The Console Crystal Ball: Predicting the Future of Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

It's the first day of spring, and reason to hope this stale first quarter gaming period is about to end.  January, February, and even March are typically the most mind-numbingly dull months of the year when it comes to game releases, and – for the most part – this year has been no different.  It's a good time to reflect on the holiday 2006 shopping season and make some bold predictions on the rest of '07.

Click on over to GizmoCafe.com for the complete Gizmo Gaming Predictions.  We've taken a close look at some of the following factors in guesstimating 2007 winners:

Online Offerings

Who's got the best online plans this year?  Microsoft tries to curtail the rise of the PS3, while Nintendo online multiplayer rumors remain whispers. 

Gaming Goodies

What games are coming, and which ones should you be looking out for?  Some of the best-looking and most promising games this year aren't even those being widely hyped.

Along with these essentials, Gizmo will also look at the general outlook for each console, as well as a comprehensive "Big Picture", pitting each system against one another.

Who'll take '07?  Click on to find out.

Not happy with the predictions?  Let us know by commenting here.

Find the Nintendo Wii
6 comments
Posted by Chad on March 22,2007 at 9:12 AM
I think that the xbox 360 has won this year but next year its going to be ps3's year to shine. With a possible price drop and amazing exlusives set for 2007 the ps3 will win next year. Think about all the games ps3 will have next year. Metal Gear Solid, Lair, Heavonly Sword, final fantasy XIII. Ninja Gaidan Sigma, Warhawk, Ratchet and Clank 5, Gran Turismo 5, and mabye even Killzone PS3 . Those are all exlusive games for the PS3. Xbox has Halo 3, and Fable 2 for great exlusives. The wii has Super mario galaxy, Super smash brothers, and resident evil Umbrella Chronicals. Its only the beginning of the PS3 and there is a long road ahead for it.
Posted by rynos on March 21,2007 at 12:01 PM
Something tells me that PS3 will make 2007 an interesting round. I seen a few things up and coming for the PS3 that have me excited. Sony is bringing out there version of xbox live this year and its call Home... you can find some interesting videos about it all over the web including you tube.

Posted by modsuperstar on March 20,2007 at 10:49 PM
I think the 360 will still be the leader at the end of the year, but I don't think it will be by much, if at all.  The Wii has already more then halved the 360's lead and the sales of the Wii have shown no sign of letting up.  EA has been forced to divert it's focus to the production of more Wii games after previously hedging their bets on the success of the PS3.  Developers like Take Two are starting to take notice of the Wii which can only mean good things for the system down the road.  The Wii will start having some harder hitting, less gimmicky titles be released for the platform as developers get a better grasp on how to use the Wii's control setup.  All the games that have come out so far are first generation titles, so it will be interesting to see how the control scheme matures, much like it did with the DS.  Nintendo has really only released one of their big franchises(Zelda) so far, so I expect the demand for the console only to increase as they release their other well known franchises.  Mario is still a big system seller, and with a genuine sequel to Mario 64 in the works that will definitely give the system even broader appeal.
Posted by Mike on March 20,2007 at 7:02 PM
I think Wii can easily be on top this year.  The only thing holding it back is its availability.  However, Nintendo plans on increasing productivitiy in the near future.  The funny thing is that the Wii is constantly being sold out, and there is not even one killer app. for the console.  It doesn't need a killer app.  The Wii is clearly selling itself.
As for Playstation, I think we all agree that they are having tough times.  Microsoft is doing fine, but its sales in Japan are hurting.  

I've also made an interesting observation on nexgenwars.com.  It seems for the past few weeks that, on average per minute, 5 Playstation3's and 6 Xbox360's are being sold while Wii is selling 11.
Posted by jbolton on March 20,2007 at 2:01 PM
I'm with Dooger. XBOX will rock 2007 and ride safely into the new year sunset with maiden on board.  Wii ... maybe looking at a slight gain in popular games but not a whole lot happening there. The gyro controller bit is already getting a little old.  Almost all the games made exclusively for the Wii use the same concepts of movement. Other than EA games and Warioware, all the rest are pretty straight fwd. Sony has a little ways to go. It's recoup time for them and once the new years spins around and they have a revised gameplan, they can only get better from here.

So, for the record:
1. MS XBOX
2. Nintendo Wii
3. Sony Playstation3 (pulling a very close 3rd)
Posted by Dooger on March 20,2007 at 1:23 PM
Xbox 360 is the safe choice for year-end winner, but the Wii still has a lot of momentum on its side following a scorching hot holiday season.

I think it's safe to say that the PS3 is out of the running (barring an unexpected HUGE hit game that neither of the other 2 systems has), but if Nintendo can actually get their act together and get store shelves stocked with Wiis, the Xbox could be given a run for its money.