Sony or Nintendo

[jdobbin]

This year both Sony and Nintendo come out with new play consoles and games.

What do people think? Is it a crass move to make their old equipment obsolete or are these new consoles actual improvements that you've just got to have?

Do you find you spend more time playing these games than doing other things?

I didn't buy the last series of consoles because I wasn't sure if it was worth it. And the tight supply of the machines seemed to make people crazy. The same thing is happening this year with people camping out tonight waiting for the machines to be sold.

Should I be looking to place one of these under the tree for family or should I be giving it a pass?

[geoffrey]

What's the price tag on this one, it's a few more hundred than the last, no?

Worth it, probably not.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear jdobbin,

Should I be looking to place one of these under the tree for family or should I be giving it a pass?

I was wondering how this might fit in to the spirit of this being a political forum, so, I'll say this: give it a pass. As a former 'video game junkie', I can say that my life is better without them. I still play some 'video games' on occasion, but they are really the ultimate time waster. If you have kids, the money would be better spent on some sort of club membership, outdoor sporting goods, or something that might lead them to interact with other kids...mindlessly staring at the 'idiot box' isn't social interaction.

[jdobbin]

What's the price tag on this one, it's a few more hundred than the last, no?

Worth it, probably not.

I think PS3 is over $650 for the top model.

[jdobbin]

I was wondering how this might fit in to the spirit of this being a political forum, so, I'll say this: give it a pass. As a former 'video game junkie', I can say that my life is better without them. I still play some 'video games' on occasion, but they are really the ultimate time waster. If you have kids, the money would be better spent on some sort of club membership, outdoor sporting goods, or something that might lead them to interact with other kids...mindlessly staring at the 'idiot box' isn't social interaction.

I was thinking along the moral lines of: Is this the equivalent of being sold something that actually hurts me or family? I know some people swear by the entertainment value. We all have time wasters. I wonder if this one is more or less bad than others.

[geoffrey]

Well, kids are obese these days, and these games have something to do with it. If your kids are good with physical activity anyways and you don't see this as cutting into that, then I don't see the harm. Like t-bag said though, outdoor pursuits are far more rewarding, and cost considerably less (or the same money gives you more bang for your buck, a bike or xc skis will create as much fun, with positive outcomes).

[GostHacked]

Protip : Wait for a few months to see how the new boxes perform.

I personally have interest in the Wii. For starters the new Wiimote wifi system will change how we play and now even interact with games ever more. The online support for this console will be Go. Wii Go. Such a smart name and concept. Through Go, you will be able to buy and download all previously games on almost any Nintendo platform out there. They just simply have things right. Don't get all hung up on horsepower and graphic capability. The games will be fun on the console and you won't give two flicks about the OMG 'low end graphics'. Another nice thing this console will launch at about 250cnd, not bad at all.

I currently have a PStwo and really love the thing and the games I have with it (Katamari Damacy, Shadow of the Colossus being two fantastic games. The only thing that prevents me from really playing it daily or even weekly now, is the online play. It was left up to the developers of the games to include online game play. The PS3 is looking to be the same thing. If there is no online support like Go or Live, then I predict a quick demise in sales of the console itself and the games. But this box will have the horsepower to give you superior graphics. The other draw back is the price. Over 600cnd at launch. You can buy two Wii's for one PS3.

So there you go.

Now if you were to buy a PStwo or the first Xbox, or the Cube, they are all not expensive to buy now. And you can pick up used games or the Hits for 20cnd.

mindlessly staring at the 'idiot box' isn't social interaction.

True. But it is how you stare at it. LAN sessions are plenty fun. We do it at my place every Saturday. I prefer to play games and interact with something than stare at the TV. I have come to loathe TV in general and only watch a few series (BSG being one of them)

If I had kits I would rather them play games on the PC or console than to just sit there and zombie veg out to the TV, constantly flipping the channel because nothing is good on.

If you see a bunch of people sitting there talking about tech and games and such, those are Geeks. Nerds don't seem to socialize much at all.

[Charles Anthony]

If you have kids, the money would be better spent on some sort of club membership, outdoor sporting goods, or something that might lead them to interact with other kids...mindlessly staring at the 'idiot box' isn't social interaction.

I second that.

I was thinking along the moral lines of: Is this the equivalent of being sold something that actually hurts me or family?

Along those moral lines, the answer is simply: yes.

I know some people swear by the entertainment value. We all have time wasters. I wonder if this one is more or less bad than others.

It is more bad than the other time-wasters if it takes up so much time that you do not have any other pass-times.

This coming from someone who can close his eyes and still see the moving lego-brick-walls and hear the bed-tracks from Castle Wolfenstein.

Hmmm..... if only MLW had a background loop.....

[Electric Monk]

Nintendo, cheap(er), and the controller has interesting possibilities. I have high hopes that the controller will become as intuitive as a mouse and keyboard are on the PC.

[geoffrey]

Nintendo, cheap(er), and the controller has interesting possibilities. I have high hopes that the controller will become as intuitive as a mouse and keyboard are on the PC.

The original Nintendo controller is like a mouse to me, and I haven't played it in years. I think I might set it up tonight.

[Electric Monk]

Jdobbin, one thing Nintendo does REALLY well is provide fun, family oriented multiplayer games. I remember fondly my college days with an N64, 4 controllers and three friends playing and having a great time. That said, I think the only thing the Wii has going for it other than an incremental power increase over the GameCube is the new controller. If it turns out well, and is well utilized by many games, it may be the easiest game system yet to get the whole family playing at once. You may want to wait and see, and read some reviews, maybe try it out at a kiosk. Unless you have the scratch for a PS3, which has waaay more power, but lacks the cool controller.

Topical forum content: Video games make baby Jesus cry.

[Who's Doing What?]

Well, kids are obese these days, and these games have something to do with it. If your kids are good with physical activity anyways and you don't see this as cutting into that, then I don't see the harm. Like t-bag said though, outdoor pursuits are far more rewarding, and cost considerably less (or the same money gives you more bang for your buck, a bike or xc skis will create as much fun, with positive outcomes).

Actually from what I have seen of the new Nintendo it looks like the player will be physically active during some games. If Childhood obesity is a concern I would look into that one.

[blueblood]

yah that's one good thing with nintendo, nice simple fun games, i have a PS2 and the newer games get the more complicated they are, has anyone played NHL 07 good lord, I have an easier time programming the sprayer computer, the NHL series peaked at NHL 03. the only games i like are multiplayer games as you can play with your friends, I'm also in agreement with the whole sporting thing, I might also suggest getting him something motorized that he can work on and maintain, it might give him a sense of responsibility, some people find it fun, and he'd learn something valuable.

[geoffrey]

yah that's one good thing with nintendo, nice simple fun games, i have a PS2 and the newer games get the more complicated they are, has anyone played NHL 07 good lord, I have an easier time programming the sprayer computer, the NHL series peaked at NHL 03. the only games i like are multiplayer games as you can play with your friends, I'm also in agreement with the whole sporting thing, I might also suggest getting him something motorized that he can work on and maintain, it might give him a sense of responsibility, some people find it fun, and he'd learn something valuable.

I have NHL 07... and I love it.

I never understood why they have never added a more physical component to many of these games. The technology is likely available. Imagine dueling it out with a sword against some, well, whatever evil creatures. Or racing across the cobblestones in the Tour de France. That'd be pretty neat, I'd buy that.

[Who's Doing What?]

yah that's one good thing with nintendo, nice simple fun games, i have a PS2 and the newer games get the more complicated they are, has anyone played NHL 07 good lord, I have an easier time programming the sprayer computer, the NHL series peaked at NHL 03. the only games i like are multiplayer games as you can play with your friends, I'm also in agreement with the whole sporting thing, I might also suggest getting him something motorized that he can work on and maintain, it might give him a sense of responsibility, some people find it fun, and he'd learn something valuable.

I play NHL 07 the same way I played NHL 93. Bang, crash and shoot. I still can't do the on the fly line changes. Heck I can't even pick my line for a face off. I supposed if my level of competition was higher I would learn these things but eh, I keep it simple. Tones of one-timers and around 80 hits a game, when the time is sped up. 10 minute periods at regular speed I will have well over 100 bodychecks a game. I also have a few moves on the breakaway, or from the side of the net that really seem to piss off anybody I play against.

Nothing like what I could do with Mogilny in 93 though. Run the goalie at an angle and pass the puck at the same time = Automatic goal. 5 seconds off the draw. I got banned from using Buffalo because of that. I got banned from using Chicago in 93 because of JR's one-timer from the slot. He was money. Banned from Winnipeg because of Selanne, doing the same as what I did with Mogilny. The list goes on. We used to have three TV's going every night there was a Leafs game. One for the Leafs game, one for the Super Nintendo, and one for the Sega Genisis. Good Times. Man I feel old all of a sudden.

[geoffrey]

I remember NHL '95, that was my first indulgence into the series. I was a wee lad back then. 12 years ago... how the time goes by.

[betsy]

Sony!

I've started with Nintendo (got all the models up to N64)...and the thing that finally got to me was that, after spending so much time and money collecting games (which included researching what goes in my collection tracking some hard-to-find ones), I end up having to start over again with every new model. And it's impractical to have all these models sitting out gathering dust.

So I switched to PlayStation and tried it out. I like it. So I got the PS2, and I got it late too.

You can play old games to your latest model. I'll most probably get the PS3 in the future since it can still accomodate all the games from PS1 (though I'm in no big rush...I've got at least 15 games still waiting to be played on the PS2).

Sony seem to understand what makes the gamers tick...and they do carry a lot of RPGs!

With the older after-school kids (they only get to play it when they're around 6 or 7 and up...we've had an on-going rule that they've got to play actively before they can sit down and play), I use it for stressing the importance of responsibility (they've got to put back each game in their proper cases, placed in the proper containers etc..,) and respect for other people's property....and self-discipline.

I've also used the games to stress the importance of patience and perseverance when they try to overcome levels or hurdles. I print out hints and tips from the web (having them read if they ever got stuck in a game). I use it as a learning tool. I find that it helps me bond with older kids too. Right now I've got an 8 year-old and a 10-year old after-school kids.

As for spending more playing time than other things...I have to confess that sometimes, yes it grabs you. Just the same as tv would, getting people sitting for hours on marathon of soap or endless talk shows.

That's where self-discipline kicks in. I just have to make a rule and impose it on myself.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear betsy,

(they only get to play it when they're around 6 or 7 and up...we've had an on-going rule that they've got to play actively before they can sit down and play),

I am glad that you have some rules regarding gaming times. When I was young, my parents bought the family 'Pong' (from Coleco, I believe) and it was neat. Then, when the Atari 2600 came out, (one of my friend's family paid $300 to have the first one on the block, I got one a year or two later for $199) the parents decided that us kids should only use it as a 'rainy day' type of activity, so we all still rode our bikes, played pick-up baseball, foootball or street hockey, even though we had this 'fabulous new device' at home.

Then Intellivision came out, really starting the 'who has the better game console' race. Only the 'rich kids' had 'Intellivision', (I still remember it being hawked on TV by George Plimpton) but we all started losing interest as we went into high school, and discovered other delights.

[cybercoma]

I'd wait on the PS3, if that's what you're strongly considering. The early generations of PS2 were so buggy that it resulted in a court case against Sony in which they had to end up replacing the lasers in the systems at no cost to the consumer. Waiting will also save you some bones because the price is sure to come down in 6mos or a year.

The Nintendo Wii is an interesting concept with the controller, but I'm skeptical about it's functionality. I'm worried about it being buggy and awkward. If it is and doesn't go over very well, it just might be the death blow for Nintendo who has lost serious market share to Sony and Microsoft.

Time will tell, best just to wait and see.

[Black Dog]

I hope this means the Xbox 360 will drop in price.

[MightyAC]

I hope this means the Xbox 360 will drop in price.

I'd by the Xbox 360 if I could. It is expected to drop in price soon. Sony may be in trouble. Despite the $600 price tag, they loose considerable money on each PS3 sold. I know typically manufacturers loose money on the console itself and make it up in the over priced games but Sony is loosing piles of dough. The main problem is the Blu-ray player; it is still bloody expensive to produce. M$ will drop its prices which will force Sony to do the same, as soon as the initial hype dies down. At the same time they are having problems with the PS3 they have to pony up serious cash for the massive laptop battery recall and they aren't doing well with their entertainment division either. Typically the company could fall back on its very profitable gaming division but this time it is not expected to actually make money for years.

Sony argues that the PS3 is a great value...and it just might be. It is a computer, a game machine, a Blu-ray player and potentially the centerpiece of a home theatre system all in one. However, marketing it as such may be problematic.

Also it isn't fully backward compatible right now. The console released in Japan had trouble with most old games and that problem is not expected to be remedied before the US release. In time I'm sure a patch will be made available though...

Due to my expanding family I am mini-van shopping right now...I said I'd never own one...and now I'm clinging to the fact that at least it will be my wife's vehicle.

Leaving reliability out of the analogy, I see the PS3 as the Honda Odyssey and the Xbox 360 as something like a Dodge Grand Caravan. The Honda is the better machine and it comes standard with more options...but is it worth the much higher price tag? As much as I dislike Chrysler the package comes with what I need and not a tone of crap I don't...but all that extra crap is available if I choose. In the end I can get a product that meets my needs and will last the 4 or 5 years I want to own it, for a much cheaper price.

If money is not an object put up the extra couple hundred for the PS3 but I get the feeling more and more people will be using that extra two bills to buy 3 or 4 games. Again, I'd buy the 360 if I could but I'm not allowed, I'm buying a gas, guzzelling, land yacht of a mini van instead...getting old sucks.

[Black Dog]

Again, I'd buy the 360 if I could but I'm not allowed, I'm buying a gas, guzzelling, land yacht of a mini van instead...getting old sucks.

You said it brother. I hardly have the time to play my PS2, so it's hard to justify parting with the price of a 360.

[crazymf]

No, no, no.

Video games are to the detriment of society, rotting young (and old) minds. They promote inactivity.

Here's a newsflash: Instead of playing NHL, why not go outside and play hockey? Duhhhh...

Another form of electronic babysitter, that's all. Or a pied piper....

Of course, we all have bad habits. This isn't as bad as others.

[Black Dog]

No, no, no.

Video games are to the detriment of society, rotting young (and old) minds. They promote inactivity.

So does reading, movies, board games, cards and scads of other forms of passive entertainment. In addition to the old "hand eye co-ordination" card, there's also the visual benefits.

[crazymf]

Yeah, you could argue that. Also, there's the cholesteral buildup and muscle atrophy associated with inactivity. All I saw was that these video games were like drugs to my kids and they literally wouldn't move unless I made them, ever. That's all they wanted to do. But, to each their own as parents I guess. I don't think they do any good for anything myself. That's just the physical side.

I also think they numb the childs mind to violence. Who knows what baggage tags along with that later on down the road?