MAN! Have I been busy lately! Anyway Unique Critique is back and here to critique things... uniquely in some sort of way... I guess.

So how about them console launches lately! WOW!

Basically if you exist on the internet you've probably heard of the big new video game consoles that have been gather quite the buzz recently. Most of what I see is confusion, and perhaps a lot of the fog will be lifted when E3 comes around.

Though a video game console is a HUGE investment. There's the cost of the machine itself, games to fill your library, controllers, and other peripherals that a console and its games demand. People are confused on what console they should purchase this winter, and rightfully so.

Perhaps I can help shed some light on the situation and give my perspective on our "new gen" consoles.

Now before you claim I'm biased against one company or another I've owned multiple consoles from all of the major industries. I've owned multiple Nintendo Consoles, Multiple Playstations, and an Xbox 360. Currently I have in my possession only a PS2, a Wii, and a 3DS. That's it! I've recently sold my Xbox 360 because I wasn't currently using it and won't in the future. Plus a friend wanted it and I made a quick buck, but the Xbox 360 is one of my favorite consoles to date.

Now anyway on with the show.

Nintendo 3DS

The only "new gen" console that I own! And I find it odd that people seem to count out the handheld market as "real consoles". I disagree! Handhelds are one of the fastest growing platforms of entertainment.

And the 3DS is no slouch! The 3DS got a lot of bad press on its launch. People saying that its 3D features are not just gimmicky, but just don't work. That there's no games on 3DS. That its a failure and Nintendo's worst handheld to date.

I personally feel ALL of these are false! At launch the 3DS did suffer from a weak launch library AND was overpriced. Both are fair criticisms of the 3DS at launch, but they don't hold true anymore! There was a major price drop on the 3DS and an XL version with a larger screen that is also priced fairly in my opinion. And the 3DS library has grown fantastically! Its actually putting up a good fight with the major consoles in my opinion. Games such as Mario Kart 7, Mario 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon are major sellers of the console and great. Though the 3DS has more to offer than just Mario games. It has other major titles like Fire Emblem: Awakening, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, and Resident Evil: Revelations, A few favorite upcoming titles include Shin Megami Tensei IV, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!, Bravely Default Flying Fairy, Legend of Zelda (Link to the Past 2), Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Monster Hunter 4, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Project X Zone, the next Super Smash Bros., and of course Pokemon X and Y. And we haven't even reach E3 yet!

And funny enough... the only game I own is Fire Emblem: Awakening!

I totally recommend picking up a 3DS! It has one of the deceptively strongest libraries to date! A 3DS is relatively inexpensive. And if the whole 3D aspect has you down, its totally optional, but you may find yourself turning it on anyway! I personally didn't think I'd ever use it, but now it adds to the visual depth of most games. You have to really try it in your own comfortable environment to really get the full experience.

Playstation Vita

The Playstation Vita is a classic example of how power doesn't mean everything. Yes it is leagues over the Nintendo 3DS, but even after literally going through the entire library list of the Playstion Vita, I can't find any standalone game not available anywhere else to make me care. Yeah I'd love a piece of that Persona 4 Golden, but I have P4 at home already so I'm not going to pay an arm and a leg to get it.

Ironically I feel its power is its weakness. Its so powerful that its asking price rivals that of a new PS3... ouch! This leads also to a small market since people can't afford the Vita over other handheld markets. And developing for the Vita is practically like developing for a full fledged console game!

I have never used a Vita and don't really know anybody who has to my knowledge. Perhaps some people here who have one could shed more light on this system. But hey... you can use it with you PS4... wait that's buying 2 consoles!

iPod/iPad/Andriod

Okay... I don't own an iPod. Hell, at the moment I don't even have a phone. My sisters have iPods, older siblings have iPads, my mother has an Android phone. I'm really new to these markets. I know this is where games like Temple Run and Angry Birds got their start, and I hear of hot new Tablet games all the time.

To my knowledge most of what you'll find here are smaller indie titles, but hey those are a blast! And inexpensive too! The Phone and Tablet market are quickly growing to be quite the formidable format to play games!

I'm pretty interested to get in on this. I've always wanted the usefulness of an iPod/Smart Phone device... though I'm not totally sure what to buy.

Ouya

Ah... the little engine that could... or is it? The Ouya is a big thing coming up in the indie scene since its a console made through a Kickstarter campaign. Its to be a big home for indie games that are scared of the big consoles.

...Though really is that what the above Tablet market is for? Or the PC market? The Ouya is not a very powerful system. Hell its the only console that I've ever heard of being smaller than its own controller! Its a very confusing little curiosity.

At the cheap asking price of $99 I'll probably pick one up just to check it out. I don't really expect this to be the next big thing, but its a fun underdog tale. I'll give it my support. Whether you should or not... I might advise against it, but look it up and if it tickles your fancy it couldn't hurt to own.

Wii U

Ah... we finally hit the big boys... so we start with the runt of the litter! The Wii U launched last year with some mixed opinions. Some said it was an already obsolete upgrade to one of the worst consoles in gaming, an all too gimmicky waste of time. I'd wager otherwise.

I'm a long standing fan of Nintendo, but I was very disappointed in the Wii's performance. I was expecting a supercharged GameCube (my personal favorite console ever), but instead I got a lackluster library. Some people say I should go back and check out a few hidden gems I've missed, much like what I need to do for the Nintendo DS, but I just don't see much at all for me... plus my Wii's a beaten piece of junk anyway.

Needless to say I was hoping the Nintendo Wii U was a huge revival of the Nintendo franchise... and I got a bit of a disappointment. I think Nintendo's strength is more in its 3DS. The Wii U is a machine with a fair share of problems. Up until its recent update it had gross slow loading times! It's giant Wii U Pad is not quite as fun as I thought it would be, a step up from the WiiMote, but still kinda clunky. I suppose I should dish out for a Pro controller.

But its other problem is its library. We got ZombiU and New Super Mario Bros. U... Nintendo Land is a fun time to see what the system can do, but its more of a tech demo if anything. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is much more fun on Wii U than 3DS and even has crossplay between the two systems (a similar system to what we'll see for the new Smash Bros. I'd bet!). A few titles I'm looking forward to are Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101 (which Platinum Games decided to launch on my birthday for me, how thoughtful), the new Mario platformer, the next Smash Bros., and the odd crossover of Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem.

With the Wii U I suppose we'll see more at E3, but that's the same story with the other consoles. The Wii U has had a year and has produced nothing to write home about. Perhaps this will be another 3DS type story where suddenly the library will explode in the next year or 2. But until then or a nice price drop (hah, just like 3DS) I don't see myself picking this system up for quite some time sadly.

Playstation 4

Well... time for the only console that I can't show and image for its hardaware... mehh.....

I'm a huge fan of the Playstation... Playstation 2 to be specific. My brother was always the Playstation guy, I was more of a Nintendo guy. But even I had to admit that the grass on the other side was pretty freakin green! Recently I've purchased a PS2 so I can buy a bunch of old classics and I'm having a blast...

...oh wait... that's right... I need to talk about the NEW gen stuff...

You know for people giving Xbox so much shit for "where's the games?" the PS4 press conference was also pretty underwhelming. The only major exclusives that seem like launched titles are Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack, and maybe that Driveclub game. There was so much attention on games like Watch_Dogs, Destiny, and fucking Diablo III that aren't even technically made for next gen. They are current gen with next gen up-ports. Now I'll probably pick up the games mentioned if I get a PS4 yes, but they really didn't highlight too much how this gives them a reason to side with them.

But yet I'm a bit optimistic for the PS4. It has a few social features I like. Hearing from freakin developers like John Blow about the console is a bit refreshing instead of hearing the publishers. The Dualshock 4 is the biggest change in the dualshock in history, but it looks pretty comfy and nice controller.

And Sony have been keeping quiet. They haven't been tripping over statements like some other guys. Though the silence from Sony could also be scary... maybe the PS4 will have some scary DRM features that Sony just haven't told anyone about yet. We'll see I suppose, but be careful.

Xbox One

Ooops I mean't...

Ahhh yeah... so the main reason I took so long after the Xbox Press Conference to make this is that I wanted to give myself some time to calm down... I has barely made any difference...

Okay the stupid name... whatever we got over the Wii didn't we... deal with it... SPORTS, SPORTS, TV, TV... okay fine so they wanted to drive home this whole TV application of the Xbox One... fine... games are for E3... no real gameplay at the conference... makes the conference kinda boring, but fine... CALL OF DUTY DOG HOO BOY!

It was the new "Giant Enemy Crab" moment in the game industry. Many companies have embarrassing conferences. Hell every E3 for the past few years has been pretty freakin embarrassing for everyone!

But it was after the conference... I was dreading the new generation of consoles for a few reasons... DRM and Online Abuse... the killing of Used Games... these fears have been circulating for a few years now and something inside me figured that no company could be stupid or desperate enough to go through with it....

Then Microsoft.... just wow! One statement after another, slowly falling apart, the publish lashing out at them... Holy hot shit...

I understand. Not everything is final, and Sony could have the same things they're just quiet... I get all that. But if Microsoft does not make a dramatic change in the way they treat their consumer base I WILL NEVER EVER PICK UP AN XBOX ONE EVER! I really cannot make myself more clear. Its something WE DO NOT WANT! Its something only greedy publishers want, but I will not stand for.

Microsoft just wants this to be the future of gaming... but remember... this Online DRM checks, these Used Game charges, these online licences... they're only the future of gaming, if you buy it!

Some say E3 might change everything. Microsoft has 15 exclusive titles lined up... that's a lot! They could be the best games ever... maybe you care... but at this point I don't!

I'd say avoid this console like the plague. If the PS4 suddenly implements similar systems, avoid them too! But hey you do what you want with your money, just consider heavily on your console choice.

PC

Uhh... maybe it's time I finally invest in that new graphics card...