The Xbox 360 surpassed my expectations in the fact that I bought one even though I swore through the Xbox years and the first year of the 360 that I would never get one. Once I saw the jRPG line-up, I decided to get one. I don't care for Halo one bit at all, and Gears is ok and most games end up on PC. So I have it for the jRPGs and Team Ninja games. On the first Xbox, I only cared for the Team Ninja games as others I cared for were on PS2/GC/PC. The original Xbox was really damn ugly IMO. The 360 doesn't look as nice as the PS3 and Wii, but it's passable.
The PS3 is VERY SLOWLY making my expectations. So far, the PS3 has had the games that have really grabbed me this generation, even if they get delayed alot. Uncharted and MGS4 both made an impression that I will probably remember after the gen is done. I'm getting the same feel from LBP, WKC, and FF13V. I absolutely love Blu-ray as well and I think it's finally where Home Video should be. If only Sony put a bit more work into their 1st/2nd party jRPG line-up, it would probably be my favorite console ever. Oh yeah, thanks Sony for making it region-free because I will be moving to Japan for six months starting tomorrow.
The Wii of course surpassed my expectations on popularity and sales. But it really under-delivered to me as a gaming device. As a former Nintendo fanboy, I was really excited about the Wii until about 2 weeks in. For me the motion controls are more frustrating than fun, and the graphics should have least been somewhat comparable to the other two systems this gen. While gameplay is important, the audio/visual aspect shouldn't be totally ignored. So Wii Fit and Wii Music will outsell anything on PS360, but I don't need to be any part of it.
"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY." --Hermann Goering, leading Nazi party member, at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials
Conservatives: Pushing for a small enough government to be a guest in your living room, or even better - your uterus.
