Master System controllers could be used on Megadrive (and vice-versa)

Gamepad will still be the Primary options... Phones dont make only cal anymore do they ?

Same for Consoles, evolve or die (i.e Nintendo).

Has any one seen the leaks of the PS4 gamepad? It has built in Move support so their camera will probably ship with every system as well.

It seems like Microsoft might be working on a similar gamepad tracking and the only way to get Dev support and a consistent experience is to make Kinect mandatory.

It makes sense. You don't your people working on two different experiences, it adds unnecessary overhead. Better to have it installed from the start or it ends up being neglected after awhile. In all honesty, I felt that the first Kinect launch was kind of a test run for when they could integrate it into the console.

Now, if Microsoft's patent to use Kinect with an always-on connection as a way to charge more for steams if the number of viewers goes over a certain amount gets used, which I highly doubt because it would be insane, then you'd see some serious fallout--and it would be justified.

Makes sense. Developers can then utilize the systems full potential knowing that it will reach the full customer base.

Downside, this has got to be (relatively) a significant addition to the overall cost of console.

PS2 added thumbsticks. PS1 did not have those. Why would you ever want to use PS1 controller on PS2?

Gamecube controllers on Wii was one I had missed though. Looks like mostly a recent development still, and mostly a Nintendo thing.

Any other legacy consoles I just simply am too young to know/care about haha.... NES/Sega Genesis are my first consoles. If there were others back then at the same time, I'm afraid I don't know of them.

PS1 did have thumb sticks. Using PS1 pads was a decent alternative if you didn't wanna go out and buy a DS2 controller. IIRC the only thing PS1 pads missed out on if you used them on PS2 games were the analog buttons. Either way it's not as if using old controllers is not unheard of, plenty of consoles have done it.

And at the same time a new console NOT using old controllers is not a big deal either because plenty of consoles go that route too.

However, focing Kinect on us is incredibly lame, and if the always-online stuff is true then MS can **** off next gen.

Them forcing Kinect on us is no better than Sony trojan horsing Blu Ray into our homes via PS3. Will just jack up the price for something irrelevant to gaming.

There is no controller fragmentation. All 360 owners have a 360 controller, same with 720 when it comes out :)

Not being backward compatible with controllers won't be a big deal. PS4 probably won't be too if the touchpad rumour is correct. Wii U is compatible with Wiimotes, but its games depend on the new touch controller almost in all cases, so you still have to get a new pad. So no big deal here.

The always online is a problem, it would kill its sales forever on third world countries since the internet connections aren't reliable (actually, even in countries with good connectivity you can't call it "reliable". Network communication can't be considered reliable in any situation). The requirement for Kinect won't be a problem normally, but if your Kinect breaks you won't be able to play games that don't use it at all?

Title is misleading, should have included the question mark in it.