I’ve missed the bandwagon. For those of you in the gaming world, you know that missing the bandwagon typically comes when someone skips a system, generation, or series of games. I missed the bandwagon when I decided that I was going to pursue the life of a PS3-only gamer, and allow the Xbox 360 to be vacant from my entertainment catalogue this generation. I love my PS3, and I still enjoy it better than the Xbox, but it is safe to say that by skipping the box, I have missed the bandwagon. Luckily this Christmas I was surprised with a brand new 250 gig Xbox 360! After missing roughly 5 years of games, it’s amazing to finally be back among the super gamers. However, I realize now that being behind the times (slightly) has some great advantages.
5. Great games are CHEAP!
I’m one of those guys who has that subscription where you get 15 issues of Game Informer to get 10% off used games at the Gamestop. Is it the best deal? Probably not, but it does make me want to buy used games more frequently. When I walked into my local Gamestop after getting my opaque new Xbox, I noticed that there were a lot of 360 exclusives (mostly) that I really wanted to play: Fable II, Fable III, Mass Effect 2 (an Xbox game for my liking), Alan Wake, Banjo Kazooie, etc. When looking at the used games wall, I noticed that all of these games were under 20 bucks a piece. I could get all of them for about 100 dollars, when I can’t get 2 brand new games for $100. Sure, I couldn’t be 100% up on the times, but when it comes to having a life, and playing games, sometimes it pays to have a little time off, or be just a little behind.
4. There are many more great games
Right now I’m at a strange crossroads with gaming. I have way too many games to finish, that I’ve purchased over the past 6 months. When I say too many games, it’s more than 10. As many may think that this is a bad thing, it’s actually great. There have been so many times in my gaming life that I was forced to wait around for a new game, and replay games that I’m tired of. I really doubt I could play through Knights of the Old Republic or Super Mario RPG, again. So having 10+ games to play over the next few months is great. By getting into the Xbox late, I have an entire catalogue of games that I haven’t even touched! It allows for an inexpensive and compelling string of games to get through. Who can’t beat that! No one..that’s who.
3. It allows for a clearer mindset
I like to write about games. As any game “journalist’ would, I get suckered into hype sometimes. It’s natural. If everyone on earth thinks that Zelda: Skyward Sword deserves a 10 out of 10 then I’ll give it a 10 of 10 too (please understand my sarcasm/exaggeration in that statement)! Because playing games immediately, makes the writer and reviewer subject to hype whether the believe it or not. Was my review of Zelda somewhat inflated, sure, but it’s excitement and anticipation lead to that inflated score. Getting an Xbox later in the life-cycle allows me to play the games that are a few years older, and I can take a hype-less, somewhat more objective approach to a game. In reality it should make me like games less, but it also gets me away from negative hype. When a game like Fable is released, it’s always hated upon, because the games never live up to the hype...ever. However, while they’re not perfect, I feel that my objectiveness towards the now nonexistent hype, has allowed me to enjoy the game more that I would have otherwise. I feel like I’m more open to different ideas and chances when I’m not anticipating a game to be the most wonderful RPG experience that I’ve ever played.
2. Fresh set of paint...new wheels
Towards the end of a console’s life-span, there comes a certain “End-Game Crisis” where you feel the need to slap some new software in your PS3. There is a slow-down in original releases, and you’re stuck in some kind of sequel hell. Right now we’re starting to see the beginnings of the end-game crisis for the PS3 and 360 (I think the Wii’s happened two years ago). When I got my Xbox it was like getting that red sports car during a mid-life crisis. It was new to me, somewhat different, and has gotten me excited about gaming again. Now I will never consider myself an Xbox gamer, I still feel the system is overly too American and competitive for my nature, but I have given the system it’s fair run. It’s the system I play with when I get bored with my PS3 and that’s a good thing! You always need a different console to jump to when you get a little bored with your reliable and functional sedan.
1. You no longer look like a fool
When people find out that I like to write about video games, they typically start talking about Xbox games that I never had the ability to play. When I tell them “I don’t have an Xbox” they usually look at me like I had 3 heads (had and ripped off 2 of them, leaving decapitated neck holes on either side of my central head), and think that I can’t be a serious gamer without an Xbox. In a way they’re right. I probably shouldn’t have been so definitive on what a good game was, when I had only 67% of the real tools. I still won’t be the pinnacle of an Alpha gamer who is super competitive and plays everything online, but I have the ability to feel an Xbox game. The Xbox games have their own feel, and it represents roughly half of the hardcore gaming population. On another level, you as a gamer, can finally play all those games everyone has been talking about over the last few years.
Finally having my hands on my own Xbox 360 is a great feeling. I do still prefer the PS3 over the 360, but I feel accomplished, and saved a whole lot of coin! Talk to everyone soon...real soon.
