The System Wars for the 21st Century!

by Sea Monkey

Well, it's been a couple years now, and we once again return to the battle for highest sales. The three contenders are Nintendo with their "Dolphin", Sega with "DreamCast", and finally Sony with "PlayStation 2". Each of these consoles has their ups and downs, pros and cons. But the real question is "Which will come out on top?"

Nintendo has always been rather notorious for their games geared toward younger audiences. But it's quality, not quantity, as they say. The big "N" sure does take it's sweet time with their software; but the time with that software is usually sweet when spent playing it, if you get my drift. Zelda 64 (or TOoT) is an excellent example. I remember waiting for it in November of '96, and we recieved it 2 years later. However, it was a master piece in my opinion. I predict it will be no different for the Dolphin, and that low price tag sure gives me some incentive.

The DreamCast has BLAZED through the first couple weeks, selling half a million. As usual, Sega released their entry into next-gen consoles earlier than the others, and this can be bad and good. Bad, in a sense that, when the other systems come out, they are in another ball park so to speak. Good, in a sense that, there is no equal competition, so it sells bigtime. Some of those games look very promising, too (Phantasy Star Online good enough? I thought so).

Last, but not least, the PlayStation 2. You might remember the first PS consoles had a defect with overheating, or loose lenses, or faulty circuits, I've heard 'em all. Sony will need to make ABSOLUTE sure that the PS2s are in good condition. PS2 will need either the BEST damn games we've ever played, or some big price drops, and fast. The best feature for the PS2 is no doubt the backward compatability with PS CDs. That's wonderful, Sony is a good role model. On the flip side, though, those prices turn a lot of customers off.

In conclusion, here's MY prediction (and this is completely my opinion, guys):

DreamCast - The DC will have some great games and other things, but the other systems are very much more high-end than it. But Sega will DEFINATELY sell this one.

Dolphin - It'll have a handful of gems, however mostly those gems will be buried in a sea of sand. The Dolphin's high point will be it's great tag.

PlayStation 2 - Sony will wise up and lower the price, but be somewhat overpowered by the Dolphin. That will fail to topple Square's Skyscrapers, though.