I'm really not ready for another console generation.

[GameMasterGuy]

I couldn't care less about the 720 and PS4, if they're anything like the 360 and PS3, there's going to be virtually no good exclusives (yes, there's about a dozen, but compare that to the piles of SNES/GEN exclusives) and all the multiplatform games worth getting will have a PC release that's cheaper *and* modable. Also, 50 replies and 500 views. Interesting conspiracy coincidence.

[Pulsar_t]

[GameMasterGuy]

I aint noen engrish dont u no no no?

In all seriousness, editing.

[Pulsar_t]

[Inazuma]

Something else worth thinking about is even though Nintendo is going to be releasing the Wii-U before anyone else has a new console, doesn't it really just bring Nintendo into the current generation spec wise? It's not going to be some huge leap ahead of x360 or ps3 right? It's pretty much on par with them from a technical stand point isn't it? (aside from a screen on the controller)

Yep. Nintendo is one generation behind. The Wii is slightly modified Gamecube hardware in a new shell with Gamecube controllers (literally), and motion controllers. The Wii U is about the same as the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Going from the Gamecube to the Wii was pretty shitty because the hardware barely changed at all. You could even argue that it was one step back because of motion controls and casual games. But now that that's out of the way, we can look forward to each new Nintendo console taking a step forward. They will still be one generation behind, but at least they are making progress now. >_>

Don't get me wrong. I have learned to love the Wii very much, but facts are facts. Generally speaking, it's a Gamecube with poor controls. The Wii does have tons of excellent games but it could have been so much better.

[AppleQueso]

Gotta admit you're right on that Inazuma. I'll be damned if I don't feel embarrassment every single time I look at the Wii section in a store and see the wall of utter SHIT that dominates the racks. Sifting through that to nab the quality titles makes me feel so... dirty.

The wii controls themselves I think are pretty nice when they're utilized well (Mario Galaxy did them nicely and Skyward Sword feels so great), but damn they're handled poorly more often than not. I still like the system a lot though, has a lot of excellent gems hidden among the shovelware and bullshit.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I actually don't mind the fact that the Wii is underpowered and so similar to the GameCube. If anything, I consider a plus as it has perfect backwards compatibility and it means I don't have to hook up two separate consoles to play NGC and Wii games.

[Xeogred]

But will it really mean anything? Speaking from purely a gameplay standpoint, there's been very few games this generation that wouldn't have been possible last generation.

A good point. The "leap" from the last gen to this one was more like a "step". Not as big of a deal compared to the jump from the N64/PSX/Saturn to the GC/PS2/Xbox I'd say. Graphics just kind of got better (and some major stuff became the norm like lighting, anti-aliasing, physics), but yeah. Gameplay wise, hardly anything revolutionary and trends got worse.

I think the biggest jump in gaming that I can recall was going from SNES/Genesis/PCE to PSX/Saturn/N64. Things changed so drastically during this era that it actually made me feel alienated and I stopped gaming for awhile. I hated the horrible blocky "3D" graphics, load times, memory cards, and multiple CD games. I just wanted to play SNES forever, and I actually went from SNES to Wii without buying another console in between!

I know the Wii-U, Xbox 720, and PS4 will be more powerful and showcase greater online capabilities, but this generally doesn't result in better disc-based gameplay. In fact, single player gameplay right from the disc is probably going to get worse as there is such a focus on co-op and DLC.

Lastly, I believe that the 8th generation of consoles will be the last, eventually "consoles" will simply be extra hardware integrated with televisions and/or our PCs. American casual games, whether they be football rehashes or Hollywood-inspired cutscene-a-thons or Facebook time killers or military recruitment tools disguised as video games, will reign supreme. Japanese games will become a niche market and people with tastes like mine will turn to importing even moreso than we do now.

Yeah one of my older friends online also lived through the Atari to NES/Master System jump and thinking about that one, that's a huge leap too. Games went from "high scores" basically to having goals, with dynamic levels to conquer and things like that. That and the 3D jump during the 32/64bit era as you're saying were and will probably always be the biggest leaps in gaming, since developers had to completely redefine the games themselves.

Your last thought there is sad but probably true, like how everyone talks about consoles potentially ditching physical media in the near future. It'll be a sad time for us authentic folks.

[AppleQueso]

buying a Wii is a lot more sensible than buying GC component cables! I love how perfect the b/c is on it. So few systems ever do it this well.

[Xeogred]

I've said it 20 times before and I'll say it again, that right there is probably 90% of the reason why I want a Wii. Easy access to GC games via component. Then I can pickup a few first party titles, then mod it for good JRPG's Europe lucked out with! Can't wait. Eat it Nintendo.