I wish consoles would have a longer lifespan.

[brokeback]

whenever a console really gets in to the swing of things it gets replaced with a new one.
I would have been very happy if the playstation 1 hadn't come out until 2 years after its release. Imagine all the fantastic snes and megadrive games that could have been. square RPG's, yoshi's island 2, metroid 2, earthbound 3.
and if the playstation had stuck around that bit longer.
the ps2 has recieved some of its best games this year and all the game engines are honed and ready to use. i would happily see new devil may cry's and metal gears and the company could produce these games with reletive ease, concentrating on gameplay rather than brand new game engines.

admittedly, we would only just be getting the ps2 about now but personally, that would delight me.

[oracle]

yup but if that happened there is no guarantee that video gaming would be as popular as it is now.

[brokeback]

maybe... but then again, that would also make me happy. I think games are over popular now and thats why the majority of games are ****ty rally clones and EA sports games that are as shallow as they are dull.
If games weren't as popular that doesn't mean they wouldn't exist. It just means we'd get exciting, weird and wonderful games dripping with gameplay and utilising the systems full potential.
I would still be playing games and I'm sure you would too. Who needs a respectable face for gaming anyway? I know I don't. I couldn't care less if people think it's geeky and a nerdy pastime.

[Kubrick]

Totally agree that the new consoles that are coming out just aren't needed. I won't be getting any of them.

[oracle]

yeah you will, there is no point saying that, eventually a game will come and you will get it, simple fact.

I dont understand this rose tinted view on retro games.

There were just as many pap games on the MD/Snes as are out currently

[eretsua]

I would have been very happy if the playstation 1 hadn't come out until 2 years after its release. Imagine all the fantastic snes and megadrive games that could have been. square RPG's, yoshi's island 2, metroid 2, earthbound 3.
and if the playstation had stuck around that bit longer.

Metroid 2 was released for the gameboy in 1991.

[brokeback]

yeah, meant super metroid 2 or metroid 5. the format was there but nothing else came of it. there were so many games the demanded sequals but never got them. it upsets me.

[AllYourBase]

new consoles are great, move with the times my boy! i am looking forward to this next batch, ps2 is well ready for an update, can't blame m$ and ninty for wanting to have similar powered consoles out at the same time really. The revolution may even have more innovation other than just processing power, etc - can't wait!!

I shall still enjoy older games thou, new consoles do not take away from how good older games were

[brokeback]

i think people are generally missing the point here. I obviously like new technology and am interested to see what happens next but if things didn't move so fast we would have many more retro classics. the games that appear toward the end of a consoles life are always the best so imagine if that carried on for, say, an extra year. hundreds of absolute classics that had no hang ups about graphics and focused on awesome gameplay.

[Leon Retro]

Brilliant playable games can be made for any machine, but when it comes to technology the only way to wow people is to use new hardware.

I agree that this generation can still provide great experiences, but when it comes to my favourite genre's such as racing and sports, this gen can't make these games any more realistic, and thats why I can't wait for the XB2 and PS3; PGR3 and GT5 will look and play way beyond anything you can see or play today.

It seems that a lot of people are happy with todays graphics; I happen to be tired of low-poly undetailed worlds filled with cardboard-esque scenary. Look at HalfLife2 and FarCry: the PC can provide much more gripping environments and the next-gen will allow things to go way beyond even these examples.

At the moment I'm really in to ProEvo4 for it's playability. DOAU for it's thrills and graphical beauty, and the rest of my time is spent playing older games such as the Mario Titles, Arcade Fighters and shooters. I agree that playability is paramount, but when I think back to my favourite games such as Ridge Racer and Wave Race, the reason I loved them was because they delivered amazing visuals and gripping experiences; they delivered on all counts!

Lets not underestimate how exciting beautiful graphics can be!

[Kubrick]

yeah you will, there is no point saying that, eventually a game will come and you will get it, simple fact.

Can't see it to be honest. That's why I started this thread a wee while ago.

GT5 will look and play way beyond anything you can see or play today

GT's gameplay has been identical since 1997. The only difference being it's now 60fps instead of 30.

It seems that a lot of people are happy with todays graphics; I happen to be tired of low-poly undetailed worlds filled with cardboard-esque scenary. Look at HalfLife2 and FarCry: the PC can provide much more gripping environments and the next-gen will allow things to go way beyond even these examples.

And?

Sorry, but I just don't see how marginally better graphics next time round is going to make games any better to play.

[melody]

This might sound weird.. well I love it when a developer really pushes hardware to the limits or works with these limits to make something special. They might have been able to do the same with newer hardware but I love a good final hurrah for a system, where the team have gone all out and used all the cool techniques that they have mastered over time. Most consoles (but especially the Saturn!) have had this so I have no problems letting go I wouldn't want this period to last for years though (like with the playstation), it wouldn't seem so special then.

More recently though, I don't think we saw the best of the GBA or Dreamcast I don't mind when the next generation consoles come as i'll only be buying the Revolution this time round and it can play my Gamecube games.

[Super Stu]

Sorry, but I just don't see how marginally better graphics next time round is going to make games any better to play.

Marginal increases? Fair enough point.

Insider musings point to the next lot being ahead of current PCs, though.

Seen what an ultra will churn out at 640x480? heh.

[mickyboy]

Whether you be a retro game fanatic or a follower of the latest technology, I think we're all in agreement that playability is THE most important factor here.

Even die hard retrogamers in todays world will admit that they too were excited by the advances in technology back in the day and so for an Xbox owner getting breathless over news of the Xbox2 is totally understandable.

As once loyal Master System owner many moons ago, I remember getting over excited by screen shots of certain Megadrive games before the system touched down proper in the shops.

I do honestly believe though that the machines of today will not be as fondly remembered as the consoles of old. There is a definate lack of passion in the games market today, it almost seems soul less and purely money orientated.

I believe the main reason for this is that the target audiences have shifted and now the games industry has almost taken itself too seriously and the people that run the corporations market their new shiny consoles in the same, cold way that BMW or Audi market their vehicles.

Modern games, for the most part have lost their innocence and as far as I'm concerned the gaming industry was in trouble ever since the day when you could read reviews of the newest games in a copy of 'FHM' or 'Loaded' whilst waiting in line for a hair cut down your local barbers.

Xbox and PS2 are trying far to hard to fit in with todays lad culture and I think that is a shame.

[tokyochojin]

I'm still quite happy with my Dreamcast and see no reason to jump to the 'next generation' as yet. It's just all about asthetics and games on the DC still look sweet enough to me!