Who Holds the Better Hand?

With all next gen consoles released worldwide and sales looking good for each, how can we tell who will be the overall winner? Who will play their cards right and take the pot?

Microsoft was first to ante, releasing the Xbox 360 worldwide in 2005. With a basic line-up of mediocre third party titles and a few good first party games, Microsoft took the lead. With a whole year under its belt, Microsoft had sold nearly 10 million consoles by the time Sony and Nintendo entered the picture. They had also built a great library of games including Gears of War, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Saints Row, and Dead Rising.

Nonetheless, even with a year's lead on the competition, it seems as though their original strategy may need some revamping. With the newest announcement of the "Elite" package, people have been speculating that Microsoft is playing catch up, calling Sony's bet by providing HDMI and a 120GB built in hard-drive. Although, who knows, it may have been Microsoft's plan from the get go.

Now with PS3 exclusives going multiplatform such as Devil May Cry 4 and Unreal Tournament 3 and Microsoft keeping their own exclusives like Bioshock, Fable 2, and Halo 3, they look to be holding the strong hand.

However, we can't forget Nintendo.

Nintendo came out strong with it's creative and innovative platform and controller; the Nintendo Wii. With astonishing sales and the "fun for everyone" attitude the Nintendo Wii could be holding the royal flush of consoles, or could it be the biggest bluff ever?

Released only four months ago, Nintendo has done what it took Microsoft almost a whole year to do. The Wii currently stands at over 6.25 million units sold and shows no sign of slowing down. Although, from many analysts opinions, and a few developers...the Nintendo Wii could be just a fad and within a year's time become a dust collector among homes.

Insomniac's Chief Creative Officer Brian Hastings said, "...I think the Wii is really, really fun... The only downside is that the world is easily distracted. Tickle Me Elmo captured the world’s attention at one point, as did Furbies. They were both instantly accessible, were unlike anything people had seen before, and were fun to share with friends. But a year later, after everyone had seen them and tried them out, their popularity waned."

Another problem the Wii faces is providing games that push the limits beyond what gamers are currently enjoying. How long can gamers endure reiterations of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid? Not only that, but when you launch a next gen system, it's not really "next gen" when developers are already having to cut content and downgrade the graphics from their competitor counterparts.

As for now though, it's too early to tell as Nintendo has its poker face on and probably has a card or two up its sleeve.

The war in the gaming industry is just getting started. Sony has pushed all the chips forward and called "all in", ready to go head to head with all contenders.

Since the announcement of PlayStation 3, there has been foul mouthing widespread flaming about the console and its limits when compared to platforms like the Xbox 360. We glady call these folks fanboys. People can't complain when Sony has shown great sales numbers with all launches in North America, Japan, and Europe. Currently Sony stands at over 3 million consoles sold and climbing.

Outside of Blu-ray, the PlayStation 3 has many great things going for it. To list a few: free online play, 1080p gaming, strong PS2 following, HOME, and great list of upcoming exclusives including MGS4, Ratchet & Clank Future, Final Fantasy XIII, Heavenly Sword, and Killzone.

Then again, with a $600 price tag and many great titles going multiplatform, gamers may not find it worth buying. Third party developers (Capcom and Eidos) have even admitted that it's not as profitable to make platform-exclusive games anymore. Next gen development is so expensive that companies are turning to make all games multiplatform and due to the PS3 entering the race so late, this affects Sony more than Microsoft.

But the winnings are not really up to the companies. It's up to the consumer. What consoles, games, and accessories do you find most appealing? All the chips are on the table and it's up to the gamers to decide who they will support.

So, who would you place your bets on?

via psu

Right now I have a 360 and PS3. I am hoping to get a Wii soon. I like the 360 the best. The online support is great and the future seems bright with a lot of great games in development. And of course they have the Halo factor which is huge. The new Elite system sounds great because of the extra HDD and HDMI. I really this the made a mistake not including the HDMI in the first place but who am I to say. Its great marketing by Microsoft to wait till the buzzz about the PS3 and Wii die down and then introduce the Elite. The only problem I have with microsoft is that they are backing HD-DVD. I seem like they only did it because Sony is backing Bluray. From what i have read, Bluray is winning the format war.

I don't really see any good games coming out for the PS3 until fall so Sony seems like they are going to have a real battle on their hands. In the end I have no doubt that the PS3 will do very well. Its just going to take time.

The Wii still seems to be rolling right along. I am still having a hard time finding one in the stores in my area. It has so much appeal that it will do well for Nintendo for years to come. The fact that its affordable and family friendly wll help them sell millions of consoles. Not tomention the steady stream of great first party games like Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and Super Smash Bros to keep us hardcore gamers happy with because I grew up with Zelda and Mario.

All the systems have there pros and cons. If I had to choose one, it would be the 360.

I don't own any of them yet, I have played them! My friend is filthy rich!

I had fun on the Wii, playing Wii sports and Zelda.
The PS3 was Great, Motor storm I think it was that I played gave me a good challenge but Ridge Racer was nothing new, Not worth the money IMO.
Xbox 360, I don't like the controller, to big! The games didn't look as good as I thought a Next Gen console should! And what is with the changeable face plates at the front of the 360? It's a video game console not a mobile phone people! LMAO.

To sum it all up,
Nintendo are doing what they do best, making games FUN!
Sony’s PS3 is in your face with all its power but I'm waiting for the Punch!
Microsoft is ok, but do better with PC's.

The PS3 has what I want in home entertainment , So I will buy that!
End!

I could have bought an xbox at launch and I could have bought a wii at launch.

I waited for the ps3 as my pc blows xbox away - games are cheaper for my pc than xbox ;-)

The wii never floated my boat, i think its to gimmicky (I just made that word up)

The ps3 has all the power and is true next Gen - I got one at launch

Time will tell but i think next year the wii will be in the bargain bin of many stores

I'm hoping SONY cut the price in time for Christmas - the more units in peoples homes the better.