Do you buy consoles at launch?

[teylix]

If not exactly at launch, then the first holiday season it's out?

I've gotten my gamecube and ps2 for christmas when they came out. I even remember those consoles having crappy libraries for the first year or so they were out. It wasn't until FFX came out that the ps2 started to shine IMO and that was released one year after it launched.

I'm noticing that getting launch consoles is an even worse proposition now. I got my PS3 during december of 2006 and the library was so awful. Only thing halfway decent was Resistance and FPS games arent really my forte anymore.

It took until Uncharted 1 for PS3 to start stepping it up. It was a really absymal showing for like 2 years.

Of course I couldv'e gotten my 60gb for a lot cheaper if I waited also. Back then it was in the $700 range since it was hard to find.

Are you going to get a Wii-U at launch? There's rumors of PS4 releasing in 2012 too ( www.digitimes.com/news/a20110704PD202.html ). Going to get that at launch if that happens?

[Kinikko]

As far as I can remember, the only system I've gotten at launch is my DS. That sucker has outlasted 2 other DS systems too.

With companies regularly making a second or third model of their system, usually with better design/features, I'm finding I want to wait more and more. Especially since waiting means that the libraries get larger and prices of games drop as they get older.

[Setharion]

As much of a gamer i am, i actually dont get them upon launch sadly...i generally wait for just a bit after. Many times ive waited til at least a couple decent games were out but for the most part i get them a little bit after.

Like you said Tey the libraries upon launch just never inspire me to get systems that quick. Same with 3DS, i want one but nothing is screaming at me to get it yet...if there was an rpg released i would be all over the 3DS.

[BobbyB]

Ever since the PS2 I have, but I don't know if I'm going to next gen-- thinking about becoming more of a PC gamer. Only time will tell

[Phoenix S117]

I really only got hardcore into gaming back in 2002 when I got my first job and could buy my own games. So I missed the launches of the PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox. I did pick up a Wii and a 360 at launch, though, as well as a DS and 3DS in the handheld department.

But this time around, I think I'm going to wait it out. After the Wii I'm wary of getting a Wii U at all, and in general I want to see what kind of games come to each system and how the hardware holds up.

Luckily, I know Sony will continue to support the PS3, and I have a giant backlog, so I will have plenty of stuff to play until I actually get a next-gen system.

[potterscrow]

I bought the PS2 and the XBOX 360 at launch but that is it. I will probably try to get the next xbox at launch but I am not going to go crazy. The 360 I was able to snag because the store manager at EB Games guaranteed me a spot at the head of the class so to speak. But he is not there anymore. I don't know what it is? I guess as I get older I just don't want to deal with the crap anymore. Although the day I got the 360 I showed up at 8AM and the store manager showed up around that time and there was only 4 of us online becuase he was only getting about 20 of them. Originally he was getting 100.

[Phoenix S117]

Actually I have to admit, I may pick up the next Xbox system at launch. The 360 didn't disappoint me at all this gen and I'm still going to have Xbox Live, probably. But I still want to see more about it, first.

[stepheno1683]

I think the Vita will be the first console I get one day 1 launch since PSP. I got the Wii a week or so after launch so I don't really count that.

[Maximus]

I buy almost every console at launch. I get so caught up in the hype that I can't help myself. The 3DS is one of the first pieces of video game hardware that I didn't buy at launch in years, though, and that's because I've never been sold on 3D technology. I've already got a Vita pre-ordered, and I will probably be buying the next Xbox and Playstation at launch. I'm on the fence with the Wii-U right now, however. I bought a Wii at launch and rarely played it, so I'm thinking I can hold out on that one as well. We'll see closer to release, though, when the hype train is running at full speed

[Sondiame]

I only bought a Gamecube and Ps2 by the holiday season. No gaming system is that good enough to make me wait at Midnight for it.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

I bought my Wii and 3DS at launch and that's it so far. A lot of it was due to me not having a lot of money.

Nowadays, with a career and all I can much easier afford a launch console, but it really just depends on how hyped I am for it and the launch lineup of games.

[Mudhippie]

I wait on console releases until at least one price drop, if not two. Then again, I am so backlogged that I can afford to wait on a new console purchase.

[The Rustic Cyborg]

Well, yes and no. My dad typically goes out and buys the newest consoles for us at Christmas - all except the Xbox Elite. So, I tend to get the newest consoles a fair amount of time after they launch but I don't go out and buy them. That and I don't think I'd have the money to afford them all, especially after their launch date. I prefer to wait it out and let their prices drop or find the console on ebay for a decent price.

[TheBlackStones]

Sometimes. I bought the Wii and 3DS at launch. But I doubt I'll do the same with the Wii-U, and any other console. Since I won't have a full time job when the new PSP launches I have no clue if I'll get it at launch.

[Runus]

I usually do, but I have vowed not to do so next time. That will start after the PS Vita though which I have pre-ordered....

[NeoFoxTrot]

I can't remember the last console I bought at launch. It was probably the GameCube. I usually wait for the best deals, or trade-in values before jumping off that bridge.

[dunker]

No.

Much like my game purchasing habits I wait for upgrades, fine tunes, and price drops to purchase mine. Libraries have a lot to do with it as well.

[BuckFly]

The PS3 was the only system this generation that I did not get at launch.

(Sorry, I know the following is sort of tangentially to the OT)

Additionally, I believe it has been probably a 50/50 split on my PS3 as far as its usage between blu-ray and gaming.

With Netflix, Zune and Lastfm, as well as great online gameplay my 360 it is still my mainstay as far as console goes.

Over the last year I think it breaks down:

360 - 60%

PS3 - 35%

Wii - 5%

[hainesdogg]

The only systems I've bought at launch were the Wii and 3DS. I do play to get a Vita at launch and I probably will pick up the next round of consoles at launch.

Generally I've been happy owning all three consoles it gives me variety for the different types of games.

[Mithan]

It depends on the games.

I never purchased a PS1 or PS2 until years after they came out because nothing interested me (I was totally into the PC at the time).
I bought the N64 on launch day.
I bought the Xbox at launch because I wanted to play Halo.
I bought the 360 at launch because I was pumped up to buy it even though all the games at launch for the 360 were complete shit.
Since I got burned on the 360, I waited until there was something worth playing for the PS3 launch, so I bought it in may the following year when Resistance 1 launched (great game).

For this upcoming generation, I plan on not buying anything until there are a few games worth buying to go with it.

[GameDadGrant]

With the exception of this generation, I've always gotten my consoles during the holiday season of the year they come out. This generation was a bit different - I waited on getting all of them. (even though I didn't go out and buy them myself - got 'em all as gifts)

Got the Wii in the Spring of 2007.

Got the PS3 for Christmas in 2008.

Got the 360 in the Spring of 2009.

Handhelds are a different story, though. I get those pretty much right away.

[mdsrocker]

With a small group of people, sharing funds often for the purposes of games/consoles, I find myself often at launches.

[aerismoon]

I camped out for the 360 and the Wii... so yes

All other systems were either bought for me for Christmas (Nintendo, SNES, Genesis, PS1, PS2, N64, GameCube) except for the PS3 that we just got recently for my boyfrined's birthday.

[Mithan]

Only if there are good games that I REALLY want to play.

[Freneticburn]

I don't think I have ever bought a system on launch. Maybe the Dreamcast but I can't remember if I just bought it soon after it released or at release. I used to do a lot of drugs then so things can be a bit hazy.