OK now there is somethign i didnt know, that being the part about how Xbox 360, although HD ready, doesn't allow for HD-DVD's to be played directly.

The comment was made about how the majority of the game lineup for the next generation of sony are remakes or next chapters in games although for the most part is correct, is also a main reason that excites me to get one asap. Playing games like the new MSG really has me wanting the system and the game right now. Like mentioned, the games is what makes the system, not the total number of systems sold.

Granted I too would like to see new games in the new generation, but what excites me the most is picking up familiarity and seeing it in its new formal wear. It makes the blood flow and the hairs stand on end.

Harry, and everyone else with more knowledge on this subject too, but I have read about (although didn't dig into it) that a large number of Xbox launch consoles have been failing. Is there any figures out there on the number of returned or exchanged or fixed machines? I only checked out a couple forums where it appeared that about 1 in 4 had to get their systems replaced.

"Many people to this day have functioning launch consoles. Then there's those that've had it replaced once. And those with lock-ups but not-quite-dead-yets. They you have guys like me, who are on thier fourth box."

I got this quote from an xbox website forum HERE

Now it would be interesting to see those numbers and compair it to the number of failing or failed PS3 machines over the same time period. Again, this is not bashing Microsoft, every console will have its hiccups at launch and every system has had its issues over time, but just an interesting tid bit.

Look we all know and understand that the delay sucks. There is not better word for it. But to down play what the system will offer simply cause its a few months later is not fair. Without the 360 release this delay wouldnt nearly be as publizied. The facts are that people want the PS3, and just can't wait for it. Those that want it will get it, those that don't want it, will complain about and those that don't care, will watch Simpsons Season 8 on DVD.

Just a reminder for the Europeans..

Silent Hill 3, you guys got it first/ ICO you got the best version..on a DVD-rom.

oh almsot forgot,

doesn't matter to me. I'm never going to be an early adopter ever again, I'll wait a year when they start manufacturing quality hardware.

You're kidding...Europe got the DVD-rom version of ICO? Oh man, I wish the US got the DVD version...I can no longer play ICO because my stupid PS2 can't read the blue discs anymore. :(

Agreed, and how about US and Japan being the same region-code? Makes importing cool fighting games that much easier. Oh wait we share region codes with Africa, I'll just import from there :S
Or was that just a rumour?

yep, same exact situation here.(launch day ps2 FTL)I went to buy ICO about 2 months back, and didn't even bother checking to see if it was a dvd/cd-rom. Unitl I got in the car and looked at the back of the case. :disgust:

Meryl, Infernal - have you tried re-aligning the laser?

If yiou have some friend good with these things, try https://arstechnica.com/articles/paed...ware/ps2.ars/1. It's actually easy enough to do it yourself, but I really won't try it unless you are a bit handy with these things.

ummm didnt i read that the nintendo wii was supposed to be a same day world wide release? I mean I might be wrong and maybe thats their plan, but its been reported today that Nintendo doesn't plan releasing the wii in Europe until March of 2007.

Nothing is offical and the offical Europe release date is supposed to be announced today or tomorrow.

Yeah, I found this site a while back myself but I'm not really so handy with diassembling/re-assembling so I didn't dare risk it. :heh: What's even worse is that I'm on my second PS2 because my first PS2 just died one day (and my warranty was over) and still the same problem arisen.

Just saw it myself too and I don't know what to say. First off, it's too much of a coincidence so it could possibly be a hoax (started from the reaction from Europe on PS3's delay). But, it could not be a hoax and if this really is the case then that is really stepping over the line. Nintendo might lose a big chunk of their fanbase and flood over to the 360, dubbing it "the reliable console" if this news is true.

I strongly doubt the fanbase of the Wii could ever move to the Xbox 360. At best, they could move to Sony, but there is too much difference between fans of Nintendo and fans of Microsoft.

First, Nintendo fanbase is built on a series of the most popular video game franchises of all times, which will obviously remain forever a Nintendo exclusive. Then, the Wii is a completely different console, that has really little to do with either the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3. Finally, the difference in price between the Wii and a decent Xbox 360 package (because you can do little more than nothing with the Core package, that I think will still cost much more than a Wii) is enormous. Among other things, Nintendo announced yersterday that the Wii will retail in Japan for little more than 170 Euro (!!!), and should cost about $250 in North America. Plus, Wii games will cost "just" 50$ (10$ less than Xbox 360 games), and downloadable games from NES, SNES, and N64, which players will be able to download, will cost between $5 and $10 - not bad, considering you have a chance to play some of the best games ever to grace a gaming console.

The official press conference for Europe is to be held tomorrow - in any case, all things considered, I really think Nintendo, with its focus on gaming, will triumph in this generation.

yea, that walk-thru is pretty good. The ps2 is alot friendlier to fix, than the xbox. I spent about a good hour trying to find the correct setting for the laser. Finally just gave up, didn't want to mess it up any furhter than it is. It still plays dvd-roms perfectly, even the double layered like xenosaga ep.1. (well it did, i gave xenosaga away)

Japan is not getting the system until December a short time after the realease in North America on the 19th of November. This seems to be simular to the last major release for nintendo following the same pattern. I could have sworn it was supposed to be a world wide release though. Maybe they learned from the 360's mistakes. Either way, if this is truly the case, it really doesn't make Sony's messup look nearly as bad, if nintendo doesn't do it either.

Believe me Meryl, there are tons of great fighting games that never cross the Japanese border including a lot of the better Darkstalker/Samurai Showdown-titles. The games are mostly the same in set-up and controls, so that ain't a problem(otherwise the online fighting-communities are always happy to help). So for fighting-fans it's quite a big deal.

Nintendo just announced their plans for Europe at their press conference - the Wii will launch in Europe on December 8th, priced at 249 Euro in Europe, £179 in United Kingdom. The package will include Wii sports (a collection of simple Sports games), not included in the package in Japan. It was actually a very smart move from Nintendo, because Wii Sports is a great tool to introduce players to a completely new type of game controller. By the way, additional controllers should cost 39 Euro.

Overall, not bad for Europeans - if it wasn't for the usual unfair 1 $ = 1 Euro conversion. Also, first party titles may cost more than expected: from 49 to 59 Euro.

Well thats not bad, especially after orginal reports. So North America is the 19th, Japan December 2nd and Europe Dec. 8th. Well its not quite a world wide launch as orginal thought but at least Europe is not getting the normal wait period.

Okay December isn't so bad, it's only a month behind the US. But I agree the conversion is really awful - around $300 for Europe and the UK is pretty nuts when you consider a measly $250 for the US along with games that are priced the same as current ones.

I guess I need to check out more Japanese fighting games then. :laugh: I tend to look for action/adventure or puzzle games from Japan which is why I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this genre. :right:

One thing i dislike about the Wii is that Nintendo is basically making people pay for Wii Sports. I'd be glad to pay 200 for just the Wiimote(+nunchuku), and the Wii.