Xbox, GC, PS2: End in sight?

[Takumaji]

I was wondering... you know, every console had its phase of decay when companies stopped supporting a system, only a few of them (Neo, PSX, etc.) got supported even after their official "death". I can't see this happening with PS2 or Xbox anytime soon, but the Cube gets less and less new games, and there's really no promising new RE4-style killa app on the horizon.

Now, how long do you think the support will last for the current-gen systems Xbox, GC and PS2?

The PS2 still has a strong following, so I can't see Sony dropping the ball as soon as the PS3 comes out. The huge user base still lines Sony's pockets, so they'd be silly if they'd stop supporting their cash cow.

I'm not sure about the Xbox... the console's popularity is solely based on Xbox Live and the RoMzBoX thing, and the list of upcoming releases doesn't look too excitting to me. MS also has one of those massive hype campaigns to run to promote the 360, so I guess they'll let the fat lady die and leave the remaining market to 3rd parties.

The GC... well, doesn't look too good for it. RE4 still sells systems + games in Europe, but that's not enough to get developers (or investors) to spend time and money on ambitious projects, so I think the Cube will be the first one to dry out.

 

[genjiglove]

the Cube gets less and less new games, and there's really no promising new RE4-style killa app on the horizon.

Not RE4 style, but Zelda will be out this year. That will probably be the last huge GC game.

Anyway, I'd say the Xbox will be the first to die out. The 360 will be the first new system out as far as I know.

 

[Mark of the Wolves]

PS2: After Final Fantasy XII I think support will slowly die. Probably still have a crap load in games in 2006. After that all focus will shift. Sort of like with the PS1. Since systems were limited PS1 games were still available.

Xbox: Oh it's pretty much dead after Half-Life 2 I think. Microsoft is still loosing money on it. So they will be trying to move on to the 360 as soon as possible. Even though they will be loosing money again, atleast they will be getting an "advantage" for the next cycle.

GCN: After Zelda it's really over. It barely exists right now as it is. Most multiplatform games don't even bother with it. But hey there is still Mario Party 7...

 

[Phoenix Down]

To me the Xbox is already pretty much dead. Forza Motorsport in my opinion was the last AAA title for the system. Sure there are other games coming out for it but anything that's decent is getting moved and/or also ported to the 360.

The Gamecube has been pretty much dead since after RE4. Sure the new Zelda will sell a bunch but Gamecube releases have slowed to a trickle for awhile now. It wouldn't surprise me though if Nintendo pulls out a couple extra Gamecube games as I don't think they'll sit by and watch Sony and Microsoft pull away, since I think the Revolution is AT LEAST a year away.

The PS2 will be by far the best supported. I still remember quite a few PS1 games coming out both during and after the PS2's initial release. And there's certainly plenty of games that don't need the PS3's power (Katamari Damacy for example).

 

[hermegildo]

The thing with this generation of hardware is that new hardware is meant to replace the old one, backwards compatibility is proof of that. They are basically upgrades in graphics, audio, online, etc, and nothing else. Companies don't want us to keep our old hardware, they probably want us to discard it as soon as possible so we can buy the newer, "better" stuff, where you can play your old games anyway. I personally feel like the NES is a different experience than the SNES (shoulder buttons) which is a different experience than the N64 (true analog), while the GC is more of the same. The PS3 having the same controller that the PS2 and the PS1 had was a huge letdown in this aspect and the 360 seems like the bawks on steroids without much else. Nintendo is trying to avoid this by bringing in something new to the table, but I'm still skeptical in their ability to do so.

The neo was the only console strong enough to have lived a long life with almost nothing but first party support. It is a console that cannot be replaced, which is the same thing I'd say about the DC.

Ironically, I don't own either of those consoles, though I am in the process of getting a consolized 2-slot.

 

[kobylka68]

XBox will lose support almost completely by October/November while Sony will continue to support the PS2 well into the PS3's life Just like they did with the PSX. The Gamecube still has a lot of life left in it but it will be dropped almost immediately once the Revolution is out.

 

[abasuto]

They still make the GC ?

 

[Diavle18]

I remember Sony saying that they decided on a 10year span for the PS2.

That being said though, I think this time it will be different. The main reason being is that not only will the new consoles be expensive but (more importantly) the game development will be damn expenisive. I can easily see a lot of companies staying with this generation for a while longer while mostly the big-hitters moving on to the next gen.

 

[chimpmeister]

<snip> The Gamecube still has a lot of life left in it . . .

LOL . . .

 

[Mark of the Wolves]

I remember Sony saying that they decided on a 10year span for the PS2.

They're saying the same thing about the PS3. I wish they would stop saying that. Even if they wanted to support it for 10 years the competition and overall falling sales would make sure they didn't try it. Even though I agree that since the PS3 is supposed to be a lot, they may be doing until a price drop....or everyone moves on to other consoles.

 

[Bakaneiro]

XBox will lose support almost completely by October/November

What? if this turns to be true ill not buy xbox 360, that's an important factor to me

 

[TheJiggler]

Sony always wins

Micro$oft looses money on every console they sell....they'll quite sooner or later.

Nintendo...well the GC will die after zelda.


Amazing though How the Neo Geo stayed alive (software wise) for 14 years, just amazing and no other gaming system will ever beat it.
i love my Neo and my DC.

 

[galfordo]

The GC is really the only system that has a killer app on the horizon - pretty much everyone is saying that the new Zelda is going to rock. HL 2 is going to be a big seller on the Xbox, but it's really hard to get too excited about a game that has already been out on PC for so long. I'm not really sure what the PS 2 really has to be excited about.

At any rate, I'm not really all that worried about the end of the current generation systems. I've got enough great games for all three systems, and if they quit making games for them today I'd still be able to say that all three had successful careers as gaming systems.

 

[Mark of the Wolves]

Shadow of the Colossus? Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence? We Love Katamari? Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams? Soul Caliber 3?