The Xbox 360 vs PlayStation 3 console war was essentially a blow by blow replay of the infamous Genesis vs Super Nintendo Entertainment System fight. Don't believe me? Well, let me convince you:
- The Genesis launches early to get the jump on Nintendo with the first true 16-bit console. Its earlier launch puts it on a higher footing as far as sales go for most of the generation.
The Xbox 360 launches early to get the jump on PlayStation with the first true HD console. Its earlier launch puts it on a higher footing as far as sales go for most of the generation. - The Genesis's most popular genres are shooters, action games, and sport games. In fact, it getting superior exclusives and third party multiplats in these genres are what help it cement its lead over the SNES.
The Xbox 360's most popular genres are shooters, action games, and sport games. In fact, it getting superior exclusives and third party multiplats in these genres are what help it cement its lead over the PS3. - For a large part of the generation, the Genesis continued to receive superior versions of multiplat titles such as Mortal Kombat. However, by the end, with the Genesis hardware showing its age and developers coming to grips with Nintendo's hardware, the SNES version of multiplats started being the better ones (such as Mortal Kombat II).
For a large part of the generation, the 360 continued to receive superior versions of multiplat titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV. However, by the end, with the 360 hardware showing its age and developers coming to grips with Sony's hardware, the PS3 version of multiplats started being the better ones (such as Grand Theft Auto V). - Due to the Genesis's emphasis on action games and shooters, along with its focus on multiplayer experiences, it was viewed as the 'cooler' console in mainstream, with SNES being considered a more nerdy console.
Due to the 360's emphasis on action games and shooters, along with its focus on multiplayer experiences, it was viewed as the 'cooler' console in mainstream, with PS3 being considered a more nerdy console. - Under fire by unexpected competition, Nintendo started bolstering their first party, introducing a wealth of new IPs and reimagining older ones, and creating a stable of memorable franchises on the SNES in the process.
Under fire by unexpected competition, Sony started bolstering their first party, introducing a wealth of new IPs and reimagining older ones, and creating a stable of memorable franchises in the process. - The SNES was characterized by great third Japanese third party support (mostly exclusive RPGs), while the Genesis was characterized by more western third party support (mostly shooters).
The PS3 was characterized by great Japanese third party support (exclusive JRPGs) while the 360 was characterized by more western third party support (mostly shooters). - Near the end of the Genesis's lifespan, Sega introduced a couple of peripherals- these peripherals were meant to enhance the main console and extend its lifespan, and in being forced to support these peripherals, Sega's own first party support for the Genesis itself quickly dried up.
Near the end of the 360's lifespan, Microsoft introduced a peripheral- this peripheral was meant to enhance the main console, and to extend its lifespan, and in being forced to support this peripheral, Microsoft's own first party support for the 360 itself quickly dried up. - Meanwhile, by the end, Nintendo finally managed to gain a full understanding of its own hardware, and release some first party games that were not just graphical showstoppers, but also completely mesmerizing to the mainstream- Yoshi's Island, Star Fox, Donkey Kong Country, and perhaps most importantly, Super Metroid.
Meanwhile, by the end, Sony finally managed to get a full understanding of its own hardware, and release some first party games that were not just graphical showstoppers, but also completely mesmerizing to the mainstream- Uncharted 3, Killzone 3, God of War, and perhaps most importantly, The Last of Us. - The SNES's continued release of great software even as Genesis support was drying up led to a reversal of perception- no longer was it the nerdy, kiddy console. Mainstream media warmed up to it again, and SNES sales began to outpace Genesis sales by the end of the generation.
The PS3's continued release of great software even as 360 support was drying up led to a reversal of perception- no longer was it the nerdy, niche console. Mainstream media warmed up to it again, and PS3 sales began to outpace 360 sales by the end of the generation. - Genesis support was cut off early to support its peripherals and its successor; SNES support continued well into the next generation.
360 support was cut off early to support its peripheral and its successor; PS3 support seems to be continuing well into the next generation. - By the end of the generation, in a stunning reversal of perception and momentum, the SNES managed to outsell the Genesis and trounce it, claiming victory in the console wars.
By the end of the generation, in a stunning reversal of perception and momentum, the PS3 managed to outsell the 360 and trounce it, claiming victory in the console wars.
Really, the parallels are almost eerie- it's like Microsoft and Sony made conscious efforts to relive the Sega and Nintendo war this time around.
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