What I Hate About Console Gaming
This is in response to ARandomGamer.com’s post ” What I hate About PC Gaming“. I started out as a console gamer until that faithful day about 14 yrs ago when I got my first PC. For the next 5-6 or so years I gamed on both consoles and PC, until the last generation (Gamecube, PS2, Xbox) of consoles came out and I decided, f*ck’em, PC gaming is superior. I then decided I would come back to console gaming and bought a Wii the first week it came out and have also played many games on my friends Xbox360 and PS3. Conclusion, I haven’t used by Nintendo Wii in over a yr and could care less about the Xbox360 or PS3. Now that you have some background lets get to why I hate console gaming.
Hardware
You might say that you constantly need to upgrade your PC to play the newest games, but this is not true at all. My last upgrade was about 18 months ago and I’m still playing all the new games at max or near max settings and I don’t plan on upgrading anything for at least another yr. You’re PS3 might last 5-6 yrs, but guess what, in the last 2-3 yrs of your consoles life cycle the games are going to look like sh*t compared to PC games.
Crappy Controls
I have no clue how this became a plus for consoles, but mouse/keyboard combo dominates in almost every way possible. Real-time strategy (RTS) games are almost unplayable on consoles, one of the reasons there are almost none. First person shooters are also dominated by mouse/keyboards, one of the reasons no professional gamer uses a gamepad, you just can’t get the quick aiming you can with a mouse. Gamepads are great for platform and sport games that’s it, good thing PC’s can also use gamepads.
No Mod Community
Last I heard there was no moding on consoles. Sad because that’s what really makes PC gaming shine, player created content. I’m mean just look at Counter-Strike, the top FPS in the world created by gamers for free, at least at one point it was free. There have been hundreds of mods created for hundreds of different games, new maps, new skins, new game features all for free. Some Mods are massive, changing sci-fi strategy game into a FPS, while others are just tweaks to the user interface or inventory system.
Less Choice
Consoles lack in two major game genres, RTS and MMOs. Sadly MMO games have not faired well so far on consoles. Whether it’s the lack of online community or limits by the contollers, MMO games on consoles are few and far inbetween. There are a few, but nothing like the hundred or so on the PC. RTS games are also lacking on consoles, mainly because you can’t play them well using a gamepad.
We also get many of your games, GTA4, Halo 1&2, Assassins Creed, Gear of War, Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, 3, Guitar Hero 1, 2, 3 to name a few and when we do, they usually have more content and sometimes with upgraded graphics.
The Console
I hate the console itself, just another thing you have to hookup to your TV and that takes up space. I hate switching out the games and making sure I don’t scratch the disc. Once a PC game is installed I never have to touch the disc again. I hate that in 2009 consoles, except for XB0x, still have not learned that gamers like playing online vs other players. Sony might be working on it, but Nintendo is asleep at the wheel. I hate that I’m locked into a console once I purchase one. If I get a XBox, then decide to switch to PS, I can’t play any of my old XBox games without rewiring my TV.
Communication
With a PC, you can actually text chat with other people. You’re not forced to go buy headphones and listen to some 13 yr old kid who’s voice keeps cracking while there verbally assaulting you. Although the PC does give you that option if you want. I’m sure you can get a keyboard on your console to type, but that gamepad sure does get in the way.
Nintendo Wii
I’ve talked about Xbox and PS in most of this article and have left the Wii out of it for the most part, so I decided to give it own category so the fanboys will be happy. I hate the Wii cause I don’t want to move my arms around like an idiot. I don’t want to stand on a flat board and pretend I’m skiing or exercising . I hate the Wii cause I don’t want to play the same old games with barely updated graphics for the 10th time. I’m looking at your Mario, Zelda and Metroid. I hate the Wii cause it doesn’t care about mature gamers. Yes, there are games I’ve liked, but none that held my attentions for more than a few days.
For me PC games have far superior controls and communication, add a huge mod community and consoles are left in the dust. After this last generation, I just don’t see myself ever going back to consoles.
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