I don't want to start a war (famous last words) but I am just wondering: people on this forum often talk about the superior physics engines of the HD consoles. I completely understand that more processing power can do amazing things for more realistic graphics, better AI and generally more going on at once (It doesn't make me have any less fun with my Wii, but I understand why these systems are the first choice for many.) What I don't understand is the physics issue. The physics calculations relevant to gaming do not seem overly complicated or even something last generation wasn't capable of. Please don't say that having storm troopers grab on to eachother as they fly away is an example, because that is AI. Cool, but not what I am wondering. In game videos would be helpful. (Nothing prerendered because that is not using the physics engine, and no tech demos please.)

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Mario Bros. had physics. I jump and fall, seems pretty simple to me.

There is a great physics engine in many games, see many clips of Oblivion (although this one needs lots of work), Elebits (sp?), Boom Blox.

Although I'm not too sure what you are looking for here, what makes the physics better on the HD consoles? Nothing, they can just do physics calculations on more objects.

That is what I am wondering. People talk about physics engines as a differentiator between PS360 and Wii. Is working with more objects the extent of it?

For the most part. Euphoria attempts to apply physics to character animation by adding in neuromuscular simulation, but all this really gives you is not having to specify animations for each character onscreen.

Half-right.  Those individual calculations (while often complicated) are something that last generation was capable of.

However try running 500 or more of them at a time on a last generation machine.

Can you give me an example of where this is done?

Almost any game that features destructible environments.

Okay, that second video was pretty cool /thread.