Casual gamer offers motion-sensing praise for the PS3

by Blake Snow { Nov 9th 2006 at 2:50PM }

Author Chris Suellentrop of Slate magazine was invited by Sony to play the PS3 this week. Suellentrop, who appears to be a casual gamer, was skeptical at first of next-generation gaming before having a go with the PS3 saying that "unless you're a hard-core gamer, not every generation has a must-buy console." He claims, in a very matter-of-fact way, a continued satisfaction with his trusty "Xbox Classic."

That said, he was both critical and approving of Sony's next-gen prospects: "By the time my half-hour appointment had extended into two hours, my skepticism began to dissipate. I'm still not ready to shell out $5,000 [what he estimates to be a full HD upgrade] just to own a PS3, but I do think Sony has come up with a console that's worth dumping your old standby for, if you've got the wallet for it."

His main reasoning behind the recommendation? Non-launch title Lair's "transfixing motion controls" that he believes are "new" and proof that motion sensitivity will change gaming. Regardless what you think of the author's opinion, it's interesting (and refreshing) to read a casual gamer's perspective on next-gen consoles.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 2:54PM

Has he played wii yet?

Matt @ Nov 9th 2006 3:00PM

I read the full piece earlier this week. you neglected to mention that at the end of the article, he mentions that the experience got him very exicted to get his hands on a Wii.

Avinash_Tyagi @ Nov 9th 2006 3:00PM

Actually at the end he comments that Lair made him even more interested in the Wii

Mark @ Nov 9th 2006 3:04PM

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

socrates @ Nov 9th 2006 3:17PM

If he thinks motion-sensing controls are great, then wait until he gets his hands on some motion sensing controls *and* shitty graphics! That'll rock his knickers off!

Pinqvin @ Nov 10th 2006 4:59PM

Ahahahahaha fuck off socrates...

Aex @ Nov 9th 2006 3:22PM

Sony is biting Nintendo's get it in people's hand marketing strategy! Sony is a bunch of copiers! If anything this review just makes me want to play lair more.

ps. Thanks for leaving your Sony "loathing" out of this post Blake. Feel free to do it in the comments tho :) Either way, I apologize for that comment yesterday, and with this post you have gained my respect.

SecondChance @ Nov 9th 2006 3:23PM

Blake, what's really interesting is what he said right AFTER his comment about Lair's motion sensing controls. Everyone read the whole article to the end.

superchimp @ Nov 9th 2006 3:23PM

He'd be excited about wii's controller, up until him playing it and thinking his TV was broke due to its terrible graphics.

JB @ Nov 9th 2006 3:25PM

Just wait until he tries *Real* motion sensing, not just a cheap and flawed imitation. He will be even more impressed in terms of the gameplay offered by Wii.

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 3:31PM

Wait, so Wii is gonna have Colecovision graphics, right?

What, its better than last gen, but not "True HD"? The WTF is everybody's problem?

Oh yeah, they're fanboys. Duh!

Robert Jung @ Nov 9th 2006 3:27PM

"He'd be excited about wii's controller, up until him playing it and thinking his TV was broke due to its terrible graphics."

Not likely; Chris says he's already plenty satisfied with a first-gen XBox, and even the most die-hard Sony fanboy will admit the Wii's graphics are better than that.

--R.J.

BklynKid @ Nov 9th 2006 3:31PM

Ugh can someone tell this guy how long motion sensing controls has been around?

Ross @ Nov 9th 2006 3:31PM

Most of my friends are casual gamers, so I know where this guy is coming from.

Nintendo should do REALLY well with this type of gamer. They don't care so much about graphics. They do care about paying $600 for a console though.

Izuna Drop @ Nov 9th 2006 3:33PM

R.J. -

"Not likely; Chris says he's already plenty satisfied with a first-gen XBox, and even the most die-hard Sony fanboy will admit the Wii's graphics are better than that."

Diehard fanboys admit nothing. It's just a fact.

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 3:35PM

from the article:

"For Sony, there's only one downside: Lair made me even more excited to get my hands on a Nintendo Wii."

NintendOWNED!

Borat @ Nov 9th 2006 3:33PM

So after reading the whole article I see that playing the PS3 made him even more excited for the Wii. That article made me see that he was not impressed with what he played. He gives off a kind of 'more of the same' kinda tone there.

superchimp @ Nov 9th 2006 3:33PM

wii's graphics are barely better than xbox, while 360 and ps3 owners play the future of gaming - open worlds, increased scope, realism, nintendo fans will be playing yesterdays games with an improved controller. Now even the most die-hard nintendo fan can't deny that.

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 3:45PM

"yesterdays games with an improved controller"

Yeah, we call that "a new experience". PS3 is yesterday's games with a glossy finish. Trust me, the graphical "wow factor" will wear off after about a year. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to make games with gameplay never before possible.

Did you read 1up's article on the Japanese Wii preorders? Nintendo will be King once again.

DakidOG @ Nov 9th 2006 3:39PM

@9 How the hell do you know it's flawed, have you used the feature? Why can't people just stop acting like fucking fanboys, judge the systems when you've had time to play with it and I mean more than 20 minutes at some game show.

Aex @ Nov 9th 2006 3:43PM

@DakidOG

Obviously it is flawed because it is not made by Nintendo. DUH!

bounchfx @ Nov 9th 2006 3:55PM

I like how everyone is dissing the shit out of Wii's graphics before even seeing what it is truely capable of, and besides, did you guys not play Ps2/psx/xbox/etc before this next gen is coming out?

let me guess, you cringed the whole time you played it then decided the graphics were so terrible that you would wait for the ps3, because obviously the graphics make the game.

ill trooper @ Nov 9th 2006 3:50PM

I know people won't be able to cope with what I'm about to say, but I've played with the Wii and the PS3 and the motion sensing was very similar in most respects. Of course I realize that the Wii has a more elaborite system, with 'distance-to-tv' sensing, for velocity and all, but in simple twist or tilt excercises, it was very usable on both systems.

I'm sure the 360 will offer it in the next year or so too - they do after-all, have that 'high-attachment' rate for accessories, right? More 'Choice' for us to buy.

Marty @ Nov 9th 2006 3:53PM

Lol @ the description "Casual Gamer"

Note to Joystiq: Casual gamers DO NOT pay $600 for game consoles.

sony sucks @ Nov 9th 2006 3:55PM

I'm no sony fan, but it makes sense that wii won't be able to keep up with ps3 or 360. Grand theft auto was the big, amazing game that showcased this gen's power. You couldn't have played it on psone - it would be able to manage so it seems that when the true next gen gimmick, the wii-mote loses its novelty value people will opt for one of the other consoles to play the grand theft autos of tomorrow.

Flit @ Nov 9th 2006 3:53PM

Wii's graphics are ugly! playstaintion is the best! He's a Ninfanboy!

I want open worlds and increased scope! I want life sized worlds! Most realistic driving simulator since Penn and Teller bus driving! Final Fantasy 7 sucks because it's graphics are horrible! All i want is shiny water and shiny cars, nevermind i have to pay $2 for every car and $.50 for every track to drive that car on!

Joystiq's forums are becoming overrun with whiny babies. So what, a casual gamer (so what if he didn't know that motion controls hadn't been around before) didn't like your system you are going to throw $600 at doesn't like it. Get over yourselves please. Bitching that a guy from SALON.COM doesn't like a ps3 doesn't mean anything. Are you that fragile that someone can't like what you like? What are you, a christian?

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 4:13PM

Flit, go troll somewhere else.

Javi @ Nov 9th 2006 4:13PM

It's funny how when the 360 can't be compared to the PS3 (motion sensing for example) there is always comparison to the Wii. PS3 is so evil in the minds of Wii60 fanboys

These guys just can't have anything positive about the PS3.

Flit @ Nov 9th 2006 4:19PM

@SONYSUCKS:
Uh, hey astroturf. Sorry, but there is a huge difference between the ps1 and ps2. ps1 was (one of) the first attempt(s) at 3d, which made the polygons unrecognizable, and large games like gta impossible. The jump between ps2 and ps3 isn't that much different gamePLAY wise. Even early ps2 games have no gameplay difference over ps3 games so far (go read the Genji Reviews). yeah, your character might respond more realistically, but that has nothing to do with graphics.

Gameplay depth has to do with the programming in the game, not the graphical ability. There are MMORPG's that have and entire rounds world to explore, but that doesn't mean the game is deep, or fun.

Oh, and have fun with the 3 year development times you will be getting with your realistic graphics btw.

Iscariote @ Nov 9th 2006 4:22PM

The Wii's graphics are so bad they killed my mother and raped my father, true story.

Anyhow the PS3 comes out next week time to go wait on the sidewalk.

32_Footsteps @ Nov 9th 2006 4:29PM

"A few things I hate—and one thing I love—about Sony's next-gen console."

Honestly, I'd think Sony should have some concern over the subtitle of the article. If you've only got one think likeable about your upcoming product according to someone prominent, you've got some huge issues.

socrates @ Nov 9th 2006 4:40PM

@ bounchfx:

"did you guys not play Ps2/psx/xbox/etc before this next gen is coming out?
let me guess, you cringed the whole time you played it then decided the graphics were so terrible that you would wait for the ps3, because obviously the graphics make the game."

This is a terrible argument. If a console was released today that had the graphics on par with the NES or SNES, no matter how fabulous the "gameplay"..it would be an absolute failure (the distinction between graphics and "gameplay" is not hard and fast by any means, but that's another point). This does not mean that those games were ugly at the time - nor that one can't enjoy an old game out of nostalgia - but there is an expectation that grows with the times for advancements to be made. And this isn't just glossy sheen either - technical speed is requisite for different types fo gameplay, more immersive worlds, etc. etc. For Nintendo to abjectly give up on this front...permanently relegates them to a niche category that hamstrings developers and will make the Wii look more and more like the ugly, backwards cousin of the console world. It is an interesting experiment, but I am convinced that the "sex appeal" this machine currently has over most will wear off after the first year.

thon @ Nov 9th 2006 9:08PM

I love how this turns in to a wii bashing article.

Obviously the wii and ps3 are targeting different demographics. I've played both and can honestly say i prefer the wii, even if the price tag were equal. I think this article (and ive read the whole thing) is what this industry needs, a 'what does the casual gamer' think article is what this market is all about. That is where the new blood is (and money) and where companies need to focus their efforts in order to turn larger profits. It just seems the ps3 fanboys are upset their company has neglected that market.

Skwurl @ Nov 9th 2006 4:49PM

"Are you that fragile that someone can't like what you like? What are you, a christian?"

...the joystiq comments have hit a new low. Be proud Flit, be very proud.

voghan @ Nov 9th 2006 4:50PM

I wonder is Sony is doing itself a disservice by showing all it's games on a $3000 1080p tv? People just have not made that move yet so when they see the PS3 and 360 they think they have to have a HDTV that can do 1080p to appreciate the graphics.

crono141 @ Nov 9th 2006 4:57PM

Socrates,

But wii isn't a system on par with NES, or SNES, or N64, or even Gamecube. It is a graphical step up over the last generation, and one that should be the standard step. Consoles have never cost 400 or 600. Well, not successful ones.

Sony and MS have far overreached, giving us the graphics this generation that should be standard next.

There's plenty of horsepower for 480p graphics and immersive complete worlds. Not enough for high res and immersive complete worlds, but plenty for games like WOW.

PS360 is to much power far too soon. Successful game consoles have NEVER been cutting edge. We had 3D acceleration and Graphics in the early 90's on PC's, a full generation before that became the console standard. Why must consoles now produce photorealistic graphics that even PC's have trouble producing?

Too much too soon; and our wallets are paying the price.

Lysergio @ Nov 9th 2006 4:55PM

"Not likely; Chris says he's already plenty satisfied with a first-gen XBox, and even the most die-hard Sony fanboy will admit the Wii's graphics are better than that."

Ummm, nope. Not ONE Wii game looks as good as an Xbox game. BTW, I'm NOT a Sony fanboy. I just have eyes :P

Darkness @ Nov 9th 2006 6:11PM

You know Socrates, I don't see anyone having any problems with PS2 or Xbox games now. At lot of them still look good and really we've reached the point in technology where art style is really more important than the number of polys. As an example, I still think Shadow of the Colossus is one of the best looking games made even compared to "next gen" systems. The art direction is simply brilliant in that game.

Not only that, but what good are the graphics if they're not really fun to play? At some point we stop goin' "ooooh and ahhhh" and simply fall back to the basic question of "how does it play?" I'm not saying the Wii is the end all of game systems, but we can't discount the fact that it really comes down to gameplay to add longevity.

Snurp @ Nov 9th 2006 5:01PM

I don't know why I'm doing this, but here goes...

People need to really stop with the Wii is not innovative/PS3 is not innovative...it's the games. Seriously. First of all, high technological speed is not a requisite. I seriously doubt alone in considering the Zork series and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy some of the most immersive and engaging games out there, and they are text adventures. If you want a non-graphical example, try the original Super Mario Bros. Technical capabilities don't make a game.

And neither does a controller. I thought the older zelda games were impressive, and they didn't need me to move my arms. I was immersed in Halo, and yet there was no physical movement on my part.

You can't just say that one or the other will be decisive in making a game good. They are taking two different approaches. Graphics will not matter if the game is fun, and the involvement in control will not matter either. I think the original Starfox is awesome after playing it for the first time a few months ago, and you know what? Right now it sucks comparatively in both departments (although I guess the controls thing is more arguable, but I prefer an analog stick at this point). Just wait for the games, and see what they do. I doubt Twilight Princess will suck just because it isn't PS3 level graphics, and I doubt Resistance will suck just because you can't aim with the controller.

But I'm talking to fanboys anyway, so I guess no one heard me. Oh well, glad to get it out either way.

Skwurl @ Nov 9th 2006 5:14PM

#34

Are they open?

Pince @ Nov 9th 2006 5:52PM

@36

Actually, Resistance won't suck just because you can't aim with the controller. It will suck because it is a crappy cookie-cutter FPS that is essentially another WWII era shooter except instead of Germans and tanks you have vaguely humanoid-looking aliens. Also because the PS3 controller (PS2 controller, PS1 controller) is horrible (I'm not going to say IMO, because it just is) for FPSs.

It will get high ratings anyways. The graphics are good and uh...you shoot stuff (which is basically the formula for an A-class game these days). I would give a who-the-hell-cares but I'm sure the Sony fanboys would rise up like a tidal wave of pure stupid the crush me down.

/end Anti-sonyfanboy

Pince @ Nov 9th 2006 5:52PM

@36

Twilight Princess won't suck because it isn't PS3 level graphics. TP will suck because it will end up feeling like a cross between Okami and Shadow of the Collosus but won't live up to both of those games. The Zelda franchise, like most Nintendo franchises, is starved for innovation, and tacking on motion controls does not change a game formula. Let me guess, about 8 dungeons. I have to find the boss, kill it, and get one of the big important items. Oh and in each dungeon I will get a new item that either has been seen before (bow, hookshot, boomerang....all were cool before they just became expected) or something that is really not that inventive or useful.

(Cupcakes are small and covered in frosting!)

TP will still get stellar ratings because it has the name "legend of zelda" appended to it and because fanboys need this to be shining moment of the Wii before the motion controls get dumbed down by uninventive thrid party support and the occasional (once every year...maybe) good Nintendo release.

/end Anti-nintendofanboy

Pince @ Nov 9th 2006 5:52PM

I dont think this has been done before:

Lol. did you see whut he sed, he sed motion controls are the fricken future because they r and u should li8sten to him becuz he knows beczu 360 you cant motion control and M$ would make you pay like 100$ for a new HDD to do it for like ...storing data for it and crap becuz you cant motion control and cell processor or virtual console. Like Sony said, its not true HD unless its motion control 1492p
M$ 360 sux FTL!!1!!!1

PS3 and Wii rulz becuz like if you average the price it is 600 + 250 /2 = 325! and for that you only get like a core 360 (core 360 sux!) and no one wnats that and the standard deviation of 325 250 and 600 is 69 and lololol so buy PS3 and Wii becuz if joo dont then u suck and u must be poor or something get a job!
and u like bad graphics lol harddrvie lol bluray rofl zomg real next-gen wiimote!!!!1!
Motion controls!

PSWii...WiiS3...PSWii3 FTW!!!!!

-Hmm, that was interesting.

skyrous @ Nov 9th 2006 5:58PM

So pince, Zelda will suck because it's a sequel but final fantasy 12, halo 3, call of duty 3, madden '07, and the next grand theft auto game are all completely original titles?

Please give at least some thought to your arguments before you make them....

aurorous @ Nov 9th 2006 6:09PM

all of you people talking about an immersive experience with the PS3 and the 360 please explain something to me.

Since anyone with an standard definition TV (like me) won't see any improvement in graphics how is the PS3 more immersive? If I went out an bought an HDTV I certainly wouldn't be able to afford a $600 playstation.

Nintendo figured out that these super high end, DIFFICULT TO MASS PRODUCE game systems are a waste to most people except hard core fanboy and early adopters. So they sell a console that pushes SDTV to it's limit and charge a lot less. 5 years from now they introduce a system that supports HD and in the mean time lap up market share left behind by sony who doesn't have time for people like me.

All the fanboy boasts about the power of the PS3 is wasted on me since I don't have a TV to display it. or to put it another way...

PS3=360=Wii on SDTV

Koekoenutt @ Nov 9th 2006 6:27PM

It's really disappointing coming on here everyday and reading comments from people who don't even put any thought into what they say.

Graphics are nice and have the ability to make you say Wow, thats awesome. Its a back and forth arguement, when one person says Graphics are innovative and not controllers, and then someone saying vice versa. Like people have said before, it really comes down to the games and what developers do for that system.

Saying the Wii doesn't have one game that compares to Xbox Classic is just stupid and just commented to get people pissed and comment back. Games like Zelda and the New Smash Brothers are very polished games, and they might run on the XBox Classic, but will they run with the needed Frames/per second that the gamers want?

To defend the Motion Controllers, Look at the FPS Genre. A lot of hardcore gamers cant go back to the controllers after playing with a keyboard and mouse. Im hoping the WiiMote will have a similair effect, along with producing games on the console rarely done right.. Like Real Time Strategy games.

The truth of the matter is, people rather have Frames per second than Graphics. In the computer world, People still play CS 1.6 and CZ over Source. Why would they want to do that when the graphics are so many years old? Its the gameplay and how the developer went about making the sequals. People use lower resolutions to get a smoother experience. Not everyone wants shiny graphics with unpolished games.

Not saying Sony won't have the titles that utilize these features nicely, and will be a big hit. Not saying Nintendo wont have flops. There are reasons why people play World of Warcraft over other MMOs that have better graphics.

People praise GTA, but honestly, I think its a dead series. People wil always buy the new ones, but there is no innovation in them anymore. Just added features that people think "Should have been in the first one". The thing with Zelda and other RPGS, is they attach to you emotionally and seeing the story go on is more important to some others. The story is what pushes the RPGs with an intuitive UI and control scheme.

If the Wii can give me a different experience in the house than other consoles, and come out with the games to push that innovation like the DS, I will be happy with it. I was happy with my N64 becuase of the games. I used to HATE XBox, but this genre Sony has showed me that Microsfot has taken a little more thought into the consumer, than a business trip. I agree more with the XBox360 than PS3, and thats just sad for how much I used to hate on the Orignal Xbox.

People need to sit back and relax more. The computer has showed us we dont need the cutting edge technology to always play the new games, only the few select titles that are made for the "Next-Gen of Computer Gaming". Its a buyers world out there, You choice what you want, and you play what you want. Other people have similiar and opposite opinions too though, so don't take this like it was a religion.

Extinction @ Nov 9th 2006 7:02PM

"I like how everyone is dissing the shit out of Wii's graphics before even seeing what it is truely capable of"

I like how everyone is dissing the shit out of PS3's motion sensing before even seeing what it is truely capable of

epluribus @ Nov 9th 2006 7:03PM

I knew you had it in you, Blake! You managed to get thru an entire three paragraphs without taking a petulant swipe at the PS3. I'm so proud of you I'm just beaming!

socrates @ Nov 9th 2006 8:08PM

Crono141 -

PS3 and 360 technical power is *too* much? An interesting argument - but I can't concur. You tie this argument to cost (forgetting that, adjusted for inflation, the original NES was around the $400 mark), but cost and graphical value don't have a one to one correlation. The real measure of how technically demanding current games *should* be is tied to what developers are routinely capable of doing. The bar set by the PS3/60 clearly is not too difficult, since it has already been met in a few instances (Oblivion, GOW - the only 360 games that seem to have legs, really), and lots of incoming games will push that bar further.

Grand Theft Auto 3 is a great example for why technological power is not just about making things look pretty. The new concept of having a constantly existing immersive world with such sheer volume of objects that are governed by a complex set of rules (aka the spawning and behavior of cars/people/etc.) requires a lot of processing power to work. When Nintendo doesn't even attempt to stay in the same ballgame as the major developers, that severely handicapps the console's potential (and Nintendo has already been handicapped by its utter lack of genre diversity; they will never make an impact in the RPG, deep fighting game, hard core FPS, or GTA-esque action genres). Some developers are banking on the Wii, but for every Ubisoft there are others making derisive comments about how the Wii can't handle the cutting edge stuff they're trying to do. If you like gaming at ALL beyond the tired Nintendo franchises, then you can't just have the Wii as your primary system. Everyone around here seems to think that the Wii will be Nintendo's return to grace after the N64 debacle, but the problem always was Nintendo's failure to gather all of the best 3rd party games, and the Wii does NOTHING to ameliorate that.

@aurorous

"PS3=360=Wii on SDTV"

Wow, that's, all kinds of not true. But assert what you will.

"Nintendo figured out that these super high end, DIFFICULT TO MASS PRODUCE game systems are a waste to most people except hard core fanboy and early adopters. So they sell a console that pushes SDTV to it's limit and charge a lot less. "

Huh? This makes ZERO sense. The 6th generation - which was full of consoles that were all competing with each other for being super high end - was extremely profitable. Sure, there are gonna be some old people and non-standard-gamers who like waving a stick more than they like finding 100 hidden packages in GTA, but it isn't like the HUGE market of folks that are already spending billions on video games is going to evaporate just because the Wii comes around. I'm sure it will do well financially due to its price and net buzz. Doesn't mean it will be any good.

"5 years from now they introduce a system that supports HD and in the mean time lap up market share left behind by sony who doesn't have time for people like me."

EXACTLY - that's the problem. In 5 years, the PS3 will just be hitting its stride. Sony has proven its console longevity twice now - the fact that the gamecube's shelf life was so limited, while the PS2 is throwing out some of the best games right now .Between Okami, FFXII, and Guitar Hero2...while the Xbox and Gamecube are rotting corpses, the value of that PS2 bought over half a decade ago is still going strong. With the Wii, you get a frontloaded experience - all of the big nintendo franchises have a new game coming out, and then.....what, exactly, are you looking forward to? The new Pikmin? Animal Crossing? Yoshi's Island 4? Who the hell knows? The point is, in 5 years Nintendo will HAVE to be pushing a new console, since the Wii already looks outdated next to 360/PS3 games, even on SD TVs. The PS3 is designed to be providing you value long after they will have stopped making games for the Wii (this is, by the way, a big benefit of consoles that don't depend so heavily on first party games. Look at how Nintendo has held back TP on the GC just to inflate Wii sales. Meanwhile, 3rd party developers are still pumping out great titles for the PS2 due to its enormous install base.) Thus, if you take lifespan into the equation, the Wii becomes a lot more expensive for what you are getting.

Koekoenutt @ Nov 9th 2006 8:46PM

@47 socrates

You make some valid points, but there is still holes in where you speak.

"(and Nintendo has already been handicapped by its utter lack of genre diversity; they will never make an impact in the RPG, deep fighting game, hard core FPS, or GTA-esque action genres). Some developers are banking on the Wii, but for every Ubisoft there are others making derisive comments about how the Wii can't handle the cutting edge stuff they're trying to do."

The thing with this is.. There are things developers can do with the Wii that they can't do with the other consoles. As I stated above, the Wii will be perfect for Real Time Strategies right out of the box. Also, The graphic push from back then and now has changed very differently. We are at an age now where graphics are getting to the best they can, and we are now using the technology for better AI and physics. As that doesnt say much in defense for the Wii, just standing alone on sheer "Graphical Power" isn't going to do it anymore.

The same advancement you talk about with GTA, was the same advancement with Mario 64, but you forget that PS1/PS2 were both a PoS. The system, The Controllers.. Everything about the Playstation was put together so shitty and everything on it broke easy. The system wasn't 2x/3x better than its compititors, hell.. The PS2 is the weakest of the 3 in consoles. Does this make it a crappy system? No, becuase the games and developers really pushed the system.. and how much money spent was a big issue with PS1/N64.

To say Nintendo will never have RPG and FPS and big titles from 3rd party is just an arrogant thing to say. Considering how much Nintendo has pushed 3rd parties this generation, and has been pushing FPS/RPG and "Adult" entertainment. Who is to say PS3 will still be strong 5 years and the other systems wont, do to the sheer power? You have to remember that Sony has been losing exclusives, and other companies.. Like Square, Have been goign to Microsoft and Nintendo. Price does have a lot of things to do with the system, becuase if Sony kept at the $400 mark, Im sure the system wouldnt be as fitting. On top of that, If Nintendo did 2 SKUs with a higher upgraded version, people would give it the same crap that the cheaper version is a rip off like they do with Xbox360 Core.

Im not here to say Sony will fail, but Im here to say that you are over looking a lot, just like you feel people are over looking the PS3. I said it before, and Ill say it again.. Its a buyers market out there, and people will buy what they want and enjoy what they want. Your opinion isnt always the same, or right.. and people need to stop taking this console war like it was a religion.