Osnabrueck

Really, it's not that the Wii is cheap - it isn't. It's the fact that the PS3 costs as much as a modestly equipped PC. Now that the early adopters who couldn't part with their money fast enough are out of the picture the units are starting to collect dust.

Good for Nintendo. I'm really happy that the Wii has struck a chord, not just in America, but also in Japan and Europe. Instead of playing into the console arms race they came up with something that genuinely gaming experience, and if initial reports are correct, they're reaching the untapped demographics they were shooting for.

Because the sheer muscle of the PS3 is so compelling, the sales are bound to pick up. But "hey this is amazing" only gets you so far, when the price point is so stratospheric.

The BluRay format is an albatross around Sony's neck right now. As production picks up Sony will be able to lower the price point, but there's a very finite pace at which they can do this. I wouldn't be surprised if the price point is only reduced by $100 for this year's holiday season.


Artist - you talk about the "full capacity of the systems being tapped." I know this was a serious issue when PS2 was released, but I just don't see it this time around. The PS3 graphics are already astounding, and they'll blow us away 3 years from now. Thing is - there's a level of 3D immersion that's been achieved by all three consoles, and everything else is icing on the cake.

Case in point - I watch some PS3 basketball game and was impressed by the high-def graphics and small details. But overall, I didn't feel as though the enhanced graphics provided a quantum leap to the gaming experience. The guys still looked like computer guys, because they behave like computer guys.

Anyways, the story is only beginning. It remains to be seen weather or not the Wii experience has the staying power to keep our attention. For now, I couldn't be happier that it's got a good start from out the gate.