I have to admit that I haven't digested every bit of news, so my thoughts on the next-gen systems are perhaps behind the times. I always reserve final judgment, anyway, until I actually get my hands on a system and play the games, which is one of the many reasons for my late-adopter position. So far, though, it seems like a race between the big three to see who can shatter my enthusiasm more quickly and efficiently.

Sony so far is losing the fight, with only somewhat off-putting remarks about the PS3 being "not a game machine" and missing promised features. The Batarang certainly doesn't look like an improvement on the Dual Shock line, but I can't really say until I hold one. Rumor is that they might even stick with the trusty design that has won my vote as best ever since it was introduced on the PS1.

I'm not really concerned about the price. I'm not a launch adopter anyway, but I'd rather have to spend up front for quality rather than save a little bit of cash and get the castrated version of the system and limit its possibilities. Or worse, have someone else trying to save a few bucks ruin the possibilities for me. But that's really taking us to

Microsoft! With the announcement of the XBOX 180 ("half the console for three-fourths the price!") and the one-finger salute to the American gamers that actually supported them during this generation, MS pulled into an early lead in the Let's Disappoint Pete contest.

Car companies pull the same "starting at only $12,999!" marketing scam, failing to mention that that DX model doesn't have even have basic equipment like air conditioning. Once the customers at the dealership, though, they're a captive audience for the pitch on the $15,000 LX model that's actually drivable. The thing is, though, if I decide that I want the $16,000 EX model with all the creature comforts and a bit more horsepower, I'm not told that I can't use my AC, anti-lock brakes and extra oomph under the hood because somebody else bought the DX.

Not so with Microsoft. They follow the good old American educational philosophy of holding everybody back to the lowest standards. The gamers out there that buy the XBOX 180 are only screwing themselves. By offering it in the first place, Microsoft is screwing everybody. Way to go, MS, you pretty much cinched the win until

Nintendo revealed the Revolution controller. In that one moment, Nintendo swooped in to scrabble with Microsoft for dubious honor of my most disappointing console. A vicious body blow to MS, but then, just when Nintendo had them reeling, they pulled back a little, gave MS some breathing room. The word of this mysterious "shell" began to circulate.

Now, I am unsure. If the "shell" turns the Point-and-Do controller into something usable, then things might work out. But knowing Nintendo, they're going to give me a completely unworkable controller and tell me that I like it. I'm willing to concede that there could be some really innovative games with the Rev controller. The thing is, I doubt I'll like them. But that doesn't matter--even if I do like them, you release this kind of controller as a peripheral, especially for some games. The Eye-Toy, DDR mats, congas and maracas, and especially the light-gun--they're specialty controllers for specialty games.

I've seen too many forced uses of the DS hardware to trust Nintendo on this Point-and-Do controller. Games that don't have to use it probably will anyway. We'll have a small selection of innovative games that are designed for the Rev controller and a boatload that have the Rev controller's features crammed uncomfortably into them. I don't need to "draw" bricks for Mario to jump on to reach the next platform, and I don't need to "push" on Link's sail to move him across the ocean. Just let me run, jump, and hit things with my sword, please.

And while playing, if I need to bring my controller up so I can rub my nose with the back of my hand to get rid of an itch, or I feel like sinking a little deeper into the couch cushions, I don't want my on-screen avatar to go careening around the gameworld in response. If I get the hiccups, I don't want my character to do a little hop every time my diaphragm spasms.

Echoing through the forums I hear cries of, "Think of the FPS games with the Revolution controller!" Okay, and despite the fact that Nintendo hasn't been even remotely interested in FPS games since the N64 (you can't have it both ways, Nintendo--you swore blind that the Metroid Prime games weren't FPS's), maybe they'll make a really good one. Maybe it'll be fun the first time, to play a different way, but when the novelty wears off, I think I'm going to want to sit back on the couch and use just my thumbs to play one of the 88 billion other FPS games out next gen. Or maybe something that isn't an FPS... isn't that what Nintendo has claimed to be about for a while now?

I also hear people talking about how great the Rev controller will be for light-gun games--Next-Generation Duck Hunt!. The thing is, there there's already a controller for those--it's called the light-gun. Don't get me wrong, I like light-gun games. I have light-gun games for several systems. I don't need many, though, to fill my light-gun game craving. Speaking of light-guns, the GunCon 2 has a D-Pad. It has buttons. It has Rev-tastic Point-and-Do action. So why didn't Sony license it and make it the default controller, with an analog stick dangling off the back? Because that would have been stupid.

If Nintendo packs the "shell" in with the system, and it's good, there's a possibility that they can salvage my custom. I'm not going to get my hopes up, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. And for all three systems, of course, the software needs to be seen before final judgment can be passed.

Current enthusiasm level for next gen:
PS3 - 4
360 - 1
Rev - (pending)