Console Wars: One year later, begun they have

What a difference a year makes. As we move into the one year anniversary of the "console wars," Game Daily takes a quick look at the current state of affairs. No huge revelations, just a standard assessment of what's going on written by our own Mr. Orland. The basics are:

• Wii: The Wii blitzed the last year and is selling at a phenomenal pace. The only thing really holding it back at this point is software. Publishers weren't ready for the Wii's success, which has translated into massive quantities of reheated waggle ports. If third-party publishers start putting more effort behind the console, it won't be a "fad" created by Nintendo supporting Nintendo games.
• Xbox 360: The console with an extra year under its belt really delivered this past year with BioShock, Halo 3, Gears of War and others. A third-party publisher darling, the Xbox hasn't gotten a hold in Japan and has to continue bringing the solid titles as the Wii and PS3 finish their warm-up year.
• PS3: It's gettin' there, it's gettin' there. Hype may have gotten the heir-apparent through the end of last year, but '07 was not kind to the console. Things are slowly turning around now with Ratchet & Clank, along with Drake's Fortune and Heavenly Sword, but Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII are expected to get the ball really rolling next year.

A year into the console wars and the answer is that it's still anyone's game. A console is defined by its games, and it's still a little early to figure out the path of the two newest consoles. The Wii may pull out the third party support in '08 and publishers may finally get more comfortable designing games for the PS3. The Xbox 360 will continue to hold its own as long as it keeps having superstar type titles like BioShock and Gears of War. Year two of the console wars should begin showing the future much better.