With the delay of Take-Two’s highly anticipated new game ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ the Xbox and the Wii are set to take center stage this holiday season. Citing “technological problems” the game under whelmed at the E3 Convention last month and has been put on hold until early 2008.

This means that once all the platforms debut ‘Madden NFL ’08′ in the next week all eyes will be on Microsoft and Nintendo (who share intimate quarters in Redmond). This was going to be the underperforming PS3′s first break into the reliable world of video game sequels. The PS3 has yet to see any of the standards that made the PS2 such a giant success. No, ‘Final Fantasy’ games, no ‘Metal Gear’ and now a delay of GTA.

While GTA is being delayed for the Xbox as well (even though the delay in release is caused solely due to the PS3), I’m sure Microsoft doesn’t mind as come this September the highly anticipated ‘Halo 3′ makes its debut in a home near you. Microsoft isn’t the only one relying heavily on proven content. Nintendo will finally give the people what they want with ‘Super Smash Bros. Brawl’ and in a move to get those after Christmas returns ‘Mario Kart’ will be released for the New Year.

Both Sony and Nintendo took a gamble on their new devices. While Sony opted for brilliant graphics and seamless game-play with blu-ray capabilities Nintendo did what they do best and revolutionized the gaming industry. Both companies relied heavily on new technology but it’s how you use technology that remains key. While the lack of content might be hurting the PS3 the Wii, with a similarly small selection of remedial mini-games, has excelled both nationally and overseas, outselling the PS3 3-1 in Japan (Headquarters to both Sony and Nintendo). Content remains the dividing factor. Even if the Wii and the PS3 had the exact same library the game-play allowed by the Wii offers a new way to experience that content, which is when technology is at its best. When we take the ordinary and smash it all to Hell. Well, at least that’s what I plan on doing once ‘Smash Bros. Brawl’ comes out.


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