Before any fanboy or anyone else jumps the gun, please take my argument into context with the OP.
To me, the console generation started with the Sega Master system and the NES. Many may argue systems such as the atari before it or the spectrum, but the truth is, it is the Master System and the Nes that brought easy gaming with some more depth into gamers homes.
Naturally, I became a big supporter of the 2 gaming giants and Yu Suzuki along with Shigeru Miyamoto became legends in my eyes. Even to this day, I can't give enough praise for what these 2 artists have done for gamers through the generations.
In the days of Sega and Nintendo console warz, things were kept fairly simple (imo) and it was all about the console pushing out a title better then its rival. Reviews were pretty simple and fanboyism wasn't as bad as it is today. Pretty much what you saw is what you got. For gamers, it meant everyone was in a win win situation.
Now we fast forward to the current generation - we have the PS3, 360 and the Wii. From all the generation of consoles I have owned, this one feels to be the most miserable. maybe it's just me, maybe some share the feeling.
Wii
What can I say? I love Nintendo. After Sega stepping out of the console wars, it is the only one left from "back in the days". the N64 was awesome, the Gamecube was awesome, the Wii to me as a Ninty fan and a gamer is a big, big, big disappointment, if not a nice fresh slap on the face.
I am happy, Ninty has come back and finally got the sales it deserved and brought Ninty back into the competition, however, what is with the crappy novelty games? Where are the proper Ninty games that made ninty what it is today? I don't mean the millionth iteration or edition of Pokemon, I am talking about Kid Icarus, Kirby, Zelda's, Donkey Kong's, Diddy Kong's, Starfox's and so many other games they could make or new IP's that are for the fan base who have supported them over the years.
I know the novelty has made Ninty a lot of money, but would Ninty rather stick to their new audience or could they try cater for the fan base first and the new audience of mothers, grandmothers and OAP's second!
I'm not saying they haven't released any good games this gen, but compared to the efforts they made on the Gamecube of N64, consoles which done worse then the Wii, they are making less of an effort to bring quality to their console then previously.
360
The console itself is a step back from what the Xbox was, it offers less for more! The standard HDD is gone, XBL isn't as competitive as it was last gen and whilst the rival has almost matched its online features (and will surpass when home is released) and offers it for free, XBL charges. Unlike the previous year, where MS released a sturdy machine, this gen, MS took the risk of law suites and a broken machine in return for market share and dominance.
Don't get me wrong, I understand MS is doing everything they can do not be last this gen, but to take your fan base for granted the way they have done is wrong. I give them props for dropping their price, I give them props for buying out Sony Exclusives, I give them props for how well they have advertised this gen as well as how they have implemented strategies to conquer Japan (a country everyone said MS will never be able to get a foot into).
Overall, looking at what the 360 is to what the console was last year; it offers the least next gen gamin experiences in the sense that it has nothing more but next gen graphics. Unlike the Wii which has next gen controls, the PS3 which has a next gen disk format as well as some form of motion control. Other then a few IP's it hasn't offered much which is new to its fanbase. Last gen you had; Otogi, Oddworld, Kung Fu Mayhem, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Blinx, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Deathrow and many more. I haven't listed the obvious, I have listed the games which were different and brought something unique to the Xbox.
This year, other then GeoW, there is nothing new MS is able to bring to its gamer base. This gen seems to be more about what MS is able to take away from Sony and what they can makes remakes and sequels too. Not to say there is anything bad about this, but these are the only things that have won the system much acclaim this year (anyone say FFXIII and Tekken or maybe Devil May Cry?). The more fresher ideas seem to be Lips (copy of Singstar), new avatars (copy of Ninty Mii), Boku (copy of LBP) and maybe a new rumored motion controller (copy of the six axis and Wii controller).
Whilst the competition is throwing out fresh ideas and ways to attract gamers, MS seems to be copying and re-making. That said, there is nothing so much wrong with it, but it does mean that gamers on the system have less to go on. However, as long as they are happy, who really cares!
PS3
IMO, by far the best console this gen. Plenty of fresh new gaming experiences; LBP, Heavenly Sword, Heavy Rain, Lair, Motorstorm, Flower, Afrika, Eye of Judgement, R2 (no FPS has gone this big and wild on a console the way R2 has), Home, Infamous, MAG, DC universe Online, The Agency and maybe some others I have forgotten.
The price may seem a little steep, but you are getting a combination of both; next gen graphics and playability as well as a BR player. Although many people don't see the big deal in BR, you have to watch some BR stuff to really appreciate it (anyone see Blue Planet or Transformers on BR?).
The disappointment on the Sony console is its constant delays on everything. The console killed its own hype by being delayed. The games suffer the same fate. The marketing has been rubbish on this console. The ability for Sony to hold onto their Exclusives is slowly deteriorating, they can't keep up with the Wii and they can't seem to catch up to MS since MS keep dropping their price and give more and more reasons (reasons being games going multi plat) for gamers not to have to buy a PS3. Due to this, the PS3 has a smaller significance then it done last gen.
It is truly disappointing that Sony has so much to offer this gen, but just cannot do enough to get their game base back. making fresh IP's, offering a free robust online experience, fresh concepts, Br player, built in WiFi, nothing is good enough except maybe a price drop. However, the price drop is the one thing Sony possibly cannot afford to do right now.
Summary
We have one console which caters to those who are inclined to Novelty games, another console which has ran out of ideas and is just taking from others and one console which hasn't got enough money to do as well as it should do due to delays and killing its own hype.
To fanboys and fans, they can see a win in each of these consoles, but to me, looking at the changes over the years, I see 3 consoles that can do so much more, yet do so much less. Unlike the ninty and Sega of yester year, who would fight and bring new IP's to better the rivals; we have copycats, bribers, shovelwear enthusiasts and politicians.
Please note, this is just my opinion. I appreciate everyone has their own experiences with gaming and consoles from the various generations and may have a different outlook on this subject. Feel free to share your history of gaming and put forward your views.
