...And probably what the "big" kids want too. The diary is a little OT, but I thought I would post about something that parents are going to be hearing about, and those of us without any kids will be debating on buying.
In this time of stagnant wages, high energy prices, and dwindling disposable income, are you going to shell out at least $300 for the new Xbox 360, and as much as $700 for games and accesories included? And by the way, the Playstation 3 is coming early next year with a similar price tag. Kids are going to be begging their parents for these systems all through Christmas & next year.
I can't believe it's come to the point that video game systems are this expensive. My parents balked at paying $129 for a Nintendo back in the day. I remember whining in the middle of a Kmart, and my mother telling me that it's either my school clothes or a Nintendo. Of course, I wanted to go with the Nintendo but my mother's vote for school clothes carried the day.
Is your house going to be getting one of these systems?
XBOX 360
If you want to buy this, you'll need $299 for the bare bones package. That'll get you just the Xbox, but not its hard drive & other accessories. Since some games might not work without the hard drive, it'll probably be only a matter of time before you'll have to shell out for it. The games are beautiful though...
EB Games is already selling packages for it with games included for Christmas, but it'll cost you a mortgage payment/month's rent...
...EB Games is offering two bundles, one for gamer's interested in the Core System and one for gamers eyeing the premium package. The Xbox 360 Core Bundle is priced at $599.93, and it includes everything in the standard package, plus an extra wired controller, a 64MB memory unit, and four games: Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Kameo: Elements of Power. Using Microsoft's announced pricing for peripherals and an assumed $59.99 price point for Xbox 360 games, the package unbundled would come to $618.94.
The Xbox 360 Ultimate Bundle weighs in at just under $700. Gamers (or generous parents) willing to shell out $699.92 will get the Xbox 360 "premium" package, plus an extra wireless controller with a Play & Charge Kit, a rechargeable battery back for wireless controllers, and the four games mentioned above.
PLAYSTATION 3
Little is known about the prices of the Playstation 3, but it's expected that it will be similar to the Xbox. Set to be released in Spring 2006, the graphics & processor will be superior to the Xbox...
Sony is now the industry leader with its PS2. The technical superiority of the current Xbox to the Playstation 2 wasn't enough for Microsoft to overcome Sony. Add into this market that Nintendo is coming with its succesor to the Gamecube, called Revolution.
HOWEVER...
I have to say that all of these new systems & the current crop (PS2, Xbox, etc.) lack some of the "charm" of this one...
Even though the Nintendo Entertainment System games are very basic when compared to the curren crop, they had an awe factor that you don't get with today's games. Anybody who had one, had the urge to shoot this damn dog when it would laugh at you...