I'm not likely to buy a new system soon, due to budgetary constraints. But given the breadth of the gaming world I can't help but obsess over the following question: which system should I buy? I already have a Wii, a DSi, and a PS2. My main criterion: which system offers the best ratio of FUN to COST OF OWNERSHIP?
Maybe you can help me out. Poll below.
PC ($1000+?)
Pros:
- Tons of games I want to play
- Lots of indie games
- Obviously, there are many free and cheap tools for tinkering and development
Cons:
- This is the most expensive option, even if I build my own
- Hungry for power and apartment real estate
- Might be superfluous, if I can swing decent graphics in my next laptop upgrade (the $1999 MacBook Pro?)---and actually my current laptop can run a lot of good PC games that I don't have time to play anyway
XBox 360 ($300)
Pros:
- Also, tons of games I want to play---and most of the PC games I want to play are also available on 360
- Least expensive of the full-blown console options
- Netflix! That would be cool.
Cons:
- Still a significant chunk of change, and the Gold fee doesn't help with that
- Not homebrew friendly
PlayStation 3 ($350)
Pros:
- The Last Guardian
- I guess I wouldn't mind having a Bluray player?
Cons:
- Pricey; most of the games I'd want to play have (sometimes superior) 360/PC ports
- PS3? I mean, come on.
iPod Touch ($180 refurbished)
Pros:
- Not too expensive, and the software's generally pretty cheap too
- Accessible to indie developers, vibrant development scene
- I could use a new iPod anyway...
Cons:
- I can't think of any games compelling enough to sell me on the system; I can get awesome casual stuff on platforms I already own
PSP ($170)
Pros:
- Surprisingly, there are a lot of PSP games that I want to play: Persona, Class of Heroes, LittleBigPlanet, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy VII...
- Sony's going all-downloads for the PSP, which appeals to me
- Almost cheap enough to be in the "buy on a whim" category
Cons:
- Sony's actively hostile to the homebrew scene
- Do I really need another portable gaming device? Hmm.
Poll