When will the next generation come?

After a short conversation with fellow blogger Tom Worthington, I started thinking, who will have the first next-gen console? This is a little tricky in my opinion because what exactly determines what is a next-gen console these days? Things were a lot clearer when we went from the Xbox to the Xbox 360, the PS2 to the PS3 and from the Gamecube to the Wii.

Does the new "slim" Xbox 360 count? Or is it just another upgrade? It is a huge improvement over the original launch console and it has a completely different look and mechanics, not just a new paint job.

Maybe this will be the trend for awhile. Instead of a completely new console, every once in awhile we will just get a upgraded version. Is this a better solution? I don't see why it isn't.

Think of it this way, when Microsoft went from the Xbox to the Xbox 360, that was pretty much the end of the road for the Xbox. It finally had an experation date and the 360 rained supreme. If you wanted to move forward with your Xbox gaming you had to purchase a 360. Now-a-days that just isn't true. A gamer using a launch console can play with a person using the new "slim" console. This saves microsoft from putting yet another experation date on a console.

As far as the other consoles go, the Wii and the PS3, here are my predictions. I feel Nintendo will be the first to jump to a true next-gen console. They no doubtedly have the best motion control system on the market but where they lack is with graphics and a great game selection. And with the other two major players in the gaming industry coming out with their own motion control hardware, I think Nintendo will have to step their game up (no pun intended). This means coming out with a console that can match the graphics of the Xbox and the PS3.

Now for Sony, I think they might stick with what they have for awhile. I feel that Sony as a whole are pretty sure of themselves and feel that the PS3 at the moment is the superior console. And since Sony does have a reputation of never admitting that aren't the best thing since sliced bread, they will probably keep the PS3 around for bit longer. Or until Sony thinks Microsoft has gotten a leg up on them, not that they will ever admit that.

So what will the future hold for gaming consoles? Will we wait five more years for a completely new console? Or are we closer to one then we think? It's a little cliche' but only time will tell. However, as long as the gaming world continues to move forward and push the boundaries a little I think we will be fine with whatever comes along.

-Nick Recchia