I read reviews and yes it does affect my purchase but it is less about the score than what they are saying. Sometimes reviewer play so many games that something small becomes a big deal to a review and they downgrade the score. For instance I remember Tales of Symphonia: DoTNW getting mediocre reviews for a bunch of tricky tacky stuff that barely affected me when I played through it.
End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)
Wii- 72 million 3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases
360- 37 million Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak
PS3- 29 million Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut







