Gaming in the Middle of Next-Gen

Back when the latest consoles were announced, the web as we know it was just starting to really kick it off in full force.

The web had been fully integrated. There were news sources via the web to finally feed us gamers the information we were craving. We could easily seek out information without waiting as we were used to. I know the web itself was not new at this point, neither was gaming news. I solely speak for the consoles we are using today. The PS3, Wii and the Xbox360.

Today and I was thinking to myself and decided to ask, "Are we already in Next-Gen?".

I almost answered "No" to that question. Almost.

Of course we are.

I came to this conclusion comparing the last line of systems with the current ones. Systems like the Xbox, PS2 and the Gamecube pale in comparison with their newer counterparts.

6 years ago, could have you imagined Nintendo making a comeback?

Sure we all wanted it to happen. The very word Nintendo means a lot to gamers. When the Wii was a success, no one complained. Hell, the price was right and the innovation was there. Knowing that new Mario and Zelda games were on the horizon didn't hurt either.

The PS3 is as different from the PS2 as it ever could be, yet it still feels familiar. The design and the controllers are comfortable with PS2 owners and it feels right. The interface and menus feel next-gen and the firmware (along with upcoming features) make the system feel like it's constantly evolving. PS3 owners secretly (and not so secretly) wait for more information on what is coming next for the system. Features and functionality make this system thrive, along with the promise of upcoming titles.

The Xbox 360 is quite the console as well. It has a very large fan base, was able to launch before the PS3 and has had a plethora of exclusives. Millions of people stand behind the Live service and what it has to offer. Even horrible RRoD publicity couldn't keep its fanbase from wanting more and Microsoft acted quick to offer up to 3 yrs support which helped calm the complaints.

If you pay attention to the internet on a daily basis (as we all do) we see a lot of criticism as well with anything in the market. Some of it deserved, Some of it not... but either way it is served cold and fast. Finally, the age of unquestioned posts are over. Comments are now welcome and appreciated. Forums are no longer the only place people can vent.

This brings me to my point. With the speed of the market, does it truly feel we are in next-gen? If you compare the consoles of old with the new, it is easy to say yes.

Are the games?

I ask this because many of the titles we see are technical improvements of the past. Other then online gaming (which the PC has had for years) what do the games we play now bring to the table? I am not talking crap about the titles we all love or hate. I am simply wondering if any of this feels new to anyone. Is the Wii the only system with "new" games. I use that term lightly. Is the Wii (which still lacks a lot of things the other systems have) the only console that is really innovative? Is it the only next-gen console just because of their controller?

Probably not.

There is no right/wrong answer to these questions. We are simply gaming in the middle of the next generation hype that the internet helped grow out of control.

Hype these days, seems to be the hardest thing to live up to.