The Six Ways Each “Next-Gen” Console Fails
People sometimes think that I only critique non-Xbox game consoles, but the truth of the matter is that I critique everything I use. Here are six ways that I think each of the current “next-gen” consoles fail. The order goes from most familiar console to least (I don’t own a Wii personally), and from biggest failure to smallest. This is just my take on it, what do you guys think? How would you change them?
Update: I posted a follow-up The Seven Ways Each “Next-Gen” Console Succeeds
Xbox 360
- HD-DVD: It should have come built-in. It would have allowed more room for games, disc-based HD movies, and the format may have actually survived if one of its two biggest backers actually got behind it.
- Better storage options: It should come with a much larger hard drive (especially at launch) and the ability to swap in standard 2.5” SATA drives. It would be really nice if it had the ability to use any standard USB key or SD card for a memory card too. The day of proprietary memory cards really should have ended already.
- Headset: Why aren’t the audio controls built into the controller so that any headset would work? I should be able to mute my wireless headset without taking my hands off the controller.
- Quieter: I know the DVD drive spins fast so that load times are shorter but some sound insulation would be nice. Maybe installing onto the hard drive will help this, but see bullet #2.
- Web Browser: I could understand not having a browser when the console launched, but the time is far overdue for the 360 to get the web. The PS3 and Wii each have it, and it is more useful than I would have guessed.
- D-Pad: For a console with so much classic and arcade content it is ridiculous how bad the D-pad is. I really think that they’d sell more XBLA games if it didn’t feel so wrong to play classics like Street Fighter II with that D-pad. It looks like they may actually fix this soon.
Playstation 3
- Better UI than the XMB: Sony, would it kill you to use some icons with color? After all, it is one of the key ways for people to quickly identify items (see #6). The XMB is about as intuitive a way to tie together hierarchal lists of functions and data as any OS’s file system. Playing music should not use the exact same UI as your friends list.
- Built-in IR “eye”: It may seem petty, but it drives me nuts that every AV device I own is controlled by my slick Harmony universal remote except for the PS3. If it really wants to be the center of my entertainment it needs to work with my existing stuff.
- More memory for textures: The low quality textures so often seen on the PS3 are really the only thing keeping it from surpassing the Xbox 360’s graphics. Low quality textures were the only thing that marred the otherwise amazing graphics of Metal Gear Solid 4 for me.
- Cables: Sony, get with the program and start including component HD and/or HDMI cables in the box. It is so nickel-and-dime to sell a $500 console based on its ability to play HD games without the cables to do it.
- Memory Card Readers: Drop ‘em, they probably cost more than an HDMI cable but almost nobody uses them.
- Real motion sensing: It is either all or nothing for me on this one, so Sony really shouldn’t have even bothered because Sixaxis is thoroughly mediocre. Even PS3 exclusive developers are saying that it is “useless”. It’d probably save Sony some money on making controllers too.
Wii
- Lackluster motion control: FYI, I really don’t enjoy playing the Wii. It isn’t that the concept is bad, I think the concept is great. The motion control is just so terrible though. For proof look no further than the existence of a first-party add-on to fix the motion control.
- Weak GPU and CPU: The graphics and CPU power should have been at least 50% greater than the original Xbox, and it should be able to output video in 720p. I’m not saying it should compete with the PS3/Xbox 360, it just needs to be better than all of the last-gen stuff. Low quality 480p looks pretty bad on those fancy flat-panel TVs. :)
- Friend Codes: Here is a tip Nintendo, look at what Microsoft is doing with Xbox Live and copy it.
- Media support: It is really ridiculous that the Wii doesn’t have legitimate support for playing your pictures, music, and videos. You can do some of it, but it can’t do it over your network so I hope you have a lot of big SD cards. I’m sure that would be a popular feature for their target market.
- Better storage options: It is clear now that the built-in storage on the Wii is lacking and that Nintendo still doesn’t have a fix lined up yet. Why not increase the built-in storage and/or allow memory cards to (actually) expand the console’s usable space.
- Wired Networking: Sometimes you just want the reliability of a wire. The lame duck Wii WiFi also requires a “long preamble” (usually only required for old wireless-B devices) which kills your wireless-G and N performance.
August 27, 2008
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I was just thinking about a web browser for the Xbox 360… I wonder what the hang up is.
I disagree with most of the PS3 “Fails”
1) the memory card Read I use VERY frequently. As a professional photographer I use my LCD TV and my PS3 for my clients (by using memory cards both compact flash and SD) It wows them everytime!
Mem cards I also use for transfering media over all the time until recently I started using TVersity to share my PC files. SO awesome!
2) the PS3 memory has no problems at all. it’s the developers choice whether to properly develop for the PS3.
It’s simple math. Right now I am using a shitty old P4 3 GHz computer (1CORE)
Look at the new CPU’s they are using 4 cores (PS3 is 7!) and the rate is way below 3 Ghz.
People, the larger the number means squat! It was a good/bad choice for Sony to use this technology. A) good because so many companies are sharing the Cell technology. (even Toshiba, at one point against Sony and Bluray)
3) Cables, sure they are expensive to buy at places like Best buy, Future shop. and in FACT IF THEY WERE bundled it would cause the system to cost more because sony needs a third party to provide the cables.
Just go to a local computer store and if its a saturated area with many other PC stores you can get cables like optical and HDMI for dirt cheap. 15 bucks for 2 foot HDMI (csame fidelity)
b) it was a bad choice to use the cell because developers had to invest in new gaming developing techniques. no training was provided to learn how to use the cell.
I do agree with the better or SIMPLER XMB (especially for newer users). There should be a basic user and Advanced user mode.
I personally find the XMB works well and is very easy to navigate (the in-game XMB should only show what you can use with out having to quit in game)
Motion sensing is 50/50 for me. It worked for me with lair, but random use like in Ratchet and clank the puzzles or the grenade aiming in Uncharted, didn’t work well with me.
I love using the Sixaxis to reload in GTA though I hope all games get that choice.
I basically think the author should re-evaluate the PS3 because it is very biased to themselves.
I agree with the 6 Fails of Wii and 360.
Sony fanboy alert. Peter,even the ps3 has some problems. especially the last reason. I agree with most of these though
I dont understand why you say the card readers are worthless for the PS3 yet go on to say the Xbox 360 should allow access USB flash and SD cards. It is kind of contradicting that one should get rid of them and one should make more use of them.
[...] Article here [...]
for the ps3 memory cards, he means the device that sony sells which lets you use your PS2/PS1 MEMORY CARDS on the ps3.
totally useless.
Last point on the Wiis makes no sense, you can have a wired connection and the wirless is perfectly fine no lag at all, how would you know if it’s bad, you said you don’t own one…
Better UI than the XMB:
I half agree. It’s simplicity and speed are it’s strongest points. I agree though, when you want to traverse music, video, and other trees it becomes cumbersome and actually MORE complicated. No search, no smart groups. Sucks for anything deeper than 1 level.
Built-in IR:
Yes. Especially since this is THE blu-ray player of choice, people who have huge entertainment systems like to use a single fancy remote…but Sony makes you use the DualShock or it’s BT Remote (which is quite good). Sony is practically the god of IR remotes and systems…why did they stray?
More memory for textures:
Both having 512MB total memory, the only difference between the PS3 and 360 is that the 360 can divide and use it’s 512MB in whatever way it wants while the PS3 is stuck with a hardware split of 256/256. Textures can only be used in the 256MB for video. They can be swapped between the 2 sections of memory but it is very slow. The 360 makes it very easy to use it’s RAM as it is a fast, unified, central array between the CPU and GPU (no swapping).
Cables:
It’s all about the Benjamins, baby.
Memory Card Readers:
The fact that Sony lets you copy pretty much anything onto any type of storage is huge. Plus you can carry around your game saves when you go to a friend’s house on whatever type of chip you want. It’s very useful and was originally only part of the ‘premium PS3′. It really costs nothing to keep it in the system.
Real motion sensing:
Yeah. Motion sensing. The problem with motion sensing is that the sensors suck and developers make it HARDER to play by forcing users to move in akward ways. Small uses actually make it really fun though, like shaking off a Chimera that’s jumped on you in Resistance. Things where you would probably be shaking the controller out of sheer panic anyway. Makes you look like you meant to do it.
Another quick note:
One failure you failed to note for the 360 is the fact that the 360 actually, and quite literally, FAILS. Me and everyone I know who has/had a 360 has received the Red Ring of Death. Some more than 5 times now. Mine has been under the bed since an unsuccessful, yet whole-hearted, attempt to revive it.
I have to disagree with you on a couple of things for the PS3 Paul -
1. Sixaxxis has huge potential when developed right. If you don’t believe than just try the after touch arrow-shooting and object throwing of Heavenly Sword. That was an incredibly cool feature.
2. There’s no way you can tell me that the 360 has equal to or better graphics than the top tier PS3 games. I have both systems and I have yet to see a game look as amazing as Uncharted or MGS4. PS3 has the fastest GPU in the bizness (550 mhz)and the cell processor and SPU’s will be doing laps around the competition as developers continue to get better at harnassing it’s potential.
Another big failure for the 360 is the lack of a built-in wi-fi. My PS3 is hooked up to my internet via my wireless router but my 360 is not capable, therefore I don’t use Xbox live, but I’m on the playstation network daily.
About the fact that the Wii doesn’t have wired Internet, you can purchase a special adapter from Nintendo or a third party. I know a direct connection would be more favorable but you seem to not know of its existance or at least do not mention it at all.
Wow alot of fanboys…
The ps3 graphics are no betta than the 360 graphics seriously.
I agree with all the 360 and Wii ones
PS3:
Better UI than the XMB: Sony, would it kill you to use some icons with color?
-Download some themes moron, or make your own. Many themes use color.
More memory for textures
-It has the EXACT same amount as 360. Except 256 MB is dedicated, and 256 MB is shared. On 360 all 512 MB are shared. Shared is inferior to dedicated since bandwidth is divided between multiple components, but easier for developers.
Cables: Sony, get with the program and start including component HD and/or HDMI cables in the box.
-Then Sony would have to include a component cable, HDMI cable and DVI adapter just to please everyone. They can’t keep throwing money away. Plus most people who care about this have HD cables from PS2 already
Memory Card Readers: Drop ‘em,
-No, they come in quite handy
Real motion sensing
-That’s what PSeye is for
I agree on adding an infrared sensor. My logitech harmony remote cries
I’m not a fanboy of Nintendo, but I love the Wii for it’s casualness – just the way you can pick up a controller and play a game without too much skill. Although the motion control is a little annoying, I’m still tempted to buy one.
you want wired networking with the wii?
just buy a 5$ usb-to-lan cable-adapter to hook up your wii?
I posted a follow-up today on the seven ways each console succeeds.
Xbox 360: Bullet #6
Yes the Xbox 360 controller’s D-Pad is still just as crappy as the original Xbox controller’s D-Pad. It’s a small thing to bitch about though it’s still an annoyance.
PS3: Bullet #5
Memory Card readers should not be dropped.
Sony Digital Camera’s, Sony Erricson Cellphones and Sony PSP devices use memory cards. I can’t think of a better example of one way that the PS3 works well with existing technology.
Wii: Bullet #1
At E3′08, Nintendo announced their new Wii-mote peripheral that enhances the motion sensing capabilities of the Wii-mote and overall smoothness in controlling a game using the Wii-mote.
I’m sorry, but the 360 d-pad is worse than the Xbox 1’s IMO. It is just barely passable. The only thing that usually makes it ok is that every game uses analog primarily.
As for the memory card readers. I’m saying each system should only include one standardized card format (like the Wii does). Anything else can be done with a USB memory card reader like the 360 does. It is a bit much that Sony includes memory stick, SD card, AND compact flash but doesn’t include a component HD cable. The wholesale cost of the HD cable is probably about the same as the card readers.
As for all of the comments on the Wii MotionPlus, that is the proof that I’m talking about that the controls are terrible. It is so bad that Nintendo (the first-party) made a peripheral to fix it.
your an idiot. 6 reasons why this article fails:
Your a douche
Your an Idiot
You suck balls
You don’t know what you’re talking about
You are a fanboy (Xbot)
You are just a Nazi
^Bugger off.
Good points made.
I always thought that separating the buttons on the D-Pad they way the PS Controller does might solve the problem. It really surprised me though, when I first laid my hands on a 360 controller. I was blown away, it felt like I was holding nothing, like it was custom made for my hands and then I reached for the D-Pad and practically screamed, Have Microsoft no consumer research team!?
I personally like the built in card reader on the PS3, mostly because an external one would mean I could misplace it or something. But overall, concerning media storage, I dig it. Especially for digital cameras or downloading tracks off the net and transferring them to my phone.
I mean, I see where you’re coming from, the PS3’s production costs are fairly steep as it is. I suppose turning the card reader into a peripheral would be smart.
But concerning Nintendo’s motion sensing ‘upgrade’, I’m glad they’ve at least done something about it.
Peter up at the top there doesn’t have his information straight, I’m sure it’s obvious.
No built-in card reader for the PS3. You can plug in a USB one. You can do this with the 360 as well. An HDMI cable, which you can find for $6 at a lot of places online (not in stores) would be a better inclusion if they are pushing Blu-ray and the HD gift of blemishes and facial hair. Ick.
The Cell only has ONE CORE. The SPE’s are not cores, and not capable of what the single core can do. They aren’t self-sufficient, and rely on the single core for quite a bit still. Is it a good design? Probably, but not for the reasons gamers usually think. Anyway, processing isn’t enough; memory is very important, and Sony should have included 512MB for non-video ram. Combined with the 256MB video RAM, the 360 wouldn’t have had a chance. Combine that with a cheaper 50gb disc solution and the 360 would have been canned a long time ago.
I don’t agree on the HD-DVD thing. I’m still hopeful that even Blu-ray fails. It really isn’t giving us much…except noticing more actors’ body flaws and making props look even more fake. They should have gone with a cheaper solution that offers the same benefits. EVD for example.
Ninja,
The SPEs are technically cores, they just aren’t general purpose ones. They each operate independently of each other and in fact they have a very slow interface to communicate between them (unlike an integrated processor element), it is one of the major deficiencies of the PS3 design.
all u ppl have got sad lives
Xbox 360: Good gaming console but suffers from reliability as it tends to die. The solution shouldn’t be 3yrs extended warranty for one problem (RRoD) but all problems (video, sound, E-codes). As for the rest well the 360’s modular design was chosen on purpose to make money. Proprietary HDD, add-ons, and etc. This is Microsoft and this is how they work.
Playstation 3: Good gaming console but suffers from being too next generation. There was no need to include Blu-ray but of course Sony was pushing this format at the time and overrated their PS3 launch. Now all there is an expensive console compared to the Xbox 360 with little exclusives that make it worth the $399.99 price.
Wii: Perhaps the dullest of the “next-gen” in next gen speds, but clearly the most successful. Nintendo understands people, it’s all about Hannah Montana, Twilight, Jonas Brothers, so the Wii is clearly for the child to tween and it has been very very successful and may outlive the above two like it outsells them.