This upcoming gen - most pointless gen ever?

Honestly, the PS3 and 360 are doing nothing to improve the experience of this generation, outside of improving the visuals and making systems more powerful.

The early gen created gaming.

NES/SMS revived it, expanded it.

Genesis/SNES expanded it even more.

Saturn/PSX/N64 brought 3D, expanded it.

DC/PS2/XB/GC vastly improved the 3D.

This gen, I wouldn't say vastly improved it, and the only reason I would say it expanded the industry is because of the Revolution.

If these visuals I've seen are the best that these systems can be done, the systems have no reason to exist. Sony and MS would do better to just work on bringing out the best in the PS2 and Xbox instead of demanding $400/$500 for new visuals and better hardware - not a new gaming experience.

As a general rule, people don't like innovation.  Innovation is different, an unknown, a scary thing that changes the status quo.


MS and Sony recognize that and are giving the market more of the same. 

Nintendo has decided to carve out a niche for itself instead of competing with MS and Sony on their turf (which the circumstances surrounding the GC have shown just isn't going to work).  Thus, Nintendo is looking to capture the market of people who aren't willing to spend >$300 on a game system and who are willing to try something new-- the early adopters, if you will.

I think it's a good strategy.  A gamble, to be sure, but since when is any economic decision not a gamble?  I admit that I hope this one pays off for Nintendo.  I'll be waiting for the Revolution.