Console Wars!!!

[Asher]

While Galaxy and Smash will sell well, I can guarantee you they'll be outsold by Halo 3.

While the Wii has a large install base, that's because they opened up to grandmas, women, and other people who won't be tempted by Galaxy and Smash. Even Prime 3 sales were rather crap, which should be a big hint.

While Wii has those niche games, the 360 (and its more hardcore gaming crowd) has Halo 3's residual effect (and a huge ad campaign to accompany it), not to mention other heavy hitters like PGR4, Rock Band, Call of Duty 4, Assassin's Creed, and Mass Effect. Not to mention the fact that the 360 has a vast catalog of quality games that the Wii simply doesn't have, so new console purchases will cause a spike in other games like Bioshock, Oblivion, Gears of War, etc.

Simply put, there's no way Wii will win the software war in September, November and December. The 360's sales in hardware will likely surpass the Wii's, and on top of that, the 360 has a much stronger software lineup of more culturally relevant and better-selling games.

Halo 2 alone sold 6.5 million units in November and December 04, and Halo 3 looks to do much more than that. I think that alone will eclipse most Wii sales.

[DrSpike]

It sure is a good line-up for us in the run in to Christmas. Not sure where I am going to find the time.

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by DrSpike


You need to post more about what you want to get sensible advice I think.

For me I bought a console this year and went for the Xbox. The PS3 was too expensive, I didn't really want Blu-Ray, and there weren't any good games. The Wii didn't have any good games at that stage either except the new Zelda.

Decent games are starting to come out on both systems now but the Xbox is hitting the point where the developers are better at using its potential to the fullest, and for most genres the Xbox looks like it will have the strongest line-up (or at least the same line-up) for some time to come.

But if you have kids the party games and Wii sports etc will probably go down really well. So it's a trade-off.

Well - I guess I am after a console that has a decent number of kids games, either out already, or in the making. And by kids games, I mean games that can be played from 4+ years. I also want the console to have sort of the latest technology, as I don't think it will be replaced in the foreseeable future (I expect it to have to last at least 6-7 years).

But if Blu-Ray is only on the PS 3, I guess what it comes down to is this: How many children's games are available for the PS 3?

We will be buying a 37 or 42" HD-Ready LCD or Plasma TV soon, so that is why I want Blu-Ray. Might as well get it to enjoy that crisp picture quality that it offers.

Asmodean

[DrSpike]

PS3 and Xbox 360 don't have as many games your kids will enjoy as the Wii I'd say. But you should research the games available to see if they fit your needs before buying one I'd. As some here will no doubt point out many of the games out at the moment are not that great.

Tough to speculate on the life of the consoles out now but the Xbox and PS3 are good for 4 or 5 years at least, though the Wii probably has a shorter life.

Personally I wouldn't buy a PS3 for the Blu-Ray player, unless you want both. You can get standalone players and the prices are coming down. Also worth researching the benefit you will get from HD - like with all new tech it's not all it's cracked up to be (Asher will no doubt shout at me ), and unless you have a big screen (the 42 inch is big enough) and have a relatively short viewing distance you probably wont notice a big difference. No one has shown me a setup yet that has made me want to upgrade.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by DrSpike
It sure is a good line-up for us in the run in to Christmas. Not sure where I am going to find the time.

And I just pre-ordered Halo 3.

I left it late as I thought some better deals would come out, but nothing has beaten £35 delivered for day of release from GAME, so I've gone with that.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=8994

1. Doesnt that imply a Wii attach rate not all that far below? I was under the impression the Wii attack rate was well under half the 360 attach rate. Unless the PS3 attach rate is pulling the average up.

2. Thats US. I wonder if the attach rates run the same in other markets. In particular I wonder if attach rates for Wii and PS3 are higher in Japan.

[asleepathewheel]

My 58 year old father has bought a wii.

apparently it was on the advice of a female (he is recently single again).

He got wiiplay and Tiger Woods 08

Too bad I already have a wii, b/c I know it would be coming my way by x-mas time.

Midlife Crisis: New Car-Check, Motorcycle lessons, check, wii-check.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Asmodean


Well - I guess I am after a console that has a decent number of kids games, either out already, or in the making. And by kids games, I mean games that can be played from 4+ years. I also want the console to have sort of the latest technology, as I don't think it will be replaced in the foreseeable future (I expect it to have to last at least 6-7 years).

But if Blu-Ray is only on the PS 3, I guess what it comes down to is this: How many children's games are available for the PS 3?

We will be buying a 37 or 42" HD-Ready LCD or Plasma TV soon, so that is why I want Blu-Ray. Might as well get it to enjoy that crisp picture quality that it offers.

Asmodean

Too bad you're not in the US.

Here's a great deal from best buy

Of course, comes with a DLP, not plasma or LCD, but its basically a free 360 and Halo 3.

edit: I would have loved to take advantage of this, but :
1) my apt living room wouldn't work with anything bigger than say 40"
2) lack of funds due to a recent cross country relocation/job hunt.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel
My 58 year old father has bought a wii.

apparently it was on the advice of a female (he is recently single again).

He got wiiplay and Tiger Woods 08

Too bad I already have a wii, b/c I know it would be coming my way by x-mas time.

Midlife Crisis: New Car-Check, Motorcycle lessons, check, wii-check.

Even hasn't Asher suggested the Wii is the purchase of those suffering mid-life crises.

[Agathon]

There was a story on CNN today about Wiis being used in old folks homes. Apparently the Wii sports is a great hit among the elderly. It was funny watching this old lady smoke the youthful reporter at Wii bowling.

Nintendo wins again.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
There was a story on CNN today about Wiis being used in old folks homes. Apparently the Wii sports is a great hit among the elderly. It was funny watching this old lady smoke the youthful reporter at Wii bowling.

Nintendo wins again.

It's great because they'll never buy another game in their life.

And people are wondering why Prime got spanked by Bioshock.

[asleepathewheel]

Yeah, well, I know a guy who bought an elite just to play ncaa08 (not even madden, I asked). That's what happens to the industry leaders, this time unlike with the ps2, there is a split-party games/ultra casuals to wii, sports only to the 360.

[Nikolai]

It'll be interesting to see how this game turns out:

LucasArts Unleashes The Force On The Wii



So what if the Wii cannot handle the awesome 'next-generation' physics engine the other consoles will enjoy when Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is released. They get duel mode! DUEL MODE! LucasArts announced today that Krome Studios is developing a version of the game for the Nintendo console, and players will finally get to use the Wiimote for its intended purpose - as a lightsaber! With the Wiimote saber and the nunchuk controlling force powers, I'll be hard pressed to choose which console to pick the game up for. Adding to my inner turmoil is the aforementioned duel mode, which lets you take your friends in one on one Jedi battles to the death! I am so completely geeking out right now it isn't funny. You guys read the press release, I'm going to need a moment.

LucasArts to Unleash the Force on the Wii in Spring 2008

Star Wars™: The Force Unleashed™ Coming to Nintendo's Platform with Exclusive Duel Mode

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Sept. 18, 2007 - LucasArts today revealed that Star Wars™: The Force Unleashed™ will come to the Wii™ home videogame system from Nintendo next spring, offering owners the unique chance to live out their Jedi fantasies by wielding the Wii Remote™ as a lightsaber while using the Nunchuk™ controller to torment foes with their Force™ powers.

The Force Unleashed casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The game's expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. In it, players will assist the iconic villain in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi - and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.

The Wii version, in development by Krome Studios, will also add an exclusive duel mode in which players can compete head-to-head with their friends to determine the ultimate Jedi Master.

"The Wii is a great platform for The Force Unleashed, because the console's motion-oriented controllers really bring the game to life," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts. "We've worked hard to make the Wii version of the game unique in order to truly let you unleash the Force."

[Asher]

How much do you want to bet it sucks?

[Nikolai]

I have a policy of never betting, no matter the odds.

I think they will have a difficult time, the light saber hype is big and has been so for a long time. But let's keep an open mind and just wait and see, shall we?