The Official "Console War" and Video Game Thread

[GeologyMule]

haha I told everyone at work if they wanted to play it that they should come by tonight. I am at the bar now getting ready for my ring of death. This way I won't be in such a foul mood when I hit speed dial #3 on my phone

[Galmorzu]

I'm always shocked to hear people running on their 5th or 6th 360 unit. I've had mine since near launch (a couple of months after), and it still works just fine. My friends, who have had theirs just as long, also still haven't had a problem. I can't even imagine the probability of getting 5 or 6 faulty units in a row.

Not saying it doesn't happen, but yikes, that's really rough...

[markatisu]

I'm always shocked to hear people running on their 5th or 6th 360 unit. I've had mine since near launch (a couple of months after), and it still works just fine. My friends, who have had theirs just as long, also still haven't had a problem. I can't even imagine the probability of getting 5 or 6 faulty units in a row.

Not saying it doesn't happen, but yikes, that's really rough...

I think thats why its so frustrating to the people get have it happen, the failure rate is at around 33% but yet people could have the exact same units down to manuf date and never had a problem.

[Galmorzu]

I think thats why its so frustrating to the people get have it happen, the failure rate is at around 33% but yet people could have the exact same units down to manuf date and never had a problem.

That's one of the things I'm wondering about. Are they getting their own systems back again after being "fixed," or are they getting all new systems back?

If they're getting a brand new replacement system each time, then that's really bad, but if they're getting their "fixed" console back with the same problem, then that's almost just as bad because they're doing absolutely nothing to fix the issue.

As an aside, it's caused by overheating, right? I wonder why 360 has this problem so severely, and yet the PS3 so far doesn't have anything like this.

[Raining Light]

That's one of the things I'm wondering about. Are they getting their own systems back again after being "fixed," or are they getting all new systems back?

If they're getting a brand new replacement system each time, then that's really bad, but if they're getting their "fixed" console back with the same problem, then that's almost just as bad because they're doing absolutely nothing to fix the issue.

As an aside, it's caused by overheating, right? I wonder why 360 has this problem so severely, and yet the PS3 so far doesn't have anything like this.

IT usually is a referbished system. MEaning it either had the RROD or a different problem. I don't think any are brand new systems. Im on my 3/4th. !st last a year and a half and I had it since NEw years day of 2006. MY second was a referbished and it lasted 2 weeks then had a disc reading error. While that one was sent off I went and bought an Elite then traded the one they sent me back in to a game place.--It may have been new it had the sticker on the disc tray, which was odd.

But they may be doing it a different way now. I am told most people now get there actuall console back and dont have a problem, at least not the original problem for why they sent it in.

If PS3 had better games I would have traded sides long time ago.

[markatisu]

As an aside, it's caused by overheating, right? I wonder why 360 has this problem so severely, and yet the PS3 so far doesn't have anything like this.

When the 360 was designed it was designed bad, there have been 2 studies done that the case is too small for whats inside which leads to overheating because the parts dont have enough fans or airflow to keep it running properly.

The PS3 is much bigger and has a much nicer airflow system, like I have said before my Wii gets hotter than my PS3.

Microsoft has even acknowledged in the rush to beat the PS3 to the market the design was rushed, however all they are doing is essentially patch jobs (replace motherboards or replace parts that have went bad), that does not change the "design" of the system

The introduction of the 65mm chip and new motherboards as well as new power supplies and has brought down the number of bad consoles but there are still plenty of them

I want a 360 but I have stayed out until I know that the consoles are designed well, there are 2 more revisions on their way in 2008 so hopefully one of those fixes it completely

And even Microsoft is not immune, check this out. Its at the recent GDC, even MS own systems fail

On Microsoft's own stand at the show one of the demo consoles has a rather familiar problem - the red ring of death. There's no way of knowing if this particular console was manufactured before or after Microsoft identified the problems with the machines.

But at the very least it's embarrassing for the company that its own stock of demo machines are still susceptible to the problem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technolog...h_returns.html

[ChemicalChemical]

Dammit Microsoft, fix this crap already. I really want a 360 already but if you're gonna be chumps then I guess I'll just keep my money, then.

[Galmorzu]

lol, that's great! Didn't Microsoft get a blue screen of death unveiling a new OS at some show a while back? In front of thousands of people?

I'm betting whomever was in charge of that demonstration disappeared into Gates' personal sulfur mines after that.

[GeologyMule]

Are they getting their own systems back again after being "fixed," or are they getting all new systems back?

The only true NEW unit I got was when the first one failed after two months and I took it back to gamestop because I had the insurance. Since then I get different units that have already been refurbed. 3/5 of mine have been refurbed.

[markatisu]

lol, that's great! Didn't Microsoft get a blue screen of death unveiling a new OS at some show a while back? In front of thousands of people?

If I remember correctly it was when Bill Gates was showing off Windows XP and it crashed on him.

Wii Ware to hit on May 12th, with Wii Fit coming a few days later

The Wall Street Journal has confirmed that Nintendo will be launching WiiWare in America on May the 12th and Wii Fit, the balance board exercising title will be out on May 19th.

[IronAvatar]

If I remember correctly it was when Bill Gates was showing off Windows XP and it crashed on him.

This also happened when showing off the plug-n-play feature of Win98 too.

[mannyscollectibles]

The only true NEW unit I got was when the first one failed after two months and I took it back to gamestop because I had the insurance. Since then I get different units that have already been refurbed. 3/5 of mine have been refurbed.

I think what theyre giving you is faulty after faulty hardware. Perhaps using up older components that were prone to the RROD.

If i was you I would request a brand new unit. Spending so much money on a console is ridiculous esp if it is dead within weeks. Im amazed there hasntbeen some sort of class action lawsuit against MS. If there hasnt there needs to be one, and consumers need to get compensated for it, not in the form of refurb units but rather brand new units directly from MS or from a local retailer.

This is just plain ridiculous, thats why I will NEVER buy a 360. Microsoft is doing what many companies do, make faulty equipment so the consumer is almost forced to buy another one giving them more profits

[markatisu]

If i was you I would request a brand new unit. Spending so much money on a console is ridiculous esp if it is dead within weeks. Im amazed there hasntbeen some sort of class action lawsuit against MS. If there hasnt there needs to be one, and consumers need to get compensated for it, not in the form of refurb units but rather brand new units directly from MS or from a local retailer

I think MS avoided that by upping the warrenty to 3 years for RROD, that seemed to quiet the anger for most consumer advocates.

Its actually ironic that they rushed to the market in order to beat the PS3 (the Wii to them was never considered competition) and in doing so skimped and used a flawed design, had to increase their warrenty and spent $1 billion in repair costs

And for what, to have majorly lost their 1 year lead to Nintendo (MS still leads by about 1 million units in the US but nowhere else), and have Sony only a slight bit behind (thanks to the EU and JP) them.

There are some analysts who predict they will come in last place behind the Wii and PS3 worldwide, if current global sales trends continue it will come to pass before the fall.

[krosfyah]

I see the ps3 doing well now that the hd format war is done, it's pretty mucht he most inexpenisve br player on the market, BUT will game sales follow suit. that's the big question on my mind. SOny got what they wanted out of the ps3 (BR domination over hd) so will that win give them a change of focus and concentrate on the ps3 being a gaming system?

personally I'm still against the next gen players because it feels forced, YES stuff I've seen on it over all looks very nice, but I don't know I feel like it's not necessary yet. I don't see myself getting a br player for QUITE a while (probably just before GREEN ray comes out. )

[mannyscollectibles]

There are some analysts who predict they will come in last place behind the Wii and PS3 worldwide, if current global sales trends continue it will come to pass before the fall.

PS 3 had a very very low start but i do agree that it will catch up and surpass the 360 in the very near future. The RROD issue is too widespread now so I doubt consumers will want to pick up a faulty unit, even if there is a3 year warranty. Matter of fact even if MS says the RROD issue is non existent consumers will more than likely not going to bite MS FUD and instead pick up a PS3.

Nintendo is the hands down winner of this gen but PS 3 will be 2nd. I highly doubt the PS 3 will catch up to the Wii. Either way MS is in a world full of trouble...if anyone thinks Sony has lost money on the PS 3, think twice because MS might be the biggest loser this gen

[markatisu]

I see the ps3 doing well now that the hd format war is done, it's pretty mucht he most inexpenisve br player on the market, BUT will game sales follow suit. that's the big question on my mind. SOny got what they wanted out of the ps3 (BR domination over hd) so will that win give them a change of focus and concentrate on the ps3 being a gaming system?

In my opinion that wont happen till the PS2 is put to rest, month in and month out (except for a few oddities like Jan 08) the PS3 gets crushed by the PS2

Until it can outperform its older brother, it will never reach the saturation point needed to be a powerful gaming machine sales wise.

Sure games like Call of Duty 4 and Assassins Creed are doing "well" on the system but the 360 is also selling the same games at a 2:1 and sometimes 3:1 ratio

I think 2008 will shift Sony a bit higher, they have some big name releases that will get the buzz going.

Its been already accepted by even the most diehard Sony fans that they lost this round to the Wii, unless the Wii starts selling negatively there is just no way to surpass it as weekly sales in and out around the globe show utter domination from Nintendo (take Japan this week, the Wii sold 80,000 and PS3 sold 18,000, thats 62k difference!).

It in theory could come closer than expected since it is the cheapest Blu-Ray player around, but HD does not have that kind of penetration yet (not like the PS2 did when DVD was taking on VHS).

But the fight against the 360 is going very well, they can come in a STRONG 2nd place if they can get their games off the ground.

As you said they won the Hi Def war, now its time to actually focus on the purpose of the machine.

Speaking of MS, GEARS OF WAR 2 ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING!

From Epic Games. November 2008. Sequel to the best-selling (4.5M copies) Gears of War. Follows the story of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad (Squad Delta?). 3rd person. Xbox 360 exclusive.

[krosfyah]

Its been already accepted by even the most diehard Sony fans that they lost this round to the Wii, unless the Wii starts selling negatively there is just no way to surpass it as weekly sales in and out around the globe show utter domination from Nintendo (take Japan this week, the Wii sold 80,000 and PS3 sold 18,000, thats 62k difference!).

It in theory could come closer than expected since it is the cheapest Blu-Ray player around, but HD does not have that kind of penetration yet (not like the PS2 did when DVD was taking on VHS).

agreed (sorry about not getting you the wii code yet - having online problems at home)

but I see (if exposed right) the Wii being even BIGGER sales wise when Wii fit comes out. with the yoga alone it's going to grab those who haven't yet bought into it, that casual market that it's taken by storm will get even bigger. I know many women at work that would buy the wii for yoga alone, and a few female friends as well.

[markatisu]

but I see (if exposed right) the Wii being even BIGGER sales wise when Wii fit comes out. with the yoga alone it's going to grab those who haven't yet bought into it, that casual market that it's taken by storm will get even bigger. I know many women at work that would buy the wii for yoga alone, and a few female friends as well.

Yes the Wii actually increased sales when Wii Fit came out, and now its a litteral "Brawl" between SSBB and Wii Fit in Japan, there are rumors the US may see 1-2 million in sales for March when Brawl hits and probably repeat business in May when Wii Fit hits.

Wii Fit may also appear on Oprah, if that happens then you wont see the Wii till 2010

This is Japanese sales for this week

1.(WII) Super Smash Bros. Brawl 165,000 (1,248,000 total)
2.(WII) Wii Fit 76,000 (1,451,000 total)

Both these titles are driving 50-80k units of the Wii per week there, because Nintendo has found a balance between the "casuals" and the "hardcore" its bringing them PS2 and NES level success.

Reggie announced this morning that the US will receive 1 million-2 million units of Wii Fit for the 5-19-08 launch, I fully expect all of them to sell out or come pretty close.

Me and my brother are getting 1 each

Nintendo has also announced this morning that they have 10 games in development for the Wii Fit board (I am praying one of those is a Wii 1080)

And Namco is having good success with their first Balance Board game (Family Ski) in Japan, it should have sold almost 100k copies in its first month.

[krosfyah]

Yes the Wii actually increased sales when Wii Fit came out, and now its a litteral "Brawl" between SSBB and Wii Fit in Japan

This is Japanese sales for this week

1.(WII) Super Smash Bros. Brawl 165,000 (1,248,000 total)
2.(WII) Wii Fit 76,000 (1,451,000 total)

Both these titles are driving 50-80k units of the Wii per week there, because Nintendo has found a balance between the "casuals" and the "hardcore" its bringing them PS2 and NES level success.

Reggie announced this morning that the US will receive 1 million-2 million units of Wii Fit for the 5-19-08 launch, I fully expect all of them to sell out or come pretty close.

Me and my brother are getting 1 each

Nintendo has also announced this morning that they have 10 games in development for the Wii Fit board (I am praying one of those is a Wii 1080)

And Namco is having good success with their first Balance Board game (Family Ski) in Japan, it should have sold almost 100k copies in its first month.

sounds like it's going to be FUN! I hope sega does top skater and their latest surfing game. (just bulk it up for the home market)

[hemanrep]

I don't think Nintendo has found a balance between hardcore and casual. If that was the case, third party developers would put more than just casual games on the Wii.

Take away Mario, Zelda, and Brawl and we're left with casual games that sell well and games like Metroid that undersold because of the lack of marketing.

The sad part is, with the exception of Mario Kart...nothing has been officially announced that floats my boat. It's depressing actually.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if PS3 outsold Wii by the end of next year (Q4 2009).

The PS3 is on the rise in every region...and it's going to be the best value in all aspects.

I want the Wii to do well (which it is), but unless there are compelling third party games, I'm going to switch over to PS3 for my gaming goodness.

I hate saying this, but the Wii has turned into a motion-sensing GameCube for casual gamers with 3-4 hardcore games a year from Nintendo. That's not bad -- it's just not what I was expecting.

[markatisu]

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if PS3 outsold Wii by the end of next year (Q4 2009).

The PS3 is on the rise in every region...and it's going to be the best value in all aspects.

It may be on the rise but the Wii is also on the rise so Sonys gains do not add up to much, a change will happen when the Wii slows down and Sony "outsells it". Till then its more of the same

Take the US for example, it would literally take the Wii being removed from the market and the PS3 outselling it 3:1 for a period of 2 years to gain back what they lost in 2007

Japan is the same way, while closer the PS3 is getting outsold by anywhere from 300k-500k a month, again the Wii would have to stop selling and the PS3 would have to surge. Its just not happening, every (and I mean EVERY) game release in Japan for the PS3 is severely front loaded. It is almost a joke in Japan for analysts to say "well wait until (insert game name here)" because it will sell well the first week or so them drop off the charts (much like how a lot of 360 games work in the US).

the EU is Sonys stronghold, thats the only region in which the PS3 has been a solid seller since launch, but that region itself is not large enough to make up for the disparity in the NA and JP markets, especially considering the Wii is steadily outselling it everywhere but Italy and Austria. In France, the UK and Australia the Wii is selling often at 2-3x the rate of the PS3.

This year will be telling on how the overall sales picture will end up but I just cannot see the PS3 outselling the Wii globally unless the Wii 2 is announced and people just stop buying the Wii.

I hate saying this, but the Wii has turned into a motion-sensing GameCube for casual gamers with 3-4 hardcore games a year from Nintendo. That's not bad -- it's just not what I was expecting.

I think that is more the fault of developers than the fault of the system itself, we have seen some killer concepts brought up by students on youtube and in game developer conferences. But companies who have money to make those concepts a reality are not, they are still hedging their bets on "next-gen" graphics and sadly the Wii gets a few gems and a ton of crap.

You bring up good points, I am anxious to see if E3 for them is another casual love in or if they have some more games that appeal to a more "hardcore" demographic.

Nintendo is doing what they have always done, I find myself enjoying the system as much as I have the NES and the Dreamcast (to me the best game systems ever made). I play games to play games, if its "casual" so be it, if its "hardcore" so be it, maybe because I am married its a different type of game I want but I just want it to be fun, interactive, and make me feel like I am not wasting my time.

Sony has yet to wow me, remember I own both consoles and outside of Uncharted the PS3 has received no love because there is nothing driving me to use it for a game machine. Uncharted was a gem, but every other game I have played for the PS3 via rental or demo has just stunk...its just not what I am looking for.

[hemanrep]

It may be on the rise but the Wii is also on the rise so Sonys gains do not add up to much, a change will happen when the Wii slows down and Sony "outsells it". Till then its more of the same

Take the US for example, it would literally take the Wii being removed from the market and the PS3 outselling it 3:1 for a period of 2 years to gain back what they lost in 2007

Japan is the same way, while closer the PS3 is getting outsold by anywhere from 300k-500k a month, again the Wii would have to stop selling and the PS3 would have to surge. Its just not happening, every (and I mean EVERY) game release in Japan for the PS3 is severely front loaded. It is almost a joke in Japan for analysts to say "well wait until (insert game name here)" because it will sell well the first week or so them drop off the charts (much like how a lot of 360 games work in the US).

the EU is Sonys stronghold, thats the only region in which the PS3 has been a solid seller since launch, but that region itself is not large enough to make up for the disparity in the NA and JP markets, especially considering the Wii is steadily outselling it everywhere but Italy and Austria. In France, the UK and Australia the Wii is selling often at 2-3x the rate of the PS3.

This year will be telling on how the overall sales picture will end up but I just cannot see the PS3 outselling the Wii globally unless the Wii 2 is announced and people just stop buying the Wii.

I said I wouldn't be surprised if PS3 outsold Wii...I didn't say it would outsell the Wii.

I think that is more the fault of developers than the fault of the system itself, we have seen some killer concepts brought up by students on youtube and in game developer conferences. But companies who have money to make those concepts a reality are not, they are still hedging their bets on "next-gen" graphics and sadly the Wii gets a few gems and a ton of crap.

See, as much as I'd like to blame the third party developers, Nintendo has to be blamed as well. If developers see that Nintendo casual games sell and Nintendo hardcore games don't (Metroid), what do you think publishers are going to do? They are going to copy what is successful for Nintendo. May be if Nintendo put out an RPG that was successful...other developers would take a chance.

You bring up good points, I am anxious to see if E3 for them is another casual love in or if they have some more games that appeal to a more "hardcore" demographic.

If Mario Kart does come out before May (supposedly coming out in Europe in April), I expect Nintendo to "balance" their E3 presence with two games: Wii Music and Animal Crossing...which IMO, isn't really balanced since Animal Crossing could also be considered casual.

Nintendo is doing what they have always done, I find myself enjoying the system as much as I have the NES and the Dreamcast (to me the best game systems ever made). I play games to play games, if its "casual" so be it, if its "hardcore" so be it, maybe because I am married its a different type of game I want but I just want it to be fun, interactive, and make me feel like I am not wasting my time.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy casual games too...but if I only owned a Wii, I would be very disappointed with it. I want the best of both worlds...and thus far, Wii isn't cutting it.

Sony has yet to wow me, remember I own both consoles and outside of Uncharted the PS3 has received no love because there is nothing driving me to use it for a game machine. Uncharted was a gem, but every other game I have played for the PS3 via rental or demo has just stunk...its just not what I am looking for.

I'm the same way...but I plan on getting GTA IV, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Little Big Planet this year...and I'm sure there will be more come E3. I expect either Street Fighter or RE5 (only one) to come this year as well. That's already more than what the Wii has to offer to hardcore gamers.

And then there is the 360...let's just say...Ninja Gaiden 2 in June makes me happy.

It's great to be a gamer who owns all 3 consoles.

[markatisu]

See, as much as I'd like to blame the third party developers, Nintendo has to be blamed as well. If developers see that Nintendo casual games sell and Nintendo hardcore games don't (Metroid),

what do you think publishers are going to do? They are going to copy what is successful for Nintendo. May be if Nintendo put out an RPG that was successful...other developers would take a chance.

That would require Nintendo to make a RPG Though on the other hand Fire Emblem has enjoyed the best sales its ever had on a console so maybe that will make some headway.

Remember Namco's Tales of Symphonia on the Gamecube was the biggest selling Tales game ever, which is why its sequel is coming to the Wii in a few months, that could be the start.

For me its very much a chicken and egg situation, nobody followed Nintendos lead onto the Wii except Ubisoft and Capcom. So therefore why is it their responsibility to foster anything??

3rd parties abadoned the Gamecube and Nintendo still made a profit every year, I think they view the Wii the same way. Its all about the $$$ and Nintendo makes it regardless of support, I think the view (right or wrong) is as long as we are making $$$ screw everyone else and its worked for almost 3 decades.

I would personally like to see some effort (we are seeing it slowly I think), its argued that sales dont warrant developers interest, but sales are based off crap ported games with no real effort so its almost a redudant self fullfilling prophecy.

If Mario Kart does come out before May (supposedly coming out in Europe in April), I expect Nintendo to "balance" their E3 presence with two games: Wii Music and Animal Crossing...which IMO, isn't really balanced since Animal Crossing could also be considered casual.

I fully agree, though I expect them to finally announce Day of Disaster so thats 2 to 2

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy casual games too...but if I only owned a Wii, I would be very disappointed with it. I want the best of both worlds...and thus far, Wii isn't cutting it.

Something tells me if you only owned a Wii I dont think you would care much for the casual vs hardcore arguement.

I'm the same way...but I plan on getting GTA IV, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Little Big Planet this year...and I'm sure there will be more come E3. I expect either Street Fighter or RE5 (only one) to come this year as well. That's already more than what the Wii has to offer to hardcore gamers.

First off I fully agree with you, but will it make a difference? I think a big problem with the console war is that the "hardcore" is seeing just how small it actually is as a group

Like I was telling my wife yesterday...she is a shining example of what we are seeing in todays gaming. She was a "hardcore" gamer in the 80's and early 90's (SMB3, Ninja Gaiden, SFII, Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior) but with the arrival of the PSX and the graphics over gameplay ideals she was pushed out.

Her reintroduction to gaming only came recent with the GBA and DS, then it moved into the Wii. She came back with games like Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Professor Layton and Pokemon and that segwayed into Mario Galaxy, the 2 console Fire Emblems and Re4 Wii.

People like to say only soccer moms and grandmas buy the Wii but I know for a fact the demographic is something the industry has not seen since the Atari and NES. Its old gamers returning to a system they find non complicated and open, and that has developers I think baffled beyond belief

The interesting thing in my mind is what happens when the Wii 2 comes along and has HD capability and a bigger HD? would more developers attempt something or would it be the same issue of Nintendo only sells Nintendo games, why bother, look elsewhere

[krosfyah]

First off I fully agree with you, but will it make a difference? I think a big problem with the console war is that the "hardcore" is seeing just how small it actually is as a group

Like I was telling my wife yesterday...she is a shining example of what we are seeing in todays gaming. She was a "hardcore" gamer in the 80's and early 90's (SMB3, Ninja Gaiden, SFII, Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior) but with the arrival of the PSX and the graphics over gameplay ideals she was pushed out.
Its old gamers returning to a system they find non complicated and open, and that has developers I think baffled beyond belief
:

that sounds kind of like me. I got so tired of the graphics over gameplay nonsense and it really HURT me when the dreamcast failed because it was so clear from the saturn to the dc that sega was about gaming and these games were a BLAST to play. then everythign became "hardcore" there wasn't FUN to be had you just had to become a criminal or play some war sim. gaming lost it's lustre for me. now mind you - I am a HUGE VF fan - a game I consider to be THE most HARDCORE of gaming (because it takes so much to master it the amount of moves and ways to do them is far from appealing to casual gaming) but nintendo for me brought back a level of just fun and experimentation that I last saw on the DC/saturn.

I still want to get a 360 for vf 5 and a few other key titles, I have no need for a ps3 as it stands right now, but yeah I feel like I'm a former hardcore gamer that got jaded by the influx of casual gamers that bought into the playstation hype and really set the industry back IMO.

[hemanrep]

That would require Nintendo to make a RPG Though on the other hand Fire Emblem has enjoyed the best sales its ever had on a console so maybe that will make some headway.

Remember Namco's Tales of Symphonia on the Gamecube was the biggest selling Tales game ever, which is why its sequel is coming to the Wii in a few months, that could be the start.

For me its very much a chicken and egg situation, nobody followed Nintendos lead onto the Wii except Ubisoft and Capcom. So therefore why is it their responsibility to foster anything??

Because Nintendo knows how to use the hardware. They should be the developer who makes the best software and thus gives others an example of what types of games to make.

For example, Mario Party 8 sold a butt load of copies last year. So what did other developers do? Come out with tons of mini-game titles...

If you think about it...it's always been that way on Nintendo consoles. Nintendo makes a successful game...developers try to mimic that success by putting out the same type of game.

I've never played a Tales game before, so I can't comment whether or not it would interest me...but it'd be nice to have more than just one RPG per console per generation.

I fully agree, though I expect them to finally announce Day of Disaster so thats 2 to 2

My gut is telling me this game is not going to be good. I want it to be good, but I just don't think it will do well.

Something tells me if you only owned a Wii I dont think you would care much for the casual vs hardcore arguement.

Please elaborate. Do you mean I'd be content with what the Wii has to offer? I highly doubt it. As much as I love Nintendo games, I need more than that to satisfy my gaming needs. If the Wii has games like Uncharted, I'd probably be very happy. Sorry, but a terrible-port of Tomb Raider is not going to cut it.

First off I fully agree with you, but will it make a difference? I think a big problem with the console war is that the "hardcore" is seeing just how small it actually is as a group

Like I was telling my wife yesterday...she is a shining example of what we are seeing in todays gaming. She was a "hardcore" gamer in the 80's and early 90's (SMB3, Ninja Gaiden, SFII, Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior) but with the arrival of the PSX and the graphics over gameplay ideals she was pushed out.

Her reintroduction to gaming only came recent with the GBA and DS, then it moved into the Wii. She came back with games like Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Professor Layton and Pokemon and that segwayed into Mario Galaxy, the 2 console Fire Emblems and Re4 Wii.

People like to say only soccer moms and grandmas buy the Wii but I know for a fact the demographic is something the industry has not seen since the Atari and NES. Its old gamers returning to a system they find non complicated and open, and that has developers I think baffled beyond belief

The interesting thing in my mind is what happens when the Wii 2 comes along and has HD capability and a bigger HD? would more developers attempt something or would it be the same issue of Nintendo only sells Nintendo games, why bother, look elsewhere

I think it does make a difference. I fully agree that Nintendo is expanding the market, but at the same time...do you really believe the Wii is going to outsell the 120 million (and still selling) PS2s that are currently out on the market? If anything the PS2 is probably a great example of a casual/hardcore console. It catered to the hardcore and the casual (Guitar Hero, Eye Toy, etc).

Hardcore gamers have no interest in the Wii, which is the biggest difference between the PS2 and the Wii...and will probably be the reason that the Wii won't hit the 100M mark. Add in the fact that the hardware is 5 years old...the longevity of the Wii will be a problem.

And I'm sure someone is going to point out that the 120+ million PS2s is because of the faulty hardware...okay take away 20 million and you still get 100 million.

My point is...the Wii expanded the market with Wii Sports and Wii Fit, but by doing so Nintendo has taken the hardcore audience for granted which I think will bite them in the butt eventually. You cannot be successful in the gaming industry without the hardcore. The hardcore gamers were the ones who helped spread the word on Wii in the first place.

Just something out of the blue....but I wouldn't be surprised if Matt from IGN left the Nintendo channel because of the reasons I just mentioned.

So in other words, do the games on the 360 and PS3 make a difference? Absolutely. If anything, the hardcore market has shown it can survive without the casual games (120M+ PS2s)...but can the casual market survive without the hardcore audience? That's the biggest question. If the Wii can break 100M, I'll be a believer.