I’d argue that Xbox and Sega for the OXB/360/Genesis were vastly different companies than the later two consoles. Seamus Blackley, Peter Moore, and J Allard had legitimately interesting ideas in the 00’s that shook up the console industry. And it’s also worth pointing out that MS’ goal wasn’t to compete with Sony, but steer the console industry in a direction where it wouldn’t replace PCs. They only continued because the XB had momentum and the 360 capitalized on that. Don Mattrick flushed that all down the toilet to the point where MS didn’t have the infrastructure to support a console, they needed to rebuild almost from scratch. With that in mind, the Series feels like a stronger attempt to catch up, just one that won’t be disrupted by COVID and AI. Granted, MS butchering the studios they bought makes me not want to be a part of that, but Activision still made truck loads of cash when they were the studio I hated that released Call of Duty.

As for Sega, I’d argue Michael Katz was the real catalyst for the Genesis’ success. The emphasis on sports games and celebrity names alongside its aggressive in your face marketing worked, which Tom Kalinske continued alongside his give the razor/sell the blades approach. What Kalinske did not have was an eye for talent or quality games, which was fine when the Genesis rode on the consistency of iterative sports games and their Japanese games, but come the time of the Saturn and they had a console that only appealed to Japanese gamers. The Sega of America games were not up to par with the competition and they really lacked quality sports games you could find easier on the PS1. Add in Stolar’s terrible marketing and refusal to localize strong Japanese games and it was a disaster. The Dreamcast would have been a fine console if Sega’s reputation and finances weren’t in the toilet. I could call it cursed, but they still made many right moves before its death.

Sounds like an awesome trip! My job makes me unfortunately unable to visit China (along with several others, but China’s the only one of them I’d want to go to). Sounds like a great trip, glad you had a good time!

There is no ownership on PS6

PS4 was probably the most disappointing console to me, hated it as a machine so much that I shifted to Xbox, PC, and Switch. So I don't have tons of fond memories with it since I was playing everything else. Library got a second wind from me though when I traded it for a PS5, a console with the opposite problem: Not a lot of exclusives, but a fantastic machine (at least, in my opinion).

My favorite PS4 games are Bloodborne, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Resident Evil 7, Crash Bandicoot 4, Styx: Shards of Darkness, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Ratchet and Clank, Spider-Man, and The Evil Within 2. There's other PS4 games I loved (Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Dead Cells come to mind), but I played them on other consoles/PC, so that's where I'm attached to them. Should give Tearaway a shot though. Probably will have plenty of time in the future with the way the PS6 is shaping up!

I probably wouldn't either, but I found seven people who wanted to go in on the family plan and thats a crazy good deal when you pay under $10 a year. 

She bought a Switch to play it haha. But she doesn't want to pay for online.

My girlfriend adores that Hello Kitty game so you're not alone in that GOTY pick. Granted she's not much of a gamer but she has good taste in books and movies, so I trust her judgement.

The Vita OLED was wonderful and my platform of choice for indie games. Problem was I bought that handheld for indies AND games like Uncharted GA that took advantage of its power and it only delivered on one.

Going into 2017 every console felt worse than its predecessor. For all of PS3's had no games memes, its library before the Slim was still more exciting than the PS4's before the Slim. XB1 was never half as good as the 360. Wii U had a slew of very good games, but nothing as exciting as Mario Galaxy or fresh as Wii Sports. 3DS and Vita felt like a step down third party wise and a lot safer first party wise. Switch launching with BOTW helped it break that stigma but then it never stopped getting a good variety quality games. Then PS4 started getting games that weren't my cup of tea usually, but were very well polished and fun. And indie games started filling gaping holes in catering to niches. Gaming isn't perfect now (it can't match1998-2011) but I'm very happy with where it is.

Switch is my favorite platform right now and it's not even close. Hell, I was ready to give up on modern gaming going into 2017 and Swirch was that one last chance to renew my interest in it. And what an interest it sparked! Though I'm ready for Switch 2 as well. A lot of Nintendo and indie studios have ideas too ambitious for the Switch. 

Just think it's funny how with how much the PSP graphics were touted in the game, I'm returning to a lot thinking they really haven't aged well while so many DS games catch me off guard with how they look great today.

PSP had a few games I enjoyed a lot but as a whole the handheld was a disappointment to me. Was disappointed the Vita bombed too, such great hardware but Sony didn't seem to care about it. DS remains my favorite handheld, I liked the 3DS too but its games didn't feel as creative or varied, mostly 2D platformers and JRPGs. I like both those genres, but I enjoy others as well.

I enjoyed Super Nintendo Land. Made sure to come here before my deployment so felt extra special since it was the last time I'll see two of my buddies for the rest of the year. Didn't go to the restaurant but enj the ride a lot, actually more than Buzz Lightyear. Though I may be biased because my girlfriend kicked my butt at Buzz and I beat her at the Mario Kart ride.

The most disappointing console for me. I was so excited after how much I loved the PS3's twilight years, but year one was horrible, 2015 wasn't much better but at least had Bloodborne. Once the exclusives started rolling like Uncharted 4 and Horizon Zero Dawn I kept thinking they were fine but didn't feel special. And the machine itself was so slow that I found myself enjoying the games I like less just from having to put up with that horrible interface. PS5 is a huge improvement as a machine, but the games haven't interested me too much so far. Adore Ratchet and Returnal, but not much else. Hoping for better things with Spider-Man and FFXVI deliver this year

Xbox One was my utility console last gen. I know PS4 was more powerful, but I couldn't stand how slow that machine was so I'd go with the XB version most of the time. Exclusives were lacking but I liked Cuphead and Sunset Overdrive a lot.

3DS was a bit of a letdown for me. Tons of games, but variety was lacking with almost entirely JRPGs and 2D platformers. And don't get me wrong, I love those two genres, but I want more variety is all. I was fine with it at the end of the day, but I definitely prefer the DS.

Love this thing. Might be my favorite console. End was meh, but still was the better experience console so multiplats give it the edge over PS3 in my book while those early exclusives like Mass Effect, Halo 3, Gears, and Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts were fire. Not to mention how much fun every summer of arcade was.

Never did a 180 so hard on a console before. Hated this thing at launch, especially with how many great games were coming out on the 360 and Wii compared to it. But once it got the Slim I picked it up and was impressed with its late gen games and how multiplats were finally competent on it. My main console from 2011-2013.

PSP was just okay for me. Some good games on there, but so many held back by being designed with a second stick in mind but being on the PSP. Didn't get that issue with the DS where games felt designed with it in mind. Still, RPG lineup delivered and I've been having fun going back to its early ports like Crazy Taxi and NBA Street.

My favorite handheld except maybe the Switch. Had this through almost my entire teen years, introduced me to so many franchises I love like Castlevania and Ace Attorney as well as being the best machine for Pokémon. Still bust it out every now and then.

I remember the Tapwave Zodiac. Tried positioning itself as just as much a multimedia machine (PDA, video, music, etc) as much as a game console to carve a niche over the DS/PSP. Problem was they targeted it almost entirely to adults (I don't remember ever seeing one or it's games as a kid), but the form factor was made for smaller hands. Well that and it just didn't get much support for games. Doom 2, Tony Hawk, a port of Tomb Raider and that's about it.

Nice. I'm happy with Splatoon 3 right now and am excited for Bayonetta, Sonic, Mario+Rabbids, Callisto Protocol, and especially Pokemon to round out the year. Not sure what the release schedule is like next year but I'm stoked for Zelda and Starfield.

My favorite PS5 game right now is Ratchet and Clank, which is just more Ratchet but I love that series so it's good enough for me! Deathloop and Astro-Bot were pretty good too. This year I'm sure I'll pick up Horizon (though I refuse to spend more than $60 on it) and MLB The Show. I couldn't resist when I saw Ohtani's steel book cover

My GOTY is right now a tie between Halo Infinite and Metroid Dread. After that, Ratchet and Clank, Psychonauts 2, and Deathloop. Was a pretty good year for games with me too. Felt the indie scene could have been better though, some good games but nothing on par with Hades, Celeste or Dead Cells.

I still haven't played a Ys game. I hear they're good and look neat just looks like one giant rabbit hole to delve into and I barely have enough time for the games I'm playing.

Metroid Dread is my GOTY though Halo Infinite could pass it by the end of the year. Between the open world campaign and how much the MP is bringing back the glory days with my buddies I'm very happy with it. Honorable mentions would be Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Psychonauts 2, Deathloop, and yes, New Pokémon Snap.

I really need to get back to Ace Attorney.