Annual State of Gaming Predictions: 2009

[Mynd Hed]

Here's last year's thread. (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=203533)

Let's see how our predictions stacked up, and make our new predictions for the coming year.

My 2008 predictions:


* WiiWare games will be inexplicably delayed, launching in late summer in Japan and barely making it in time for the Christmas season in the U.S. with only one or two games at launch. It will be accompanied by a system update allowing the Wii to load VC and WiiWare games from an SD card.

Well, it managed to launch on time, so I got that wrong. The second part I got right but wrong: Ninty has announced SD card support but has yet to implement it.


* To no one's surprise and everyone's continued ire, Nintendo will still flat refuse to release a hard drive, allow the use of USB hard drives or flash drives, or substantially improve its lame online service.

Yup, pretty much. Mario Kart Wii's online is decent, but I hardly think it qualifies as a "substantial" improvement compared to the competition.


* Playstation Home will likewise be further delayed, and will suffer from launch hiccups and random glitchiness for months after it finally arrives.

Well, it's still in beta; I don't know about glitchiness (I haven't been following it too closely), but I do remember hearing about their hilariously strict auto-censor issues. (IIRC, for a while you couldn't say "hello" because the "hell" would get censored. Think about that next time you complain about TZ's anti-swearing rules.)


* Xbox Live Marketplace will add streaming video to its downloadable video store, at least some of which will be ad-supported free offerings.

It's not often that I get proven wrong because the reality is BETTER than what I predicted. I'm loving the Netflix streaming over Live ever so much.


* There will finally be a wave of half-decent third-party Wii titles released around Christmas; however, most of them, while attracting cult followings and respectable reviews, will still sell abysmally compared to Nintendo's first-party holiday releases such as...

* ...Mario Kart Wii, which will be delayed until Christmas 2008.

Ugh. Wrong and wrong. At least we've got Madworld and NMH 2 to look forward to next year.


* Nintendo will announce Mario Tennis Wii, but it won't see the light of day before year's end.

Well, sort of, with the Power Tennis Wiitread.


* Fallout 3 will likewise be delayed until next year.

Wrong, thankfully.


And it just wouldn't be a set of predictions without at least one that's made of pure, unabashed wishful thinking:

* The original Smash Bros. will come to the VC (or WiiWare, or whatever they want to call it)... with online play.

Wishful thinking is right. At least it's confirmed as coming, but online is nowhere to be seen.


* Microsoft will announce a new hardware dongle for the 360 combining a TV tuner and various video-in ports (for DVR functionality) with a large (300+ gig) external hard drive. A new SKU bundling it together with the existing HD-DVD add-on and remote control will retail in the $600+ range. However, only Live Gold subscribers will be able to use the onscreen guide, schedule recordings in advance, record entire seasons of shows, and other "advanced" features.

* Microsoft's Fall Update will add support for USB keyboards and mice to control certain games, beginning with the 360 version of UT3 and with further game support added by individual patches.

WAAAAAAAY off, but I'll take Netflix over this any day of the week.


* Wii sales will continue to stay strong throughout spring. They will finally taper off and be eclipsed by PS3 sales for at least one month in late summer (PS3 sales possibly being buoyed by a large release or price drop around that point). Speculation on a Wii price drop will run rampant: however, it will remain at its $250 price point through the 2008 Christmas season, when it will become the hot item for a third year running. Shortages will still be an issue, but not to the same extent as '07 or '06.

* Final Fantasy XIII will launch in Japan late in the year, but the American release will slip into '09.

Dead on with these.


* Nintendo will announce a Four Swords Adventures / Crystal Chronicles style game relying on DS / Wii connectivity for multiplayer (my money's on it being a Mario title, just to switch things up and to coast off the success of Galaxy). It will initially be touted for a December '08 release, only to be delayed. In fact, it's a safe bet that anything Nintendo announces this year for December '08 will likely be pushed back to '09.

WAAAAAY off.


* The American version of Wii Fit will drop about halfway through the year. Gamers will hate it: the would-be health-conscious will love it for two months before relegating it to the closet with the free weights and stairmaster. The Wii Balance Board itself, however, will get a handful of other more traditional "game" releases and eventually enjoy the same level of success as, say, the EyeToy.

Pretty much spot-on with the first part; remains to be seen about the second.


* Nintendo will announce at least one Wiimote-connected peripheral a la the Nunchuck. I don't really have a theory on what it will be, but I'll go on record as saying that I think it probably WON'T be a microphone.

Dead-on. Now let's see whether it'll be worth getting yet ANOTHER Wii peripheral.


* The next Paper Mario title will be announced... for the DS.

Nope.


* The Wii will have at least one third-party title that exceeds all sales expectations and turns into a critical darling, most likely a quirky budget title by a Japanese or British developer that nobody's ever heard of. It will drop during the dead zone of late spring / early summer and take everyone by surprise.

Sort of-- half of this applies to No More Heroes, the other half to Boom Blox.


* Spore will finally be released. It will meet with lukewarm critical reception when it doesn't quite live up to its extravagant claims, but it will have great replay value and sales will be strong enough for at least one expansion pack to be greenlit.

Pretty much dead-on, except for the bit about replay value.


* Activizzard will announce Diablo III. It will not be an MMO, and basic online play will remain free, but it will feature a microtransaction system in which you can pay (through the nose if you're obsessed enough) for extra goodies such as bonus character classes, item sets, spells, etc. It will release simultaneously on the 360 and PC, with a PS3 port following six months after.

Well, they FINALLY announced D3, no sign of any of the rest of that coming to pass yet. There's still time though.


* Harmonix will announce a standalone expansion for Rock Band adding an online career mode, a bunch of songs and another instrument (my money's on either turntables for a rap and rap-rock related expansion, or keyboards).

Wrong-o.

By my count, that's 11 and half correct out of twenty total predictions. Not bad considering I went WAY out on a limb with some of these. (-:

[Tanooki]

In my opinion, 2008 was a flop for Nintendo in software development. They released between three of five top notch first party titles as far as I'm concerned (between the Wii and DS), and that just won't cut it in 2009. In the coming year, I look forward to more great WiiWare titles from third party developers. Let's see if anybody can top World of Goo. I expect to receive an official announcement and game title regarding the next game in the Zelda series, though the game will not officially be released until Christmas 2010. I expect to hear about Super Mario Galaxy 2 and I also expect to hear about and receive New Super Mario Bros 2 for the DS.

The big news in 2009 will be the renewed partnership between Nintendo and Square-Enix bringing us our much coveted true sequel to Super Mario RPG and Geno will become a fixture in the future of the Mario sports franchise.

Things I don't see happening for Nintendo:
-improved online
-Mother 3... shipping to the US that is
-hard drive support
-and, even though it's a beaten up dead fish, dvd support

[Captain Highwind]

Well, it's still in beta; I don't know about glitchiness (I haven't been following it too closely), but I do remember hearing about their hilariously strict auto-censor issues. (IIRC, for a while you couldn't say "hello" because the "hell" would get censored. Think about that next time you complain about TZ's anti-swearing rules.)

I saw a lady poised on a stair rail in the Uncharted bar and appeared quite stuck.

And yes, you can't spell 'potential' because it has 'pot' in it.

I wish they would tell you what the high scores are in the arcade lounge so you can at least know what you have to earn in order to get prizes. Although it is much less tedious just using a cash or credit card to just buy the stuff.

And they need to put in more bowling lanes so I can actually try it. Although I'd be much more entusiastic about my gambling yacht suggestion where you can win stuff.

But they really need to beef it up. Buying e-clothes and seeing trailers that you can find online anyways are pretty bare bones.

[Flame Alchemist]

* The Wii will continue to outsell its competitors despite Sony and Microsoft's best efforts.

* The "New Play Control!" GCN ports will actually do somewhat well. They'll be priced at $20, $30 max.

* Nintendo will finally sell the Balance Board seperately if they haven't done so already.

* There will be a shortage of DSi systems.

[DarthGonzo]

* The Wii will continue to outsell its competitors despite Sony and Microsoft's best efforts.

I think this is an absolute given, regardless of all the issues everyone keeps bringing up.

[Desensitized]

I'll try some for '09. I'm surprised I didn't make any last year, though.

* Mother is dead in North America, don't expect ANY further Mother OR Earthbound releases in 2009.
* Sega's Third Party efforts on the Wii will do surprisingly well overall prompting more quality efforts from third parties for the system.
* No new Kid Icarus.
* No new F-Zero for the Wii.
* Captain Rainbow, Fragile, and Professor Layton 2 will not be making it over to NA.
* Sony will announce a few exclusive third party efforts around the Summer.
* Killzone 2 will score well critically but will not set the charts ablaze.
* BioShock 2 will surpass it's sequel critically and saleswise.
* Square will release nothing for the Wii barring a single game and continue it's light support of current gen systems.
* The PSP will get no games of note this year.
* New Super Mario Bros. 2 will be announced for the DS.
* Perfect Dark will be announced for XBLA in conjunction with a new title for next year.

[Marvin Tikvah]

- Sony will drop support of the PSP by the end of the year. Crazy long shot, but the steady lack of support will drive the nail in the coffin.
- Analysts will keep predicting iPhone will eventually overthrow the DS, but abysmal sales of the Metal Gear game will bring an end to that.
- Wii Sports Resort will sell like crazy, while the gaming media and hardcore gamers will continue to whine about Nintendo catering to the casual audience.
- Christmas 2009 bundles will include Wii w/Wii Sports Resort, Xbox 360 systems w/Gears of War or Halo 3 and a PS3 bundle w/God of War 3.

[Tommy Lawson]

I believe the PS3 will drop in price to $299 by the end of the year. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned a PS3 price drop yet.



* The PSP will get no games of note this year.
.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy has already been announced for U.S. release this summer, so I feel this one can be scratched already. There's also another Kingdom Hearts game on PSP coming soon as well, although that may release in 2010.

[Desensitized]

Right, I forgot about Dissidia.

[DarthGonzo]

- Wii Sports Resort will sell like crazy, while the gaming media and hardcore gamers will continue to whine about Nintendo catering to the casual audience.


As Nintendo themselves continue to laugh all the way to the bank, as they've proven this year that they don't need hardcore gamers to help make their consoles and handhelds a success.

[Dogasu]

* The "New Play Control!" GCN ports will actually do somewhat well. They'll be priced at $20, $30 max.

In Japan, the Pikmin Wii remake is already out and is selling for about 3500 yen (roughly $35). New games usually sell for anywhere from 5000 yen ($50) to 6500 yen ($65).

[GWOtaku]

Starcraft 2 *will* come out this year. Probably Q4, but it will come. In spite of petty complaints about breaking up the campaign into three long sagas, the game will sell extremely well and will probably win Game of the Year Awards for the PC.

[Novapocalypse]

The big news in 2009 will be the renewed partnership between Nintendo and Square-Enix bringing us our much coveted true sequel to Super Mario RPG and Geno will become a fixture in the future of the Mario sports franchise.


I can very well see this happening.

[mookie75]

As Nintendo themselves continue to laugh all the way to the bank, as they've proven this year that they don't need hardcore gamers to help make their consoles and handhelds a success.

Hehe, the reality of the business world can be a @#$%^ sometimes, can't it? :p

[Mesousa]

My few predictions:

For the consoles:

*The Wii won't have another hit game (other than House of the Dead: Overkill, possibly) until...Fall.
*Even more people will get the Red Ring of Death, but Microsoft still won't bother.
*The PS3 home won't be released until summer.
*PSP will be discontinued in the Fall.
*DS will still be strong...for the first half of the year.
*PS2 will not be discontinued yet.

For video games:

*There won't be a F-Zero, Kirby or Metroid game released.
*There will be two Mario games released, Mario Tennis Wii and probably another Mario Party.
*Sonic and the Black Knight will be the only Sonic game released this year.
*MadWorld will be delayed.
*The next Pikmin won't come out this year.
*Wii Sports Resort will fail.
*Final Fantasy XIII will be released by the PS3... in Japan.
*The Ghostbusters game will either be an epic win or epic fail.
*Duke Nukem Forever will still not be released.
*There will be a Tony Hawk game this year.

[Mynd Hed]

*The Wii won't have another hit game (other than House of the Dead: Overkill, possibly) until...Fall.

Hopefully it'll be fun enough to garner some critical and fan acclaim, but I don't see much of a chance of Overkill's sales rising to anything like "hit" status.


*Even more people will get the Red Ring of Death, but Microsoft still won't bother.

Won't bother... what? Tripling the length of their warranty? Oh, wait. They DID that.

[Eddy]

My predictions from last year:


- Super Smash Bros. Brawl's sales skyrocket, also boosting the sales of the Wii console even further. People complain about the crippled online service.Well, Brawl didn't sell shabby, that's for sure. While it didn't pull in Wii Fit numbers, it still sold extremely well. And I was a dead on about people whining about the online service.


- The "upcoming" Wii survival horror game, Sadness, continues to remain in obscurity and people continue to wait for in-game footage and screenshots that are promised to be released. However, Nibris fails to deliver.Sadly dead on.


- Duke Nukem Forever still isn't released.This one just goes without saying.


- MGS4 is released exclusively for the PS3 and is met with high critical praise. Sales are good, though not quite as good as what Konami was hoping for. Late in the year, the game is ported to the 360 with bonus content.I was wrong about the 360 port, but everything else was pretty spot on.


- Mario Kart Wii is pushed back.Wrong.


- A new Mario sports title is announced for the Wii. Most likely a new Mario Tennis or Golf.If you count the GameCube port coming out.


- A countless amount of minigame collections and PS2 ports continue to be dumped on the Wii.Anyone could have predicted this, really.


- The Wii gets some kind of heavy hitter than no one saw coming.That depends on your definition of "heavy hitter", I guess.

Anyway, here goes my 2009 predictions:

- Wii Sports Resort will sell like crazy, especially with the inclusion of the MotionPlus.
- The rehashed GameCube games for Wii sell very well, causing Nintendo to release a series two which will consist of: Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Kirby Air Ride, Luigi's Mansion, and F-Zero GX.
- Punch-Out!! is delayed.
- Sin & Punishment 2 is delayed.
- MadWorld is released and gets some really positive reviews. Sales, however, are unwhelming.
- A new Zelda will be hinted at, but we won't see anything.
- Wii continues to dominate the market while the 360 takes a respectable second place. PS3 continues to trail behind.
- Bioshock 2 is released in time for the holiday season and is met with critical praise that surpasses that of the original. It wins several GOTY awards.
- Resident Evil 5 is met with critical praise. Recieves many nominations for GOTY, but is beaten out by Bioshock 2.
- Sonic Team begins development on a new Sonic title, which they promise will bring new life to the franchise and will please old fans as well as new. Again.
- Despite everyone saying the DSi will not be very successful, sales will skyrocket.
- GTA DS will sell very well. Rockstar will say they're "definitely interested" in a GTA on the Wii, but we won't see anything.

[Baltofan]

I hope:

New Rescue Rangers game for Nintendo Wii.

[DarthGonzo]

I hope:

New Rescue Rangers game for Nintendo Wii.

We'd have better chances of the old Capcom game released on the Virtual Console. The show is almost two decades old.

[Zeonic Freak]

Right, I forgot about Dissidia.

Phantasy Star Zero is something i have my eye one. I really wanna play it, but im not sure if and when it will get here to america...

[Strollymonster]

Let's see...

- PS3 will finally experience a price drop to $299.

-Sales of the PS3 will pick up slightly, while Wii sales will start trailing off towards the beginning of summer.

-PSP will die a wimpering death by 2009.

-The DSi will not experience the same level of success as the DS.

-The 360 will still experience RROD problems, but more NXE content will cement Microsoft as the leader of online content with Netflix and possibly Steam support.

-Nintendo will manage, at best, one or two AAA titles by fall of 09.

-The Wii will drop in price to $200 around fall of 09 with a bundle that includes a second Wiimote and Wii Sports 2, making it (yet again) a hot Christmas item.

-The PSP will get a couple more good titles, but will be considered more or less dead by the time the end of 2009 comes about.

-Square/Enix will finally shift their support to the Wii with the announcement of FF14 on the Wii, finally shattering Sony's hold on their properties.

-Bioshock 2 will have some great ideas, but will ultimately feel like a 1.5 rather than a true sequel.

-No More Heroes 2 and Madworld will be critical darlings, but sell poorly.

-By December 2009, Nintendo will announce a successor to the Wii.

-Similarly, the successor to the 360 will be made public by the end of the year. It will have a Blu-Ray drive as well as a more fully integrated online experience.

-The next Kid Icarus game will be out by the end of 09.

I might add some more later.

[Yash]

- Activision will announce at least three new Guitar Hero games.
- Wii sales will overtake GameCube (life-to-date) sales in the first quarter.
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be successful.
- Resident Evil 5 and Final Fantasy XIII will both be delayed into 2009.
- Duke Nukem Forever still unreleased.
These I got right. Well, I'm not sure about the first one.

- Kingdom Hearts III and Dragon Quest X announced for Wii, Crystal Chronicles 2 is a no-show.
Missed Kingdom Hearts, got it right with Dragon Quest and Crystal Bearers (outside of an occasional press release and one new screengrab).

- Paper Mario and another Final Fantasy remake (VI, preferably) announced for the DS.
- Kid Icarus game for Wii announced.
- Random GTA game announced for Wii
Nope.

2009:

- Sega gives the Sonic franchise a break to re-assess their design philosophies. From here they'll decide on Sonic 4 for WiiWare/PSN/XBLA, which plays nothing like the original games but features Sonic as the only playable character, so it's instantly loved and adored.
- Punch-Out!! will be critically panned for unbalanced opponents and a short campaign mode. This will not stop me from praising the game blindly for three months following its release.
- Final Fantasy XIII will launch in Japan in much hoopla, only to be delayed in America and Europe until 2010.
- Square-Enix will re-announce Crystal Bearers, which has been heavily revamped since the last we saw of it.
- Everyone loves Halo Wars! Yet, Halo 3: ODST will receive indifference.
- Nintendo will announce a new, mainline entry into one of their major franchises.
- Sony will finally give in and drop the price of the PS3 to 299 by the holiday season. Everyone cheers.

[Daxdiv]

Here are mine

This go around, Microsoft will be responsible for this year internet memes at their E3 Conference

Nintendo will slowly update their Club Nintendo page with a new game, and only one.

E3 will once again prove to be worthless.

PSP will stop being produced

DSi will be more popular and loved than the DS lite

Nintendo will have 2 more games in the Wii Series of gaming other than Wii Sports 2.

PS3 will get a price drop, and have a different variable of GB space because of said price drop.

[Captain Highwind]

Before the PSP dies, all I ask from Sony are:

1) a firmware upgrade so it will play streaming video, and

2) a keypad peripheral like the PS3 controller has.

(And an Eye-Toy peripheral for the Skype service)

[Baltofan]

Oh no, it's the end of the world for my PSP! :D

[Captain Highwind]

It would also be nice if the Playstation Store added a game rental section.

[creativerealms]

-Square/Enix will finally shift their support to the Wii with the announcement of FF14 on the Wii, finally shattering Sony's hold on their properties.

Mother 3 has a better chance coming to America then that has happening.

[Captain Highwind]

Pretty much. Doesn't mean the Wii won't be where Square continues to dump the Chocobo games and Crystal Chronicles stuff.

I really don't see a major FF going to it other than an Agito-like spin-off.

[Desensitized]

Final Fantasy has unfortunately become so dependent on movie like storylines and pretty graphics, that a game from the series on anything other than the PS3 (with a 360 port) is probably never going to happen.

[KPTitan]

I hope:

New Rescue Rangers game for Nintendo Wii.

Lol, that would be WAY cool.:anime:

I don't have much videogame knowledge on what to expect of gaming companies, and making predictions. But I got a couple, not sure if they're any good. It's also kind of hard for me to decide since the economy isn't so good:

- A possible new Pokemon game for the Wii could come out late 2009, or at least an announcement of one. If such a game will exist, it will most likely have compatability with Platinum version for the DS, since Pokemon Battle Revolution had compatability with Diamond and Pearl.

That's all I got...for now.:sweat:

[Daxdiv]

I got a new one

After months of complaining, Nintendo will ship the Balance Board as a separate tool around the time they plan to release Punch-Out Wii.

[Kazuya Prower]

Wow, so much negativity for the PSP...

My predictions for 2009:
-A new Zelda game will be either hinted or announced.
-Super Smash Bros. will come out for the Virtual Console.
-A new Mega Man game from one of the older series will be announced.
-The DSi will outsell the DS Lite.
-Mario Party 9 will be announced.

That's all I got for now.

[jph139]

Alright, I've taken some time to think things over... and here we go!

NINTENDO
- The Wii remains on top. Though sales slide a bit, and price drops on the other consoles even the playing field a bit, there'll be no price drop, no bundles (except, perhaps, Wii Sports Resort and/or the new add-on). Impossible to find at Christmas - again.
- A "main series" Mario will be announced, following on the success of Galaxy. However, news won't get out until the end of year, and it won't be released until 2010 - if we're lucky.
- At least two Mario Spin-offs announced for the Wii. Likely Mario Party 9 and Mario Golf, though Tennis wouldn't surprise me.
- New Zelda. Announced for Q4 2009; POTENTIALLY pushed back until 2010.
- Kirby Wii (a.k.a. Kirby GCN) makes its long-awaited reappearance. Or isn't spoken of at all. Either way.
- At least one classic series game is annouced - Kid Icarus Wii, F-Zero Wii, and Starfox Wii are the most likely choices.
- Punch-Out!! is released in Autumn/Winter, and is a fun, if not shallow, little game.
- The "New Play Control" games are wildly popular in Japan, if not worldwide, leading to a second crop late in the year - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, using the same "new-and-improved" playstyle as Zelda Wii, and Luigi's Mansion, with point-and-click vacuum action, among them.
- As a whole, 3rd Party support on the Wii has yet to leave the "pumping out mini-game collections" phase. However, a few minor hits, in the vein of No More Heroes, are released - The Conduit, which garners some praise in the critical and fan communities but falls on its face commercially, and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, which sells even less, among them.
- Sonic and the Black Knight? Good, but not great. Much like Secret Rings and Unleashed, it's given as an example of Sonic's return to form, up until release, where people are ambivalent about it.
- WiiWare and Virtual Console goes strong, with Nintendo starting to release some "real" games on their own service. Super Mario Bros. 4? Perhaps. EarthBound remains unreleased...
- ...BECAUSE WE GET MOTHER 1+2+3 ON THE DS!!! Oh, sorry, this is for predictions, not hopes and dreams. :p
- The DSi is released late in the year, and is quite popular, though the DS Lite continues to outsell it - unless Nintendo simply pulls the plug on the little guy.
- Due to its fancy new camera, internet browser, and other advancements, the DSi is toted as a multimedia device, which it fails at attempting to be. The iPhone still lags behind in gaming, though, thankfully.
- New Super Mario Bros. 2 is announced, and is released by Christmas.
- A new DS Zelda is annonced, as well, but won't be released until 2010 at the earliest. Likely another Four Swords game.
- Dozens of 3rd Parties attempt to use the DSi's features and integrate them to games. Other than a few shining examples (probably from Capcom... or something...), they fail, miserably.
- DSWare opens up its own Virtual Console. Gameboy and Gameboy Color games are released for cheap - 200 to 500 points for the most part. DSWare uniques are in the same vein as WiiWare; other than some small hits, they're less than impressive.
- Nintendo starts to dip its toes into Wii/DS connectivity, for "real" games, not just My Pokemon Ranch and such.

MICROSOFT
- ...you know what, screw it, I don't care enough to do that for two more companies. :sweat:

[Tommy Lawson]

-Square/Enix will finally shift their support to the Wii with the announcement of FF14 on the Wii, finally shattering Sony's hold on their properties.

Why would Square Enix waste their time making FF14 for the Wii, when they have already announced Dragon Quest X, which is by far the best-selling RPG series in Japan, so much they have to release the game on non-school days over there?

[Scirel]

Square/Enix will finally shift their support to the Wii with the announcement of FF14 on the Wii, finally shattering Sony's hold on their properties.


HAH! It'll go to the 360 before that happens. S-E loves cinematics too much.


My Pics:


-A Wii add-on is announced, which includes a larger HDD and Will bring Wii's graphical standards up to the current generation. Possibly called Wii Plus, it will retail for $150 to $200, with a bundle that includes the Wii system retailing for $300. At the same time, Wii system gets a price drop.
-At the same time, a new mario or Zelda(most likely) game is announced for this prepherial.
-If support for the PSP stays as is, it will quietly fade into history, not recieveing a sucessor, but being remembered as the only handheld that held its own against nintendo.
-shovelware will slowly take over the Wii en-masse as 3rd party developers tire of the Wii's limited processing power.
-PS2 will finally be retired, being remembered as one of the most sucessful and Highly regarded systems since the SNES.
- Releases are steady for all 3 systems, with big titles for 360 and PS3 being the most talked about
-However, Wii will still sell well and be the highest, having the unassuming masses continue to buy its 3rd party junk and games that took a day to program and 5 minutes to think up. Just to keep its cred, a few legitamitely good games will be released.
- No real major announcements from the Big 3 besides new games, assuming my prediction of a Wii add-on fails.

[Mynd Hed]

* Every month or two, like clockwork, another "iPhone: DS/PSP Killer?" article shows up somewhere or other, despite the fact that it's not and never becomes one.

* No price drops or new bundles for the Wii. Sales finally taper off to a comparable level as (but not significantly below) the competition.