Microsoft Giveth and Microsoft Taketh Away

Whenever someone says the phrase, "Xbox 360," I cringe. Conjured images appear of angry parents rallying outside of America's formally reliable retailers, demanding to know where their hallowed system is.

It's hard not to think of the millions of kids not getting the holiday presents they really wanted, and even more shockingly, parents paying figures up to $2,000 dollars to provide their children with Microsoft's second gaming console.

With hoards of people now jaded by Microsoft's inability to measure up to the supply and demand of last season, it's no wonder why people are sharing my views on this formally well-reviewed system. Once heralded as the console to put all others to shame, it now holds shame of its own as Microsoft slowly watches the Xbox 360 fanbase dwindle.

Consumers are going to have to ask themselves if it's worth the struggle to land a 360 when the supply gets replenished.

"Would I go buy one? Absolutely not," says Graham Griffin of Cape Girardeau. "I guess if I had money to throw around, I wouldn't mind it. I'm much more interested in the (Sony) Playstation 3. Sony would never do something like hold systems over their fans. The Xbox (360) doesn't even have any games I'd be willing to get for it."

A deeper look on the console gaming front reveals that Microsoft's Xbox 360 is not being released with a new version of its biggest hit, Halo, and there's even some speculation on whether or not original Xbox games can be played on the new console. This could mean trouble (and more importantly, anguish) for what's left of the fanbase.

Today I reach out, begging consumers of our local area to reconsider depleting savings accounts and cashing in bonds to purchase an Xbox 360. If you must own the console, wait until Microsoft reduces the price and/or redesigns it to make it worth your money.

So what IS worth your money in today's dazzling selection of platforms? Let's walk through a couple options.

Playstation 3

Sony's shiny new console that resembles a space pod of some sort. Boomerang-shaped controllers and a silvery finish will turn any bachelor pad into a ... well, a bachelor pad with a PS3.

Pros: Excellent plans for games released on it such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, support for which appears to be up to eight

controllers.

Cons: It doesn't exist yet, but you CAN pre-order it if Microsoft left you with any hope/funds.

Nintendo Revolution

Nintendo's entry into the ring. As always,

Nintendo's design team comes up with something completely unheard of, like the fact that this console doesn't use a controller. What it DOES use is a remote that looks vaguely TV-esque that will be sliced through the air picking up motion sensors, making this company heir to the "What the hell?" throne.

Pros: Flooring games coming out, like Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess; cheaper than the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360; fighting the good fight to keep games imaginative.

Cons: The wait on pins and needles for a release date. If you pre-ordered the XBOX 360, though, waiting should be relatively commonplace for you.

PSP

The sleek, sort of Men in Black-looking handheld Sony released that stomps all competition, existing or otherwise. It's black curvy body and powerful innards will enable you to finally fit in with the other kids on the playground.

Pros: Internet capable, huge widescreen and fun uses like importing classic games onto it. You can keep photos, videos and music on it as well.

Cons: Buying memory cards. The more awesome tricks you demand of your PSP, the more you shell out for a card.

In closing, I guess it doesn't matter which system you decide to hoist the flag for. If you live and die by Microsoft, there's nothing I can do about it. For the love of nerdism, though, keep it in the privacy of your own home and away from the good gaming gene pool.