Next Gen console wars

This generation's 'console war' is fast shaping up to be the most exciting and closely fought yet. For the first time since possibly the NES 64, Nintendo is providing a compelling offering. No longer contend to service merely the Pikachu/Mario/Link fanboys, Nintendo's latest console, the oddly named Wii is surprisingly generation possibly the most interest with its unique motion sensing TV remote look-alike controller. At the recent E3, Nintendo scored a definitely one-up over Sony and Microsoft. Of course it is still early days yet.

Microsoft fired the first salvo with their X-Box 360 in hope of gaining a head start over perennial rivals Sony in the belieft that despite their technical superior product the previous generation, X-Box lost primarily because of the one year advantage the PS2 had. Interestingly enough, Microsoft launched the X-Box 360 without their definitive franchise Halo or any other big name X-Box exclusive franchise. Then again, besides Halo, X-Box did not have any big name exclusive franchise except perhaps the Tecmo games. Riding on the success of X-Box Live, online gaming remains the cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming strategy. A key coup for Microsoft in capturing the elusive Japanese gaming market is getting Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to throw in his lot for the X-Box camp with 2 exclusive games. Other than that, Microsoft continues to churn out games that look equally at home on your PC.

Nintendo also seems to be coming on strong. Personally, I think my first next generation console could well be a Wii given its innovative design and fresh take on gaming. With Nintendo, you are guaranteed the genius of Shigeru Miyamato, possibly the greatest game designer ever. Having his firm endorsement on the Wii, fans are assured that new games will take full advantage of the innovative controller. Just like the Nintendo DS, Nintendo continues to prove that they remain the cutting edge pioneers in game innovation and design. Also with the long awaiting latest Zelda instalment at launch, the Nintendo offering is getting harder to resist.

Then what about Sony? Sony dropped a bomb with its latest announcement that the PS3 will cost USD 600 (or more accurately USD 599) for the console alone. This is by far the priciest console with the Wii reportedly debuting at less than USD 250. Sony on the otherhand made no apologies for the price stating that for its state of the art technology, the PS3 is in fact under-priced. Although its true that the PS3 is undoubtably the most technologically advanced console with the most impressive features, this price tag is definitely prohibitive to the masses. Then, as reports on the latest instalments of Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy surface, seeing the gorgeous CG videos, I started to think of areas where I can cut down to save up for the PS3. Surely I can survive with just 2 meals a day, surely I do not need new clothes for the next three years, surely I can walk to a lot of places........ The PS3 proposition in spite of Sony's talk of Blu-ray drive and free online is simple: Sony has the best exclusive franchises. Period.

Excuse me, now I have to start looking for part time work to save up.