Three hundred sixty degrees of gaming

Yeah, I'm back and it has been some time. And the worst part about it is that I haven't had that much going on in my life so I have no real excuse for not posting anything. There's no time like the present, right? So I begin today talking about next gen gaming. I for one am a HUGE gamer. I spend a percentage of my yearly income on games and accessories. My girlfriend probably doesn't like it this way, but they've been around me longer then she has! (Sorry honey!) Anyhow, so like here we are eagerly awaiting the next entries from the big 3, Microsoft, Sony and Sega. (kidding) No really I mean Nintendo. First up is the XBOX 360. I've tried to read allot about it and so far I have a kind of wait-and-see attitude. From some of the screenshots I've seen of some of the games they look incredible. I saw some shots of one of NBA games on it and it looks fabulous. For years the line between the way TV and games look has been blurring and now I think in the next few years when developers can really harness the powers of the consoles we won't be able to tell for real.
I actually am kind of upset. The original XBOX was taking off and doing well. They were getting the consoles out there, and last Christmas I'm sure they did real well as Sony had a hardware shortage on their new model PS2. Microsoft boasts about how XBOX live is 1 million strong and I think that's cool. And now here comes the next big thing. Honestly I was hoping they would have awaited a little longer. I mean anybody who is familiar with the industry knows that first doesn't mean much. If anything I think it mean you might have to work harder. The best example of this is the early demise of the Sega Dreamcast.

I would just like to say that I loved the dreamcast and still have mine hooked up like it just came out yesterday. I had one on release day (9/9/99). Went to my local EB Games as 6 A.M. to get mine, too. I think I dropped about $1,000 that day on games and accessories. And I don't regret it now. I just hated to see it go when it did. It was a fighting game fan's dream come true.
Until just recently it was the only console to have Street Fighter 3. The Capcom Vs. Series was real big. Not to mention the Sega arcade games that came home. It was great. People just didn't give it a chance though.

But back to Microsoft, I've seen pictures of the console and a few games and I don't doubt that it will be a great console and maybe not at first. Like quite honestly, there isn't a launch game that excites me all that much. With the Dreamcast launch I was pumped about Soul Caliber and Power Stone just to name a couple. The PS2 launch taken Tag Tournament was what I couldn't wait for, but now with the 360 there isn't that must have game to me. Now, will I have one on launch day? Yes. Why? It goes back to my first point, I'm addicted. I'm also a collector of sorts and plus I want the ability to say I'm one of the first. Plus If there is a hardware shortage there's no way you'll be able to find one (at least inexpensively) easily which brings me to the point of price.

When I first heard about Microsoft making a bundle right out of the factory I got a little worried, but then when they announced the contents of the bundles and price points, my fears subsided. There's the "core" bundle which just has the console, corded controller and a few hookups for like $299 then there is the extreme bundle which includes all the fun stuff, like hard drive, headset and better composit cables just to name a few things for like $399. Of course you're getting hosed if you buy the core bundle as the accessories they've included on the more expensive bundle alone would cost like $150 bucks more. But those are reasonable prices, now these other companies who want to make these crazy bundles and charge like $800 and up are insane! I read an article somewhere on the internet that a store had a bundle that included as HD-TV and a sound system for more then 2 grand! That is absolutely absurd! Most gamers are on a budget. I pay for my own games, as well as rent, food and anything else I want, who in their right mind would pay that? But hey, I'f they get people to buy it, good for them, for me I got my $399 bundle and I couldn't be happier.

I actually revieved a phone call from my local EB Games a few weeks ago saying that there store will open at midnight November 22nd to kick off the launch. Will I be there? Nope, I have to work if I want one after all so I have to wait until I get out. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited about the whole thing. I'm, not as excited as the PS2 launch however.

So all in all, gaming is headed into the future whether we like it or not. There are some marvelous breadkthroughs to come. Just have your wallets ready.