Have you bought into the hype?

Have you bought into the hype?

OPINION

Where will you be this Friday and Sunday morning when the PS3 and Wii take North America by storm? Is the hype too much to resist?

Ok, I'll admit it - I'm a console owner and lover. It's not that that's a bad thing at all, but there's often been a stigma among PC gamers that console owners are not "real" gamers. I personally love console games because they allow me to stretch out on the couch and I've always thought that they feel a little more like a leisure activity than their PC brethren. Perhaps it's only because I slave away at my PC all day long and continuing to sit there feels like work...

Now don't get me wrong. I love my PC gaming but it just so happens that every four years or so at least one new console arrives on the gaming scene and it's hard not to get caught up in the hype. Have you felt the same way? I suspect that quite a few of you reading this are either planning to camp out late tonight (if you happen to live in North America) or have at least thought about it. As for me, I can't yet justify purchasing another new console when I have lots (and I mean lots) of games to work through on the current generation of games. That doesn't mean I’m not drooling over the idea of having one but it just doesn't make sense and when you sit back and compare the initial cost (console, games and peripherals) as well as the less-than-stellar initial line-up (Zelda on Wii aside). Waiting 12 to 18 months usually yields a better deal on the console and gives you a better idea of which one is most suited to your personal style.

I've had a lot of people ask me how I think the console wars will play out and I've got to say that personally I think that the competition this generation will be far more fierce than we’ve previously seen. The 360 has gotten online gaming right and has some exciting exclusives (Gears of War anyone?), the Wii looks very innovative and fun (perhaps even getting people who have never played before into the gaming mix) and the PS3 is, well, the PS3 and the Sony name itself will draw people in (the Blu-ray player and more powerful specs will also help).

For me, in the end, it comes down to the games themselves and since many of the titles will appear on more than one of the consoles it will really comes down to the exclusive titles. I've never really bought into console-specific "fandom" and have been fortunate enough to have the funds to eventually pick up each of the consoles. If I had to pick up one console this year I'd likely flip a coin between the 360 and the Wii. The PS3 will simply be too hard to come by (without dropping a lot of cash) and the only game that excites me at launch is Resistance: Fall of Man. The Wii is something that everyone in the family could play and would be a fun way to spend Christmas day around a roaring fire. The 360 has some great titles out there now with more on the way and its technology coupled with a lower price-point make it attractive.

So for those of you huddled in blankets in front of your local Future Shop or Best Buy have a great ride – I'll be with you in spirit! Much like lining up for the next Star Wars movie the experience is as much about the "ride" as it is the buying of the item. Just be sure to leave your lightsabers at home so that nobody gets hurt when the store doors do finally swing open!