Kaz sez: "MS copies Sony!"

"Actually kaz is right. Notice nintendo seems to be standing out separate from sony and microsoft? also note that nintendo and sony were separate before microsoft came into this business."

This is just an opinionated observation but Japanese automakers had a deal a during the 80s that forbide each other from bashing each other in the States (but it was ok to bash american automakers). I wouldnt be surprised if some kind of agreement has been made here since there has always been a lack of negative propaganda between nintendo and $ony.

Er...Nintendo is 'seperate' from Sony and Microsoft. I take it that you mean that there are not THREE major competitors for the number #1 big time next gen system, but really, two. Sony and Microsoft, and THEN there's Nintendo, kinda doing it's own thing, not worried about competing with the big dogs. If that is what you're talking about...

Allow me to inform you. Nintendo isn't in the race for the big dog slot because, quite frankly, their last two systems kinda sucked. Both N64 and GameCube preformed marginally well, but neither enjoyed anywhere near the success of the PS2 or X-box. They did rather well in the handheld market, however, so they didn't end up going the Sega route.

With their new system, rather than trying to out-do Microsoft and Sony, and get into the 'arms race' if you will, Nintendo decided to take an alternate approach. Make a bunch of fun, easy to learn, and relativly inexpensive games, and start selling them. The idea has been really successful for all their handhelds, and some unique features really pumped their gamecube numbers up. So, rather than try to bring out a $500 nintendo system, they went for the 'casual' gamer. The system parents buy for their kids, the system old school gamers will buy for nostalgia, and the system that a lot of gamers will buy for the handful of killer aps it will eventually have, because, well, most of us can soak a $200-$300 purchse if we think it's worth it.

THAT'S why Nintendo is 'seperate'. It is NOT an overwheliming Japanese conspiracy, aimed at taking your X-box away from you, and that is NOT Shigeru Miyamoto hiding in your closet. Now shush.

(man, if I keep defending/touting/promoting Nintendo, I should start getting a check from them.)

Sony is starting to feel cocky where some may argue that they are the last out of the starting blocks.

Microsoft already has a convincing lead from launching early, and that lead will grow with PS3 shortages already expected worldwide at launch. Nintendo also has copious amounts of momentum going forward from fanboys and other gamers alike.

First it was Ken Kutaragi stating that gamers should feel like they want to put in more hours to earn a PS3, and now Kaz Hirai thinks Microsoft is copying them? Give us a rest... we're sick of your PR blunders, Sony.

And my desire to buy a PS3 continues to cede.

The PS3 Will be Sony's equivalent of the Atari 5200.

It's the console even Sony themselves will totally deny all existence of in about 2 years time.

It's statements like this that make me glad I've never bought a Sony system - ever.

Blu-ray is the next Betamax.