IGN picks PS3 as best new console of 2006
Hell froze over. We've got some positive Sony news today. IGN has picked the PS3 as the best new console of 2006 despite its lackluster launch and widespread criticism. Even though there were only two new consoles to choose from and despite its lack of games, IGN says the PS3 wins the best console award on potential alone:"Judging the consoles based upon a broad perspective that includes software now available and coming in the future an entirely different argument could be formulated. However, from a hardware perspective, the PS3 is by far the more interesting console. Though the launch software hasn't blown anyone away, the 360's launch titles were equally unimpressive, and the system will certainly mature. Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console, and the availability of supported Linux distributions for the console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected fruit in future."
It's refreshing to see someone play Devil's Advocate, but that reads like IGN's best new computer award, not best console award. Hardware, Linux distros ... sounds exciting! Anyone else stoked for the PS3's future potential?
[Thanks, Phil]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Saint Jouten @ Jan 16th 2007 11:51AM
FIRST POST!! =D
Diman @ Jan 16th 2007 11:51AM
Now you guys report the old shit *clap* *clap*, can't get that fanboy ball rolling?
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jan 16th 2007 11:54AM
Further evidence that the folks over at IGN do not know how to drink responsibly.
You should write reviews BEFORE having your Appletinis.
razer @ Jan 16th 2007 11:55AM
360 equally unimpressive? Condemned, Kameo, DoA, CoD2 just to name a few of the great launch titles.
Granted, nothing revolutionary but not unimpressive.
Congrats to the PS3!
Josh @ Jan 16th 2007 11:58AM
No brainer really. From current release dates it doesn't look like my Wii is going to be getting too much errr "love" until the end of the year. However the PS3 has several big-name titles coming out between now and summer.
j @ Jan 16th 2007 12:00PM
From your lead in alone. hell froze over! Proves that joystiq does not like Sony. You have been the 1st site to criticize sony for even the smallest amount of bad press, making it into this huge thing. I just cant wait, until the ps3 really kicks off and all of you M$ fanboys, start heralding sony.
Bryan @ Jan 16th 2007 12:01PM
I wonder how many ads Sony had to buy at their site to earn that recognition.
BIGGEN @ Jan 16th 2007 12:02PM
well, until the future arrives, my poor ps3 is collecting dust. it's not even shiny anymore :( but my 360 is, and has since launch, never collected dust. hm
Dot @ Jan 16th 2007 12:05PM
"Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console, and the availability of supported Linux distributions for the console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected fruit in future."
Right, because the PS3 as an unupgradable proprietary computer-wannabe is exactly what we need!
I think I'll stick to my PC instead, thanks.
Flute Suit @ Jan 16th 2007 12:07PM
I lol'd.
Rob Holiday @ Jan 16th 2007 12:08PM
I am so tired of hearing "potential". I want something NOW! Few people buy something for potential. It's always "what can you do for me now." Maybe when the PS3 has some good games, then they might sell better. I'm still wondering why I bought a PS3 when 95% of my gaming time is on the 360.
milly @ Jan 16th 2007 12:09PM
Man, I bet Laserdisc won that award one time.
droptop GP @ Jan 16th 2007 12:10PM
IGN hits us with MASSIVE DAMAGE!!!
OHHHNOOooZZZZ!!!!
IT'S TEH GIANT ENEMY CRAB!!!! (oops, just a pic of a ps3)
quick!! real-time weapons change!!
RIIIIIIIIDDDDDDGGGGGEEEEE RRRRAAAAACCCCCCEEEERRRRR!!!!!!
elmer @ Jan 16th 2007 12:11PM
They said the same thing about PSP VS DS when they came out, and then reitterated their Sony love a year later.
Flit @ Jan 16th 2007 12:15PM
@j:
No, just because sony hasn't had anything good to report since the launch (loss of exclusives, plethora of consoles on shelves when there shouldn't be, shoddy networking services) doesn't mean that joystiq is biased. How's Ken in bed, btw?
"...Linux distributions for the console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected fruit in future"
Are they herolding the console because homebrew and 1337 haxxorz? Why else would Linux be a good thing? This is like saying the xbox won the first console war because it was moddable, or the PSP is a good system cuz you can play roms on it.
"However, from a hardware perspective PS3 is by far the more interesting console."
Can anyone explain this to me please? How is the ps3 any different from the 360? (don't say blu-ray, 1080p please, we've debated those enough). What does sony really have that is radically different from the 360. I"m honestly curious.
Wiggydee @ Jan 16th 2007 12:16PM
Don't get me wrong, i think the PS3 has truck loads of potential, but wasn't this supposed to be an award for "the best console of 2006"?
One quote i will strongly dicagree with is "from a hardware perspective, the PS3 is by far the more interesting console." I know we have all heard it a million times, but having a new console like four times more powerfull than the previous generation has been done countless times since the beginning of game consoles. Where as (you guessed it) the wii, with keeping the console the same, but the way you play it is apparently perfectly traditional?
Congratulations to sony on the award, but they're basing the best of 2006 on whats going to happen in 2007.
Stu @ Jan 16th 2007 12:19PM
Unless the future potential involves it becoming a *good* system I'm not entirely interested.
Chris @ Jan 16th 2007 12:23PM
They also gave Okami a million awards. Might be a sleeper hit, but it was hardly one of the best games of the year. IGN's list was unimpressive as a whole in all catagories. They even said as much on their OWN podcast.
lol
jSn @ Jan 16th 2007 12:25PM
IGN proves, as sports columnists prove daily, just because you write about it, doesn't mean you actually know anything.
The ps3 is a lame duck. There's nothing interesting about the hardware, as it's all a generation old already! Unless you count the blu-ray drive, which brings ZERO value to it as a game console. From a hardware standpoint the PS3 was released over a year ago by Microsoft. It was called the Xbox 360. Only they didn't force you to wait for and pay extra for the blu-ray drive.
Linux on the ps3 means nothing. I take that back, it means negative game sales. Because if people buy it to run linux, they aren't buying games. Which means more developers jump ship or drop exclusivity so that they can actually make money on their investment.
vidGuy @ Jan 16th 2007 12:26PM
Mmmmm... hardware. How I love to hold thee, cuddled in my arms. Don't listen to them, PS3, you are everything I need. Shush, baby, it'll be alright.
/not
Cmon. The PS3 has immense potential, even as I Wii60 owner I can admit that. But if that potential energy doesn't get converted to kinetic energy soon, the PS3 will be dead in most respects by Holidays 07.
Thrawn @ Jan 16th 2007 12:33PM
As an open source and Linux advocate, I know I'm psyched about the $600+ entrance fee for developing on a PS3!!!!!!!!!111111
In fact, I'm sending my PS2 kit to the landfill as we speak.
itsgreen @ Jan 16th 2007 12:34PM
lets face it, the only other new console was the Wii.. and the PS3 is more powerful (or better) than the Wii
logikil @ Jan 16th 2007 12:36PM
razer:
Likewise i wonder why people rag on the 360 launch titles. In the past few launches (Xbox, GC, PS2, PS3, Wii and 360) the 360 definitely had the most well rounded launch. Anyway, I don't blame IGN for their pick. I mean based on future potential and online alone, the PS3 is definitely the better of the two systems.
I am somewhat surprised that IGN took that route to give there opinion. Anyway, I can see why they made the pick though.
trent @ Jan 16th 2007 12:37PM
this doesnt make sense. how can they choose the best console of 2006 by using the future possibilities as the deciding factor? then its not 2006 anymore, but 2007 or 2008.
mandarin @ Jan 16th 2007 12:38PM
THat just proves it.
IGN is just a lackey who gets paid to write articles.
lucky644 @ Jan 16th 2007 12:39PM
It's refreshing to see someone play Devil's Advocate, but that reads like IGN's best new computer award, not best console award. Hardware, Linux distros ... sounds exciting! Anyone else stoked for the PS3's future potential?
__________________
Totally stoked about the PS3's potential to do anything but gaming ;)
Anthony D @ Jan 16th 2007 12:39PM
The PS3 is selling so badly it's not even funny. I live near the second biggest mall in the US and our Target has over 100 units in stock and hasn't sold one since 2 weeks before Christmas. Our EB games has over 40 in stock and hasn't sold one in weeks also.
On the other hand, both stores are selling Wii's and 360's almost daily.
5 of my buddies bought the 360 over the last 2 months. Sony is in trouble......F--- EM!!!
iJanda @ Jan 16th 2007 12:45PM
"Proves that joystiq does not like Sony. You have been the 1st site to criticize sony for even the smallest amount of bad press, making it into this huge thing."
I hate to break it to you.... but every recognizeable blog has posted an endless stream of bad news for the PoS3. Digg.com, Kotaku, penny-arcade, joystiq, cnn, fox news, etc. etc. etc. Joystiq isn't biased. News is news. I'm sorry that some "news" breaks your little fanboy heart, but Joystiq is simply reporting gaming news. period.
If you must hate Joystiq for reporting the issues the PoS3 has endured, then you must hate every major gaming blog under the face of the sun.
Flit @ Jan 16th 2007 12:46PM
"lets face it, the only other new console was the Wii.. and the PS3 is more powerful (or better) than the Wii"
Yes, because this argument worked for.....
The first Xbox
The Gamecube (yes, it is more powerful than the ps2, go look at RE4)
The Dreamcast
Intellivision
Alienware Computers
And many many more consoles that were outpowering their counterparts that ended up losing their respective console war.
machrc @ Jan 16th 2007 12:47PM
As a hardware standpopint of view there saying it can excel at becoming a hackers dream.. Like the PsP the pii-Three will get exciting software from the hax0r community and programming community it will be more geared towards techheads that love a free software running gaming rig that you can setup just like a cpu. The only thing I don't see it bringing is that it wont have the connectivity and community feel like MS's system. I mean the friend code on the wii is a joke, the ps3 online system other than it brought the GT demo is also a joke. Live is the future in gaming, I mean how many times have you discussed the latest game with homeone at a BBQ and not traded gamertags?
David004 @ Jan 16th 2007 12:48PM
"However, from a hardware perspective, the PS3 is by far the more interesting console."
So? The hardware of the PS2 was complete shit and still won. IGN really has lost their minds. From a GAME PLAYING perspective the Wii blows the PS3 out of the water. Oh that's right we don't care about the video games on a fucknig video game site!
Frosty22 @ Jan 16th 2007 12:49PM
Why is it that video games is the only industry that has 'fanboys'. People aren't like "omg Foxnews is totally a repub fanboy" or anything like that. People are not objective. It is not part of who we are. People will have opinions, and there ARE reasons behind those opinions. If you are screaming 'fanboy' that is because you yourself are a fanboy--obviously something got you all wiled up to start shouting "OMG YOU ARE SUCH M$
If you are not in favor of 'fanboyism' then I would recommend that you never read a newspaper, magazine, watch the news, talk to your friends, view blogs, talk to a Best Buy employee, or ever deal with anything ever that involves a person... because we are all fanboys of something.
So in closing... stfu.
crono141 @ Jan 16th 2007 12:52PM
I like Appletinis!
NintendoFanbot @ Jan 16th 2007 12:57PM
"Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console"
As if that's really worth rewarding. What if a company's really dedicated to making games? If they spend all their time making money on making games, do they have to do provide more for things they DON'T make money on?
People don't want to spend any of their slacker time on a 'mini-game' console but gush over monotonous PC media traits?
Bullshit. Sony peddled this months ago and IGN fell for it.
RHP @ Jan 16th 2007 12:58PM
I don't know, just from a perspective of public perception and innovation, I say the people choose the Wii as the best new console of 2006.
Nintendo is generating some serious buzz.
But then again, I don't know anyone who has a PS3.
Josh @ Jan 16th 2007 1:07PM
"As an open source and Linux advocate, I know I'm psyched about the $600+ entrance fee for developing on a PS3!!!!!!!!!111111"
You must be really excited about the price of XNA, then.
bigd7387 @ Jan 16th 2007 1:15PM
Potential. Since when do I play Potential as a game? PC qualities? Best new system should be the Wii followed by PS3, Best new Low end PC.
Don @ Jan 16th 2007 1:19PM
Hey, I wish the PS3 well. But for their sake I hope IGN is trying to play the devil's advocate here and generate some controversy in their choice. Hey, they picked the zune as the best portable audio device -- that is even funnier. I hope the ps3 fairs better than the zune...
I am not really all that excited about the potential of the ps3 beyond gaming, and I find it somewhat funny that much of IGN's excitement about the PS3 is about these non-gaming qualities. Sorry, but being able to run linux distros on the PS3 is not going to make for any richer or more unique gaming experiences (and I like linux). Or is the fact that the PS3 is more of a computer than a console -- christ I have enough computers in my house! It is a bit like saying some van is 'car of the year' because its storage capacity is a great place to put old laundry. Furthermore, I think devices that are media-centric (like the 'Apple TV') are more likely to the sorts of devices that fulfill the 'non-gaming' features that the PS3 (and to a certain extent, all of the nexgen consoles) are shooting for.
It is also possible the IGN just don't get it. As someone already said, last year they picked the PSP over the DS and I think they have a tendency put a higher emphasis on macho hardware numbers than they do on innovation to gaming experiences. Before they came out I was excited about both the PSP and the PS3 but wound up going DS and wii when I started looking at things beyond 'horsepower'. When I see folks playing it that never were in to video games before (and see old gamers who got bored of gaming, get excited about games again), I think this is more important than the non-gaming potential of the PS3.
samfish @ Jan 16th 2007 1:20PM
"However the PS3 has several big-name titles coming out between now and summer."
And those titles would beeee.....?
Lair? Ok. That's one.
MGS4? Don't get your hopes up.
FF13? HA! I'll see you in mid-2008.
Also, being a Mac user, it makes me laugh hearing about the PS3 being a Linux box. $600 bucks for Linux system you can't upgrade! And they say Macs are expensive! Haha!
Anyway, this is really no huge surprise. I can see the logic in picking the PS3 over the Wii...but honestly, from what I can see, IGN is kind of over all anti-Nintendo, just judging by those cringe-inducing, juvenile podcasts and video round tables they do.
I still think it's wrong to pick it over the Wii, if we're talking about the best console of 2006. going by games only, the Wii at LEAST has Zelda. The PS3, by contrast, really has nothing.
And no. R:FoM doesn't count. It's a decent game at best, but it's no where NEAR the level of Zelda or even Gears of War (I'm not a far of the shooter/action kind of games, personally)
Norm @ Jan 16th 2007 1:21PM
So far I'm pretty happy with all of my consoles. I see potential in the PS3, though I play my 360 and my Wii a lot more. If I didn't get a PS3 as a gift though, you better believe I would wait till that 'potential' was realized. As it is, I like them all about the same, but really...
PS3 is not really looking so hot just yet. So far the only action mine gets is Tekken 5 DR and Resistance, cause the other games don't seem interesting at all. I'm just saying you should wait for the PS3 and buy it when the great games start to roll in.
justaj @ Jan 16th 2007 1:21PM
And IGN continues in its quest to become irrelevant to gamers...
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 16th 2007 1:24PM
Real time weapon changing! jajaja... you make me laught a lot, I just saw the video again... ahh that times when I was worried about the PS3. Now I have nothing to worry, its a shit!
By the way, Megaman X for the Super Nintendo has real time weapon changing (by pressing the L R buttons)
Poor Sony. I feel sorry for them.
bob @ Jan 16th 2007 1:24PM
LOOSERS,LOOSERS ! you people don`t learn how to loose when is WAR.....PS3 is the best console of the year no matter what sales or launch titles say, the important it is the hardware inside that machine where developers would take advantage on the future,if you don`t want to called the best console of the year then called the "THE BEST CONSOLE ON THE MARKET"
trent @ Jan 16th 2007 1:25PM
more powerful = better
LOL
Brent @ Jan 16th 2007 1:26PM
if i bought a PS3 it would basically be only for the fact that i would be getting a pretty sweet linux computer, whose hardware is pretty much subsidised by sony,
however, thats not going to sell any games for sony,
so essentially, theyve lost about 300 dollars to give me a good deal on a computer ... and they wont make any game sales off of it ... :-\
did they think this through?
funkonaut @ Jan 16th 2007 1:28PM
Sounds like there's some money changing hands under the table over at IGN...
Callandor @ Jan 16th 2007 1:28PM
I'm not interested in a Playstation 3 at all until Metal Gear Solid 4 is released, and that won't be until at least 2008 (I don't buy into this nonsense that it's going to be released late 2007.) If it is released on the Xbox 360 as well as the PS3, you can count me out for a PS3.
The Playstation 3 is a piece of shit, period. I don't care if it's an over-powered computer, it doesn't have the games to justify such a huge investment.
PostScript @ Jan 16th 2007 1:31PM
Speaking of potential. I could not help thinking to myself that we could one day see the ps3 emulating Wii games. Apparently the wiimote is already able to connect to the ps3 via bluetooth (missing the necessary software obviously). With the power of the ps3 I could certainly see a Wii emulator being developed for the ps3 and there would be no reason you could not play all of the Wii games from the comfort of the ps3. Mind you this would be a sad day for my Wii and 360, and it will likely never occur. But if this "potential" ever became a reality I would definitely consider picking up a ps3. Or if the price ever dropped to a reasonable level...
Mark @ Jan 16th 2007 1:31PM
" The PS3 is selling so badly it's not even funny. I live near the second biggest mall in the US and our Target has over 100 units in stock and hasn't sold one since 2 weeks before Christmas." Anthony D
Yeh right, that's belivable. If you going to make stuff up, keep it realistic..
This post sums of the garbage that the xbox fanboys post.. Sony are having no problems shifting PS3's infact they are selling them faster than your beloved Xbox180 was last year...
Intangible 360 @ Jan 16th 2007 1:32PM
Wii deserved this award hands down, their reasoning for choosing the PS3 is also hopelessly flawed. This reads like it was written by a thirteen year old hacker, not a video game enthusiast.