Enjoying the end of a console's life

[roxybaby]

I may be crazy, but I'm enjoying my Xbox now more than when I first got it a couple of years ago. It sucks that Microsoft pretty much threw in the towel on developing any new Xbox games last year...but at least the games are cheaper now!

I think I bought maybe three games new, the last being X-Men Legends. It's hard for me to pay $50+ for a new game unless I'm dying for it, and once I buy a game I don't resell it or trade it in. I just revisited the top 20 list in the Classic Discussions forum and started rounding up some of the titles I missed when they first came out...Gunvalkyrie...Forza...and a personal fave in Dynasty Warriors 4. Still looking for Otogi and a few others. I also replayed a few games I'd given up on like Fable.

Summer always seems like the best time to go back to games I missed or didn't beat. Anyone else grabbing stuff or replaying games?

[cityside75]

I'm with you on this. I have a personal treasure chest near me in the form of a popular used CD store with a large stock of PS2 and Xbox games. Over the last couple of months, they've been dropping their prices dramatically as the current generation winds down, and as a result I've been getting all kinds of games that I'd wanted to check out.

It seems like everytime I go in there lately they have at least a dozen decent games for less than $5 complete, how can I resist that?

[zerohero]

There summer time is always usually the best time for gaming, or at least catching up.

[Maxx]

I'm up on this too. I just bought Gunvalkyrie and Splinter Cell Xbox with Rygar for PS2. Spent $12 all complete with no blemishes. I now have 103 Xbox games. The last one I bought new was Gauntlet Seven Sorrows the day it came out.

[jdc]

I'm thinking of going out and buying a PS2 for the same reasons. Cheap console with some cheap gaming to be had. There are oceans of games in the used sections of stores. I'm noticing that launch/1st year titles are starting to show as people dump what they've held onto for so long. Gotta love it.

[Hep038]

A few of my friends have 360's and keep bothering me to get one, they know I am a collector so they do not understand why I do not have the latest and greatest when it comes to video games. But I see no reason to even think about getting any of the new consoles yet, the price games are selling at right now everytime I got 10$ in my pocket I go out and buy a new game. I see no reason to invest 100's of dollars in a new system when I could use that money to get a crap load of games, good games, games only a year old for under 20$. I think it will be a while before I get any of the new systems.

[sabre2922]

A few of my friends have 360's and keep bothering me to get one, they know I am a collector so they do not understand why I do not have the latest and greatest when it comes to video games. But I see no reason to even think about getting any of the new consoles yet, the price games are selling at right now everytime I got 10$ in my pocket I go out and buy a new game. I see no reason to invest 100's of dollars in a new system when I could use that money to get a crap load of games, good games, games only a year old for under 20$. I think it will be a while before I get any of the new systems.

agreed

Im in very much the same mindset

Its interesting but the few friends of mine that are actually into gaming arent really all that impressed with the 360 and one in particular is very upset about selling his older PS2/Gamecube collection (including the consoles) for a new 360 and a few games ;)


Im still going for a Wii60 combo eventually but right now im too busy picking up all the marked down PS2 games I can, its great to be able to play so many good to great games that I wasnt able to afford just ONE year ago.

I will probably pick up a new Wii and slimline PS2 within the next year and then after that FINALLY a 360...maybe.

[segarocks30]

I enjoy the 360. I like it. :D

Condemned is just so fucking fun. Oh Sega, you rule.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I think, this year is now the time to fully enjoy the PS2 and Xbox, simply because the demand has really died, the marketing shifting leaves behind treasures for anyone to discover.

Plus when a system comes to a screeching hault, you always notice really great games being released just before it hits the grave..much like the SNES, Genesis, Saturn, DC, and PSX

For example

SNES: Chrono Trigger, Demon's Crest, Super Mario RPG,etc.
Genesis: Ristar, MegaMan in Wily Wars, Pulseman, Vectorman 2, Comix Zone
Saturn: HOTD, PD Saga, Shining Force 3, etc.
DC: Last Blade 2, Garou MOTW, SF3 3rd Strike, etc.
PSX: FF9, FF Anthology, FF Chronicles, and FF Origins.

They never truly die...they just fade away..until you find 1 at shakey's flea market fo' 2 dollas! I swear to gawd! U like dat don't j00 eediot?! :)

[Nature Boy]

I'm not sure the end of the cycle beats the beginning (I'll never forget bringing my PS2 home on launch day), but it comes darn close.

The new games that are released generally use the hardware to it's fullest, as everybody has a handle on what the machine can do by then.

Used games drop in price and are more available. So that 5 year old game you've been searching for finally makes it into your collection.

And just general nostalgia about the games already in your collection, and bringing them out to play again.

Let's face it - in the end there's just nothing like feeling you've gotten the most out of something. You enjoyed the beginning, the middle, and the end. And even after everyone else has abandoned it, as a retro gamer it will forever live on!

[Jibbajaba]

I was actually just thinking this myself the other day. I finaly bought an XBox a couple of weeks ago, and there are a metric shit-ton of GREAT games that can be purchased at GameStop for less than $10 each. Morrowind is only $4.99! The game I am spending the most time with is Burnout 3, which I think set me back $12, but it was part of a BTGO sale, so really it was $8. Really, the only downside to waiting until the end of a cycle to buy a system and some games is that you don't get to be a part of the hype and excitement surrounding the system, but for all of the money you save, maybe its worth it. I believe I bought 8 XBox games, for which I paid less than $50. They were all games that were immensly popular when they came out and had a lot of hype. So basically I saved myself $350 by just waiting and buying them later.

I will probably pick up a Wii when it comes out, just because it has something different to offer, but other than that, I think my days of buying consoles at launch are over. There just isn't enough of a difference between generations anymore to justify it. I have my XBox hooked up to my TV in the living room with an s-video cable, and the graphics are blowing me away on Burnout 3. I don't know if it is because I never bothered using an s-video cable with my PS2, but it just looks so much better!

Chris

[mailman187666]

usually i like to buy systems at launch time and I do nothing but play games on that new system I buy. Then once the, "oh my god look at this", goes away, I start tapping back into my older games. For instance I've been playing nothing but the 360 except a little current gen here and there, but i have a feeling once the "new system" feeling wears off, I can see myself going right back to the PS2 which is my favorite. But the circuit city sales and all the rare current gen games that have been popping up in the stores has been really good to me lately. Everybody make sure they buy the last bunches of releases for thier current gen systems because those are usually the ones people look past.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'm in much the same boat, but with my GBA. The GBA may still have a few years left, but most people are already dumping them to get DS games instead. And many retailers are getting rid of excellent games for cheap - just look at the recent Circuit City liquidation!

[Tron 2.0]

I've been enjoying my gc&ps2 as of late.

While these systems will be phase out soon.. there is 'plenty left for me to catch up on.

About the only next gen i'm jumping on will be the Wii.

Even then i'm sure i'll be playing my, PS2 at that point still.

I know i won't be getting the.. PS3 at it's launch.

That one i'll be waiting for it's price drop.

Plus i got plans to mod my, PS2 so i'm open for imports on it.

Wich means "more games" for me to enjoy :D

[CreamSoda]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. Sure the "next gen" has started, and like the typical teenaged guy that has to have the newest stuff, I jumped on the 360 bandwagon as quick as possible! LOL

But I've always loved the PS2, and now is the time to be picking up games for it. I'm stock piling all kinds of titles for it, that will probably keep the aging system under my TV for many years to come.

-Gran Turismo 3
-Gran Tusimo 4
-MGS3: Substinence
-Kingdom Hearts 1&2
-Mr. Miquito(sp??)
-REZ
-R-Type: Final
-Devil May Cry 3
-Mercenaries
-Need for Speed:Underground 1/2
-Street Fighter Alpha Collection
-GTA:SA
-ect,ect.

The PS2 may be on the way out, but I'm having more fun then ever with it. And I've owned the system since 2002. 8-)

[CreamSoda]

Double Post~ Sorry.

[suckerpunch5]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. Sure the "next gen" has started, and like the typical teenaged guy that has to have the newest stuff, I jumped on the 360 bandwagon as quick as possible! LOL

But I've always loved the PS2, and now is the time to be picking up games for it. I'm stock piling all kinds of titles for it, that will probably keep the aging system under my TV for many years to come.

-Gran Turismo 3
-Gran Tusimo 4
-MGS3: Substinence
-Kingdom Hearts 1&2
-Mr. Miquito(sp??)
-REZ
-R-Type: Final
-Devil May Cry 3
-Mercenaries
-Need for Speed:Underground 1/2
-Street Fighter Alpha Collection
-GTA:SA
-ect,ect.

The PS2 may be on the way out, but I'm having more fun then ever with it. And I've owned the system since 2002. 8-)

It is really funny to me that Mr. Mosquito made it into your list. Don't get me wrong, i like the game too. but it just doesn't seem to go with a lot of those other games.

No doubt, there is something cool about picking up awesome titles for cheap as a system winds down. Each system has ssen some grerat games late in the system life too. Twilight Princess, Resident Evil 4, Super Paper Mario, Fire Emblem for GCN. Black, Shadow of the Collossus, God of War for PS2 (plus many more). Uh, that one Xbox game. . .

[Xexyz]

Like someone else mentioned, I'm really enjoying the GBA's last legs. Not only are games dropping in price (new & used) but you've got sales like CC's liquidation one going on. Plus, while the quality new releases are far and few this year, they're really great stuff. Atlus is really catering to the GBA fanatic with 5 fantastic RPG's, plus you've got the origional Metal Slug from Playmore to look forward to. Also, even though they're nothing special, I'm looking forward to Capcom's Classic Collection Mini Mix (mainly for Mighty Final Fight) and Sega's release of Sonic the Hedgehog (mainly because of the spin dash addition and save feature).

Also, I think it's finally time to pikc up a PS2. GS and EB are simply overloaded with games for these systems, and their prices are cheap too! I've got a $25 gift certificate I could use towards a new PS2 slim model.

[Iron Draggon]

Damn, maybe I should pick up an XBOX and perhaps a PS2 as well now. There are a few games on both systems that I would love to play, which sadly never made it to the PC yet.

As for the GBA, I sure hope that it has a few more years left in it. I just got one this year, so I want them to keep releasing new games for it. They aren't too expensive now, but some of the older ones are, so it would be nice if the games were cheaper, but as long as they can be found...

I'm still hating all the "Greatest Hits" releases though. I've noticed that some of the games I'm interested in for XBOX & PS2 have GH versions, and I'm like NOOOOOOOOO GH! If I ever get those games, I don't want no stinkin' GH version!

[josekortez]

As much as I want a 360, I can't bring myself to spend $400 on one system when I can hit the Circuit City sales, spend $200 on brand-new games for current gen and play the heck out of those. So no 360 for me right now.

[swlovinist]

I am not a rich man, and Ihave to say knowing the perfect time to "get in" on a system is important. Right now is a good time to swoop up and collect the PS2, Xbox, GC systems. With game store shelves bursting with product, older Xbox and Ps2 games can be seen at rock bottom prices. Throw in a buy 2 get one free sale, and it is good times for everyone. Let the good times roll!