The "Sony Games" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Three new consoles, all available in the UK now, and each one trying to convince you that it is the best one to buy. The names are known to everyone, but just in case, they are the Gamecube, X-Box and Playstation 2. This is a "Console Wars" topic, but I`m not here to argue about the games, the specifications, the number of developers, the sales figures or anything like that, but instead, the actual appearence of the console.
The reason I wanted to make this topic is that I was completely confused as to the opinions people seemed to have of the consoles looks. The Gamecube receiving high praise, and even the X-box only getting occasional complaints of its weight, next to Sony getting accused of having produced a black brick or door jam has completely astonished me. How can this be when Sony are the kings of style?
This may seem like an unjustified title, but when you look at the three companies, not just for their consoles, but for their other products, it becomes clear that surely Sony should be the leaders of the pack. Producing top quality electronics such as widescreen tv's, hi-fi's, walkman's, and much more has given Sony a lot of practice at making their products look as sleek and sexy as possible. The brand name on their tv's combined with the quality of the tv itself isn't always enough to sell the thing, it usually has to look good too.
With Microsoft coming from a more software orientated background, and Nintendo from a console only line, it explains why neither has become a style icon. In the "old days" when console gaming was a "geeky" thing to do, consoles would be little black boxes with odd labels where style was sacrificed so that the console could function properly. Simply splashing purple all over the thing does not bring it into this modern era of gaming.
Similarly, the huge "X" logo on top of a console is too much of a focal point for the Microsoft`s machine. If you look at a tv or hi-fi, the main focus is obviously the picture, or the controls. The rest of the machine should be stylish without getting in the way. If the main logo is so bright and big, it diminishes the quality of the console around it. The PS2 logo is more subtle. It is easily noticeable, meaning the brand and product names are known, but it doesn`t dominate the console.
Sony have been accused of bringing gaming to the mainstream. For this, they are guilty as hell. However, it should be pride not guilt that they feel. They have taken a geeky hobby and made it into one of the coolest industries on the planet. Everybody knows the name Sony, and most of them know the Playstation line as well. The journey to huge public recognition was mainly due to impressive advertising, but Sony`s style was also key.
The PS2 is a rather strange design. The fact that it stands vertically as well as horizontally is odd enough, but then it also has the "grill" lines down the edges. Have you tried visualising the console without those grills? It makes you realise why they`re there. The console is designed to stand proud next to your tv, blending in, but at the same time, making its presence felt in a subtle way.
Sony knew what they wanted, and they`ve achieved it. They took the next step in computer gaming and got completely away from the geeky background, away from multicoloured boxes and obtrusive logos, and into a world of stylish consoles, a world with PS2.
The reason I wanted to make this topic is that I was completely confused as to the opinions people seemed to have of the consoles looks. The Gamecube receiving high praise, and even the X-box only getting occasional complaints of its weight, next to Sony getting accused of having produced a black brick or door jam has completely astonished me. How can this be when Sony are the kings of style?
This may seem like an unjustified title, but when you look at the three companies, not just for their consoles, but for their other products, it becomes clear that surely Sony should be the leaders of the pack. Producing top quality electronics such as widescreen tv's, hi-fi's, walkman's, and much more has given Sony a lot of practice at making their products look as sleek and sexy as possible. The brand name on their tv's combined with the quality of the tv itself isn't always enough to sell the thing, it usually has to look good too.
With Microsoft coming from a more software orientated background, and Nintendo from a console only line, it explains why neither has become a style icon. In the "old days" when console gaming was a "geeky" thing to do, consoles would be little black boxes with odd labels where style was sacrificed so that the console could function properly. Simply splashing purple all over the thing does not bring it into this modern era of gaming.
Similarly, the huge "X" logo on top of a console is too much of a focal point for the Microsoft`s machine. If you look at a tv or hi-fi, the main focus is obviously the picture, or the controls. The rest of the machine should be stylish without getting in the way. If the main logo is so bright and big, it diminishes the quality of the console around it. The PS2 logo is more subtle. It is easily noticeable, meaning the brand and product names are known, but it doesn`t dominate the console.
Sony have been accused of bringing gaming to the mainstream. For this, they are guilty as hell. However, it should be pride not guilt that they feel. They have taken a geeky hobby and made it into one of the coolest industries on the planet. Everybody knows the name Sony, and most of them know the Playstation line as well. The journey to huge public recognition was mainly due to impressive advertising, but Sony`s style was also key.
The PS2 is a rather strange design. The fact that it stands vertically as well as horizontally is odd enough, but then it also has the "grill" lines down the edges. Have you tried visualising the console without those grills? It makes you realise why they`re there. The console is designed to stand proud next to your tv, blending in, but at the same time, making its presence felt in a subtle way.
Sony knew what they wanted, and they`ve achieved it. They took the next step in computer gaming and got completely away from the geeky background, away from multicoloured boxes and obtrusive logos, and into a world of stylish consoles, a world with PS2.
Page:
Well, i got to say, personally i think the PS2 is the best looking console out of the 3 of them. I really dont think a bulky X-box or purple Cube would look any better than the slightly odd shaped, yet modern style pressence that i get from my PS2 next to my tv, but that might just be my TV set up. But the PS2 for me is the far more stylish console of the 3, it boasts everything about sonys design, not only is it original with its odd shape, its also in a way very compact. Have you ever picked it up? Felt how heavy it was and realised whats actually inside the thing? Theres just something about it, that makes it like those car adverts, so much in what really is a small machine.
I thought that the N64 was the sleekest of the previous generation, The appearence can also define the difference between Nintendo's 'Toy' Gamecube
and the X-box and PS2's more mature look.
and the X-box and PS2's more mature look.
Three new consoles, all available in the UK now, and each one trying to convince you that it is the best one to buy. The names are known to everyone, but just in case, they are the Gamecube, X-Box and Playstation 2. This is a "Console Wars" topic, but I`m not here to argue about the games, the specifications, the number of developers, the sales figures or anything like that, but instead, the actual appearence of the console.
The reason I wanted to make this topic is that I was completely confused as to the opinions people seemed to have of the consoles looks. The Gamecube receiving high praise, and even the X-box only getting occasional complaints of its weight, next to Sony getting accused of having produced a black brick or door jam has completely astonished me. How can this be when Sony are the kings of style?
This may seem like an unjustified title, but when you look at the three companies, not just for their consoles, but for their other products, it becomes clear that surely Sony should be the leaders of the pack. Producing top quality electronics such as widescreen tv's, hi-fi's, walkman's, and much more has given Sony a lot of practice at making their products look as sleek and sexy as possible. The brand name on their tv's combined with the quality of the tv itself isn't always enough to sell the thing, it usually has to look good too.
With Microsoft coming from a more software orientated background, and Nintendo from a console only line, it explains why neither has become a style icon. In the "old days" when console gaming was a "geeky" thing to do, consoles would be little black boxes with odd labels where style was sacrificed so that the console could function properly. Simply splashing purple all over the thing does not bring it into this modern era of gaming.
Similarly, the huge "X" logo on top of a console is too much of a focal point for the Microsoft`s machine. If you look at a tv or hi-fi, the main focus is obviously the picture, or the controls. The rest of the machine should be stylish without getting in the way. If the main logo is so bright and big, it diminishes the quality of the console around it. The PS2 logo is more subtle. It is easily noticeable, meaning the brand and product names are known, but it doesn`t dominate the console.
Sony have been accused of bringing gaming to the mainstream. For this, they are guilty as hell. However, it should be pride not guilt that they feel. They have taken a geeky hobby and made it into one of the coolest industries on the planet. Everybody knows the name Sony, and most of them know the Playstation line as well. The journey to huge public recognition was mainly due to impressive advertising, but Sony`s style was also key.
The PS2 is a rather strange design. The fact that it stands vertically as well as horizontally is odd enough, but then it also has the "grill" lines down the edges. Have you tried visualising the console without those grills? It makes you realise why they`re there. The console is designed to stand proud next to your tv, blending in, but at the same time, making its presence felt in a subtle way.
Sony knew what they wanted, and they`ve achieved it. They took the next step in computer gaming and got completely away from the geeky background, away from multicoloured boxes and obtrusive logos, and into a world of stylish consoles, a world with PS2.
The reason I wanted to make this topic is that I was completely confused as to the opinions people seemed to have of the consoles looks. The Gamecube receiving high praise, and even the X-box only getting occasional complaints of its weight, next to Sony getting accused of having produced a black brick or door jam has completely astonished me. How can this be when Sony are the kings of style?
This may seem like an unjustified title, but when you look at the three companies, not just for their consoles, but for their other products, it becomes clear that surely Sony should be the leaders of the pack. Producing top quality electronics such as widescreen tv's, hi-fi's, walkman's, and much more has given Sony a lot of practice at making their products look as sleek and sexy as possible. The brand name on their tv's combined with the quality of the tv itself isn't always enough to sell the thing, it usually has to look good too.
With Microsoft coming from a more software orientated background, and Nintendo from a console only line, it explains why neither has become a style icon. In the "old days" when console gaming was a "geeky" thing to do, consoles would be little black boxes with odd labels where style was sacrificed so that the console could function properly. Simply splashing purple all over the thing does not bring it into this modern era of gaming.
Similarly, the huge "X" logo on top of a console is too much of a focal point for the Microsoft`s machine. If you look at a tv or hi-fi, the main focus is obviously the picture, or the controls. The rest of the machine should be stylish without getting in the way. If the main logo is so bright and big, it diminishes the quality of the console around it. The PS2 logo is more subtle. It is easily noticeable, meaning the brand and product names are known, but it doesn`t dominate the console.
Sony have been accused of bringing gaming to the mainstream. For this, they are guilty as hell. However, it should be pride not guilt that they feel. They have taken a geeky hobby and made it into one of the coolest industries on the planet. Everybody knows the name Sony, and most of them know the Playstation line as well. The journey to huge public recognition was mainly due to impressive advertising, but Sony`s style was also key.
The PS2 is a rather strange design. The fact that it stands vertically as well as horizontally is odd enough, but then it also has the "grill" lines down the edges. Have you tried visualising the console without those grills? It makes you realise why they`re there. The console is designed to stand proud next to your tv, blending in, but at the same time, making its presence felt in a subtle way.
Sony knew what they wanted, and they`ve achieved it. They took the next step in computer gaming and got completely away from the geeky background, away from multicoloured boxes and obtrusive logos, and into a world of stylish consoles, a world with PS2.
Page: