This is just a typical "tell us what you think of the platforms you own" type of thing. This is suppose to be for only current gen platforms (360, PC, PS3, Wii, PSP and DS).
Well here is what I think.
PC = It's the PC, what else is there to say?
Future: It's the PC what else is there to say?
Bottomline - "It's the PC...what else is there to say?"
Wii = Very mixed thoughts on this system. On one hand it has a great line-up, the virtual console, and the control makes everything feel fresh and new. On the other there are few non-Nintendo intriguing games, lame channels as well as some that don't get used to their full potential, and some games that are just a total barf with the controller, please don't even get me started about the online. Yes Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and No More Heroes are fun to play, but I can't help but think that my choices are a bit limited here. Not to mention that there are many holes left in the systems line-up. Don't get me wrong the system is fun to play but there are many flaws with in it.
Future: Over the past month we've seen many titles come about. Tenchu IV, Megaman 9, Spyborgs, Rune Factory Wii, Arc Rising Fantasia, and Castlevania Judgement. They may not be the biggest titles out there but most of them actually look of quality. These are just mere trickles of the upcoming event season and I can't wait to see what more is in store for the system if this is anything to go by.
Bottomline - It gets the job done and it does entertain me. But in order from to get to "alright" to "good" there are many things to be fixed. Third parties really have to pick it up a notch, there are far too many holes in its line-up (Shooters? RPG's? This list goes on), not to mention things like online and storage space really need to be given attention.
So I guess I'll go with "Contains some strengths but they are easily cancelled by the faults, overall the feelings are so mixed it ends up on average."
The DS = As a handheld it pushed beyond what was thought possible, as a system compared to consoles it more then gets the job done. Tons of great games, variety, and enjoyment lead this system to have the potential to be one of the best. But it is a little too early to give the system the title of "SNES 2." The main problem I have with the system is that almost all of the games still reek of "handheld game". I think I don't need to explain this as I'm sure that all of you are aware of what I mean by that. Sure I've played some games that had enough production values as a console game (Apollo Justice, The World Ends With You, Mario Kart DS, Etc.) but they are very rare to come across. The other problem I have with the system is that it just is a tad not powerful enough. Yes the games that the developers don't require much power but I can't help but feel that some of these games just need a little bit more oomph to get to their true forms. Personally I think the power of the early Dreamcast is more then enough. Just enough to give the developers wings to soar a tad bit more and update the resolution to make the 3D textures clear and the 2D sprites far more detailed.
The Future: It seems like every day something is announced for this system that catches my eye. I couldn't hope for a brighter.
Bottomline - As I've said before I only have two problems. Though the first is slowly happening in Japan it will never happen in the West for obvious reasons. As for the 2nd well I think the only way to answer that is with the DS 2 which probably won't come out until another 8 years or so.
So I'll leave it with "A phenomenal system, but contains some flaws that just can't be fixed".
I can't afford its successor, but I sure wish I'd gotten this console first in the last generation. Amusingly, I got them in the reverse order that they ended up in, sales-wise, at the end of the gen: GC first, then Xbox, then PS2. PS2 is the only one I'm still playing, and I kind of count GC games on the Wii as "playing the GC". There aren't at all many PS2 games left that I want, so I'd like to move on to the PS3, but as I said, it's just too expensive for me right now. Maybe when I finally get around to purchasing one (which may be after buying a vehicle) it'll be around $300 or so, which is much more reasonable (for it, but not for consoles in general).
One reason I'd like to get a PS3 is because the PS2 was, throughout its history, so unreliable. I have a slim model, and those are apparently known to overheat. No problems yet, but man, it can get hot!
As for the games, they're great. The Xbox and GC had stuff that the PS2 was lacking, but the PS2 was overall the best console. I have no regrets from its purchase, unlike with the Xbox and GC.
PS2 gets a 9/10.
Wii:
Aside from the fact that I probably have a defective GPU just waiting to commit suicide, the Wii is a great system. Too bad it didn't come out last gen in place of the GC, though, since I'm now ready for the more advanced graphics and overall specs of the other systems.
The one thing I really don't like, though, is the controller situation. The Wiimote is nice, but there was too much emphasis placed on it, I think. There are just some games (a great many, IMO) that are just played better with a traditional controller. Also, I absolutely hate the fact that I'm going to have to keep buying batteries over its lifetime, as well as the fact that the Classic controller is also battery-powered (via Wiimote). Nintendo-brand GC controllers are too rare now--a shame, because I prefer it for Smash Bros. and the Wii can't be said to be backwards compatible in practice if you have nothing to play GC games with! I forget which--the wired or wireless--GC controllers are still in production, if either, but I need one or two new ones, and wired would be best--I don't want to spend money on batteries that would otherwise be used for games!
High-quality normal software is lacking. It's got great stuff already, but not enough of it, and its dominated by Nintendo games... and most of its high profile Nintendo games have disappointed me. There are some good-looking things coming up that interest me, but there's no guarantee they'll be any good: Deadly Creatures (I saw that first on this site) and The Force Unleashed.
I'd have more VC games if I'd be connected more often, but I only have Ninja Gaiden and Act Raiser. Not fond of either. The VC is a really nice feature, though.
I give the Wii a 7/10 right now, mostly for lack of quality content.
DS:
I got a Phat way back when and have never been really enamored by it, despite getting a game every now and then, however rarely. I like more powerful systems, and I prefer 3D, despite loving 2D Zelda and Metroid.
DS gets a 7/10 FOR ME.
PC:
I have some FPSs, including HL2, Doom 3, and Bioshock, but this is mainly my Elder Scrolls machine these days.
Teh pee see gets a 9/10.
/long post
However, my Xbox 360 reads them just fine. *shrugs*
Ravenprose: I haven't had that problem (been using the same set of rechargeable Duracells since 12/25/06), but as the batteries get used, you'll wind up going from four battery bars in the Wiimote menu to 1 much more quickly than before. That really irks me. I wish there were a better way to see what one's battery situation is like.
I guess rechargeables aren't that bad, seeing as I HAVE been using these for 1.5 years. Maybe the reason I've been griping about batteries is because I only have two pairs, which my Wavebird and Wiimote take up. If I had some some sitting around as reserves, it would be better.
360. Ehhhh it's allright. My tastes have changed and I hardly use it. It has some great titles. I personally don't like the hardware, the size, the heat the unbelievable noise it gives off. Or the relative complexity of its games. I hate having to learn a zillion different buttons for each game. It has great visuals and decent games though don't get me wrong and I have been enjoying mass effect and looking forward to getting my hands on GTAIV.
7/10
DS
The little system that could, it has such a huge library of great games I cannot really fault it at all. The only things I can complain about is the cracked hinge problem and the lack of new nintendo high quality releases scheduled, I think we have FE but where is the new super mario bros etc. After a hot streak they seem to have left the DS to do its own thing because of how phenomenally successful it is. It has a great library and even if there were literally no new games, I still have a ton to catch up on.
9/10
Wii
Got off to a tepid start but has steadily improved. It suits my tastes more than the 360 and has become my main console. Being a european we get titles late and it has actually been an advantage this year, I have been getting stonking title after title from early 2008. Recentely I have picked up Z&W, No More Heroes, Boom Blox, Mario Kart, Okami, Bully, Smash Bros and more. It has 3 absolute classics in Galaxy, prime 3 and zelda and niche delights like Endless Ocean
The only problems I have are that I have the GPU flaw of red and green dots. Otherwise it IS being undervalued and cut short when it comes to games that actually push its tech. Outside of Metroid prime 3 and Galaxy there are no developers out there willing to give the system its due. I cannot wait for F5 to turn up and show these ass clowns what they should be doing.
Other than that I worry about the systems future as 3rd parties are still dumping all over the system and nintendo as ever is holding its cards close to its chest until E3.
8/10
Angry_Beaver: Since you are not having that same problem, then perhaps my Wii Remote isn't working as it should.
I've had a lot of fun with the 360 lately. GTA, Bioshock, GoW have been great, but once I finish them, I hardly go back to them.
I can't help but get nervous everytime I turn the console on because I keep expecting three red rings.
I think the visuals are on par with PS3's and I love the achievement system. I replay games just to get extra achievements.Negatives are it's one noisy Mother******and I'm not too sure about it's lifespan.
I'm not too sure if there's much on the horizon for me, though. Maybe GoW2 and possibly Banjo, if they don't screw it up.
8/10
DS
My favorite handheld ever. It has a lot of variety and is great for casual and hardcore play. I've got a real nice library of games for it: PW, Professor Layton, Ninja Gaiden, all of Nintendo's top games.
I still look forward to Hotel Dusk, the 2nd and 3rd PW and some more RPGs.
9/10
Wii
I've had the most fun with the Wii games and replay them more often. The Wii remote is fun and innovative IMO. SMG is the BEST game this generation. I still have a blast.Online doesn't have a lot of features, but SSB and MK is ablast. You got to love Wiiware and DL games from the greatest games library in the world.
Negatives are most of the channels suck. It tends to crash when I bring up the Mii channel sometimes and has trouble reading disks sometimes. A lot of developers don't seem to give a crap and we certainly could've used a battery recharger.
8.5/10
"I can put in fully charged batteries, and within two days, the Wii claims they are dead when they aren't."
I only use my batteries for the Wiimote and Wavebird, so I don't check to see if they're actually dead when the controllers stop working. I just go and recharge them.
"...when I have two fully charged batteries and the Wii reads them as dead after only 4 hours of use, then there is a problem with that reading. Also, I have continued to use those same 'dead' batteries for another week or two before they really do run out of juice."
When I get the low battery signal, my controller goes dead not long after, so my situation isn't quite the same as yours. What happens for me is that I go from four bars to one to zero really, really fast, compared to when the batteries were new... although it does take longer than four hours. And my batteries seem to leak a lot of charge when they're just sitting in the controllers not being used.
I'm using 2400 mAh batteries, BTW.