Xbox 360: Before Next Gen - Next-Gen Too Soon?

The Xbox 360 could be a killer system, once games start evolving past these existing ones. Part of the problem here is that Microsoft has released a new console when they have not yet outgrown their old one. The mixed bag of Xbox Live asside, the only substantial innovation of this new Xbox is simply beefier hardware, and the games we have aren’t taking full advantage of the machine yet.

The first Xbox is still fairly up to date. Take a look at how briefly the Xbox has been out. It was released in November of 2001, and is being replaced after only 4 years. Successful game systems usually last at least a year longer than that. The Playstation 2 came out in 2000, which makes it 5 years old now, and the PS3 won't replace it until next year.

The original NES was released in the US in 1985, and it wasn’t replaced by the SNES until 1991. The SNES then lasted until 1996, when the N64 came out. Those lasted 6 years and 5 years respectively, and each had offered significant improvement over what had existed. Games that were ready right around launch showed off the system immediately. Most obviously, Atari’s blocky graphics became history when the NES came out. The SNES offered a jump from 8-bit graphics to 16-bit. When Sony introduced the Playstation in 1995, with a huge generation jump to 32-bit graphics and a CD-ROM and other goodies, it lasted 5 years before the Playstation 2 came out. In fact, you can still buy Playstations today.

Not only was Microsoft’s Xbox the most powerful hardware of the last generation of consoles, but it will have the shortest lifespan of any major console. This basically means it will have the least immediate advantages to buying the new system right away.

Many reviewers and testers of the new system say that the 360 looks great on high definition TVs, though so the Xbox doesn't look bad either.

Next: We Still Have to Wait >>
 

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