Posted by We’re more than one-third of the way through our 30 day challenge! If you’ve missed the first 10 days, check them out here.
Day 11: What is your gaming system of choice?
Not too long ago, I commented on one of Cary’s posts that when I was growing up, we had some games on the computer, and others on whatever video game console was currently hooked up to the television. I loved Sim City and Oregon Trail, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (yes I’m a nerd) and SimLife (anyone remember that one??) and whatever Wolfenstein knockoff demo (that came pre-loaded) we had on our old Macintosh computer. But I also loved Mario and Kirby and Zelda and Q-Bert, and then Spiderman, Metal Gear, and Grand Theft Auto. So it wasn’t until college that I found out about the PC gamer vs. console gamer nonsense.
Regarding consoles, I was a devout Nintendo fan until the GameCube came out. I was sick of having to re-start my game collection, so when my brother told me that the Playstation 2 was something wonderful called “reverse compatible,” I broke up with Nintendo and started my long love affair with Sony.
I bought a Wii in 2011 or 2012, mainly because of Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and The Last Story. Because it was reverse compatible I could, in theory, play all the great GameCube games I missed, too. Thanks for listening, Nintendo!
Amongst all the Playstations and Nintendos I’ve played and owned, I’m not sure I could really pick a “favorite” since I like them all for different reasons (usually relating to a game or two or five that I like on it). But when it comes to purchasing consoles, over the last three generations, I’ve acquired the latest Playstation before I purchased the latest Nintendo console. I’ve always wound up with both, but I had an original Playstation and forwent the GameCube altogether, I bought a PS3 before I bought a Wii, and bought a PS4 way before buying a Wii U (as I still haven’t picked one up).
And while neither the Wii U nor the Playstation 3 (or 4) are reverse compatible, by this point Sony already has my attention and the lineup of games I want to play, so even though Nintendo is like an old flame that I still have feelings for, Sony is the one that has my heart.
Regarding Xbox, because I already had a “not-Nintendo” brand I was satisfied with, I never really threw any money at Microsoft’s foray into console gaming, and the console exclusives weren’t enough to sway me to go through another brand breakup. And money’s tight, so I really couldn’t ever rationalize three consoles…
So… one long rambling post later, you all now know that I’m a pretty devoted console gamer.
What is your gaming console (or brand) of choice? Why do you like it? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~ Athena
AmbiGaming 
I don’t really have a brand of choice anymore. I was a 360 owner last generation, but like many decided that Sony was the way to go this time around. I also game on the PC.
As for all time, the Gamecube rules the roost for me. I still have one under my bed. Its the little purple box of joy and its my favourite console ever.
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Thanks for your comment! I agree that it’s harder to have “brand loyalty,” since the consoles are generally more the same than different.
And if I knew then what I know now, I might not have left Nintendo during the GameCube era. Everyone who had one said it was a great system with a solid game lineup!
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The only console wars I knew about growing up were between Nintendo and Sega, and I was firmly in the Nintendo camp. I even remember this one smack talking commercial Sega released with this jingle about how “Genesis does…” and then all the things it did in comparison to Nintendo. It made my blood boil, because the screenshots for the Nintendo games were purposely made to look crappy lol. Oh those days.
I had no real idea about PC vs. Console and in fact one of my good friends grew up more of a PC gamer. She didn’t discover consoles until later, and she even mostly likes consoles I don’t own like the Xbox. I think we (or most people) grow out of that mindset and realize that there’s a console and method for everyone. Like I said above Nintendo was my system of choice, and now I’m into Sony, but I also dabble in some iOS gaming (The Impossible Game!). I suppose if you consider emulators, we’re technically doing PC gaming lol.
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Yeah growing up I only knew of Sega vs. Nintendo, and even then I thought that was stupid haha. We had Nintendo, but I always liked playing Sega at friends’ houses, too!
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The did it on purpose to drive sales! It’s so silly when you look back on it now.
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I’ve learned to stay the hell away from those System Wars forums on popular video game sites. Nothing lowers my faith in humanity more than reading some of the flame wars that break out in there 😦
For me, I love collecting video game things! I buy all of the consoles when I can (Santa usually helps me out too). I do have a very soft spot in my heart for Nintendo. Stupid stock issues pending, I try to buy Nintendo’s latest consoles on launch day (SWITCH in less than 2 weeks!! Sorry… My hype level is max for this thing.). Then I usually wait for a sale or jolly old St. Nick to arrive before I get whatever Sony or Microsoft released. I have a decent PC too, but I don’t use it much for gaming since I quit World of Warcaft. I will be playing Dragon Age Origins on it at some point though 🙂
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Yes, the consensus seems to be that folks don’t get involved in the console war nonsense, which is an all-around good decision, in my opinion. Flame wars help no one.
I can’t believe the Switch is only two weeks off! You’ll have to tell me all about your Zelda adventures haha. And omg yes Dragon Age: Origins 😀
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For me it’s Nintendo hands down. I’ve grown up with Nintendo and gone through their growing pains, even now when I question whether not I’ll like the Switch, Nintendo is still always on the forefront of my mind when it comes to gaming
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It’s hard not to like Nintendo. Their name still means quality games and innovative hardware. And I know plenty of people who call any video game console a Nintendo, so they certainly are iconic!
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I have a weird history with console loyalty. I started out with the Atari 2600 and liked it more than the Colecovision that some people I knew had. Then I was a NES kid, which compared to my neighbors Master System was a super computer in my mind. But then the 16 bit era happened and I chose Genesis, and was not disappointed, but I also started to branch out more and enjoyed the SNES games I played at various friends’ houses. In fact, we would trade systems on occasion, so I could play stuff like Mario, Zelda, or Final Fantasy, and they would play Sonic, the Disney platformers, Phantasy Star, and NHL and Madden (which were arguably better on the Genesis than on the SNES).
The next gen saw me jump ship to Sony but I eventually did get a N64 as well. The gen after that I started with a PS2, eventually got a Dreamcast and a Gamecube, but never an Xbox (until just recently). And last gen started when I was in my late 20s so I was much more financially stable and I bought all three of the systems, continuing that with this current gen.
I’d say currently I prefer to play on my Xbox One over my PS4 or WiiU. But as I want to experience everything I can, I still have those system to experience what I want on them (like Mario, Zelda, Uncharted, Ratchet, etc…). So I’m not sure I’d go to battle over any of them. I’d rather sit out the war and just enjoy as much as I can.
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I definitely think it’s best to keep an open mind. One game system isn’t inherently “better” than another, and you gave some great examples of the benefits of having access to more than one brand of console!
I probably wouldn’t go to battle for any of them, either. We’re here to play games and have fun, so go with whatever does that for you!
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I noticed most guys see tech gadgets as their toys. So I guess that is why it matters to them so much–this whole PC gamers vs console gamers.
As for me, I prefer Sony because of the exclusive games.
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Exclusives are certainly a selling point for any console/system! I think that’s one of the reasons why I haven’t completely broken up with Nintendo – they have quality products, yes, but they also have Legend of Zelda 😉
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I’m definitely in the Nintendo group. I grew up with only a Nintendo system for most of my life. I only started getting into Sony consoles about a decade ago. That said, even though I finally have a more open view of consoles, I will always love Nintendo for the experiences it has given me as a child, and also for continuing to deliver the kinds of games I still want to play. It’s definitely a fandom that has been rooted in me since I was little.
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Nice! Nintendo is a fantastic company and produces quality products, to be sure! I grew up on the NES and SNES, and loved my N64 to pieces. I appreciate it’s willingness to innovate in an industry in which it is so easy to become stagnant, as well.
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