My first videogame console was an Atari 2600. When I was a kid, I remember thinking to myself, "Someday, videogame graphics will look totally realistic." With the launch of Sony and Microsoft's latest gaming machines, that childhood dream is now reality.
My first console was an Atari 2600
After a seven-year wait, fans of console gaming now have two brand-new systems to choose between. It's an impressive bit of retail-savvy timing, releasing the two platforms only a week apart—just in time for the holiday shopping season. Whereas Nintendo enjoyed success in previous generations, the Wii-U is widely considered a flop, due to extremely poor sales. In contrast, Sony's PlayStation 4 set a new record for console sales in North America. Last week, the company sold 1 million PlayStation 4 units in one day. Microsoft pulled off a similar feat, selling over one million Xbox One units in one day.
There's plenty to read about both systems. There are numerous reviews and comparisons. There are articles documenting hardware issues. There is some discussion about Microsoft's play for living-room dominance and Sony's laser-like focus on gaming—at the expense of features that people took for granted on the PlayStation 3. In all, there is a lot to digest, so I put together a short list of articles that could be worth a look.
I want to know, is this the true dawn of the golden era of gaming? Initial sales of these eighth-generation consoles indicate the answer is a resounding "YES!"
Twin reviews are everywhere—most major tech sites have at least one for Xbox and one for PS4. Polygon.com gives the Xbox One an 8.0 rating, while the PlayStation 4 receives a 7.5 rating.
image from polygon.com
There are plenty of articles about the new benchmark for day-one console sales: One million units.
Demand for both consoles appears to be strong, even after the day-one rush.
image from techradar.com
CNET feels it may be worth waiting before buying either console.
There are plenty of consoles in stock at Best Buy for anyone who did not pre-order.
image from polygon.com
Of course, along with all the good news, there are occasional reports of glitches.
PC world discusses how the Xbox One fits into Microsoft's microcosm and whether it competes with actual PCs.
My first videogame console was an Atari 2600. When I was a kid, I remember thinking to myself, "Someday, videogame graphics will look totally realistic." With the launch of Sony and Microsoft's latest gaming machines, that childhood dream is now reality.
My first console was an Atari 2600
After a seven-year wait, fans of console gaming now have two brand-new systems to choose between. It's an impressive bit of retail-savvy timing, releasing the two platforms only a week apart—just in time for the holiday shopping season. Whereas Nintendo enjoyed success in previous generations, the Wii-U is widely considered a flop, due to extremely poor sales. In contrast, Sony's PlayStation 4 set a new record for console sales in North America. Last week, the company sold 1 million PlayStation 4 units in one day. Microsoft pulled off a similar feat, selling over one million Xbox One units in one day.
There's plenty to read about both systems. There are numerous reviews and comparisons. There are articles documenting hardware issues. There is some discussion about Microsoft's play for living-room dominance and Sony's laser-like focus on gaming—at the expense of features that people took for granted on the PlayStation 3. In all, there is a lot to digest, so I put together a short list of articles that could be worth a look.
I want to know, is this the true dawn of the golden era of gaming? Initial sales of these eighth-generation consoles indicate the answer is a resounding "YES!"
Twin reviews are everywhere—most major tech sites have at least one for Xbox and one for PS4. Polygon.com gives the Xbox One an 8.0 rating, while the PlayStation 4 receives a 7.5 rating.
image from polygon.com
There are plenty of articles about the new benchmark for day-one console sales: One million units.
Demand for both consoles appears to be strong, even after the day-one rush.
image from techradar.com
CNET feels it may be worth waiting before buying either console.
There are plenty of consoles in stock at Best Buy for anyone who did not pre-order.
image from polygon.com
Of course, along with all the good news, there are occasional reports of glitches.
PC world discusses how the Xbox One fits into Microsoft's microcosm and whether it competes with actual PCs.