Despite not having the money or time for one, I've decided to pick up a Vita on wednesday. With many strong arguments not to do so, there could be only one to defeat them: the allure of New Console Magic.
New Console Magic is the exciting and unique feeling that follows owning a brand new console. It can be the special moment when you first unbox the machine. Maybe the wonder of learning the intricacies of it's menu system. The awe when you play a game and experience the consoles superior graphics/new control mechanics/unique gimmick. On some consoles it's simply enough to replay older games with improved graphics.
When a console is brand new, the list of available games is usually pretty small. This usually make early adopters consider several games they would otherwise not. That weird japanese rhythm game suddenly seems a lot cooler when it's one of six available games for the system. Such limitations has made me discover games I would otherwise not have on many occasions. If not for a limited selection of games I might never have played Jet Set Radio Future, Waverace Blue Storm or Smugglers Run. And when the console you're playing on is brand sparkling new, the whole experience get a little bit sweeter.
And with the consoles being so advanced as they are, it's also a lot of fun to follow the progress from the first firmware, to all the changes and updates it will receive. The 360 people can buy today, is a lot different to what it was six years ago.
Many of my greatest gaming memories come from the first few days of a consoles life: Tekken Tag Tournament with friends on my shiny PS2, trying to beat a friends high score in Geometry Wars on my XBox 360, playing Sonic Adventure in 60hz on the Dreamcast. While I know the Vita probably won't compare to those memories, but I still think that the joy of owning a brand new console is worth the risk.
New Console Magic is the exciting and unique feeling that follows owning a brand new console. It can be the special moment when you first unbox the machine. Maybe the wonder of learning the intricacies of it's menu system. The awe when you play a game and experience the consoles superior graphics/new control mechanics/unique gimmick. On some consoles it's simply enough to replay older games with improved graphics.
When a console is brand new, the list of available games is usually pretty small. This usually make early adopters consider several games they would otherwise not. That weird japanese rhythm game suddenly seems a lot cooler when it's one of six available games for the system. Such limitations has made me discover games I would otherwise not have on many occasions. If not for a limited selection of games I might never have played Jet Set Radio Future, Waverace Blue Storm or Smugglers Run. And when the console you're playing on is brand sparkling new, the whole experience get a little bit sweeter.
And with the consoles being so advanced as they are, it's also a lot of fun to follow the progress from the first firmware, to all the changes and updates it will receive. The 360 people can buy today, is a lot different to what it was six years ago.
Many of my greatest gaming memories come from the first few days of a consoles life: Tekken Tag Tournament with friends on my shiny PS2, trying to beat a friends high score in Geometry Wars on my XBox 360, playing Sonic Adventure in 60hz on the Dreamcast. While I know the Vita probably won't compare to those memories, but I still think that the joy of owning a brand new console is worth the risk.
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