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[Pedigree Chum]

I'm sick of new portables being released like every 2-3 years (GBA2 in 2006-7? Argh). Sony with great hardware should be able to duke it out for 5 years on PSP technology, I hope they actually do that, and not cut the thing short. This will force Nintendo to do the same, and will make me very happy.

BTW, I'm including GBA->GBA:SP here since it's STILL an upgrade and should be counted.

 

[Shin Johnpv]

upgrades dont count since you dont have to buy new hardware to play the games

 

[Future Trunks]

I'm sick of new portables being released like every 2-3 years (GBA2 in 2006-7? Argh). Sony with great hardware should be able to duke it out for 5 years on PSP technology, I hope they actually do that, and not cut the thing short. This will force Nintendo to do the same, and will make me very happy.

BTW, I'm including GBA->GBA:SP here since it's STILL an upgrade and should be counted.

Maybe I'm crazy, but isn't Nintendo the one trying to keep portable life cycles long? I mean, the GB to the GBColor was what? Almost 6 years? GB Color to GBA was about 6 too. Outside of the GBA->GBA SP->DS->GBA2....it seems that the 2-3 year trend is only the result of displeasure (non-backlit GBAs) and impending competition...otherwise, going GB -> GB color -> GBA -> GBA2, Nintendo's doing like 5-6 year cycles, right?

 

[Wario64]

There's already a long handheld cycle. GBA SP doesn't count. It's only an upgrade in cosmetic changes

 

[Moegames]

Yeah i think hes getting confused because all three hand helds up until DS had the name "gameboy" in some form..gameboy,gameboy color,gameboy adv and now DS which nintendo still says isnt a replacement for gameboy adv...but it really is

 

[doncale]

GameBoy (1989) GameBoy Color (1998) GameBoy Advance (2001) Nintendo DS (2004)
GameBoy Next (2006-2007)

 

[Wario64]

I can understand if the next Gameboy being released that early, but I don't understand how you can 'get sick' of this trend when it hasn't begun yet

 

[Pedigree Chum]

GameBoy (1989) GameBoy Color (1998) GameBoy Advance (2001) Nintendo DS (2004)
GameBoy Next (2006-2007)

Excluding GB ->GBC, that's 3 year cycles (if the GBA2 comes out in 2007). Not cool IMO, make it 5 years.

 

[Particle Physicist]

Excluding GB ->GBC, that's 3 year cycles (if the GBA2 comes out in 2007). Not cool IMO, make it 5 years.

um. GBA . and GBASP are the same machine.. different exteriors.

GB.. GBC play the exact same games. yeah. there is a color output difference.. but thats all there is..

you might as well add GBpocket to your list!

 

[neptunes]

The only thing I hope for is a greatest hits line.

 

[fse]

keep it 7years or more...

 

[Pedigree Chum]

The only thing I hope for is a greatest hits line.

So am I, so am I. I bet Sony will do it though, and Nintendo as always, will follow up with tha NintendoDS Player's Choice line.

 

[Spike]

So am I, so am I. I bet Sony will do it though, and Nintendo as always, will follow up with tha NintendoDS Player's Choice line.

Nintendo has already had the player's choice titles for the original GB line. They were called Million Sellers back then.

Or were you referring to how Sony always does everything, then the competition follows.

 

[ImNotLikeThem]

GameBoy (1989) GameBoy Color (1998) GameBoy Advance (2001) Nintendo DS (2004)
GameBoy Next (2006-2007)

well then you might as well include the Virtual Boy, as thats about as similar to the gameboy line as the DS is.

um. GBA . and GBASP are the same machine.. different exteriors.

GB.. GBC play the exact same games. yeah. there is a color output difference.. but thats all there is..

you might as well add GBpocket to your list!

actually, the GBC had a new chipset, and was much more capable than the old gameboy. Color output is hardly the only difference, and thats why you had many games that were gameboy color only. Like Super Mario Bros. for example. Not possible on the original gameboy hardware. also why gameboy color games do not work with the Super Gameboy.

 

[maharg]

The biggest differences in the GBC were a higher (double) clockspeed, more RAM, and the colour output. Not a huge difference, but a difference nonetheless. I'd say it was more of a stopgap than the NDS is.

 

[Spike]

DS is not the next GameBoy. If it was, you would be able to play your GB and GBC games on it. As it stands, it doesn't offer all the features of the GB line.

 

[Azelover]

The PSP is gonna have upgrades about as often as Gameboy or even more. I've read Sony plans to release improved versions with more battery life, better interface and design. It's only natural for them to do that with handhelds.

 

[jiggle]

GameBoy (1989) GameBoy Color (1998) GameBoy Advance (2001) Nintendo DS (2004)
GameBoy Next (2006-2007)

Where's virtual boy?

 

[FitzOfRage]

If you're going to count GBA SP, I don't think you're going to get that 5 year cycle at all. Just the nature of being portable, and the fact that they're not only trying to compete with the GBA, but also portable music players and movie players, Sony is going to have to come up with something to keep the design fresh. People like a certain cache to their portable devices, and you usually don't get that with a 5 year old device. Successful portables are desirable accessories on top of being functional gadgets.

So without a doubt, I can say Sony is going to have to come up with something to generate buzz for the PSP within the next 2-3 years that's along the lines of the GBA SP or the Ipod mini, even if the change is purely cosmetic.

 

[mrklaw]

iPods being going for quite a while and hasn't got old.

The cynic in me would suggest that with absolutely no competition in the field, Nintendo simply made incremental improvements to get suckers to rebuy. How many of you have bought 3 or more GBs over its time?

Still, Sony could theoretically stretch the movie and music elements. Maybe blend the PSP with their HDD walkman, or pocket Vaio?

But if 5 year cycles means PSP2 with PS3 tech, I'm all for it Release your previous tech in portable form just before the next console version.

 

[cybamerc]

mrklaw:

> The cynic in me would suggest that with absolutely no competition in the field, Nintendo
> simply made incremental improvements to get suckers to rebuy.

When GBA was announced Nintendo said it was planning on introducing a new Game Boy around the time of their next console system. So no, Nintendo wasn't just planning on offering "incremental improvements".

> How many of you have bought 3 or more GBs over its time?

How many of you have bought 3 or more PS2s over its time?

At least with the GB line you aren't forced to rebuy.

 

[mrklaw]

mrklaw:

> The cynic in me would suggest that with absolutely no competition in the field, Nintendo
> simply made incremental improvements to get suckers to rebuy.

When GBA was announced Nintendo said it was planning on introducing a new Game Boy around the time of their next console system. So no, Nintendo wasn't just planning on offering "incremental improvements".

> How many of you have bought 3 or more GBs over its time?

How many of you have bought 3 or more PS2s over its time?

At least with the GB line you aren't forced to rebuy.

Hey, no need to get defensive! When I'm being cynical, I'm cynical to everyone in equal measures. You pick the one single example of non-incremental updates to disprove my entire point? GBA was the first 'real' update in a long time. They probably had that 'SNES level' thing in their minds and were waiting for costs to come down.

Pretty much everything else is incremental though. Shrink it, add colour, add a light, fold it in half.

 

[cybamerc]

GBA SP is a redesign. Are we gonna get on Sony's case as well for releasing PSone and the new PS2? 4 consoles in just 10 years... damn you Sony!

 

[mrklaw]

They stopped selling GBA shortly after the release of SP. And SP was selling for a premium price.

Its a redesign, sure, but its also a relaunch of hardware which enables them to keep an artificially high price point - all IMO of course.

 

[cybamerc]

One could say the same about the new PS2. You don't want it, you don't buy it. It's that simple.

 

[maharg]

iPods being going for quite a while and hasn't got old.

iPod mini this year, iPod flash next year or the year after or something.

I don't think that's a good example

 

[DDayton]

People who insist that the SP was a "new" handheld platform are nearly as annoying as those who insist that the Game Boy Color wasn't a new handheld platform.

 

[Kiriku]

GBA SP is a redesign. Are we gonna get on Sony's case as well for releasing PSone and the new PS2? 4 consoles in just 10 years... damn you Sony!

Eh, GBA SP isn't just a "redesign" in the same style as PSOne/PSTwo. Nintendo added functions that I consider useful, if not vital for handhelds today. Rechargable battery cellphone-style, and the possibility of playing without a (HUGE!! lolol) lamp nearby.

 

[AniHawk]

Eh, GBA SP isn't just a "redesign" in the same style as PSOne/PSTwo. Nintendo added functions that I consider useful, if not vital for handhelds today. Rechargable battery cellphone-style, and the possibility of playing without a (HUGE!! lolol) lamp nearby.

PSTwo now has OL gaming right out of the box. Half the consoles this gen had that feature before Sony added it.

EDIT: Well, not so much Xbox. On occasion it does (like during the holidays!). Doesn't need any adapter though. Neither did the DC.

 

[cybamerc]

Kiriku:

> Eh, GBA SP isn't just a "redesign".

Yes it is. Nothing was done to the system that affects the software.

> They also added functions that I consider useful, if not vital for handhelds today.

So PS2 isn't a redesign because they removed functionality from the hardware? That's at least five systems from Sony during the last 10 years then.

 

[Kiriku]

PSTwo now has OL gaming right out of the box. Half the consoles this gen had that feature before Sony added it.

OK, I personally don't consider that as important as being able to see what you're playing though. I still remember the uproar when people realized they barely couldn't see what they were playing (followed by "your eyes suck!" replies, of course) unless they held their GBA in an awkward angle.

 

[jonstamps]

didn't the redesign of ps2 get some big changes

:lol too slow

 

[AniHawk]

OK, I personally don't consider that as important as being able to see what you're playing though. I still remember the uproar when people realized they barely couldn't see what they were playing (followed by "your eyes suck!" replies, of course) unless they held their GBA in an awkward angle.

Well I would have never had gone OL with the system if it hadn't been for the PSTwo. I've been able to convince a lot of people that this is a great reason to buy the system if you can find it. It's more than just eye candy.

And I could always play my GBA. Hard to go back with an SP though.

Anyway, your initial argument was that the PSTwo was just a redesign and didn't add any useful functions, when it's simply untrue.

 

[mrklaw]

One could say the same about the new PS2. You don't want it, you don't buy it. It's that simple.

They didn't release the PSTwo alongside the old model, charge more for it, then drop the original.

 

[cybamerc]

When did Sony start shipping PlayStations with dual-shocks? Before PSone? If so that's 6 consoles in 10 years from Sony.

 

[AniHawk]

They didn't release the PSTwo alongside the old model, charge more for it, then drop the original.

True. The old PS2s should be like $129.99 and fade out. Charging $149.99 for those is a ripoff.

One thing the PSTwo SHOULD HAVE HAD: Four controller ports. No excuses, Sony. PS3 needs to have four.

When did Sony start shipping PlayStations with dual-shocks? Before PSone? If so that's 6 consoles in 10 years from Sony.

Now you're reaching.

 

[Kiriku]

Kiriku:

> Eh, GBA SP isn't just a "redesign".

Yes it is. Nothing was done to the system that affects the software.

> They also added functions that I consider useful, if not vital for handhelds today.

So PS2 isn't a redesign because they removed functionality from the hardware? That's at least five systems from Sony during the last 10 years then.

Feels like we're down to semantics...and opinions. I guess you're talking about the removal of HDD support? I don't find that an important feature, but that's just my opinion. Just as I didn't find the addition of a built-in IR reciever for PS2 important, or being able to play online out of the box.

 

[cybamerc]

They didn't release the PSTwo alongside the old model, charge more for it, then drop the original.

No but they released it alongside the old model, charged the same despite reduced functionality and dropped the original.

 

[cybamerc]

Now you're reaching.

A built in light versus a new control device?

 

[mrklaw]

My comments are not about what tiny hardware revision qualifies as 'an update'. Its about when those revisions qualify for price increases and relaunches. Jesus, its like the 'what is a port and what isn't' thread.

Sure, Sony has done dual shock, and IR built in, and Network adapter built in, and size reduction. But they were rolling revisions, introduced into the retail channel without affecting price.

Nintendos revisions are accompanied by new model names "gameboy pocket"; "Gameboy Color", therefore are 'different' products, and they charge more for them.

Thats what I find cynical. I like GBA - nice sequel to the gameboy. I bought an SP, but didn't like the way it quietly replaced the GBA at a higher price point. Consumers cannot choose between expensive, backlit and small SP, or cheaper non-lit GBA.

 

[cybamerc]

mrklaw:

> Nintendos revisions are accompanied by new model names "gameboy
> pocket"; "Gameboy Color", therefore are 'different' products

PSone got a new name. So you'll at least agree that Sony has released three consoles in just 10 years? That's one roughly every third year. And people get on M$' case for bringing out Xbox 2 just four years after the original Xbox!

 

[monkeyrun]

mrklaw:

> Nintendos revisions are accompanied by new model names "gameboy
> pocket"; "Gameboy Color", therefore are 'different' products

PSone got a new name. So you'll at least agree that Sony has released three consoles in just 10 years? That's one roughly every third year. And people get on M$' case for bringing out Xbox 2 just four years after the original Xbox!

lol the truth hurts

btw: couting in PS2 slim it should be 4 consoles in 10 years. :lol

 

[mrklaw]

Cybermerc, don't get me wrong. I'm not a Nintendo hater. My first console was a SNES (still have three in the loft), had an N64 and have a gamecube and DS. Never had a megadrive or Saturn, loved PSone etc. I'm also a natural born cynic, and although I fall for them every time, I'm not keen on corporations milking people.

PSOne was a relaunch I guess, as was PSTwo. The difference (to me at least), is that Sony simply replaced the PSX and PS2 with the new models. Its likely they combined cost engineering with their desire to reposition the console ready for the next generation, but they effectively still only had one item for sale.

Nintendo went through several 'updates' to gameboy which didn't seem to do much more than add one or two things. a light, make it smaller etc. I guess the GB Pocket is equivalent to the PSOne - relaunch and it replaced the original brick.

The SP I thought would have been a way to get us (gamers, higher disposable income etc) to buy a backlit fold GBA, while keeping the cheaper GBA for younger gamers. Two versions of the same thing. No problem. But then they suddenly dropped the GBA. If it was simply a replacement like PSTwo, then fine. But they charged a premium for it. Thats what I have a problem for.

I love Nintendo too. At a guess I would expect them to have given me the majority of my favourite ever gaming experiences. Maybe that admiration makes me more cynical of them, and the way people seem to see them as the great gaming gods, when they are in it for the money, just as much as the others.

 

[cybamerc]

Cybermerc, don't get me wrong. I'm not a Nintendo hater.

I didn't say you were. But it's pretty clear that you and a few other people in this thread have different standards for Nintendo and companies that are not Nintendo.

 

[Kiriku]

I didn't say you were. But it's pretty clear that you and a few other people in this thread have different standards for Nintendo and companies that are not Nintendo.

I don't know if you're addressing me, but in my case it's not about judging companies differently, it's about what's important or not as an added (removed) function. Just as someone mentioned you had to buy a network adapter for the old PS2, and in the same way you had to buy a headphone adapter for GBA SP. And since you mentioned dual-shocks, you had to buy extra RAM to play some N64 games. Just as you had to buy a multitap for PS2 for multiplayer games, but not for GC/XBox. And so on.

And since PSOne is counted as a "new" model, are we going to argue about different colors next? Different colors for GBA, GBA SP, PS2, Xbox, GC? I mean, we can play this game all day, and it's all down to opinion about how important a function is to make it count as a "redesign" in my eyes.

I am of the opinion (and it was about my opinion from the very start) that a handheld you can play anywhere without being dependant on a separate lightsource was an important and noticable change, while the change Sony made with PSOne wasn't. And you seemed to judge them as equal in terms of "redesign", which is why I reacted. The new PS2 lead to more changes than PSOne, I can agree on that, but none of which I found nearly as important as a front-lit (?) screen. I think this is about you seeing "redesign" as something objective, while I consider it more subjective.

 

[mrklaw]

I didn't say you were. But it's pretty clear that you and a few other people in this thread have different standards for Nintendo and companies that are not Nintendo.

OK. Then I'll simply say that I use the same measure for everyone. Maybe my personal experience with gameboys is different (buying lots with the promise of smaller/faster/better) and only having one PS/PS2. Maybe its a uniquely gameboy thing - handheld, never quite the perfect solution (until GBASP). I'm not saying PS is perfect, but it does what it does. If the backlight isn't great, its the TVs fault.

 

[Idiot Member]

There's already a long handheld cycle. GBA SP doesn't count. It's only an upgrade in cosmetic changes

The GBA SP is what the GBA should have been from the get go. There was no significant R&D between the GBA and GBA SP. Nintendo released it for the sole purpose of rejuvenating GBA sales. Of course it worked, you'll have numerous people upgrade and simply buy another GBA SP in addition to the GBA they already had.

Maybe I'm crazy, but isn't Nintendo the one trying to keep portable life cycles long? I mean, the GB to the GBColor was what? Almost 6 years? GB Color to GBA was about 6 too. Outside of the GBA->GBA SP->DS->GBA2....it seems that the 2-3 year trend is only the result of displeasure (non-backlit GBAs) and impending competition...otherwise, going GB -> GB color -> GBA -> GBA2, Nintendo's doing like 5-6 year cycles, right?

You're forgetting the Gameboy Pocket too, but the fact is the reason why the GBP came out in the first place was because the handheld market was dying, and Nintendo was forced to make some sort of change to spark sales. The combination of the GBP and Pokemon did just that. The GBP came out 7 years after the original gameboy, but then the gameboy color was released just two years after that. 3 years later the Gameboy advance. 2 years later the SP, and then just a year later the DS. I expect another gameboy system to come out in either 2005 or 2006. And I assure you people will get tired of this.

GB.. GBC play the exact same games.

Actually there are quite a few GBC only games. And them games like Zelda DX that had in game options that could only be harnessed with a GBC.

GBA SP is a redesign. Are we gonna get on Sony's case as well for releasing PSone and the new PS2? 4 consoles in just 10 years... damn you Sony!

The difference? First of all the PS1 came out like 6 years after the system initially launched. Secondly it launched after the PS2 came out.

As for the new PS2 it is a far more significant redesign, but not really out there to entice consumers to buy a new ps2 as much to spur future sales. Sony put a lot of R&D into reducing the size of the components in the PS2 not to mention furthering the technology in the system to make it more convienant for consumers. It's not something they could have done a year after the system launched, like adding a flip top screen and a back light... I still believe sony will yet again completely redesign the PS2 after the PS3 is launched.

anihawk, thats the difference right there. Sony sees no difference in the systems, it is simply a new build of the ps2. It's not the first change in builds either. Hell the north american and european launches received a completely different build than the original system launched in japan.

There is no PSTwo. There is only PS2. The reason why old ps2s didn't drop in price, is because they are the same system as the new ones. mrklaw speaks perfectly about this.

 

[monkeyrun]

your PS2 slim and thick VS GBA and GBA SP argument doesn't make any freaking sense. :lol :lol

 

[Idiot Member]

talking to me?

 

[jarrod]

Handheld gaming is just seen as a more disposable form of gaming. That's why it's so casual, pricing is (traditionally) so low and it just doesn't grab the attention consoles do. People don't mind upgrading their GameBoy every few years alongside their cellphones, mp3 players, palms and whatnot.