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If You Could Only Use One Console For the Rest of Your Life…
What Would You Choose?
by Sarah
Last week, I asked the gaming community to choose the game they would play for the rest of their lives if they could only have one. There were some pretty good responses, so today I’m asking a similar question. Imagine, once again, that you’re in a situation that only allows you to have one video game system, past or present, for the rest of your life. The scenario, once again, is yours to pick; it could be a deserted island, or a dystopian future. Maybe you’re being held in a prison on a life sentence and the inmates are only allowed one system, and can never choose again. Whatever the imaginary circumstances, pretend that you can choose one system (including handhelds), but all of its functionality, online and off, remains. The one stipulation I will add is that while you can choose the PC, emulators of any kind are outlawed and inaccessible. Left with these parameters, what would you pick?
This is a tricky question, even though it allows more gaming options than my previous scenario. In my house, I have an Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PS1, Gamecube, Xbox, SNES, NES, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, PSP, and DS. Obviously, some of these get less play than others, and since my PS3 is completely backwards compatible, that eliminates the PS2 and PS1 right away. Similarly, the Wii makes my Gamecube obsolete, and I can play most of my favorite Xbox games on the 360 if I so desire. In other words, all last-gen systems are out right away.
Handhelds are extremely convenient, so it’s hard for me to think of getting rid of them forever. What would I do on long plane or train rides, or during boring conversations, or any other situation that might require some gaming on the go? Still, neither the DS nor the PSP has the gaming library of the Wii, 360, and PS3 do when figuring in backwards compatibility and downloadable titles. The fact that many Genesis, NES, SNES, and N64 games are readily available on the Wii also eliminates my beloved old-school systems (I just have to hope and pray that Earthbound and Maniac Mansion come to the Virtual Console someday). Now comes the hard part: deciding between the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Some might mock me for even considering the Wii, but I believe it’s reasonable. As previously mentioned, the Virtual Console and WiiWare offer hundreds of extra games, and while both downloadable platforms are filled with a good amount of crap, there are plenty of quality titles, too. The Wii also has some fantastic retail titles, but does it have as many as the 360 or PS3? I have twice as many 360 games as Wii games at home, and Xbox Live makes the 360 a more viable option than the Wii. However, in the end, I might just have to go with the PS3. 
As heartbreaking as it would be to cut out all of my favorite Nintendo games and non-PS3 games like Left 4 Dead 2, I think the PS3 is the most satisfying option. I can still play all of my PS1 games (of which I have dozens) and PS2 titles (I have less, but there are plenty of good options). I still get Final Fantasy VIII through XII, the last two Persona games, and can catch up on all of the great PS2 RPGs I missed last generation. Again, I might change my mind, and this isn’t a choice that I would ever want to make, but if forced to, I’d stick with my 60GB PS3. Good-bye, other systems, you served me well, and you won’t be forgotten.
Comments
yeah probably going with the ol' PS3. that is, as long as this doesn't happen until after FFXIII, Resonance of Fate, God of War III, and Yakuza 3 come out.
PS3, no contest
Even pre FFXIII, Resonance of Fate, God of War III and Yakuza 3...
Seeing as how I only have X360 games (not counting girlfriends Wii games), I would have to go with the 360. Although I believe I would go with that anyway...tho I am biased I suppose.
Could there also be a television in the room with the proper cables and attachments for the console? I agree completely with the PlayStation 3 choice. GOOD JOB!
FM TOWNS MARTY B/C I LIKE TO SPANK IT TO EARLY 90'S HENTAI.
Seems like a very flame-bait-y article. If this was any site other than Gamervision, the situation would have deteriorated quickly. But as things stand, I'd go with the 360, because most of my favorite games are on it, it can play a lot of the great Xbox originals, and has an evergrowing excellent line-up of Arcade titles. And as far as the future goes Natal seems more promissing that the Wand Arc Gem Sphere (or WAGS for short) although I am sold on neither yet.
I think open world games have the most replayability, so it would be hard to say anything but Xbox 360...
Oh, wait, PC. Done.
@ozymandias: Not looking for flames, as you can tell by my love for all systems, I'm no fanboy. The PS3 isn't even the system I play most, but might be the one I got the most use out of if I could only have one. Luckily the comments haven't erupted into a console war... yet.
So, would there be no contact with the outside world? I'll take the PS3 if I'm not allowed online connectivity. Otherwise, I'd take a 360 if I could also get one that would run forever.
Although I'm not 100% confident, I think I might actually go with my DSi. It easily gets the most playtime out of all my consoles and despite the limited graphics and controls, has given me some of my favorite gaming experiences of the last year.
Now if the DSiWare store really takes off then it'll be no contest...
LittleBigPlanet means that I could easily spend the rest of my life on one system. If the apocolypse happened and there was no more new consoles, I'd be in Vault 101 playing the PS3.
This is nearly an impossible question. First of all, my PS3 is not PS2 compatible, but it is PS1 compatible. Therefore, it doesn't even get consideration. To me, it's mostly a Blu-ray player. That leaves the 360, the Wii, and every older console ever made. I probably have more games for the PS2 than any other, but who wants to play 3 year-old sports games? No, I think I'd have to go with the 360. As long as I can connect to Xbox Live, I have a massive network of gamers to play with, and tons of fps's, rpgs, and arcade classics to keep me entertained until I die of scurvy.
Never mind - FM Towns Marty. FTW.
online- 360
no online - PS3
I'd defo choose my ps3. It has BC and a 500gb HD so I'll have enough space for a long while.
guaranteed my xbox 360!