My Console History (Part 2)

Continuing from where I left 2 days ago, it is time to move to the next generation console. This next console is probably the longest console I've ever had. Along with the largest collection of games that I used to cover my walls with.

N-Gage & the gang sign makes it rather unimpressive

Yes, i don't own my old consoles anymore. Every time I bought a new one, my mom will give the old one to my cousins. She said it was for a good cause, since not many of them can afford toys, let alone a gaming system. Sure, i want to keep them, for nostalgic purpose, but then again, we live in an era where old system comes in a form of emulators. I guess it just feels symbolic to have the real console.

At the end of Junior high, my parents bought the PS2 home. It was before I had the finals. They let me played it for one day before confiscated it and threaten to return it if I don't get a good grades at my finals. Long story short, I played this console until the second year of college.
And how did I ended up covering my walls with the games? You see, I spent most of my high school years beating up every games, with my best friend, Yulian. Everyday, right after lunch, Yulian will shows up at my house. We were like a tag team, beating up levels, completing task, and even replaying our favorite games. I even remember the days when we took turn grinding up level on Calm Lands on Final Fantasy X. How we came best friend is another story, but this is how my games collection expands so fast. We brought more and more games, looking for new challanges. And one day, I realize what we've achieved and decided to display all the games we've completed on the walls. My dad built the display and since then, I ended up with PS2 games walls on my room.

The next gen console is already out for like 2 years that time, and my PS2 is already beaten up. I had replaced the optics 3 times, breaks countless of joystick, and hardware failure just feels like a few days away. That's when I decided i have to move forward. PS3 still at a high price that times, so i bought the least popular system:

Just right after they solved the "here's the sideways middle-finger" ring of death issue

Xbox is not a popular gaming system in my country, but I decided to take the risk of "pushing the wrong X button", rather than wiping my PS2 DVD tray in hopes it will magically works again. It was stunning to finally step to a more advanced system. Sure it's awkward for a few days. But the transition is not really that noticeable. Soon, i had my self gunning for achievement in any kind of games i can find.

It never actually a big deal for me to not be able to play exclusive game in a console before. I didn't know what other adventure's Link is having, didn't curious about what is wrong with Mario and his endless franchise, I even giving up hope when I finds out next Monster Hunter won't come out on PS2 & PS3 again. But, i guess I reached a moot point somehow. I found myself finishing games i don't even like, bombarded with FPS and violence everyday, missing those times when there's a lot of JRPG waiting in line to be played. I missed MGS, I missed God of War, I missed Disgaea. I missed my Playstation days.

So it was only a few years before I finally decided to sold my Xbox360 and bought a PS3. The Xbox still holding a sentimental value for me, which is hard to just handed it to other people. I was lucky, the one who decided to bought my Xbox was Yulian. I won't lose all my achievement and if I miss playing as master chief, I know where to go.

Now, the PS3 era started, and so far, it was the most fun, erratically mind numbing, joyful times I ever had. It's a mixed feeling. Probably it was because this is the first time i had to deal with "The Custom Firmware".Yes, i don't use original. I bought a used, hacked PS3, since my work back then didn't pay much. But, this is where i learned so many things about my own console. For all these years, all i know about video games is: "Plug in, insert CD/DVD/Catridge, Play". It wasn't that simple with this hacked machine. You need to know exactly what you're dealing with. How to update, how to online withouth get banned, how to play lastest games, what's the difference between CEX & DEX, all that kind of steps just to make your console don't turn into a junk

Or a DIY expensive grill

I'm not saying everyone should hack their console, I just want to point out that there is a lot you can learn by knowing some of this stuff. Heck, i don't even think playing games trough external HDD will be this much fun.

Now, i had my ups and downs with my PS3 but, it never fails to entertain me. Again, nostalgic feeling can comes any day. I had to much of those "heavy stuff-puzzle" games and wish there's more fun and brightly colored games, a cheerful games where i don't have to think to much and enjoy while I relieve my stress from work. My nintendo 3DS didn't do much, since i hate looking at a small screen for too long.

One day, on weekend, when coming home from a refreshing ride, I decided to buy a Wii. I did some search and finally found the one that I really liked. An hour later, i was on my way home, with a smile, and brand new Wii. It was all spontaneous, but it was a good decision so far. I can play Mario and Link again, continue my Monster Hunter adventure, and now i can finally convince my girlfriend to play along with me.

also provides great excuse to punch her

Wii is the last console i have, along with my PS3. I don't have any plan to purchase any new generation console so far. But if i had to choose, it seems that PS4 is the safest bet. Maybe wait for a couple of years when all technical problem are sorted out, and great titles are pouring in. In the mean time, i am satisfied with what i have.