Why bother buying an 8th generation console?

[Specineff]

Keep in mind that at least for the PSP2, all that Sony has is claims and promises.

Claims and promises.

Remember how Sony promised that the PS2 would be able to render Toy Story-style graphics? Or the PS3 having like 4 HDMI outputs and other outrageous claims? Or updated drivers for the PS2 so it increased the resolution and filtering on PS1 games?

Sony talks the talk, but seldom do they walk the walk. Until they can show the games running on the actual hardware, I'd take their word with a pound of salt.

[D.D.D.]

I'm actually waiting a good 2-3 years before buying an 8th gen system. (3DS, NGP, N6, 720 and PS4). Mainly because I want some better hardware, there's a crapton of games left buy this gen, and last, and because prices drop and more games are available.

I totally agree. While I do think it's time for the portables to be upgraded, the home consoles seem like they should be fine for the next 3 years or so. Just keep making fun games and I'm good.
Though I suspect the next home consoles will likely start to appear/be announced within a year or so (mainly due to all 3 being hacked at this point).

[mluitjens]

All I can really see them doing to the next generation consoles is incorporating 3D technology into them. There's not much they can upgrade graphics-wise. However, we all know that eventually they will stop making 360/PS3/Wii games and we'll have to buy the next-gen consoles to play new releases.

[GSZX1337]

I'm still waiting for a combination of the traditional gamepad and the trackball.

[Anapan]

The only thing I'm looking forward to is Megaman Legends 3 on the 3DS.
I haven't even played half the games I got for my 360, and there really isn't anything to complain about in the graphics department on any of the current gen systems anyway. As far as I can see the graphics are as good as any developer cared to make them. When they look sparse it's because it was a design decision, laziness or time constraints. My guess is the new console systems will require a 3D television to get the most out of them and it'll be a while before there's any reason I'll be convinced to get one.

[BlackDS]

For the games, and for the extra processing power.

But what I am saying is that the processing power is not that different anymore between handholds and consoles, therefore, the games will be similar too.

[flamepanther]

Nothing new at all updates to the same old games we've all played before all in the same style.

Kid Icarus is so extremely far removed from its namesake in terms of gameplay and style that I can't think of a way to justify the idea that it's the same old game. It's the same old character, maybe, but even then it's a characer we haven't really seen for decades now.

[MrEco]

For the games, and for the extra processing power.

But what I am saying is that the processing power is not that different anymore between handholds and consoles, therefore, the games will be similar too.

The 8th generation handhelds seem to have similar processing power to the 7th generation consoles. Nothing is yet known about the 8th generation consoles though. And just having similar processing power does not mean the games will all be the same. Every NES game was forced to work within the same confines of processing power but it had different types of games. All Playstation 2 games were forced to work with the same amount of processing power but it had a wide variety of games. The Xbox 360 was the same deal. And the Dreamcast. And the Wii. And the Sega Saturn. Every game console/handheld ever created had a limit to it's processing power which forced all of it's games to be at a certain scale.

It's not just the processing power that was put into a game that defines whether or not it was of good quality. It's the actual design of the game.

[Gamerforlife]

I'm actually pretty impressed by handhelds right now. I have played four games in 2011 so far. Three of them console games and one DS game(Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Sonic 4, Donkey Kong Country Returns and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin). The DS game outclasses them all. So handhelds can certainly hold their own against consoles and the convenience factor they have is just awesome. I also like that there is an effort for handheld games to be DURABLE. PSP UMDs have the plastic case and the DS just uses cartriges.

I think handhelds are definitely a viable alternative to any console on the market right now

Portrait of Ruin was solid but Dawn of Sorrow trumps it. Check it out if you have not already.

I intend to, I generally can't go wrong with 2d vania games. Even weaker entries like Order of Ecclesia are still enjoyable for me. What I really liked about Portrait is just how balanced everything is. It is well designed. You almost always know what you have to do(aside from one or two rather ambiguous side quests) and the game gives you many tools to help you succeed.(even if you completely suck you can still rely on items or just level up a bit)

[msimplay]

Nothing new at all updates to the same old games we've all played before all in the same style.

Kid Icarus is so extremely far removed from its namesake in terms of gameplay and style that I can't think of a way to justify the idea that it's the same old game. It's the same old character, maybe, but even then it's a characer we haven't really seen for decades now.

Not sure about Kid Icarus but will have to see because it isn't released just yet.
Even so if it was different the question you end up asking yourself is it worth buying a console for one game.

Either way nothing has attracted me to it so far will just have to see