You can feel it in the air. That palpable sense of excitement, tension. Waiting, just waiting for the clock to strike midnight so that you can rush into your nearest shop and secure your pre-order of the latest and greatest console in [YOUR FAVOURITE BRAND HERE] history. And after some general thrusting with that fella in front of you, the whole tordid affair is over as you clutch your new baby and head on home with a happy afterglow surrounding you.
Console launches are odd. The fear of missing out is more than real, for a device for which there presumably will be plenty of stock a few months down the line. Nobody needs to own a console on launch day, but there’s something special about being there for it. About sharing that joy with the crowds and gloating about how fortunate you are to be getting your hands on the latest Okama Gamesphere.
On the other hand, you’re also setting yourself up for potential early model errors. The original Xbox 360 was rife with the dreaded red rings of death, while the PS4 DualShock controllers shed more rubber than a VW Golf driver facing a lane-splitting motorcyclist. Not to mention the fact that the storefront will be barren at first, your friends list empty and your choice of games limited for a few months.
Instead, you could still enjoy what you have and pick up a new console later when all the good stuff has arrived. If your technolust can resist the FOMO. Having new hardware that works however and amazes all of your friends and family? Occasionally, it is alright to brag a bit, and new consoles are right up that alley. And with the Nintendo Switch launching today, it’s a solid question to ask.
It’s a case of haves and have-nots then. Console launches: Hit or miss?
Last Updated: March 3, 2017
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 10:48
It’s been 40 years and people still somehow believe my console is overrated.
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:00
What console? An atari?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:02
Close enough, the personal computer!
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:04
Hehe. If consoles are so much better why are they on the third xbox and fourth playstation, but no PC-2 yet XD.
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:05
If PC’s were numbered the way consoles are, they’d be on PC5000 already.
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:07
Haha more along the lines of PC X Coolermaster AMD Super Edition
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:08
All PC’s would sound like they’re some kind of anime supermove.
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:17
Especially when you take in the hardware brands.
“Wither under the power of my 4750k Gaming X 1060 RaidMax EVO Tactical Tracer Green LED attack! OVECLOCKED TO MAX!”
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:18
And they say consoles sound ridiculous.
I’m looking at you, Trevor!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:19
You play JRPGS, we ARE JRPGS!
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:21
You’re a Japanese school girl?
Your disguise is very good!
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:22
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/50af0a2cff3a49e75131598d9d29cbe20e9d36170531a2021f7552ae1e3a4bfc.jpg
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:24
Will the real Trev please stand up, please stand up.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:22
Gender & nationality is just a social construct!
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 11:52
1060… psh scrub!
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:09
Meh. Still more than I need for now. Will upgrade once I have to play on lower than ultra.
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:11
Scrubbbbbbbbb XD Here I am commenting on your gpu when i do not even have a gpu…. or even a PC..
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:15
*Lols in true 4k*
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:17
Hey at least I ordered my new screen today. I’m waiting now for the 1080ti to release then the system can be built to accommodate the screen
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:19
Oooh. My next purchase is a decent screen. But that’s probly only happening in July 🙁
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:31
Which screens are you looking at. I heard the Samsung quantum dot screens are amazing with colour and contrast but does have some ghosting issues.
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:47
Dunno at this point, as it depends on how much I can save up by then. Definitely not smaller than 27″, but that means if I want a proper 4k screen I’m gonna be looking at around 10 grand
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:50
I’ve seen 28” 4k screen retailing between R8k to R15k so there is at least a lot of options to choose from. Personally I would love to go 4k but somehow i feel gpu strength isn’t there just yet. Thats why I’m getting myself the PG348Q screen.
Ottokie
March 3, 2017 at 12:31
First thing I did after getting my 980Ti was also get a 144Hz screen. Never going back to 60fps xD
Yondaime
March 3, 2017 at 12:43
*Heavy breathing* *Out of chakra* This is my last attack…Ryzen!: Asus GTX1060 STRIX! Aura LED attack!!!!
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 13:17
TWIN FROZR SILENT HEAT DEFENSE!
*The two clash in a massive explosion, shattering the ground beneath them*
*through the smoke all that can be seen is the eye and the dragon, glowing softly*
*Twin shields silently spin, dissapating the smoke. Shakily, I stand and face my opponent*
*The eye stutters and fades, as the AMD core burns out under the strain of its own power*
*Inspirational JPop plays in the background*
XD
Dammit this would make an entertaining web comic.
PS: I know the ryzen would actually win but I am a biased douchebag, and in anime the underdog always wins.
Yondaime
March 3, 2017 at 14:32
[OMG, i would toats read this!]
*Red Dragons glow slowly fading*
*Twin shields barely spinning, yet ready to collect the spoils of battle*
*In an act of desperation the dragon activates AMD Overdrive!* [ROARRR!!….EXPLOSION….then menacing silence]
*Dust settles* (Camera pans over destroyed landscape)
*Twin Shields begin to spin faster and faster* *Slowly reaching Overdrive Speeds*
*Earth shattering gail force winds turn water particles into ice*
(Inspirational JPop soundtrack drops the beat!)
*Plantation and rocks begin to freeze!*
[The TWINFOZR has ripped out and consumed the dragons core!]
(Inspirational JPop soundtrack plays through the destruction of the planet)
*Winds and smoke begin to clear…*
*…In the distance stands the victor…*
*…On comes the fateful Red Eye…*
A NEW HERO IS BORN: The GeForce GTX 1080 Ti!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:07
You mean like how they went from Xbox 360 to Xbox 1? 😉
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:07
Well 360 = 0. So 1 is the next iteration
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:10
Well not to be pedantic because this is going way further than my throw away comment BUT 0 -> 360 -> 1
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:14
Nonono you’re thinking like a non pc person. its NULL -> 360(0) ->1
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:17
Personally I think they’re all NULL 😀
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 11:19
Hahaha pwned.
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:08
Yeah, because Microsoft has shown that they can count so well. Windows….
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 11:50
My cars console is overrated…
Zoe Hawkins
March 3, 2017 at 10:52
I got a Super Nintendo, PS1 and PS2 at launch and PS3 and PS4 soon after launch. Got Wii U at post-launch clearance. But I will probably get the next PlayStation at launch again. Not FOMO, just want the latest games on the prettiest tech. But I will definitely be waiting a long while for the Switch.
Ottokie
March 3, 2017 at 10:55
I have never bought a console at launch…ever xD
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:04
I always wait until the kinks are ironed out. There are always small issues at launch (sometimes BIG issues, I’m looking at you XB360 Red Ring of DEATH) that get fixed up soon after.
Best to wait.
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:04
After reading this article, I have another question:
What does “tordid” mean?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:08
He tordid saw a puddycat.
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:13
After D’s article the other day about the Elmer Fudd/Batman crossover, I suspected he had a Fudd fetish.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2017 at 11:16
Or as we like to call it… a fuddish
Original Heretic
March 3, 2017 at 11:20
There should be an urban dictionary entry for that. Wait, there is!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fuddish&utm_source=search-action
Hmmm, not accurate though. It should be:
Person with fetish for short, balding men who have speech impediments. Nearly always obsess over large toothed. long eared furry creatures.
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 11:49
What’s a FOMO? I do not know this since I never buy stuff on the first day.
Dutch Matrix
March 3, 2017 at 12:07
It’s a new Washing Detergent. FOMO: MO FOAM FO YO DIRTY DUDS YO.
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:09
ohhh so like foamless OMO
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:11
Or foamy OMO
HairyEwok
March 3, 2017 at 12:15
If thats the case, then I’ll have weekly foam parties
https://m.popkey.co/cab294/XgzDG.gif
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:17
Sorry I meant Foamy: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dc775a8b1689a09a7b78310c46f58f5c565170111e3b14abe45e817fd92cb1ce.jpg
Lu
March 3, 2017 at 12:09
Fear Of Missing Out.
Dutch Matrix
March 3, 2017 at 12:03
At launch I’m like: “R6000.00 for a console??? Are you mad? My 5 year old PC is still fine thank you!”
Then I see a game on said console and with puppy eyes and promises of backrubs and threats of naked table dances, I approach the minister of finances, aka The Wife.
Sock-puppet
March 3, 2017 at 12:59
Listen, that thing can have space age rubber that molds to your hands for maximum comfort for your twiddling ways and still be over-priced. If it was like R4k then it would’ve been acceptable but currently there is an Xbox one with 1 tb and Fifa selling for less than the switch with the PS4 prices going for R4 859.00 , on Takealot!
One game, that also costs a further R1 199.00 (Zelda) does not a good buy make (also a game on a console that doesn’t have full HD should not cost more than the Witcher 3, that’s on launch day). Objectively the Switch is a really bad choice, financially and gaming wise. Of course every single time that I have pointed out to people that maybe waiting a while is a good idea I get steam rolled by Nintendo fanboys and other people that would be extremely difficult to argue with.
The thing can’t even play full HD on any screen, all we have so far is a crap load of promises from Nintendo that better things are to come. They have already gone back to the stupid friend code system that is notoriously frustrating to use
If by some miracle Pokemon and preferably at least 20 third party games are released on it the switch would be a good option for children, except for the price being more than it’s competitors. Because, yes, the Xbox and Playstation are it’s competitors. But stepping back a few steps, the New 3DS sells for R2 999.00 and you can already play all the older games on it as well as the new Pokemon games, some Zelda games and let’s not forget the 3d functionality without random frame drops that have been reported elsewhere.
Currently the Switch is another gimmicky console from Nintendo that has made promises it won’t be able to fill. There is no reason, none at all for non-reviewers, to get that console now when there is almost nothing worthwhile on it.
Yondaime
March 3, 2017 at 13:04
What he/she said ^