YES:
Jonathan Higgins: Nintendo is finally moving forward! Whether the collective is ready for the next generation or not, it would be folly for Microsoft and Sony not to follow suit. This is not to say that I’m expecting to be marvelled by the next generation of consoles, like they’re going to show me the next big step in graphical capabilities to completely take my breath away. Graphics can only go so much farther, but you can bet the other two console manufacturers are going to push out every pretty penny they can to create something graphically superior to Nintendo’s latest.
The “Xbox 720” and “PS4” won’t have a place in my house for a long while (it took me until late last year to own another major console besides the Wii).
But they will offer just enough advancements in technology to leave Nintendo behind…again. And recovering Nintendo addicts like me will be left in the dust…again…for another 6-10 years as the next generation takes its course. Don’t get me wrong–I’ll be the first in line to grab my Wii-U from Gamestop when it launches. But Nintendo has set themselves up for failure by playing “catch up” to the 360 and PS3, because it will only take a handful of advancements to render them inferior. I’m not sure what said “advancements” will be, and I’m sure they’ll be expensive–but people paid $600 to buy a PS3 on Day 1, so I’m not ruling out the worst case scenario.
I’m not ready for the next generation because I’m expecting to be impressed. I’m ready for the next generation…for the lulz, ladies and gentlemen. Games are incredibly important to me (because this is my passion), but let’s be serious–they don’t matter to the “big guys”. All the big guys care about is competition. I’ve always laughed at the fanboys’ expense while I’ve sat peacefully in Nintendoland since 2006. I suspect the next console generation won’t be any different.
Remember to answer the question yourself in the comments for a chance to be spotlighted in Part 2! Are you ready for Next Gen?
