Who's got money to burn?

[PoolMan]

I had an interesting chat with my lovely wife last night. I was expressing my sincere shock that the PS3 was launching at a price tag of $660 (Cdn), and how even I would never, ever pay that much for a video game system.

So is anybody here going to? Planning on buying more than one? Inquiring minds want to know!

For me, personally, I'm thinking I might buy a Wii down the road. The price point is way more acceptable, and I genuinely appreciate the innovation Nintendo's showing with the motion sensitive controllers. No guarantees though.

[TheLuckyOne]

Call me old school, but I can't even conceive of dropping $450 on a gaming system, let alone $600. It might be different for PC gamers, I dunno, but $300 is about my threshhold of self-justification.

Then again, I never buy systems for myself, they're always birthday or Christmas gifts... and as much as my wife and family love me, I don't think it's $600 worth of love. I might ask for a Wii someday, but since I just got a Gamecube last year with birthday gift certificates, I'm not in any rush.

-D

[TheOogieBoogieMan]

I'm not gonna be doing any store-front camping, but I would like to own a Wii someday (Christmas, maybe?), pretty much for the same reasons you mentioned, Poolman. When I see commercials for the 360 and PS3, I can't help but think of that Simpsons episode with the Gamestation 252 and 256: "We're slightly better...to the extreme!"

[Head Mutant]

For me, there has to be a killer game that I absolutely MUST HAVE to purchase a system. If the X360 was going to be the sole platform to have Bioshock, I might consider getting one. As it is, the computer serves my needs well.

I do keep thinking about the Wii, but I'll wait and see. The downloadable game library isn't massive yet, nor does it contain many of my favorites, and the only game that looks good is Twilight Princess.

[Lordmoon]

I've pre-ordered and payed for my copy of the new Zelda game but I will wait to pickup up a Wii until after the holidays. I'm just not in a rush to warrant standing in lines for hours or days like the Sony crowd. And speaking of the Sony crowd:


www.gamespot.com/news/6161840.html?tag=latestnews;title;0

SF PS3 mob nears 1,000
Burgeoning mass of gamers congregate outside the Sony Metreon complex; first 750 guaranteed consoles following near-scuffle.
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot
Posted Nov 16, 2006 9:45 am PT

More Images (8) »
SAN FRANCISCO--With the PlayStation 3's North American debut just hours away, the natives are growing restless. San Francisco natives, that is, who are gathering outside the city's Metreon shopping complex, site of the flagship Sony Style store. Whether they were perched on the sides of metal barricades or seated comfortably in collapsible launch chairs, the hundreds-strong crowd had gathered for a single reason--to be one of the lucky 400,000 American gamers to get their hands on a PS3 on launch day.

It all began around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, when a plucky quintet of Sony enthusiasts put down stakes. Due to liability reasons, the crowd was not allowed on the sidewalk in front of the Metreon. Instead, they were ushered by security guards hired by Sony to a line on Minna Street, a small alleyway across from the gleaming temple to the gods of commerce. According to those on the scene, by late Wednesday night, the line had grown into around 500, at which point security guards cut it off, shooing away stragglers.

By early Thursday, however, the throng had swelled to over 700 people, and San Francisco Police Department officers were dispatched to maintain order. Despite that, the façade of civilized behavior almost sloughed away around 7:30 a.m., when Sony employees ordered most of the crowd to relocate onto the sidewalk immediately in front of the Sony Style store on Fourth Street. Immediately, many began to rush to the front, and, according to those waiting in line, "things got ugly" when a scuffle nearly broke out. However, the eager gamers were coerced back by promises from Sony Style store officials that the first 750 people in line were guaranteed PS3 units--indicating that the retail outlet was flush with stock of the sought-after console.

By 8 a.m., the scene had grown more chaotic. The line was divided in half, with the first 500-odd people in line waiting on Fourth Street and several hundred more relegated to Minna Street. But while the Minna crowd was tightly controlled by a half-dozen security guards and the same number of SFPD officers, the Fourth Street line was relatively unattended. While baristas from a certain ubiquitous coffee-shop chain handed out free samples, dozens of newcomers armed with lawn chairs, laptops, and PSPs glommed onto the back of the Fourth Street line. By 8:30 a.m., the queue had snaked around the corner onto Howard Street, passing the pedestrian overpass to the Moscone Convention Center.

Despite the deteriorating sense of order, a Sony rep on-hand said that everyone in line--which was pushing 1,000 by 8:45 a.m.--was still guaranteed a PS3. However, if the crowd's size continues to increase at the same rate it had this morning, that could swiftly change. However, as of press time, an SFPD rep could not comment on specific crowd-control plans, saying only that officers would be dispatched should the Sony Style store--or any other retailer--call for backup.

[TheLuckyOne]

admin said:

I do keep thinking about the Wii, but I'll wait and see. The downloadable game library isn't massive yet, nor does it contain many of my favorites, and the only game that looks good is Twilight Princess.

Don't forget Super Smash Brothers Brawl!

But yeah, I can definitely wait... I don't think I've ever gotten a new system within 6 months of its release.

Now, somebody tell me if I'm wrong here: Twilight Princess CAN be played on the GameCube, right? It's just better or crisper on the Wii? Or maybe extra levels or something?

-D

[PoolMan]

admin said:

For me, there has to be a killer game that I absolutely MUST HAVE to purchase a system.

Funny you should say that, I'm staving off the urge to buy a PS2 (soon to be even cheaper!) so I can get a glimpse of Final Fantasy XII. I know, I know. Where has our PoolMan gone? (besides the fact that I won't even have nearly enough time to play the damn thing until February)

Drew, to answer your question, yes, Twilight Princess is coming to the Cube. The development for the game started on the Cube, and was moved to include the Wii midway through development. From what I've read, however, you are (and I quote) a "fool" to buy the Cube version if you plan on getting the Wii system, it's that much better. I can't say whether that's really true, but it would be heavenly to aim a bow with a motion sensitive controller instead of a thumbstick. Guess we'll see. Personally, I'm willing to give the Cube version a shot.

One interesting note about Twilight Princess: apparently both versions are in the 35+ hour range to complete. And yes, we've heard that before, but the journalists are ALL ringing in and saying they're genuinely shocked by how long it is.

[blinkfan]

I am not really the gamer of the family my brother is but we do agree the Wii looks awesome so thats whats getting my vote. However, when I get a job and after I buy the essentials I will buy a PS3.

[Head Mutant]

I feel strangely pulled toward FF12 too... it'll be the first Final Fantasy I will not have touched, and that makes me sad. I like summoning Viking gods to do my petty whim. I'm sure the PS2 will dive in price (as it has already) after a while now, so no biggie.

[Hucklebubba]

As per tradition, I plan on buying a PS3 just as soon as it becomes semi-obsolete. Hallmarks for this event include largely cosmetic changes to the unit (smallification!), a tentative and completely wrong release date for the PS4, and, most importantly, a dramatic price drop.

[TheLuckyOne]

admin said:

I feel strangely pulled toward FF12 too... it'll be the first Final Fantasy I will not have touched, and that makes me sad. I like summoning Viking gods to do my petty whim.

I hear you, Justin. For me, the series ended with FF X-2... since I have zero interest in online gaming, FF XI appealed to me not a whit, and I can't get psyched up over 12 either. Thankfully, there's a few of the older games I haven't beaten yet to keep me occupied.

-D

[eatmyshorts]

Yeah,I also JUST got a gamecube (though I'm a little dissipointed at the crappy library...anyone have some good cube exclusive games you could recommend) PLUS I still have my xbox and the next system I'll probably get is ps2, because of awesome games like guitar hero, metal gear 3, and FF that I NEED to play. I barely play the xbox and cube as it is, so I really don't need anymore. If I beat all my games I have for those systems, then yes, I will buy a new system. Because I have SO MANY games I need to beat. I guess I'm just not a gamer. I get bored with new games so fast! (though I can still play my SNES without getting bored). I'm not trying to be "unique" and "old school", it's just a simple fact that for some reason new video games just don't excite me.

[blinkfan]

I agree with you buddy. I prefer Snes over any of the new systems. The games are so fun and original.

[PoolMan]

eatmyshorts said:

Yeah,I also JUST got a gamecube (though I'm a little dissipointed at the crappy library...anyone have some good cube exclusive games you could recommend)

The one thing Nintendo's great at! First party exclusive games!

I loved both Metroid games for the Cube, as well as Zelda: Wind Waker. I also recently bought Smash Bros Melee (again!) and F-Zero GX for the five-minutes-at-a-time gaming and low price tags.

I laughably decided to buy Paper Mario, which is a fine RPG but will take me many more lifetimes to complete at the pace I'm going. I also recently borrowed Mario Kart Double Dash from a friend... it's fun, but Mario Kart 64 was better.

I'd also recommend the Mario Party games if you like playing in groups... not much more fun to be had for 4 people. Especially if they're, um, "imbibers", like our dear Drew.

[Lordmoon]

Yeah,I also JUST got a gamecube (though I'm a little dissipointed at the crappy library...anyone have some good cube exclusive games you could recommend)

In addition to the games that PoolMan mentioned I would also recommend the Resident Evil series (you can get an anniversary package with all 3 games for $40 at Game Stop), Eternal Darkness (incredibly fun game with an awesome story line), and the Prince of Persia series (not a Cube exclusive but very fun).