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360 degrees of Gaming
So today is the day that millions of gamers in the US have been waiting for: The launch of the Xbox 360.
This bad boy cranks out the most realistic looking graphics to date and is specifically designed to be an intregal part of your home entertainment center. All for the low-low price of $299 for a base unit and $399 for the advanced unit.
What does the Xbox 360 do you ask? Well, it plays games, movies, music and can even display your digital photos. Not only that, the Xbox 360 also can turn back the clock, do your taxes and solve all of your life's problems. ;-) Seriously, what happened to just "It plays kick ass games?"
(Warning, rant session ahead)
As technology increases, obviously our tastes change. Many tech freaks out there want the latest and greatest when they buy their systems right? But it seems that nowadays the video game console makers are going more for the "awe" factor than actually giving you a satisifying experience. Dont get me wrong, its cool when you're playing a game and it totally engrosses you with its detail. But even if the game is pretty and all, what if the game itself sucks? Graphics arent everything and I think I'm finally understanding that.
I see the Xbox 360 and I see that most of the games that are coming out are just ports of the games that are available on current systems. Sure they've been spiffied up and given more substance, but its still the same game you can play on a regular Xbox.
Now, I've been a gamer since I first picked up that old Atari joystick back in the day and playedmy first game of Mario Bros. I've been hooked to games ever since. But my love for games has been strictly for Nintendo systems. From the original NES, to the Super NES. The N64 and finally the Gamecube, I've been a Nintendo "fanboy" all my life. I know that puts in me in the minority, but I could care less. For me, its all about the games and I have yet to be disappointed with the Big N.
Thats not to say that I dont give props, where props are due. I think the "Halo" series is awesome and the "G.T.A." franchise is alot of fun, albeit controversial. But given a choice, I'd much rather be en engrossed in a game like "The Legend of Zelda" than shoot up hookers in a game like "G.T.A.".
Its all about the games. Think back to when you were a kid and all you had was the 8-bit NES. When you were playing a game like "Contra" did you care that the bad guys didnt look or move realistically? Or that the physics of the game were just unreal? NO! All you thought about was "Wow, this game is fun to play!" I think that the game makers are starting to lose sight of that. Of course we the public are to blame for that as well. The so called "hardcore" gamers demand better graphics and better sound and more extras and junk otherwise they wont give the game a second look.
Consider a game like "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker". When "Zelda" was first announced for the Gamecube back in 2000, it was introduced as a realistic dark game. The critics loved it, just because it looked realistic.
Then Nintendo decided to change the look of the game and went with a cartoony "cell shade" look.
The critics blasted this game because it made the "Zelda" franchise into an almost Looney Tunes-esque farce. Yet, when you actually sit down and play it, the core of the series is still there. Its still a blast to play, even if it did look like a kiddy game.
Next year, Nintendo will finally give us that realistic looking "Zelda" game. Its titled "The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess" and the critics are already singing its praises.
Is it because it looks realistic? Or is it because the game plays well?
I just hope that as technology increases and "realisim" takes over the graphics dept, they (the game makers) dont lose sight of one thing: Its the games, stupid.
Next year in the Spring Sony's PS3 (With its price tag of anywhere between $400-$700 if you believe the rumors) will be hitting the stores and a little later after that the Nintendo Revolution.
We'll see just how well these two systems differentiate themselves from Microsofts 360 machine. One thing is for certain. The days of simply picking up a controller and having simple fun are long gone. Its all about framerates and bit counts and what not. What will the next evolution of game systems bring us? I guess we'll find out in about 5 years when Microsoft releases the Xbox 720, Sony releases the PS4 (now with nuclear reactor) and Nintendo hits us with the Super Revolution.
OK, sorry for the rant. Thanx again for reading. Til the next time...
DQ
1 comment:
Hello...Randomly came across ur blog. I was lookin up NINTENDO REVOLUTION on the net n came here..Just thought I would let u know u r my identical twin.. hahaha I have owned every sigle nintendo system to date (except the virtual boy--i lived in europe at the time and they didnt have it there or else i would have gotten it!!) and im gettin the DS this year for x-mas. I have never owned any other system other than atari outside of nintendo. I have played the PS many times... never the PS2 or Xbox... So I honestly cant give any imput on those systems but i know beforehand what u already mentioned in ur blog: where did the gameplay go?? Nintendo has been called many thing, n all of them can be summed up to one core complaint: Nintendo stayed true to games.. how can this be a complaint?? well..truthfully its not, unless ur not a nintendo fan..Nintendo makes great games, period! everyone else believes u need to make a game system that also plays dvds n music n whatever the heck else. Nintendo makes great games. Incredible graphics at a super high framerate or very cool, but not at the loss of great gameplay... Nintendo is the only one who hasnt forgotten this. I am a true diehard video game fan, which is to say, i am a true Nintendo fan..why? cuz Nintendo makes great games!! Even when ur Super Revolution comes out.. i will be there rite alongside ya buddy!!
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