Console revisions are nothing new to the gaming industry.  A look in history will show us that most successful systems has gone through at least 3 console revisions.  Take a look at the Genesis, Gameboy, PS2, and the list goes on.  This generation is no different.  These changes are made to either reach a new markets, introduce better security, or just to save a couple of bucks.  Here’s a general look at what we’ll be expecting this generation.

20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 160GB, what next?

Since its November 2006 release, there has been a total of 5 PS3 model changes.  Initially, you had the choice of a 20GB or 60GB model retailing at $499 and $599 respectively.  Despite the enormous price tag, Sony was still taking a $300 loss for each console sold.  They needed a way to bring the price down fast if they wanted more consumers to purchase their platform.  In late 2007, Sony introduced the 40GB and 80GB models for $399 and $499.  Although that seemed like a much better deal, one key feature was lost… backwards compatibility.  The older 20GB and 60GB models, included the PS2 “Emotion Engine” CPU that allowed it to natively play PS2 games.  To save manufacturing costs, this CPU was removed from the later models.  Thus, the 80GB model only provided limited PS2 backwards compatibility through software emulation, while the 40GB cannot play PS2 games at all.  Just recently, Sony announced a newer 80GB and 160GB models to replace the current ones.  Like the 40GB model, the new revisions will completely remove PS2 backwards compatibility as well.  Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to play your old PSOne games.

360?  Mii too!

Like Sony, we’ve also seen quite a few Xbox 360 models.  Instead of regurgitating the previous paragraph, let’s focus on the software side.  One of the great aspects of this console generation is that you no longer need new hardware to enhance your gaming experience.  Next month, Microsoft will release a new Dashboard update in hopes to garner a broader audience.  The update not only provides a slick easy-to-use interface, but will also help reduce load times by allowing you to install games right onto the hard drive.  Most notably, you can further customize your Xbox experience with your very own Mii… err, I mean Avatars!  On top of that, Microsoft will support NetFlix video streaming as well.  With the recent $199 entry price, it’s now more affordable for new adopters to start their HD gaming goodness.  Just keep in mind that to truly get the Xbox experience, you’ll need to pony up the extra $100 for the 60GB model.

Wii Motion is a Plus

The Wii hasn’t gone through much change since its inception 2 years ago.  We’ve only seen little minor updates like the Weather Channel and the Vote Channel.  Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo is doing extremely well with the more classic approach of releasing tons of peripherals.  Take the ever-popular Wii Fit.  Even now, it’s still difficult to find on store shelves after 4 months of its release.  In future developments, the only notable peripheral that Nintendo has announced is the “Wii MotionPlus”.  This peripheral attaches to the base of the Wii remote and allows increased precision to your movements.  The standard Wii remote is very limited at what it can track with your arm movements.  The Wii MotionPlus attachment can accurately translate the 1:1 movements to your screen.  You can hear all the Star Wars fanboys chanting… light-saber game!  As revolutionary as this is, Nintendo should have included this feature from day one of the Wii release.  There have been many rumors that a new Wii-HD console is in the works, but Nintendo completely avoiding this topic.  In truth though, they don’t really need it.  Instead of losing money for each unit sold, Nintendo is actually profiting about $40+ on each Wii sold.  This is something that Sony and Microsoft won’t see for a few years.

Are handhelds in the game?

Don’t think consoles are getting all of the love.  Nintendo recently revealed the third iteration of the popular DS, the DSi.  The DSi features a larger screen, better sound, 0.3 megapixel camera, and SD memory car slot just to name a few.  To make the DSi thinner, Nintendo has opted to lose the GBA slot.  I suppose the reason why they added the SD slot is to store music, pictures, and downloadable content, but it sounds like a perfect opportunity for easier pirating access.  Sony will also release their third PSP revision dubbed the “PSP Brite”.  The new PSP has a much improved LCD screen that produces much better color saturation and contrast.  The screen also has a higher response time to combat motion blurring and ghosting.  Other than that, the new PSP model is very modest in its changes as compared to the DSi.

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