Now that I have your attention, I'd like to know what you guys think about consoles. I'm not talking about "the Amiga is better than the Apple Lisa!!!", I'm looking for general opinions (that is, "all consoles have this problem: xyz").

I finally decided to look what the PS Vita was all about and it looks like a great concept... online store for indie games, cheaper games overall, and the console itself is cheap. Well, that's pretty much what any new console needs. It also supports PSP games (backwards compatibility! That means eventually they'll all be reedited)!

But then it hit me: it's going to take a full year to have a decent catalogue on the Vita, and by then the price will have dropped a bit (or we'll have the Vita 2). That's what happens to any console, really.

So what's your take on this? Do you think consoles should be banned and we should all stick to our PCs? And if you could have your own console on the market, what would it be like software-wise?

Edit: I never said I wanted consoles banned. See for yourself: I only asked if you, reader, thought consoles should be banned. I also asked "What's your take on consoles?", if you want to discuss anything please discuss that :)

12 years ago*

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Consoles are great and all, but I'll stick with the PC.

5 reasons why I stick with the PC:

  • Better specs than consoles on the average
  • Keyboard and mouse are easier to use on some games compared to consoles
  • PCs are upgradable, consoles are generally not
  • PCs are more value for money compared to consoles
  • Versatility in what to use it for

5 reasons to not get PCs:

  • Viruses and such
  • Incompatibility(You'll know what I mean if you have some old games)
  • Crashes
  • Needing to replace hardware(Especially the HDD)
  • Shitty console ports

5 reasons to get consoles:

  • Exclusive games(FF series for example)
  • Lifespan is longer compared to PCs in general
  • All the hardware meant for it will work without the need to install drivers(Plug And Play)
  • Can run the games without needing installation(This is one of the reasons why consoles have survived)
  • Some games are better off for consoles(Due to reasons like controls that need gamepads)

5 reasons not to get consoles:

  • Once the lifetime of a console ends, it's as good as dead
  • If there's any defects in the unit, you have to send the whole thing for repairs
  • Lack of versatility(That means that if it's only made for so and so, you can only use it for so and so)
  • Pricier stuff generally
  • The gamepad for it spoils quite easily(Using my Xbox 360 as an example, it's 2 controllers and a plug and play kit became slightly broken about 2 years of moderate usage on the average)

The reasons I stated is to be fair to both sides, feel free to correct me if I said anything wrong.

12 years ago
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I agree. I prefer PC but i keep the consoles for exclusives

12 years ago
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And apparently I can't do the bullets. The instructions in formatting faq is not clear enough.

12 years ago
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I converted to pc back when unreal tournament 99 got me hooked, only use consoles now for fighting games. I'd go back to playstation only cause it still has the best selection of rpgs and strategy both ps2 and ps3 a bit.

12 years ago
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I own a Wii just for Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda.

12 years ago
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I use them all. I prefer my PC but I use consoles for exclusives like Bayonetta for example

12 years ago
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TL, DR.

12 years ago
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After a quick search on Google, I learned you'd read 200 to 250 words per minute (that's the average).

There's 218 words in my post.

That means it would take you about a minute flat to read my post. You really don't have time to do that?

12 years ago
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I am mainly a pc gamer but noting the state of gaming most of the time all i seem to buy is shoddy ports or games that are just plain buggy! It's really annoying especially from companies that should know better.

12 years ago
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I have both ps3 and 360. But I almost never play on any of them.

The only games I play on consoles are some exclusives and some racing games, since its way more fun with a huge screen and a wheel.
But I kinda dislike the controller's and the unprecise movement/aiming from them, and the aging graphics. WTB anti-aliasing.

12 years ago
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Beer first.

Then opinions.

12 years ago
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...Beer, you say?

Mine's pretty simple. I love my computer for gaming, but it's not always easy to keep updated on the newest graphics, hardware, specs, etc.; especially since I travel a lot, thus forcing me to prefer laptops to the easier-optimized desktop. But I'd never cast aside PC gaming because of the vast array of games available - there are things you can do with games on the computer that you just can't manage with consoles (at least, not yet). For instance, my most recent "PC or console?" decision was the purchase of Skyrim for my computer in lieu of the Playstation 3, because modding the hell out of Elder Scrolls games is honestly a favorite pastime. I'd be denied that on my Playstation.

On the other hand, my primary love of consoles include two aspects that are rapidly going out of style. First: when I'm on a gaming binge, I don't have to be connected to anything. I can hole up in my room, dim the lights, and proceed to wreak havoc through Ferelden or take the mantle of Mr. Bond without being bothered by IMs popping up or downloadable content notifications. Second: at the completely opposite end of the scale, I love pooling controllers and having friends over for a local brawl. The multiplayer trend that's overrun console games recently is a sad second-place to the trash-talking, nudging, jibes and metagaming that happens when all involved parties are face-to-face (see: opting for MvC3 and Rayman Origins on console).

Then AGAIN, I'm also a fiend for MMOs and, once I get them, look forward to playing Trapped Dead, Shoot Many Robots, and Dungeon Defenders with buds - all online. So I guess I'm just in it for the gaming, and platform be damned.

12 years ago
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Well I play Xbox and PC gaming, both a LOT. So I'm an equal gamer.

12 years ago
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I am a fan of most older consoles, also like the wii and Ds mainly because they offer something different(Not gonna see Mario Galaxy, Donkey Kong Returns, Metroid, Kirby, etc.. on PC), most if not 99% of the games I like on 360/ps3 seem to come to PC at lower cost(Well eventually thanks to Steam, GG, Gog, etc...).

I love my Snes still, god that was a great system.

12 years ago
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The universal problem I see with consoles is that mouse + keyboard is infinitely superior to all other control methods for fps. I also like pcs because steam et al. have made it incredibly easy to get great games for cheap as dirt. (especially considering I don't play all the new games as they come out)

The one thing that consoles have going for them is the social aspect, playing games with friends who are in the same room is so much more interesting than playing with random strangers online (or even friends on line, IMO). Consoles make this considerably easier to do than pcs, unless the game developer is dumb enough to not include a split-screen (or other offline multiplayer) mode.

12 years ago
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Yeah I usually wait till stuff drops in price, yeah the social thing is a big reason I have a wii.

12 years ago
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As a guy who has various generations of consoles, I can safely say new-gen consoles are removing the "play with one couch" aspect. There's a lot of games that don't have local multiplayer, but only online... what?

It sucks, but it's logical: your customers have to buy a console and a game each. No sharing allowed.

12 years ago
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I have a couple of games on that Blasted Xbox 360 that uses "System-Link", that's some stupid idea. First, I would need two consoles, Next, I would need two copies of the game. Third, I would need the link cable to link the consoles. Last but not least, I would need two screens for both consoles. That's just dumb.

12 years ago
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And I agree that more console games are getting the "online" treatment. That means needing to have Internet access and Xbox Live gold if you are using the Xbox 360.

12 years ago
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Consoles should be:

  1. The PS3 with slightly better hardware and a more advanced operating system (that is still optimized for games)
    or

  2. Small, cheap and made for indie games.

12 years ago
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Closed 12 years ago by DereckShiller.