I feel like talking about video game consoles. What's the best console, well of course it is the Xbox 360...not. Truthfully? This generation of video game consoles is kinda "meh" (I hate that word, but it works in this case). I've owned a 360, my brother still does, and I have a Wii and PS3. I am pretty underwhelmed by all three of them.



The 360 was the first one I got my hands on, and I believe the first game I played on it was Oblivion, which with all of its faults is still a good game. I've just never really connected with the game library of the 360. Don't get me wrong, I loved me some Halo 3 and Portal, but other than those few games I don't have to play anything else it offers me. (Ok, I'll throw Mass Effect in there as well).



The Wii. Ah, the Wii. Yup, that Wii. The Wii is an interesting concept. Concept, Wii. See where I'm going here? I own a few games for my Wii. And by few, I mean I own Wii Sports (it came with it, dur), Zelda (but it was stolen along with my 360), Super Mario Paper (or whatever), Mario Galaxy, Smash Brothers Brawl (yet it is missing, though, I don't even care), and I think that is all. I don't ever have the urge to even turn the system on.

Finally, that magic toaster oven that is called the PS3. The games are mostly mediocre, or exist on multiple consoles that offer DLC unavailable on the PS3. My favorite games on the PS3 that do not appear on other systems are probably Uncharted(perhaps I'll talk about this game in my next post) and Metal Gear Solid 4. The only other thing I'll say about the PS3 is that the multiplayer sucks. I mean sucks. I'm not talking about online multiplayer (i'll get to that), I just mean local multiplayer. Though, this may be a larger problem in this generation. I can't play Unreal Tournament in the living room with my friend. Oh, no, we need two PS3s...joy. Whatever happened to split-screen--this is why I have to hand it to the Halo series.



That's my basic rundown of each system. Sure, I'm not the definitive voice on the subject, but this is my blog and my opinion. I'm sure other people agree with me, though.

But it's not just the systems of this generation that seem on the "meh" side. The games, in general, aren't very impressive, entertaining, or original. Look at Metal Gear Solid 4 (and I love this game). Portal was very refreshing. We need more games with with good stories that are incorporated into the gameplay without forcing us to either skip the meat or sit for hours watching cutscenes. Games that are short and fun--maybe even less than sixty dollars.

Multiplayer on the new systems is pretty lame. The Wii probably has the best local multiplayer, but lacks pretty much any online support. The online support the Wii offers is the lamest online support I've ever dealt with in my life. Whoever thought of friend codes should be kicked repeatedly in the nads (read: his nuts, bitches). That's how angry it makes me. Hands down the Xbox 360 controls online multiplayer, but that's only because it has Halo. Halo is probably the only online console game I play. Bungie servers equal win. I love the setup, I love the organization. Team Fortress 2 lacks this organization and just feels...I don't know...I can't connect with it. This is how pretty much all of the PSN games are, and I don't enjoy it one bit. Local multiplayer seems to be increasingly left out of PS3 and Xbox 360 games. SPLIT SCREEN IS FINE. KEEP IT IN MY GAMES, DAMNIT. Sorry, sensitive subject.



Look at my little about me blurb on the side. I've owned almost every significant system bar the N64 (but I have played it a lot) and the Dreamcast (I was totally betrayed by the Saturn), and I believe we are in a sort of dry area in the console market. I don't want to evoke a game crash like in the past (I do want to work in the industry...), but something has to happen. Something is not working right somewhere. Is the gaming becoming to industrialized? Is it becoming all about money and less about fun and art? Is this why we're getting half-assed games and endless sequels (look at the movie industry, blech)?

I don't know. It seems like it will soon be EA vs. Activision. They seem to be taking over all the the game companies. And regardless of your feelings of EA, they are the king of rinse and repeat. Look at their sports games. They rape their customers every year with the same game that has minor updates and polishes. Oh, new roster? Hey, that could be updated online now.

What will come from this generation? I can't tell you, but I hope the next wave of console is less focused on a format war and pulls together their multiplayer (on and offline) as well as their direction.

That's what I think about consoles. As if you cared.