E3

The Electronics Entertainment Expo is being held in LA this week. Nerds know this as the big show each year where the big 3 of the videogame industry reveal news about new games, new hardware and any other secret projects they have in the works. It's a time for impressive demos and press conferences as well as the occasional letdown. It's time for message boards all over the web to be filled with fanboys screaming about how their console that hasn't released yet is going to kick everyone else's ass because the next-gen console war is already over, FAG. It's a time for new toys.

The wireless controller for the next-gen Nintendo console.

-Nintendo: In spite of its horrible, horrible name, the upcoming Nintendo console is the one I'm looking forward to. In case you haven't heard, the project which was codenamed Revolution has been officially named the Nintendo Wii. No, I didn't accidently slump over on the keyboard. Wii. As in "Wanna come play with my Wii?" As in "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Nintendo says it's a nod towards the idea that we are all gamers and represents unity, togetherness and group play. I think it just sounds silly, but thankfully the name doesn't make or break a console.

Using the Wii controller to aim a bow in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Rather than trying to keep up with Sony and Microsoft in the race for more impressive hardware, Nintendo is aiming for innovation instead. The Wii (ugh) is made with the intent to be more user friendly and less intimidating for those who have never played a video game. The controller looks much like a standard tv remote. It is wireless and uses motion sensing technology. If we're asked to fish in a game, we're used to pushing a button or a series of buttons. Instead, we'll be drawing the controller back, swinging it to cast and pulling it back again to start reeling it in. The controller still has the standard buttons of course, and the games won't consist solely of motion sensing antics. The key will be walking the line between being creative and being gimmicky. The Wii will also have a wifi setup and will feature downloadable games from the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and Turbografx-16 libraries. For a fee, of course. It will also be backwards compatible with Gamecube games. Nintendo hasn't announced an official release date or price point yet, but rumors have it releasing late in the year in the $200 neighborhood.

Playstation 3. Worth the money?

SONY: Sony finally announced a release date and a price for their upcoming Playstation 3. It will be released in the states November 17th and there will be a 2 tiered pricing system of $499 and $599. The $599 pack will have a 60GB hard drive, wifi capabilities, HDMI output for those of you with HDTV and memory stick slots. The $499 "'Tard Pack" as it's already being called will have a 20GB drive and none of the above features. How much will games be? Probably not less than $60 and maybe as much as $70 or $80. Too damn expensive for my tastes. Some people are bitching about the controller because it resembles the PS2 controller which is basically the same design from the original Playstation days. I think the PS2 has the best controller I've ever used, and I say say why change for change's sake? What concerns me is that they also announced that the controller will have motion sensing technology similar to Nintendo. Rip-off, anyone?

The PS3 will feature the most impressive hardware of the bunch, so if you want to see the sweat on Solid Snake's brow or the snot dripping from Dante's nose, this is an exciting time for you. The PS3 games will be Blu-Ray discs and you will also be able to play Blu-Ray movies on it. Sony's taken sides on the upcoming Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD battle (VHS vs Betamax, anyone?) Standalone Blu-Ray players are retailing anywhere from $500 to $1000, so if you love games, have money to burn and a home theater fetish, the Playstation 3 is right up your alley. It will also be backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 games. Still, it's too damn expensive for me.

Xbox 360. Fine and dandy, but not for me.

Microsoft: The Xbox 360 was released about 6 months ago to get the head start against Sony. Halo 3 was their big announcement at the show. There had been whisperings that M$ was going to join Sony and Nintendo in the handheld gaming market, but nothing has been announced and it will likely stay that way. Microsoft's console seems to be doing well despite a rocky start. If you want action games and first-person shooters, the 360 is where it's at. I want neither of these, so you won't see a 360 in my home until 2016 when I pick one up from a garage sale for $20. I don't wanna have to wait ten years to play Elder Scrolls IV, but them's the breaks.

War Pigs will be playable in Guitar Hero 2? Oh Lord Yeah!

PC, PS2 and Gamecube: It's not all next-gen news at E3, however. Blizzard announced to no one's surprise that the Dranei will be the new playable Alliance race in World of Warcraft. A new ugly Alliance race to go along with the pretty new Blood Elves on the Horde side. Meanwhile, there's still plenty of quality games coming out for the PS2. With Okami, God of War 2 and Guitar Hero 2 all on the way it's a GREAT time to buy a Playstation 2. There's a playable demo of the new Gamecube Zelda game: The Twilight Princess. It will also have added functionality for the controller when played on the Wii. Nintendo also announced Super Paper Mario for the Gamecube, which appears to be a blend of Super Mario World and Paper Mario.

Is it a good time to be a gamer? Maybe. If you can afford it.