The new consoles have had some time to settle in, find their feet, and start the lengthy process of battling for our cash. It was a far longer wait than we're used to - there are kids playing Xbox 360 games now that were shot out of the womb when it was launched€ and they are already pwning your sorry ass online. A 2005 launch for Microsoft's console, and a year later for the Playstation 3, marked the start of an incredible run in the gaming industry. By comparison, the Sega Dreamcast became irrelevant in a weekend. The Atari Jaguar and 3DO were forgotten before the launch party streamers and balloons had settled. So yes, the 7th generation of gaming consoles has been something of an anomaly. Not only because the console overlords (and the publisher underlings who suckle at their teat) dragged the generation out as long as possible, but also because the gaming public seemed not to mind. Traditionally around the 5 year mark we start to tire, we start fidgeting and whining. This time, we just kept buying. Last year both consoles still sold in big numbers, even though we were sitting on the brink of a new generation. That shows incredible staying power for these formidable machines - even more impressive considering the start that both had. Many would suggest that Sony stumbled badly with the PS3 launch and Microsoft's offering was all too inclined to suddenly turn itself into an expensive grey paperweight. They stood the test of time, and earned a place in almost 200 million gamers' hearts between the two of them. With that legacy behind them, and now that their replacements have sauntered onto the playing field, it almost feels sad to have to bench these two veteran consoles. But does that have to be the case? Not necessarily. Obviously millions of gamers will be chomping at the bit to fill a briefcase with money and throw it at Microsoft or Sony in exchange for one of their fancy new systems, but there is life left in these old dogs yet. So, while we decide which (if any) of the eighth generation consoles will see our cash, let's take a look at a couple of reasons why you needn't rush into it€
Game-obsessed since the moment I could twiddle both thumbs independently. Equally enthralled by all the genres of music that your parents warned you about.
