Is this the End Of Consoles?

Question

I just read an interesting article over at BusinessWeek Online. It's entitled Handhelds Mon Amour and talks about the fact that in Japan, handheld gaming systems like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP are selling more than consoles like the XBOX360 It goes on to question how well the PlayStation 3 and Wii might do when they launch.

What do you all think about this? Are you still excited about consoles, or are handhelds the only gaming systems for you? Personally, I don't have time to play games in front of my TV at home. That would cut into the time I spend watching.
Yes, it's sad... Seriously, I bought an XBox a year or two ago and never play the thing.
What Do You think on the subject and how do you play the majority of your games??

Answer 1

actually in respose to what vanessa said, handheld systems do in fact offer online gaming compatibility. I'm not so sure about psp, but DS has alot of new games with wi-fi
and some with voice chat as well, including mario kart DS, Tetris DS, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Tony Hawk's American Sk8land and more. The main reason weve seen so much increase in the purchases of hand helds is because they are the latest thing since the last wave of consoles. Nintendo has created GBA SP, DS, Gameboy Micro, And DS Lite since GCN and Sony has had PSP since then. If you are a gaming company, you want to create games for the latest and greatest systems, with the most functionability, such as the PSPs surprisingly good graphics for a hand held or DS's Duel Screens, Touch Screen, and Microphone. I believe as long as people still buy consoles (which they will) companies will continue making them. I know I still play my GCN and XBOX. Oh and also, handhelds also tend to sell better to kids. parents buy the hand helds because they are cheaper and each child can have his/her own system and games. Also, hand helds offer more kid friendly and mind stimulating games. For example in Nintendo Power March, July, April, top sellers for GBA consited of Disney Princess, Ice Age 2 The Meltdown, And Dora the Explorer. My point is that the reason handhelds sell so many is because 1) they are usually cheaper 2) game companies have been making more games for them 3) you need one for each person playing instead of just one console for the entire family and 4) average teenage/adult gamers play them as well as kids, who arn't as much into console systems.

Answer 2

Since Americans are always on the go I can see how handhelds are going to probably have the same effect here. But I personaly hate the damn things. I LOVE my regular systems and play my Ps2 and N64 like there is no tomorrow and I have to beat everything in site. I don't watch T.V. all too often because I'm usually playing games.

But seriously, I feel that all the bigger and better games are on the normal consoles which may be the deciding factor. Even though the handhelds may be quickly gaining popularity, there hasn't been a game that has gained as much attention as some of the games on the regular consoles. I mean is there a Zelda equivilant or a Tomb Raider, or a Final fantasy. There may be version of these games but they aren't as popular and I really think that may be the reason the consoles still have a chance!!

I'll fight for them to the end!!

Answer 3

You cant beat playing a game on a decent sized tv. I have a ps2 and a 360. I bought a psp some months ago and barely use it. As has been said already, the 360 never sold well in Japan. Probably because sony is japanese. Some people enjoy the handhelds but I could never see myself playing Resident evil or Black on a handheld.

Answer 4

I would rather Prefer the PS2 and xbox360 cause the Graphics are amazing and the Games are far better than the Handhelds. Even Sayin that i still like the handhelds, there good when ur out and about. I have a DS myself but i hardly play it, I play the PS2 more.

Answer 5

Next generation in hand held consoles is here, look at the psp & DS, people love them, want to buy them, need to own them.
Graphics and gameplay at a level never before seen in a hand held gaming system.

The problem with the 'next generation' tv based console is there is only one on sale, the 360 - not much choice.

Perhaps with the release of the ps3, sales will pick back up again for this market. As people decide to upgrade.

Answer 6

I think the games consoles will continue to thrive for the teenagers. Handheld consoles are obviously the choice for anyone over the age of 16 but the tremednous buying power of teenagers (or should I say teenager's parents) will ensure that console units stay with us for quite sometime!

Answer 7

No I don't think it's the end as you can't hook up with other people and play on line with hand held systems, can you?
I play on the 360 and love it graphics are miles better than any of the old consoles and it looks fantastic on my hd tele and sounds great with a cinema kit. I also like playing on line and chatting to people all over the world.
I think people just buy whatever they like, it's just one of those things every one has different tastes with every thing.

Answer 8

The Xbox never did well on the Japanese market, even the Gamecube managed to outsell the 360 during it's initial release. The games just don't impress much in my opinion so I'm not surprised.

Answer 9

The japanese audience were never fans of the Xbox, thats why it never sold well over there. The Playstation and Wii on the other hand....

Answer 10

Can't beat a 50" screen with full surround sound and HD quality images with a hand-held game.

Not gonna happen.