Console Wars Again

[Blogger’s Note: This was originally published in my old website, months prior to the Xbox360 launch. I felt it is still relevant, and so I dug for it on the archives, edited it with new content, and viola. Hope you enjoy it.]

I remember playing Family Com (Nintendo Entertainment System) in my friend’s house (when we we’re a whole lot younger) and enjoyed great yet simple games such as Super Mario Bros., Elevator Action (does anybody remember this?), Legend of Kage, and my favorite Legend of Zelda. For some time that was the only console system available, and it stood that way until the Super Famicom (Super Nes) came along). It was the time when Nintendo dominated the video game market (after the venerable Atari), and only one company was brave enough to challenge them – Sega. That was the first time (I think) a real Console War was born. For some time Sega even gave Nintendo a run for their money with the Genesis. But that was ages ago, in a time were 16 bit computing was considered “Hi-tech”. That all changed with the arrival of a new player, Sony. The Playstation became synonymous with video gaming, and sold millions of units during its time. I hardly know anyone who didn’t own a unit. It was so popular that it created a culture of its own. Nintendo (N64) and Sega, with their respected new consoles tried to compete with it, but merely dented the Playstation’s outright dominance, thus the beginning of the second Console Wars. Despite the efforts of its rivals, we all know that Sony had won that battle, thanks to unforgettable games like Castlevania Symphony of Darkness, Final Fantasy VII, Gran Turismo, Tekken, and Metal Gear Solid. Nintendo settled for second (bitterly losing its crown), despite fan favorite games such as Goldeneye, Zelda, and Super Mario 64. Sega scraped for last. The third Console War was touted as the Next Gen Wars, because the competing consoles were promising even higher processing power, better graphics, and more intelligent AI. First out the door was the ill-fated Sega Dreamcast, which served only to heighten the anticipation for the Playstation 2 and the Nintendo Gamecube. Sad to say the Dreamcast died even before it had reached its true potential. I had a Dreamcast, and I was quite impressed with it, but the lack of support meant a lack of good games, which was the reason for its early demise (and the end to Sega’s Console business). Everyone was hyped about the Playstation 2, which came out next, along with great games such as Metal Gear Solid 2, Devil May Cry, and Final Fantasy X. It had a year ahead of the competition, which now included Microsoft’s ambitious (and monstrous) Xbox. This allowed Sony to build on its game library, but when the Gamecube and the Xbox finally arrived, the Playstation 2 was in for a fight. To this date the Playstation 2 is still the most popular, next is the powerful Xbox, with its share of great games such as Halo, and Knights of the Old Republic. Sadly Nintendo is relegated to third even though it had fantastic games like Super Mario Sunshine, Legend of Zelda the Windwaker, Metroid Prime, and Resident Evil. Up to now these systems are still churning out good, quality games, and only now are they showing their true potential. There’s still Final Fantasy XII for the PS2, Zelda Twilight Princess for the GC, and Half-Life 2 for the Xbox. So there’s still life left for these consoles, and yet another Console War is already looming.

With the recent launch of the Xbox 360 in North America (despite an apparent lack of units, and ridiculous scalper prices. $3000 on eBay?), the new Console War is about to commence. Armed with solid games such as Call Of Duty 2, Condemned, a slew of sports and racing titles, and Kameo. There’s no Halo to support the Xbox this time, instead Rare has come out with the highly anticipated Perfect Dark Zero. To those who still doubt the Xbox360 Next Gen claim, games such as Perfect Dark Zero and Project Gotham Racing 2 definitely showcase the console’s power, churning out great graphics, and realistic lighting and physics. Its still much early to say whether the new Xbox is the winner that Microsoft claims it to be. It’s still a few months off before the PS3 launches, and only then will we have a real fight for console dominance. In the end, despite the various console’s strengths; the games will still dictate which one will come out the winner. And guess who the real winner is? Well, the gamer consumers who have made this video game business a billion dollars industry of course! With the coming Holidays, we are in for a ride of our life, just like the good old days of gaming.