little too young to remember properly and got stuff mixed up. Anyway, I've not had to go through the pain of investing in a console that got defeated in the console wars of the industry.

I've always backed the console that turned out the most dominate in Software and Hardware which are the NES (a no brainer at the time), the SNES and though I was sneakered at when I told my buddies at the 1993/4 CES events (E3 of old..kinda) that Sony had a very strong strategy to take on and maybe even beat out Nintendo and Sega, I've backed the PS1 and PS2 consoles.

On the little knowledge that's help me avoid consoles headed for trouble in the past I've chosen the PS3 for this generation too. There's a console right now headed the same way Sega ended up and I won't be caught dead investing anything of significance on it.

P/S hey, VGC got a little change I see. Looks good.

Well, I have a two way system to knowing what gaming console I'll be surpporting. First, since there aren't any games to really look at 'till 2-3 years after the console's been announced, so my utmost tool is to look at the projected strategy of the company; their ideas and ideals for not just their product but also for the gaming industry as a whole.

I usually know who to back a year or two before the new gen starts. Then secondly, I look at the first set of games to come out for the system in the first 6 months. I don't really look for graphics per-say but more technical stuff and then I'm usually completely locked in by then or just move on. That's how I do mine.