The Platform Wars rage on...

[tourist]

I'm not going to say which is best, as each has its own merits. But the Platform Wars will always rage. But I haven't ventured into battles for a while. So Im curious as to if the old confrontations are still going on.. Also, its not just about racing titles.

On the UK launch date of the Dreamcast, I brought one - complete with Powerstone. Two days later I had Sonic Adventure. A few months down the line I aquired Worms Armagedon, F1WGP and Soul Calibur.

I had/have a Playstation. With: MGS, FFVII, Tomb Raiders 1 to 3, GT, Music, Tekken 2 & 3, RageRacer, Bushido Blade, Driver, F1 97, Worms, Three Lions.

Is the PC still the best for racers? For F1 most likely.

The Playstation was too weak to cope with simulators (flight sims) or real strategy games of any note. But it cornered reasonably shallow games for the mass market, and made Lara a real star. A few saving graces to the wonderful PS: FFVVI, MGS, GT, Tekken 3.
It grew and beat to a pulp Segas woeful Virtua Fighter series. It claimed right to the most perfect, playable but deep driving sim in Gran Turismo. It spawned the best contender for greatest game of all time - Final Fantasy VII. Never have characters been so involving, with great visuals, an immersive plot, real emotion and lastability. Depth was really, seriously the key word to describe it.

Then, when it needed it the most, an astonishing masterpiece. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you:

Konami's Metal gear Solid.

Never mind about it being short. It had inovation a plenty. But, mainly it did what Final Fantasy couldn't even do. It perfected and encapsulated the ideology of videogames.
It did what generations of movies couldn't really do.
It took the casual participator - and put them into the action. It made them feel that they were part of it. I spent hours immersed in a world that didn't exist - except in my own mind.

It basically melded the "user" with the software. True virtual reality, because that will never work (or be popular) any decade soon.

In MY opinion it had the greatest football game ever. I could go on for days about Three Lions CRIMINALLY unrecognised genius here, but Im guessing no one really likes football here.....

So, I ask this: has the Playstation been the most important thing that has happened in the history of the games industry?
Some would argue it CREATED the games industry.

Forget that Nintendo idiot Miyamoto.........

If Sony's PS is the best thing that happened to the industry - then surely the worst offender of present has to be the N64.

I saw an ad the other day, and actually laughed out loud at its visuals. The PS is very close behind in that aspect, and has been for a long time. Despite its dwindling power.

The PC isn't a games machine. Full stop. Anyone who says it is, they are indeed a crazy zealot.
In visuals, I think the Dreamcast has exceeded every platform at the moment. No machine could run the genius of Soul Calibur or the forthcoming Shenmue. I haven't even seen the latter moving...but its incredible so far...

The DC has claimed the beat 'em up crown for all time. Tekken is dead. Tekken "Tag" (cringe....) 4 can never out do the inovation of Powerstone, or the balance between hardcore depth, and instant playability and longevity that Soul Calibur offers. Thats not counting the great visuals, and best character design of all time that it also has.

The DC IS indeed useless for driving games at the moment. So what if my copy of F1WGP looks the best that racing has ever looked - once again the visuals strike a balance between an obsession for realism and running fast.

One game title could change everything.
Metropolis Street Racer. ONLY for Dreamcast (so far and I hope ot stays a DC exclusive). I am placing faith in something I haven't played yet - and maybe it will be bad. But from the graphics, it IS the best looking driving game of all time. And coming from the makers of the minor masterpiece F197, Bizarre Creations - it cant possibly fail ALL that is promised.

Yu Suzuki's Shenmue may well (like FFVII) be an Event in the timelime of videogames. It could be THAT big. I for one cannot wait ay longer. Not that long to go though...
Imagine, playing whole versions of arcade classics (created by the god Suzuki) in the arcade in one of the cities.

But, with the late release of Shenmue, it may well be Sega's last throw of the dice - has been rolled too late.
The Dreamcast will be around for a while, and with Tomb Raider4 and EA all taking the DC plunge, it will have a guaranteed life of reasonable goodness.

Only one thing can and will stop Sega - yes thats the one, Sony's mega "wonder box 47" that is the Playstation 2.

With the possible ability of digitally recording tv footage onto CD, playing the brilliant DVDs, net access and playing a whole host of guaranteed stunning games.
One thing that it brings is its punters: with backwards capability - Sony will rule the world soon.........

Forget the Big N's Dolphin - they may get more things right this time, but it'll never stand up to PS2. Whilst they're busy burying the N64, and trying to put together a killer console, Sony will be storming ahead in Japan - and ready to take on the prosperous sport gullible west.

I will indeed get the PS2. But the DC will be around for a little while. I just hope that they have learnt from their mistakes. Its been punched down, and hit with sticks by Sony before - and its one big smack away from being killed by it. They have a host of classic arcade games to keep the populace happy with. When will they start using all of their knowledge? No one in the world will ever argue against Sega's dominance in the arcades.
Time to milk your "special cow" for all its goodness, Sega.

"First person shooters!!" - I heard someone scream from the bemused, hooded PC crowds. The DC will shortly have Valves classic Half Life, and possibly Quake. Lionhead's Black & White is also rumoured (please....be true oh rumours...) to be scampering towards the DC camp. I also hope it doesn't get hypnotised by Sony..it probably will.

Oi Nintendo!! Listen up!! There's a true inovator of games, Peter Moleneux. All hail the creator of Amiga's `Syndicate`.

So there you have it...I have completed by brief games essay. If no one read it, I dont care - I have exorcised my views for one night.

(UK bods check out page 480 on C4's Teletext for the best gaming commentary, daily acurate cynicism by the wonderboys Digitiser)

I thank you...you can reply now. What, you're asleep?