The fact that I have to explain to nearly everyone I talk to about it that it isn't just a Wii bundle.

This doomed stuff is really becoming a trend in the media of late. Perhaps since the world didn't in fact end with all the Mayan Calandar hype, this makes them feel more validated?

Just got them both- I'm pro- LOTR on this one. Batman 2 is decent, especially if you liked the first Lego Batman but I really have issue with the hub in this one and the monotony of the puzzles. Not to mention, while I appreciate the dark tones faithful to Gotham City element, oftentimes the dark pallet and washed out textures in the Batmans make it pretty difficult see at times. Just my opinion.

Considering in addition to the "Big 3" we're looking to have 8th Gen console offerings in the form of Ouya, GameStick, Steam Box, NVidia Shield, Esfere, Razer Edge and so on, I'm inclined to think this is going to be a hardware generation unlike any we've seen before.

Agreed- the Saturn got a bum rap it totally didn't deserve but behind the scenes it was the developers who were complaining. It's no coincidence that Sega's next effort (Dreamcast) would be configured like a giant Playstation 1. I had the Saturn right when it launched and remember it very fondly.

I too usually scower eBay for the older stuff. In my personal experience I haven't had a whole lot of success finding great deals on factory sealed items retro items but every now and then some "like new" used stuff pops up that makes the whole experience worth the trouble.

Forced to agree here- differences in display (screen) are almost always to blame in this situation. Occasionally even output settings withe the same/ similar tvs.

After a little research it appears Sony is steadily shutting servers down- for example "After nine years online, Sony finally shut down the servers for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation PortableSOCOMgames on August 31st, 2012."

Of course this is happening on a game per game basis so the only way to be sure would be to search servers for the game(s) you're looking for individually. There's a strong chance EA may still have some of the sports franchises up and running along side their current generation offerings.

Also, not to worry, PS2s are extremely affordable on the used market these days. Picked up a like-new Slim satin on eBay for $30 recently.

I am really quite surprised the mobile market is able to survive at all with the prices of the hardware and games- especially when compared to the cost of gaming on tablets/ smartphones of late.