'The Generation Behind Theory"

Steerforth · Postby **Steerforth** » December 17th, 2006, 7:22 pm

My brother, who is around 30, subscribes to the generation behind theory. Basically, you just have to have the willpower to only buy consoles and games that are a generation behind to save money. His best love is the Dreamcast, but he recently bought an X-Box but is now getting rid of it for unknown reasons. He is considering buying a GC, but I told him he can borrow mine anytime to save cash and system redundency. Anyone else subscribe to this theory? I can't say that I could do it.

Also, I am considering going half and half with one of my brothers on a Wii.

(Assuming they would be interested, which might be too great of an assumption) If you trade off every couple of weeks, you'll be more likely to want to play it when you do have it, plus your game collection will obviously increase faster. And if you or your kids get to addicted, it would be a good break, ha ha.

Anayo1 · Postby **Anayo1** » December 17th, 2006, 8:24 pm

I HAVE considered doing this before, and I have always harbored a secret admiration for the principle. I recall telling myself in younger years with begrudging determination, "You don't want a Gamecube. It will be in the discount bin in five years. Some bigger better thing will replace it. Just wait." For better or for worse, I didn't wait. Thus I have a Gamecube now.

Apart from this, though, the trend I've followed without really meaning to has been to wait two years after the system comes out, then I end up getting one. Cases in point: Release date for Nintendo 64: 1996. Date I got a Nintendo 64: 1998. Release date for Gamecube: 2001. Date I got a Gamecube: 2003. Usually after two years, the aforesaid gaming console's price is down by a substantial amount, and there's a ton of really good games available for half-off prices.

At present I don't have any overwhelming desire to buy a Wii or XBOX 360. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll remain disinterested long enough before I realize, "omg, a used Wii for $60. I remember when that thing was $250." That would be cool.

(And on a miscellaneous note, am I the only one who thinks that a loveably obscure Sega Dreamcast would have offered a substantial next-gen fix during the XBOX-PS2-Gamecube era? I think it would have...)

Superjay · Postby **Superjay** » December 17th, 2006, 8:26 pm

If I could I would be going a generation ahead.

Atarifever1 · Postby **Atarifever1** » December 17th, 2006, 8:54 pm

[QUOTE=Steerforth]

My brother, who is around 30, subscribes to the generation behind theory. Basically, you just have to have the willpower to only buy consoles and games that are a generation behind to save money. His best love is the Dreamcast, but he recently bought an X-Box but is now getting rid of it for unknown reasons. He is considering buying a GC, but I told him he can borrow mine anytime to save cash and system redundency. Anyone else subscribe to this theory? I can't say that I could do it.

[/QUOTE]
I think the two or three or four generations behind theory also works. My Atari 2600 and 7800 games have been my biggest gaming staple for a couple months now at least. Also, lately I've been thinking I'll probably focus on the GBA for the next year to try to get as much of the awesome library on sale as I can (even though it's only kind of last gen. at this point). In any case, I want a Wii and a 360, but I'm not feeling like it'll be hard to resist buying them for awhile yet by focusing on other generations. I have to say, there are months at a time when I feel like contemporary gaming is lame compared to earlier generations anyway.

Steerforth · Postby **Steerforth** » December 17th, 2006, 9:29 pm

I bought my GC when the price dropped to $150 and I got a to pick a free game for it. I picked Metroid Prime. First Metroid game I ever played and I was very impressed.

But, anyway, in that case Nintendo's desperation was my gain. So far it looks like I may have to wait awhile to see a Wii price drop, and untill after Christmas to actually see one on a store shelf. Probably I'll pick up Mario Galaxy or the new Battalion Wars when I get it.

Kinda pissed more than anything at the price of conrollers this gen. The Wiimote is expensive enough for both parts, but even the standard 360 controller is $50 bucks. If you decide to buy 2nd party controllers you get what you pay for, and I'll be impressed to even see someone attempt to make a second party Wii-mote. Good luck matching Nintys design, for once they got it perfect right out of the gate.

sega saturn x · Postby **sega saturn x** » December 17th, 2006, 9:57 pm

[QUOTE=Superjay]If I could I would be going a generation ahead.
[/QUOTE]
Wouldn't that just become current gen then?

Any way, depriving yourself of the latest and greatest is a waste of time. But if you want to talk to people who do it go to atari age. Yeah all but 4 members are demented nintendo fanboys, but it's great for people who are always behind the times.

Alienblue · Postby **Alienblue** » December 17th, 2006, 11:26 pm

I am a golden age gamer at heart, but I love all videogames. I always wanted the latest tech up until the 32-bit era. I didn't get a PSone until a year after release (and a Saturn on discount after that), and you all know I JUST got a PS2 a few months ago! I prefer the old school 2-D games, and the only latest tech I'm interested in are the handhelds. I have a DS, and plan on getting a PSP once in drops just a bit more in price-now that it actually has many "must have" games for it. That's the thing, I want the GAMES a system plays, not the system. I don't care how impressive the 360, Wii, or PS3 are, right now none of those consoles have any games I want to play. Add to that the fact I am poor AND a collector who has hundreds of games for various systems, I feel no pressure to move up. While waiting for the "must have" next gen game, I'll be having fun with SUPER PAC MAN, SUPER MARIO WORLD and TOCA 3!

chrisbid1 · Postby **chrisbid1** » December 17th, 2006, 11:46 pm

i dont go to that extreme, but i have yet to spend over 200 dollars on any console, and in the case of the PS2 and xbox, i spent even less

this time around, i will most likely break this trend with the wii, but i will not go out of my way to buy one before they become widely available. the 360 and ps3 will have to wait, but the 360 will likely be next

Crevalle · Postby **Crevalle** » December 18th, 2006, 1:26 am

I own a 360, and really can't say enough great things about it. Microsoft nailed everything from the hardware to the games to XBL (which is excellent). It's a marked improvement over the original xbox in every way I can imagine. I realize it's very debatable, but strongly believe the 360 will lead this generation. Plus, the core price will drop to $249 later next year.

Anyway, once I can find a Wii, I'll buy it. But the PS3 isn't worth it now as the games just aren't there. Maybe once they have four or five must-have games. But, no HD cables in the PS3 box? Come on you cheap Sony bastards.

Superjay · Postby **Superjay** » December 18th, 2006, 6:23 am

[QUOTE=sega saturn x][QUOTE=Superjay]If I could I would be going a generation ahead.
[/QUOTE]
Wouldn't that just become current gen then?

Any way, depriving yourself of the latest and greatest is a waste of time. But if you want to talk to people who do it go to atari age. Yeah all but 4 members are demented nintendo fanboys, but it's great for people who are always behind the times.
[/QUOTE]
I mean like if I could get the Xbox 720 now before it was realleased I would get it. I don't mean the 360. I mean like going into the future instead of the past.