Video Games Year in Review: 2006

Q4: Wii and PS3 hit stores, Gears of War, Wii breaks TVs

Two events dominated the end of 2006: the release of Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Wii in November. The stories of both these processes are still playing out, but as the year ends, there's no sign of a let-up in demand (nor an increase in supply, sadly). If you're one of the lucky few to have one (or even both) of these desirable machines to entertain yourself over the holiday season, pat yourself on the back -- you're the second most hated video game minority around.

First place, of course, goes to the Ebay console scalpers, who snapped up a significant proportion of the PS3s and Wiis that made it to stores, and promptly flogged them to the less fortunate on Ebay. Thousands of dollars in profit awaited those with sufficiently flexible personal morality, but many auctions fell victim to vigilante-like nuisance bid attacks. Never mind, eh.

Of course, some Wii purchasers turned out to have a bit of a surprise in store. If you don't have a good grip on your "Wii-mote" -- or if the wrist-strap securing it breaks --broken TVs, smashed windows, and minor personal injuries are the results. Shock, horror: flying hunks of plastic (containing two AA batteries) are likely to break fragile objects they strike. Who'd have thought it? Commendably, Nintendo shouldered responsibility for the flimsy wrist-straps, offering Wii owners free replacements, but if you're fool enough to play without one at all, you're on your own.

Broken TVs are one thing, but broken laws are quite another -- and the PS3 seemed to spark off a mini-crime wave in some parts of the country. A PS3 line outside a Putnam, CT Wal-Mart was the scene of attempted murder when two armed men tried to rob waiting customers. In Wilmington, NC, a suspect in the theft of two PS3s wound up dead when police fatally shot both him and his dog during a raid.

But will 2006 be remembered more for the coming of the PS3, or the release of the Wii? As for who captured the imagination of the public most, there's no doubt: the Wii's casual-friendly approach and innovative controls won the day. Although neither console was loaded with spectacular games, we'd pick the Wii lineup, if only because many of the PS3's better games were ports from other systems. This story's far from over, but Nintendo is certainly off to an inspiring start.

Meanwhile, all was far from quiet on the Xbox 360 front too. Microsoft's HD-DVD drive attachment for the console hit streets in November -- and the console's online service was updated to enable users to download high-definition movies and TV shows for small fees. The release of Gears of War breathed new life into the Xbox Live scene, and the console ended the year in a strong position despite the new releases from its competitors.

As is typical for the months leading up to the December shopping rush, October and November were crammed to bursting point with AAA-quality new releases. The stunning Gears of War on the 360 was many people's choice for Game of the Year. Final Fantasy XII proved there's life in the PS2 yet. Guitar Hero II was magnificent. Zelda: Twilight Princess exceeded even the most ludicrous of our high expectations. And Resistance: Fall of Man offered enough reason to line up for a PS3.