The search for the ultimate system - One man's adventure

Hello readers,

Our recent poll received 3 votes (our highest ever!). As a result I will be writing a general piece of which video game system is the ultimate system. This will of course spark controversy and I'm happy to provide such entertainment to our two readers (ok, so one vote from the poll was mine...). Here goes:

What makes a gaming system great? Graphics? Games? Other functions? I'm going to start by naming off my the qualifying systems (in my mind) for best consoles of all time, along with a list of reasons why I feel they are worth mentioning. Then, at a later date I will reveal my choice for #1. Here are the combatants: the PS2, the Nintendo DS, the PS3, the xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii.

Let's go in order. The PS2 is a system that even in 2009 has outsold it's next gen counterpart, the PS3. When this system debuted in 2000 it became an instant hit in both the US and Japan. In fact, it was so popular for that holiday season my older brother stood in line for a day, PAID 3 of his friends to show up the morning of the release and buy one (one per customer!) and then they flipped them online for over 4x the purchase price! Now if that doesn't say demand, I don't know what does. But here's why the system is so great. First, it offered stellar graphics (at the time), a huge library of games (over 2400 games), backwards compatibility (played ps1 games) AND it doubled as a DVD player. Remember when DVD's were new and super expensive? Put all this together, coupled with meager online capabilities, as well as a later released hard drive
and this system has a lot for it's modern price tag of under $100.00 USD. Throw in the fact that some of my favorite games were either debuted or playable on this system (Gran Turismo series, Grand Theft Auto III, Dark Cloud series, etc) and there's a reason I still have my PS2 despite owning a PS3. Now if only there were a way to enhance the graphics for my new HDTV I got for x-mas...

Next in line is the Nintendo DS. As I've gotten older I've found that I don't have as much time to sit and play console games at home as I used to. The whole having a social life, working extra hours, getting married in 2010, etc has really cut into my free time (not that I'm complaining). However, there is this annoying 1.5 hours a day I spend on a train to and from the office. What should I do with said time? Read a book? Learn a new skill (through books and/or instructional materials)? Of course not! I'm going to spend it playing games. The DS is a perfect tool for such trips. I have played more Pokemon on CalTrain than a 5th grader at recess (go ahead, mock me if you must, but my monsters are better than yours!). The DS has a huge library of titles (over 1000), built in wifi game sharing, a web browser you can buy, and a TON of home brew/hacking options that every game nerd will love. Mix in the backwards compatibility with GBA games and you're all set. Portability along with great special features makes this console one of my personal staples.

Third on the list is the PS2's big brother, the PS3. This console has as similar suite of options to the PS2, expect more modern, along with some new tricks that are free and functional! The PS3 comes with a hard drive (either 20, 40, 80, or 120 GB). Early models have backwards compatibility with both ps1 and ps2 games, watch out for new consoles that do NOT contain this feature (if you want to play your old games). The PS3 also has FREE online network play, a store where you can download games and/or accessories, something Microsoft will gladly charge you for on the xbox 360. The PS3 also has SD card slots which allow you to store pictures, video and other fun media, AND the PS3 can run Linux as its OS for those of you that are so inclined. Oh, and it has a blu-ray player, which for some people is a great thing (LIKE ME!!!) It also has wireless controls (now with rumble, why wasn't this on the launch??). The PS3 has suffered from a lack of signature Sony only titles thus far, though there are several good series (Resistance, God of War, etc) currently available only on the PS3. While the system continues to grow into its niche, there is a lot to like is this near computer console, and the price has finally come down a bit to manageable levels.

Next on the list is the PS3's rival, the xbox 360. Despite coming out before the PS3, the xbox 360 has a number of features that cost extra (like playing online), AND is missing the built in function of a next gen video player (HD-DVD). Now the 360 does have an amazing game library, built in component cables for HD gaming, wireless controls, and a 20GB hard drive. In addition, Microsoft has some KILLER exclusive titles (Halo series, PGR, Forza, etc) along with great online network capabilities, provided you're willing to pay for online play. My biggest point of contention isn't charging customers for extras like online gaming or wireless connectivity, it's about producing a console that WORKS. That's right, the red ring of death. All xbox 360 owners know and fear these 3 little lights. In fact, a recent poll I read said that 54% of owners have experienced this sort of issue. I have also been a victim, while my roommate will now be sending his back for a SECOND time. He used to work at EA and a co-worker sent his back SEVEN times to be "fixed." Instead of fixing the problem, Microsoft simply patches the over heated portion of your mother board and returns the defective system to you, so it's only a matter of time before it fails again. What great customer service. There have been so many problems with RRoD that Microsoft has been forced to increase manufacturer warranties to 3 years beyond the date of manufacture. You might be able to read between the lines, but how many other consoles on this list have this problem? Think it'll affect my judgment of the 360? Yeah, I thought so...

Our last entry is the Nintendo Wii. For starters I want to admit I thought the Wii's motion controls were a joke when it first came out. I never thought I'd enjoy having to wave my arms around or wiggle my wrists to get characters to run around my tv. Boy was I wrong. I played Wii Sports ONCE and I went out and bought a system that week. I would've bought it the next day, but Nintendo kept supply very low the first year of release. The Wii has a lot to like about it. It has great exclusive titles (Mario Galaxy, New Mario Wii, Mario Kart, etc) in addition to special motion control exclusive versions of Resident Evil 4, Cabella's Big Game Hunter and Call of Duty. While the Wii doesn't have the best graphics of the modern consoles, the controls make it much more fun to play certain types of games. In addition to new games, the Wii has the Virtual Console online where you can purchase classic Nintendo games. As is a theme with me, backwards compatibility makes this a much better value, though you have to buy the old games, you can't play your old cartridges (but you can play Game Cube games, which is a huge plus for me). The combination of online classic games and fun to play new games makes this a great buy. The sub par graphics and horrible online play for Wii games knocks this console back a bit. If you're playing with a group, this is the best console on the market, hands down (pun intended). For Nintendo it's always been substance that make its games great, and the Wii continues this tradition. Graphics aren't the only thing and Nintendo's motion controls have been copy catted and will soon be ported to competing consoles from Sony and Xbox 360.

So that is my list for best consoles to date. This article is not meant to discount any unlisted favorites, like the SNES, the N64 or the lowly Sega Genesis (I owned one). Please read this and leave some feedback for which ones you enjoy most and we'll see if your opinions line up with mine. I will make my last post of 2009 the answer the question: Which console is king?