The Xbox 360 is definitely the PlayStation 2 of this generation. Affordable, with the largest library, and rushed, shoddily put together hardware, Microsoft's curvaceous rectangle of red rings has some way to go before it could enjoy a direct comparison with Sony's behemoth console, but in relative terms, it's filling that role in the current generation landscape.
One way in which it can be compared is with all the JRPG attention it's been getting lately. It has just been confirmed that Tales of Vesperia, the latest in Namco Bandai's Tales series, is going to put in an appearance on the 360. While it was nothing but conjecture at first, Tales for 360 is now officially confirmed.
Even more interestingly, Namco is stating that the 360 is the only firmly decided platform for release so far. While it would be incredibly shocking to not see Tales on the PS3, the fact that they haven't even confirmed a release on the black box of Blu-ray is a surprise in and of itself. A PS3 version is of course to be expected, but it was pretty much the spiritual home for Tales, so you'd think it would be Namco's first choice. Still, the same company did this with Beautiful Katamari.
At present, Namco Bandai has only confirmed that Tales of Vesperia will be coming to North American 360 consoles. It has not been confirmed for Japanese machines, and Namco Bandai is expected to make an announcement regarding that in the near future.
More JRPGs on the 360 is fine by me. While it seems near impossible to wipe away the "shooter box" stigma, it's certainly beefing up its library and has a good offering of traditional genres. Easily the PS2 of the three current-gen machines.
Contest:
7:33 AM on 02.23.2008
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I'm sure they sell well in Europe and the US, but I wouldn't mind seeing multi-platform. I can't recall any multi-platform JRPGs though, what's with that?
snes--genesis
64--ps1
gamecube--pps2
wii--360
If I would've known ps2 would have gta3 and the jrpgs it had I would have got it first. Every generation the only thing that is guranteed is that Nintendo will ave great 1st party games
Enchanted Arms, Blue Dragon and Sakaguchi-san's latest opus Lost Odessey were targetted for the RPG hardcores in Japan and would have been better suited released on their second leading console, the PS3
EDIT:- Arms is on the PS3, but my point still holds. The domino effect M$ wished for by releasing those games on the 360 still has not come to fruition.
Ps3 we find out did it faster even though it had very strong competition from the wii / 360..Dont forget they are still trying to keep their boxes running and incured 1 billion in losses over that little screwup called RROD...
Love the 360/ its controller...but cmon..calling it the Ps2 already? Ps3 is slowly but surely going to smoke MS..Just won the HD war, which makes it by far the best value...
Id wait till the end of 08 before you call this one...as far as Im concerned all three are in a dead heat (however the wii is more or less a new market / seperate from the Ps3/360..
Mwah ha ha ha...Mwa ha ha ha.....Mwa ha ha ha........
Also, something tells me once the ps2 boys finally get sick of staring at pixels they will flock to the brand they are familiar with..Much like halo boys and girls did the 360.
I've made my case. The 360 IS the PS2 of this current generation. Out of the three consoles, that is the role it is fulfilling -- that of a traditional games machine with the wider library. It's not a ridiculous assessment at all.
I always found it funny that Sony fans mock the 360's fail rate and simultaneously ignore how faulty the PS2 was. And Sony didn't acknowledge any fault like Microsoft did. Talk about short memory.
It's not a direct comparison. I even said that in the article itself. Did you read the article itself, even? It explains it quite adequately there.
Unless, you know, they don't want the game to sell in Japan.
Also, I am so buying this. Two Tales games in one year is sweet.
You are indeed correct on both accounts
I think everyone knows that this will probably be ported to the PS3 eventually but let's not forget that the Tales series is a bit of a whore and gets around a lot of consoles (SNES, PS2, GC, GBA, Wii, PSP and DS)...
As for the 360 being the new PS2?.... I still think it's a bit too early and unfair to say that especially with the PS3 gaining speed (and a lot of JRPGs of it's own) and if the 360 has the widest library of games then why is it so shocking that Tales of Vesperia is a 360 exclusive...doesn't that imply that it's not fulfilling the dominant role that the PS2 did?
"In relative terms, the 360 is nowhere close to being the PS2 of this gen. Not only is the statement subjective, it's ridiculous."
Of course it's subjective. You're reading a blog! You want objective reporting? Go pick up the New York Times. Blogs are designed to present information and allow the writers to express their opinions.
Thuper, you've commented in four posts during your short stay at Destructoid and every single comment has been an attempt to pick a fight. You're the very definition of an Internet troll and everyone needs to ignore him. This will, hopefully, be the last time I ever have to address you because you're not worth my or anyone else's time.
You asked in an earlier comment if people really get banned here and the answer is yes. They get banned for violating Destructoid's one rule: Don't Suck. Congratulations, you're well on your way.
You're still missing the point and just listing your own "incorrect flame-bait statements" The 360 is no way in the same place as the original xbox both in terms of sales and games. Traditional gamers platform means the platform that gamers mostly go to to play games and just like the PS2 before it most people today go to their 360s when they want to play games (mostly) it has nothing to do with what features it has.
and it is fact that the xbox360 has the best games library at this point in time but no it is not the "behemoth" people big it up to be but no one is saying it is... it's just that right now the 360 is fulfilling the role the PS2 did although not as well or to the same scale
There's absolutely not denying that the PS2 library is unbeatable. Never said that, and I won't say that unless a console some day does have a better library.
As I said, we're talking relativity here. Some individuals need to stop taking reasonable assessments and making them into extreme polarizing statements.
And poor Jim. Don't worry, some of us understand what you're getting at.
i mean, is in the same spot with the same pros and cons ps2 had in its first year too...some people forget thing easily :P
@Jim
When are you going to write 3 posts in a row from different consoles so people can call you 360,PS3 and Wii fanboy at the same time? =P
way to go
Jim, that was by far the best comment I have ever read EVAR!
Wait, what? If you're going that route you'd need to ask why it isn't on the Wii. Hello? SNES started the series, guy, not PSX! Doesn't matter who had the majority! >_>
Regardless, I'm damn happy to see Vesperia on the 360 and not PS3.