PlayStation: It Has Always Been About The Games
You know, back in 1995, I didn't wake up and suddenly say to myself, "I pledge now to have the largest collection of PlayStation games during each generation from here on out." Hell, I had only just seen the first PlayStation at a friend's house, and I was immensely skeptical that it could survive against the Nintendo and Sega goliaths. And yet, here we sit, nearly 15 years later, and once again, it has become abundantly clear that my PS3 collection will outstrip that of my Xbox 360 collection.
I've been a multi-console owner for as long as I can remember - probably since the NES; was there another console out at the time? - and I've gone through my phases. There was the ol' IBM Tandy phase (anybody who says anything against Hero's Quest and Earl Weaver's Baseball gets smacked), the GameBoy phase, the SNES vs. Genesis phase (which system do I play today?), etc. But for the past three generations, almost always without my even recognizing it, the number of games I racked up for the PlayStation console has always exceeded that of other machines. At no time did I say, "I want a PS game today;" I've always only cared about the game itself. If it's something I want to play, I really don't care what I have to play it on, and of course, I want the best of the best like any avid gamer. So how can it be possible that for three generations in a row, one manufacturer has provided me with more hours of entertainment than any other?
I was a huge RPG fanatic during the PS1 days so it's no surprise I should prefer that over the N64, which I absolutely detested. After the glory of the SNES, I considered the N64 to be an absolute abomination and the GameCube wasn't much better, although I did like the Xbox. I had that, but the PS2 vastly topped the Xbox's library and it's why I currently have 60+ PS2 games and about 8 Xbox games. I did once have about 18 but I got rid of many when I traded up to the 360. And when this generation began, PlayStation was a year behind so by mid-2007, I had 6 360 games and 3 PS3 games. Now? 28 for the PS3 and 9 for the Xbox 360. I don't own the Wii because I play video games, and let's just leave it at that. But even with the year head-start, everything seems to have stalled on the 360 side, and trust me, it has nothing to do with altering personal preferences. I still just want to play awesome games, and I still know that some PS3 ports aren't what they should be (Bayonetta, for one).
And yet, it doesn't seem to matter. I'm not a tech geek and I don't have a Facebook page and I don't have a cell phone that can make me a sandwich. Therefore, I've never cared about all the other little features on the new systems, although I do appreciate the PSN a great deal. All I care about are the interactive experiences and for the past 15 years, I've never had to dust off a PlayStation console. Not once. I keep having to do that with other consoles, and I think this proves that despite Sony's constant drive to make the PS3 into an entire home entertainment machine, it's still all about the games. If it wasn't, things would be different for me. That's all I'm saying.
12/9/2009 9:27:14 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (79 posts)
huh1678
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:06:23 PM
Reply
Last edited by huh1678 on 12/9/2009 10:17:20 PM
JSHidaka
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:22:02 PM
Im a Really fan of Zelda... But well I have a friend w/ a wii... I just can get it from him since He almost or dont play it at all if a new Zelda For wii release..
SnipeySnake
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:03:11 PM
johnld
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 3:56:27 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:09:43 PM
Reply
PS3
Xbox1 (modded for Nes, Snes, Master system, Genesis, N64 emulation)
Dreamcast x2
PS2.
Wish I never sold my Jaguar ;)
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 12/9/2009 10:10:46 PM
Highlander
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:10:22 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:33:54 PM
Scarecrow
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:57:38 PM
Dustinwp
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 9:08:48 AM
Last edited by Dustinwp on 12/10/2009 9:11:31 AM
Highlander
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 10:45:55 AM
CH1N00K
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 2:48:23 PM
Just to be on the safe side though I did go out and pick up a slim as well. Nice system, but there's a few glitches about it that I don't like it as much as the bigger systems.
Last edited by CH1N00K on 12/10/2009 2:49:14 PM
johnld
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 4:04:02 PM
therabbitkinge
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:11:26 PM
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I don't really have a history of multiple console owning because of financial strain but when I had to empty my wallet better believe playstation got the attention.
Overtime im glad to admit there was always maybe one or two games I was displeased appeared only on other consoles but the playstation always had enough to keep me content ^_^
Here's to sony may its track record keep on the rise ^_^
ffyfe7
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:13:25 PM
Reply
ps: if you read all this, have a cookie
Superman915
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:45:43 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 12:53:27 AM
Superman915
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:16:17 PM
Reply
JSHidaka
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:22:50 PM
Scarecrow
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:36:04 PM
Reply
To shift away from Nintendo in the mid 1990s wasn't easy.
Mario is an icon, better than any Halo crap or Gears. To have passed on the chance to enjoy the Mario games on the N64 was huge for many gamers of that generation
That's how good ps1 was. So good that it was able to surpass Nintendo. Mind you, Nintendo was a big powerhouse for games. But Sony pushed gaming farther than Nintendo with the ps1. They made a culture of experimentation.
You see stuff like Parappa the Rapper, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, Cool Boarders, Twisted Metal, etc.
Their first and second party games lead the way with SO MUCH VARIETY (something that's still true to this day)
It's not variety in one genre, it's variety in ALL genres. Street Fighter Alpha! Final Fantasy IX! Syphon Filter....Ape Escape!
Yup, the only company which could ever dream to match that is Nintendo (they've still got the potential, just not the console)
I'd love Nintendo to come back some day. They can really give Sony a run for their money. Not to mention that it would be fun to see them go up against Sony again.
Highlander
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:19:43 PM
Superman915
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:28:43 PM
jaybiv
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:55:16 PM
Scarecrow
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:59:21 PM
Highlander
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:06:31 PM
Reply
Last edited by Highlander on 12/9/2009 11:08:44 PM
___________
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:14:35 PM
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i thought that was the whole point in buying a games console.
thats why i always get upset when sony are wasting time and money releasing other completley unnecessary features.
if i wanted facebook, twitter, or netflix theres this wonderful ground breaking device called a computer.
i did not buy a PS3 so it can do things my 2 laptops and 1 desktop can do.
especially when theres a million and one things they need to fix that are much much much more important than facebook or netflix.
when are they going to fix the trophy and controller syncing issues?
Highlander
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:17:24 PM
Banky A
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:28:49 PM
WolfCrimson
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 5:25:08 AM
___________
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 6:55:49 AM
Highlander
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 10:48:18 AM
Alienange
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:01:10 PM
Hezzron
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 11:59:18 PM
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You know those fond memories of the NES and SNES? The Wii is creating those now for a new generation. There ARE a number of quality games on there that are good at what they do for kids, and the young at heart.
When you're a kid, you like Saturday morning cartoons. As you get older, your tastes in TV watching mature to more adult programming. "Mature programming" took over the video gaming world. The Wii finally supplied some "cartoons" again, and the result speaks for itself.
Last edited by Hezzron on 12/10/2009 12:05:11 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 12:55:45 AM
The Wii now is like playing the Atari when you had the SNES. I give Nintendo all the props in the world for creating such a massive cash cow, but I still say the Wii needs to be placed in the electronics/cell phone section at the store.
Hezzron
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:56:41 AM
The old NES and SNES had much more simple controllers too. You could count the buttons on one hand. Today's controllers are intimidating to those that haven't progressed along with them from the start.
The Wii obviously filled a vacuum like void.
Alienange
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:05:18 PM
Fane1024
Friday, December 11, 2009 @ 5:41:13 PM
So, by the same logic, the PSP and DS aren't gaming systems because they're lower-tech than the consoles.
I'm no apologist for the Wii (don't own one). I never saw the appeal of motion controls and I'm not happy with the quality of most Wii games and the implications for the industry, but it's still a gaming console.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 12/11/2009 5:44:39 PM
MyWorstNightmar
Saturday, December 12, 2009 @ 12:11:29 AM
BikerSaint
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:53:26 AM
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Out of my 13 systems, I always wind up giving my Playstation's the most love.
In fact, Playstation is part of the family now too, there's.....
Grand Ole Dad = 60GB PS3
Big Mamma = (fattie PS2
Aunt Twiggy = (Slim)PS2
Uncle Ralph = PS
And my rainbow coalition of kids.....
J.J.Dyn-O-Mite=PSP 2000 (Black)
Coach =PSP 2000(Madden09,Metallic Blue)
Darth Vader= PSP 2000(Star Wars,White)
Bender PSP 3000 (Metallic "Robot" Silver)
But it's also good once in a while t ogo & show some love towards all my in-laws too....
Genesis
Panasonic 3DO
Atari Jaguar
N64
Saturn
Dreamcast
Gamecube
Xbox
360
Dancemachine55
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 3:21:59 AM
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Mega Drive (Genesis) - 14 games
Playstation - 32 games
PS2 - 42 games
PS3 - 34 games and climbing
360 - 10 games and currently stalled
Wii - 10 games and currently stalled
Honestly, does Wii or 360 have anything good lined up for the first half of 2010? I haven't seen anything! Halo Reach is a ways off, so is Gears 3. Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Other M and Zelda aren't coming any time soon either.
Wait!! Wait... Alan Wake and Splinter Cell Conviction, but those are PC too so they don't count as 360 exclusives.
Is it just me or has MS just given up and put all their efforts into Natal? Are they ignoring their fellow gamers? I feel like Sony are the only ones doing something for 2010, the others have seemed to have given up.
Snaaaake
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 3:50:50 AM
Natal is a double edged sword though, if it's succesful then Sony will have a hard time.
But on the other hand, they're neglecting games for Natal which I find very stupid, Microsoft doesn't give a damn about us gamers.
BigBoss4ever
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 4:22:33 AM
Reply
noshownogo
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 5:07:04 AM
Reply
Lotusflow3r
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 6:27:33 AM
Snaaaake
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 7:37:33 AM
Scarecrow
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:09:29 PM
outcelgeist
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 7:46:16 AM
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PS3 - 22
PSP - 14
PS2 - 36
PS1 - 61
360 - Dead Rising and Mass Effect.
XBOX - 7
Wii - 5
GameCube - 9
Dreamcast - 12
N64 - 4
GBA - 20
I still have a ton of old Genesis, SNES, and NES games hanging around but Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, Mega Man Anniversary Collection, and the Virtual Console has pretty much rendered them useless. If Earthbound, Flashback, Out of this World, Super Mario World 2, and Ultimate Qix ever make it to VC I can probably sell all my old systems and games... I'll also only get a DS if they ever get VC functionality on it.
So yeah, I've supported Sony since X-Mas '95.
Snaaaake
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 8:07:17 AM
Orvisman
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 9:51:44 AM
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For these past three gens I have not only bought, and continue to buy, the exclusives for the PS consoles but also the multiplats too. I only buy exclusives for the other systems.
As for numbers, lets leave it at this, we're talking hundreds of games for most of my systems because I don't sell games.
Jawknee
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 10:00:35 AM
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My PS2 collection grew quite large and stayed big. My PS3 collection is doing the same. I have 8 Wii games, and had 2 PS3 games and never visited the PSN store. Now, I still have 8 Wii games and now have 20 PS3 titles and am always checking PSN for updates. Amazing how fast it's grown In such a short time. The momentum started I think, with MGS4. Just seems like ever since that games release the ball been rolling. Occasionally, I'll walk the Xbox aisle and I never see anything interesting that's no available on the PS3. Just a bunch of Halo and Gears. With the value being much better with the PS3 in terms of games and hardware, there's no reason to buy and Xbox anymore.
Last edited by Jawknee on 12/10/2009 10:14:34 AM
Alienange
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:06:33 PM
Lex Luthor
Sunday, December 20, 2009 @ 4:59:48 PM
Mysterio Spyder
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 10:47:19 AM
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I'm 27 years old, the first PlayStation console I ever bought was the PS3. I've been gaming since '87. I've owned every console from Sega, Nintendo, and eventualy Xbox, I never gave any PlayStation consoles a chance because of thier history of poor reliability compared to anything Sega or Nintendo released.
During the PS1 days, I was BIG into Capcom's fighters, the PS1 couldn't scratch what the Sega Saturn could do with Capcom's fighters. Also being a huge fan of Sega's games, the Saturn having to me the greatest controller (US second model not first) for Capcom's Fighters, I chose Saturn over PS1.
I chose the Dreamcast instead of PS2, following my tradition of purchasing Sega consoles first, then Nintendo's system later. PS2's where faulty like early PS1's, so I stayed away from them. Once Dreamcast was killed off, it was Gamecube (don't like the controller) Xbox and PS2. I chose the Xbox, then later bought the Gamecube. I enjoyed gaming on Xbox Live with friends so much (wasn't impressed with Gamecube) naturally I went with the Xbox 360. WHAT A F-ING MISTAKE.
I've heard all the stories of people bitching thier PS1's or PS2' where garbage because they didn't work, but 360 holds the title for complaints. Never in my life have I EVER had to replace ANY console I've owned, EVER. I went through 4 360's in 3 years time, all my other consoles where bought once, ONCE.
Because of MS's poorly designed Xbox 360, I switched over to PS3. This black beauty does everything I used my 360 for PLUS more. Because of the PS3 I decided to play some PS1 games that I missed out on back in the day and now I wish I eventually bought a PS1 when they fixed the problems. I eventually bought a PS2 slim to play God Of War 1 and 2.
I missed out on ALOT of kick ass games that where only on the PlayStation brand. I still own every console from Sega and Nintendo (Sega still being my king of video games) and all 4 consoles from the PlayStation family has joined them.
Thank you Microsoft for rushing your 360, thank you for spending so little time in designing the insides, thank you for saying F-it about the KNOWN problems of the 360 BEFORE launch. Because of you, I have welcomed the PlayStation family into my home.
My daughters prefer the PS2 over the Gamecube and Wii, I no longer own the original Xbox either.
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 12/10/2009 10:48:48 AM
Highlander
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 10:53:52 AM
Actually, despite the dislike for the 360 and so-called Xbots around here, people do need to stop and recognize Microsoft has made some contributions to the industry, despite their current, very negative, effect on it.
Microsoft forced Sony to move more quickly on their networking (even on the PS2 games), they forced Sony to create the PSN as a response to the whole XBL, the Xbox series of consoles have brought many PC only developers to console games, and without the competition from Microsoft, I doubt that the PS3 would have been the world beater that it is. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, bu producing such incredibly shoddy hardware with the Xbox 360, Microsoft allowed Sony to once again be seen as a producer of high quality Consumer Electronics - including game consoles, and handed BluRay the HD home video market on a platter.
So, high praise to Microsoft for these things, and a major kick to the crotch for the market distorting game exclusivity contracts, and a second kick for allowing Valve to be created....
;)
Mysterio Spyder
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:12:41 AM
I did enjoy Live when I had xbox, couldn't stand all the Wii graduates in the Live community, but all the features it had was nice. The greatest thing I think MS came up with was the Xbox guide button, I'm glad Sony has thier version of it.
I don't know what PSN was like during PS3 early days because I didn't get onto PS3 till around a year ago, but I heard it was crap so what you said about MS making Sony move more quickly on thier networking was a good point. PSN for me is almost perfect, only thing missing is PRIVATE CHAT, or some way to chat WITHOUT having to be in a game room, or a white walled chat room :)
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 12/10/2009 11:14:05 AM
Highlander
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:24:45 AM
I remember back when E3 2005 happened, everyone was anxiously awaiting news of the new generation of consoles. Microsoft decided to take a bold leap and announced that they'd be ready in a few months, Sony on the other hand was silent and just waving around their prototype and talking up their technology. It seemed obvious to me that MS were rushing the 360 to market just to beat Sony. I said (elsewhere) at the time that MS was rushing it. In fact they did several remarkable things after that E3 and before they launched. They dropped the standard HDD and created a second SKU so they could have a cheaper unit, and they actually rushed games to market so they'd have something at launch. We now know that they cut corners and rushed the hardware when it was still at a very immature stage of manufacture and testing.
When it became clear that Sony was not yet ready for market, it was just so obvious that Sony had made MS jump too quickly. Sony played MS very well on that one.
Last edited by Highlander on 12/10/2009 11:25:57 AM
bridgera
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:32:23 AM
I got a used PS1 that was in pretty poor condition when I bought it for $30. It did pretty well and made it from 1997-2001 when it finally died and wound up in the trash.
The PS2's however were a bit different IMO. Every last person I've met that complained about the PS2 has complained about disc read errors. To which my response is "did you clean the lense?" "no" has ALWAYS been the response I've gotten.
Every last person that I've ran into that I've told to get a lense cleaner now has a working PS2 again.
Many DVD/CD readers from that time period REALLY needed cleaning. It wasn't just a PS2 issue. Now of course there are some PS2's that had other errors, but lense cleaning was a very common and easily fixable issue.
I think some people unfairly gave the PS2 a bad rap for a fixable issue that was so big that it plagued a lot of electronic devices.
bridgera
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:35:30 AM
Now if only the 360 could have not of had massive RROD and disc scratching issues, it wouldn't have gotten a lot of the hate that it has, and it would actually have been a respectible product.
Also I hate MS paying off ppl for timed exclusives.
Mysterio Spyder
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:56:32 AM
actually MS making Sony improve PSN is what Highlander said, so that credit goes to him.
Like I said I chose Saturn over PS1 because I have always been a fan of Sega. I remember alot of my friends saying how they had to play thier PS1's on it's sides or upside down so it would work, so I didn't purchase a PS2 for fear it wouldn't last, in which from what I always heard, PS2's were faulty, early PS2's anyways.
I chose xbox and never had a problem with it and Live was fun so I chose 360 the next gen. Now, since 360 gave me headaches I'll be VEEEERY skeptical on MS's next console.
I've PERSONALLY havent experienced ANY reliability issues with my PS1 (purchased used) PS2 slim (not even a year old yet so it SHOULDN'T have issues), PSP (purchased used and you can tell it was dropped), or my PS3, besides sync issues.
Scarecrow
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:14:08 PM
Jawknee
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 2:50:09 PM
BikerSaint
Saturday, December 12, 2009 @ 12:53:40 AM
I've heard a few problem with the early PS1's & PS2's but I've never had a problem with either of mine
And I bought both my PS1, & PS2 used from GS (so they were probably manhandled by kids).
And to this very day, both of them are still kicking butt & taking names. So far, I've got 535 PS1 games and 225 PS2 games in my ever growing collection.
BTW, just about 5 months ago I also bought my first PS3 used, a 60 gigger for $565 total($440,$80 1-year warranty,& $40 tax).
But last month GS had to replace it cause the disc drive was starting to make loud horrible grinding noises when taking a disc in & then it wouldn't even acknowledge that I put any disc in 1/2 the time.
GS did replaced it free but that also ends their warranty, so I had to pay another $50 for another warranty on the 2nd machine(so if I think about it, that actually make the price of the first one $610, but believe me,it was still well worth it to me, as I've already accumulated 56 games for it in those short 5 months.
Anyway, I'm happy to report that the replacement is doing just fine now(knock on wood).
bridgera
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:21:21 AM
Reply
Mega Man 7 for example screamed of less control and more childish graphics than Mega Man 6. In Mario World 2, Mario was a baby, which just seemed weird to me.
When the N64 hit, Nintendo gave Mario a high pitched voice that seemed childish. Nintendo also no longer carried the Mega Man X and Final Fantasy games, those games were ultimately why I got a PS instead of an N64.
Since then, it seems to me that Nintendo has seemed to cater more towards children, and Playstation contained far more mature content and a wide library of better games.
Mysterio Spyder
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:45:59 AM
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Ben, please please please tell me you're joking, or am I missunderstanding this? You don't remember the Sega Master System? I know I know, here in the states it couldn't touch the NES but it still had some fun games.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 12:18:06 PM
Mysterio Spyder
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 12:31:13 PM
Alienange
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 1:12:17 PM
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I never did get to part 5... I think I played the demo and it turned me off. That, and I didn't want to support Sierra's last leg.
DGo8
Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 2:56:05 PM
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And for me its always been games... i never once have been tempted to buy an XBOX or any other console...Im starting to think about getting a PSP...but...theres new one coming next year..so i may wait..or get a used one cheap

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rogers71
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009 @ 10:00:34 PM