thaddius' Console Classic 2012 Edition: Round 5

[adamshinoda]

I think the Sixth Generation doesn't end yet, since the PS2 still in production?

 

[thaddius]

I think the Sixth Generation doesn't end yet, since the PS2 still in production?

I was going to wait for the Sixth gen to talk about that, but if you like I can say it here. I know this will be controversial, but I have two problems with the notion that the PS2s lifespan continues on because it's still in production:

1) PS2 sales started dropping as soon as the PS3 was released, that's why they took PS2 BC out of the PS3. For that reason, the PS2s lifespan has been artificially extended, as now it only sells Guitar Hero games and PSP ports.

2) The Famicom stopped production in 2003, but no one questioned the end of it's lifespan was in '92 (some might also note that the second version of the NES was released then, and many games were released afterward). The Dreamcast, as we'll see, still has games being released for it, but no one will question that its life ended in the early 2000s. Even the PS1, will anyone here say that the PS1 really survived till 2006? 6 years after the PS2 was released? Really?

Basically, when Sony says they have a '10 year lifecycle' for their consoles, they're referring to how long they plan on making the system. As soon as a new console is released EVERYONE, developers and consumers, flock to the new console.

Sony wants to make money and the PS2 is cheap to make now and people do buy it, I completely understand that. But limping along, leeching off of the PSPs library does not constitute a life, imho. Frankly, I felt I was being generous by saying it ended in 2011, just like I was in saying the fifth gen ended in '06.

 

[adamshinoda]

It's true that the Fifth Generation ended in 2006, the PS1 was discontinued then and not a single game was released for 5th gen consoles. PS1 still SURVIVED after the birth of PS2 quite a long time, the last game ever released for PS1 is FIFA 2005 in North America in 2004.

 

[thaddius]

It's true that the Fifth Generation ended in 2006, the PS1 was discontinued then and not a single game was released for 5th gen consoles. PS1 still SURVIVED after the birth of PS2 quite a long time, the last game ever released for PS1 is FIFA 2005 in North America in 2004.

Survived is a strong word. I think limped is better. By that reasoning, because a Dreamcast game was released last year, it lasted till 2011. But no one would argue that. And no one will shed a tear for the Dreamcast if I say it died in 2001.

Also, another interesting note: I can't seem to find a retailer in Canada that still sells new PS2s. Correct me if I'm wrong.