And I hope they do it next year too. After watching EA and Bethesda do their conferences, all I've heard was how disappointing E3 has been. Almost nothing positive has been said. And to top it off, it appears that almost all of MS conference has been leaked. Now people will be complaining that MS did nothing spectacular. Even though the X1 Slim is coming out and looks fantastic. And if further leaks are true, all we'll really see from Sony is a bunch of VR stuff and maybe the 6th or 7th iteration of God of War.

And when all the venom is done being spewed at the conferences, and all the E3 anger and disappointment subsides, Nintendo will walk out relatively unscathed because they had little to do with it. I'm actually starting to think that E3 is harmful to the gaming industry in general because nothing can live up to the hype that fans build up and the leaks that destroy said hype. Nintendo might be onto something by having a token presence there at most.

E3 is far from over, but if the first day is any answer, we're going to be looking at maybe the most disappointing E3... maybe ever. Unless MS pulls Scorpio out of nowhere, fans will most likely call this E3 a disaster. Or worse. Most likely with many profanities. And it may lead to others following Nintendo's lead and avoiding E3 altogether. And I would applaud them for it.

The Wii U has had a troubled existence. The struggle of the Wii U is well known in the gaming world. In spite of the great library of exclusives it boasts, it has had trouble in the general sales department. While this is a shame and something Nintendo laments, there is a silver lining for the consumers. In the end, Wii U will become one of the best collectors items in gaming. Just like how the GameCube has grown in collectors value, the Wii U will do so. Only better. The Wii U will end up in a better collectors situation because of the fewer consoles available overall.

If anything you could compare it to something along the lines of Sega Saturn. Sold around as many units, had tons of great first party exclusives, and both have the same potential to be collectors items. And its already showing on Wii U. Pikmin 3 is already selling from $70 to $100 new and sealed. Will Pikmin 3 become the Panzer Dragoon Saga of the Wii U era? Only time will tell.

Wii U is already on the radar of scalpers. Sadly they are only thinking of the short term gains. It makes sense for their game though. Amiibo, GameCube Adapter and the like are all great short term gains. But the real money will be made years down the road, when your Wii U collection is worth thousands. Even 3rd party games are going up in value due to being hard to find. Yes, that NBA 2K game might be worth less than the cost of a sandwich on the twins, but the value on Wii U is only going up.

So open up your wallet and buy everything you can with the Wii U name. Adapters, controllers, games, peripherals... As long as its first party peripherals. Believe it or not, being last isn't the worst thing in the world, if you are willing to be patient and willing to look beyond the first party.

In the end, Wii U won't be considered a success. It won't be the hundred million unit seller that its predecessor was. When all is said and done, how many units a console sells isn't a issue for the average gamer. But it does matter to a collector. And as a collector, you should realize that there is gold in them thar hills, Them Wii U hills are lined with gold. It would be wise to grab that pickaxe and dig in before it becomes too hard to find.

*Note* This is a copy of a post I made quite a long time ago. I loved the effort and how it all turned out, so I decided to copy it and make it into a blog for my personal use and memory. However I would like to add that since the posting of this, Bayonetta 2 is now a collectors item that sells for over $100 brand new. Devil's 3rd is even rarer and could end up being the crown jewel of a Wii U collector's (or scalpers) library. A prediction I made long ago has come to fruition and its only going to get worse (or better depending on your situation or opinion). Did you prepare yourself?

I lend my Wii U to my brother occasionally. I gave my old Wii to my other brother and his kids so I let him use my Wii U from time to time. He likes to play the CoDs on it at night and when his kid wants to play, it has tons of games for him. At least this is supposed to be the main reason. I swung by for a visit and to my surprise there were many people there. Some vehicles and lots of laughter. I figured he maybe picked up the latest comedy movie or something.

I walk in and to my surprise there are people laughing and playing Mario Kart 8 on my Wii U. It was very shocking to see. There was pizza boxes and bags of chips and soda in the room. People were all surrounding his tv and there were talk about who was next. My brother came rushing over like I was a disgruntled wife and I walked in on him cheating. It was hilarious! "Oh these friends just came into town. I didn't know they were going to be here today." and "My son isn't here today so I thought it would be no problem." I told him not to worry about it and to go have fun with his friends. He usually never has anyone over so it was a pleasant surprise.

Consoles are meant to be played so it was great to see it being used with tons of people. I feel the same way when the family gets together around it and plays games. Fun knows no age, demographic and crosses all barriers. And fun is contagious. After visiting my brother the other day, he told me that some of his friends from that party went out and bought their own Wii U. But I won't lie. Immediately after I got it back, I bought a silicon case and screen protector for the gamepad. You can still have fun and be safe.

I'm pretty sure that its no secret that I'm a big fan of the game. Been waiting for it since the day it was announced. And I have not been disappointed. It has actually surpassed all expectations and then some. The level design, the characters, the little worlds. Its such a fantastic game. I bought it on the eshop just so that Nintendo got every dollar possible for the game. And they have earned every dollar for it. I jumped right into it and finished the first 2 books relatively quickly. Even completed most of the optional challenges. Its been such a pleasure.

But the strangest thing happened as I started on Book 3. I started to feel a little sad. With each level I complete... the feeling only grows. I couldn't put my finger on it but after playing some more levels I think I can finally say what it is. This feeling of sadness has evolved into a feeling of dread. I think its because I know that the end is coming. The closer I get to it heavier this feeling gets. Sooner or later, the last page will turn, and that will be it.

I've been slowing my pace with the game. Savoring each level. I'm down to 1 level a day. I know that it will eventually end, but its been one of the few games I never want to finish. I don't know how I'm going to react when I finally beat the game. Or if I even will finish the game. Its not one of those franchises that we're going to see all the time. Its no NSMB or Kart. Will we see a sequel to this? Maybe. It might be one of those fringe franchises like Canvas Curse. How long will I have to wait before I see another game of this quality? Sooner or later, I'm going to be looking at the last page, and know that when that page is turned, its over.

Ok! I finished the Sony predictions now its time for my Microsoft predictions! Truth is that they can't miss after what happened at last years E3. But this E3 will swing things in their favor. Here's what I think will happen.

1. Microsoft will open with some big theme music and Phil Harrison will walk to the stage. A grateful MS fanbase will cheer. He'll talk about how things may have gotten off to a bit of a shaky start but with a successful launch and that the X1 is ahead of the sales rate of the 360, that its the fastest selling console in MS history. But they won't be resting on their laurels.

2. He'll go over their 360 sales and talk about how the 360 has sold X number of games, including ports of Titanfall and the like. He'll also mention that the games with gold promotion is going strong a year later and are giving games away on 360.

3. Then he will talk about the GWG for X1 promotion and announce that a big game for the next month for GWG on X1. I'm thinking it will be something like Forza 5.

4. Here is where the TV stuff will happen. Halo TV and the like will be brought up. They will talk about the TV features and how many hours of TV that has been displayed etc. It will be the one big lull in the presentation.

5. He'll then announce 3rd party games. All will be very nice and include stuff from Ubisoft, EA, and the like. There will be a sports section where they will showcase the newest Madden and NBA stuff. This stuff is the standard stuff you see from them every year. Expect some sports personality or professional athlete. You'll get announcements for the next CoD, BF, etc. But the big shocker will be when he announces that Fallout 4 will be exclusive to Xbox.

6. He will then announce the new exclusives. Here is where things get muddled. I'm thinking that they will announce Lost Odyssey 2, Conker's Bad Fur Day 2, Battletoads and Perfect Dark. Also the Platinum game. Black Tusk working on Gears and the like. This is on top of games that are already in the works like Sunset Overdrive, D4, Project Spark, Forza Horizon etc. It will be pretty exciting.

7. But it won't be the end without showing what fans are hoping for. You'll see a big trailer for the Master Chief collection. Halo 1-4 all in HD and remastered for Xbox one. All as a gear up for the big reveal of Halo 5 gameplay footage. Then they will shock everyone and announce that Halo 5 will be launching this holiday season.

I know I missed a lot of stuff. But to be honest the MS press conference will be massive. I know I'm looking forward to it. Next time I'll bring up Nintendo's Digital event!

Ok if you've been to my profile you can tell I'm a bit of a Nintendo nut. Saying that I'll save them for last. First up is Sony predictions!

1. Sony will announce the sales successes of the PS4 and gloss over the Vita. It will detail hours played, people shot, etc. They will also announce games sold and the like.

2. Sony will announce the Vita lineup. It will be underwhelming but will include remake collections of stuff like Ratchet and Clank etc. They will then talk up more indie games and talk about how vita streaming is taking off with PSNow etc. but not really push any new IPs. They will also unveil the PS4/Vita bundle for $549.

3. Sony will introduce their lineup of exclusive TV programs. Including TV shows like Powers and TV services. They will also include stuff like early access to Sony movies. All this requires PS+ to use.

4. Sony will then announce games. Various trailers will come and go including The Order, Driveclub, Knack 2 etc. The standouts will be polished The Order gameplay and will feature new trailers from Uncharted 4.

5. Sony will then unveil works from 3rd party people. Included will be another trailer for FFXV, KH3, MGS5 etc. The big surprise will be Project Beast which will then be named Demon Souls 2.

6. Sony will announce work and progress on Project Morpheus and future uses for the hardware including it being usable with all of Sony's digital services (movies, TV, Music, etc.) And tease some games being made with it.

7. Sony will then conclude their press conference with TLOU Remastered. It will include a big CG sequence and the like. Then the big surprise will be that it will be coming out that next day.

Of course this is all guesses but I feel pretty confident. Xbox is next!

I've been debating it for a while now. PS4, X1, Wii U, or even going Steam and PC. I won't lie. I am not impressed with any of the next gen systems. Wii U's tablet is really holding down the system and even Nintendo doesn't know how to use it. The X1 has a required kinect and the PS4 has no real great exclusives for a long time. Even then their first party games don't really move me.

This got me thinking about Retro gaming. I used to look forward to every new console with bated breath. Maybe its because I'm older and in the twilight of my gaming lifetime, but I look at all of these consoles with such skepticism. While retro gaming is great there are drawbacks as well.

1. Tracking down games. It is fun and exciting when you walk into a pawn shop, or a flea market or a yard sale and you see this copy of Burning Rangers for the Saturn, or a copy of the Zelda Compilation disc. But those finds are few and far between and you have better odds paying out the nose on ebay. Either way gathering up the games are tough and time/money consuming.

2. Collections get huge and take up space. I end up storing most of my stuff. If I took all my gaming stuff out it would take up a room full of cartridges and old strategy guides, systems, peripherals, and cables. Its easier just to buy a compilation disc (Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, Megaman Collection etc.) than to go into storage, dig out half of my stuff just to get to the system then to track down the games I'd be interested in playing.

While both seem like small things they are both big things. I love to play the older games but I'd rather play them with their original controllers with the classic graphics. Then my cousin told me about this device.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/12/super_everdrive_flash_cart_miniaturises_your_snes_collection

This holiday season my choices are either to get a Wii U (original plan) or to kick it retro and pick up Megadrives and a backup device for my collection and some Wii games I've been wanting to get for my next collection.

I wrote this during the article that shows that the eyetoy can do voice commands like kinect does. 

 I'm sure I'll be told I'm reading too far into it or that its just plastic and silicone etc. But when you follow a brand for so long you do develop brand loyalty. Its why people like pepsi over coke, or a certain kind of phillie cheese steak or pizza. Same with automobiles. 

I'm sure that it's been pretty shocking to know that one of kinects biggest features could be done so easily on the ps4. The few advantages left for the X1 is gone. But if you're a Xbox guy and are questioning your pre order maybe a little soul searching is needed. 

What makes you love it so? And is change so scary? Chevy used to be the biggest thing in america but eventually people liked Toyota Corollas just as much. They just kept a open mind and tried it out. So a open mind wouldn't hurt here guys. And when MS finally gets their act together and realize that they exist for their customers they will come around and make a better system. 

Until that day I'm going to have to give the edge to Sony. It looks like they finally climbed out of the hole of pride and ego that Ken Kutagari dug for them during the buildup to the ps3. A lesson hard learned, and led to a tight race that never had to happen if they remembered a lesson that all manufacturers sometimes need to be reminded of. Respect your customers because without their business you have nothing. 

Well like everyone else I'm sure that I wasn't the only one taken aback by what happened this E3. I never thought that fanboys of either side... Sony and MS would unite under one banner. The Don't Tread on Me banner has a long history dating back to the revolutionary war. The snake was actually Benjamin Franklins choice for the symbol of the country because the snake he seen shown extraordinary awareness in its eyes and its eyes never close, which suggest vigilance. Symbol or not, the words underneath the snake is as relevant now as it ever was.

The decisions by MS will show the consequences or rewards of their decisions over the years, but one thing they underestimated was the voice of the gaming public. The very same people that have vaulted them to prominence last generation are the same people who  are refusing to swallow the rhetoric that MS exec Phil Harrison has been spewing all during the E3 event. Whether or not Phil will recognize it is a different matter. Does he actually believe the things he says? It is said that you can pass a lie detector test if you really believe what you are saying. I guess we will never know if he actively took part in it, or if he just rubber stamped every decision by Mattrick and is now the face of a evil corporation because he didn't show the vigilance of the snake.

Everyone is saying that this is the last generation of consoles because after this generation everything will be a gaming service. The actual box that will connect you to the service will be about the size of a couple packs of cigarettes, connect you to the service, and stream the games to you. Whether or not this is the future remains to be seen. What MS has proven during the E3 conference is that we're not ready for that route yet.... if ever.