Though I've yet to actually get my hands on a Nintendo Wii or a PlayStation3--a combination of little time to spare and even less money--I do have some initial reactions to the goings-on of each next-gen console launch. Read along, intrepid blog fan, lest you lose out on some juicy semi-professional, almost-insightful game knowledge.

-Despite IGN.com's lackluster review, I'm intrigued by THQ's Wii launch title Red Steel. I've felt the first-person shooter has become stagnant and dull in the console world over the past several years (Halo aside, of course), but this seemed to be the title to revitalize the genre. I like some of the ideas THQ implemented to take full advantage of the Wii's unique gameplay capabilities, and when I finally do get my hands on one, I'll gladly give Red Steel a go.

-I might even give Wii Madden NFL '07 a try. I've made my hatred for the EA football series well-known, but I can't help but wonder if the Wii's unconventional mechanics might make the gridiron "classic" a playable bundle o' fun. I'm not impressed by the graphics--why can't EA create football players who look like actual humans?--but if the remote-nunchuku combination makes for an exciting game of football, I'll let an NFL full of ETs slide.

-To anyone griping about the pack-in title Wii Sports being less-than-spectacular...what did you expect? It was merely a pack-in designed to help Nintendo push Wiis off store shelves. I realize their previous pack-ins were always classic Mario titles, but this is a different era; pack-in games are a promotional tool, nothing more. You want a classic? Better shell out a bit more dough for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

-On to the PS3...am I the only one disgusted by the fact that so many of its launch titles hardly look any better than most PS2 offerings? I'm sorry, but if Sony expects me to fork over $600 for a new console, it better make my games shine much prettier than the box I currently play my Sony games on.

-And while we're at it, can we get rid of the Armored Core series already? We've had at least 10 sequels or spin-offs since the PlayStation orginial, and I don't see where things have changed that much. I used to respect this series; now, it's a sad reminder of how far other games have come over the years. A decidedly last-gen game in the next-gen console world.

-Anyone seen the video on YouTube yet of the guy smashing a PS3 in front of a line of potential customers at Best Buy? If you haven't, mosey on over there and take a look, because I think it's hilarious. This guy in a pimp jacket buys a PS3 at a local Best Buy before taking it outside and letting his buddy trash it with a sledgehammer in front of said line. I can only imagine how pissed those customers were watching someone trash a precious PS3 right in front of them, but I say they deserve it. If your life is so pathetic you're willing to wait hours, even days, for a console you're not even guaranteed of getting, you deserve to be taunted like that.

I'll have more impressions once I manage to get my hands on these new machines. I'm interested to see if the Wii lives up to the hype, and just what exactly Sony thinks its doing with its over-priced machine.