Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Subscribe
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Gaming Magazines
(opens in new tab)
Gaming Magazines (opens in new tab)
Why subscribe?
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
(opens in new tab)
View (opens in new tab)
  • News
  • Guides
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Deals
  • About Us
  • Magazines
    • Retro Gamer
    • Play
    • Total Film
    • Edge
    • SFX
Newsarama
Total Film
Edge
Trending
  • New Games for 2023
  • Best PS5 games
  • Best Xbox Series X games
  • Big in 2023

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. Xbox 360

7 reasons we're not ready for the next-generation to start

By Hollander Cooper
published 31 May 2012

Can't we hold off for just a little longer?

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • Comments
This gen still has some fight in it

This gen still has some fight in it

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendos

But were not ready for the next-generation! While we understand why Nintendo needs to get things moving with the Wii U (what with HD and all), there are plenty of reasons valid ones, at that to fear the next-gen, and to stick with the current era of gaming for just a few more years.

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Developers know how to use the current tech

Developers know how to use the current tech

That was then, and now these memories have faded into the past. Developers have learned all of the tricks to getting games running perfectly between all of the different consoles, meaning were seeing shorter load times and less framerate issues. These problems are becoming less and less regular, and a new generation could essentially set us right back to square one.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Games still look better every year

Games still look better every year

Every year we get a new example of the power of the current generation. Until sequels cease to look significantly better than their predecessors, we dont think were going to see an immediate need to upgrade consoles; from the looks of things thats still a few years out.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Digital is exploding

Digital is exploding

Developing a downloadable takes a fraction of the time and money of creating a AAA console release, and it can be done without a huge publisher backing the product. Only in the past year or two have we seen developers really taking advantage of this, with Microsoft and Sony both welcoming downloadable games with open arms, and even offering full titles as downloadable on the day of release. Speaking of...

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
We still havent heard how our digital purchases will transfer over

We still havent heard how our digital purchases will transfer over

Of course, we hope were wrong - but until the big console-makers explicitly states that our digital games are safe, were going to assume that the issue's still on the table, and we really dont want to risk losing those (or having to break out our last-gen systems every time we want to play a downloadable game).

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
The first few years of next-gen are notoriously weak

The first few years of next-gen are notoriously weak

fairly lackluster

There have only been a handful of launch titles in the history of gaming that actually hold up. For every Halo and Super Mario Bros. there are a dozen games like FantaVision or Perfect Dark Zero, which serve primarily to show off the systems hardware without any actual substance backing them up. New consoles usually mean gimmicky mechanics, trying desperately to prove their validity in the next-generation by using every single mechanic the new era of gaming lends them.

Series like Madden usually have their weakest entries early in new generations, and this current era were in where every year is full of amazing, must-play games would be essentially reset. Why go back to the stone age? Lets keep playing amazing games every year and skip over that awful lull for a little longer.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
We havent seen a solid reason that new hardware is necessary

We havent seen a solid reason that new hardware is necessary

Weve yet to see a single, solid reason why this generation needs to end and the next needs to begin. Were sure there will eventually be one something that tells us that we need to empty our wallets and buy a new game but right now we havent seen it, so its hard to get too excited.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
The economy sucks

The economy sucks

Releasing new, expensive consoles when people arent interesting in spending money could be catastrophic. We already saw the 3DS flat-out fail at $250, and were in the process of watching the Vita suffer the same fate. Odds are, Sony will eventually drop the price, making it more affordable - but were not sure any of the next-gen systems could launch at a low enough price to make it worthwhile, especially during these trying economic times.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Then again...

Then again...

Check back tomorrow when we examine all of the reasons we're totally ready for this generation to be over.

But if you need more pre-E3 news now, check out our predictions for Microsoft's press conference and our list of our 51 most anticipated games of E3 2012.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • Comments
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade. 

See comments
Load Comments
Recommended
New games for 2023 and beyond to add to your wishlist
  1. Elgato Wave DX microphone for streaming
    1
    Elgato Wave DX review: "An excellent choice for streamers looking for a high-quality dynamic XLR microphone"
  2. 2
    Herman Miller X Logitech Vantum review: "A well-designed and comfy ergonomic chair but one that lives firmly in the shadow of its sibling"
  3. 3
    Season: A Letter to the Future review: "As beautiful as it is quaint"
  4. 4
    Dead Space review: "A sublime mix of fresh, familiar, and freaking terrifying"
  5. 5
    Razer Leviathan V2 Pro review: "Has the makings of a clever and quality soundbar but is let down by flaws that make it hard to recommend"
  1. The Fabelmans
    1
    The Fabelmans review: "Spielberg's period drama evokes wonder"
  2. 2
    M3GAN review: "A lot of fun but short on frights"
  3. 3
    Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Almost as sharp as the first"
  4. 4
    Babylon review: "Damien Chazelle's immersive vision of Hollywood's golden era"
  5. 5
    Avatar: The Way of Water review: "An imposing, dazzling, supersized blockbuster"
  1. The Last of Us
    1
    The Last of Us episode 3 review: "An early contender for one of 2023's best episodes"
  2. 2
    Poker Face episode 1 review: “Takes the hardboiled detective story to a new level”
  3. 3
    The Last of Us episode 2 review: "A more calculated entry that focuses on Joel and Ellie"
  4. 4
    The Last of Us episode 1 review: "Expands on the games – and often betters them"
  5. 5
    Vikings: Valhalla season 2 review: "Has lost some of its feverish intensity"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Advertise with us (opens in new tab)
  • Review guidelines (opens in new tab)
  • Write for us (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.