JonesPC

First let me say, I love gaming. I love console gaming. This isn’t a console bashing article (stay tuned a PC version will be up in a couple of days). I was just thinking about some of the things in general that annoys me about gaming. It just so happens that some of those things are different between console and PC gaming. Some you may agree with, some you may not. So sit back and enjoy my list of annoyances when it comes to console gaming.

• Limitations in Technology.

One thing about console gaming that is a benefit, is the fact that it is a closed platform. Game developers have a specific set of system specs and requirements to work with so its easier to push the console to the limit without worrying about compatibility issues.  The downfall is being that the actual console will always be the same and most likely always have the same capabilities, you will pretty much see the same type of performance and graphics, even later in the consoler’s life when its barely hanging on.

Another problem comes about when you look at the design of the console. Most are designed for gaming so a lot of non gaming components are excluded, but they are also designed for price so sometimes corners are cut to keep the price point to a certain target. Not all of the time, but there have been times when a game has had to suffer because of those limitations. For example, play Max Payne 2 on PC then on the PS2…whole different experience. theres no way around this and sometimes its not that big of an issue but it is an annoyance (to me anyway) when it does happen.

• Crappy Control Schemes.

Now I know what your thinking, I’m gonna bash using a game pad. Surprise, I’m not, I actually think that game pads are perfect for many types of gaming. The use of a game pad isn’t what I’m gonna complain about here. My problem are those games that have those horrible controls. There are so many of them and they have been force fed down gamers throats so long that most gamers now think theres nothing wrong with it.

Look at the Resident Evil series. The controls on that game is horrific. And how many times have you found yourself looking through Lara Crofts head at a wall, move the controller just a hair and now your looking at the other side of the wall not able to see Lara at all. This is what us console gamers has had to deal with for years and years. So much so that we don’t even pay attention to it anymore. Its like controlling your character is a game within itself. I just started playing the newest Zelda game on the Gamecube and this problem still exist.

• Games With Combo Buttons.

I know you all love those combo buttons, but I got one phrase that describes what I think about them

THEY SUCK!!

I don’t want to hit X+O+X+R1+Left+Left+Right to kick my opponent. That just isn’t fun to me. You should have 1 function per button. Maybe the use of a trigger as a shift key to alternate functions are ok but 4 and 5 buttons to do one thing is ridiculous.

• Limited Game Saving.

this is something that you see in both PC and console gaming, but it is more widely used in console gaming. And that is having those limited saves…or save areas. Why should you only be able to save 4 times in a game? Why do I have to trek my character all the way back to the broom closet to save my progress. Now with bigger memory sticks and in some cases Hard drive equipped game consoles, there is no reason that a gamer shouldn’t be able to save the game anywhere and as many times as you want.

Developers!!!! Dont use your game save system as a gameplay feature, It is annoying. We want to play "Dead Rising", not "Dead trek across the mall to save or start over". We like progress, and nothing takes away that feeling of accomplishment more than having to start over because you didn’t make it to the one magic bathroom to save your game in time.

• Gamepads.

Not all gamepads, but some of the gamepads out there are major carpal tunnel inducers. The PS2 controller is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best gamepad ever made. But play a game that forces you to use both analog sticks, can we say instant authouritis. And what was Nintendo thinking about when they created the N64 and Gamecube controller. Dont get me started on the original Xbox controller, it was like holding a flat football.

• Timed Missions

Ok check this out. You just start a new level, you see a pretty well done cutscene, your character appears and you start running around the level trying to clear the objective. all of a sudden the mission ends with these words in big red letters

OUT OF TIME

Needless to say, you have to redo that level over and over until you find that precise method of doing things to finish before that almost impossible time limit expires. I really do not care for those time limits in gameplay and they are used in almost every game at one point or another.

• $59 price tags on games.

WHY!!! PC Games are $49 bucks, Console games has been $49 bucks for years…Why $59 bucks…. and I don’t want to hear that whining "it cost more to make a game these days". Dammit PC games are still $49 bucks.

• Cute and Cuddly Characters

Ok Im a 34 year old man. I cant let anyone know I bought Viva pinata. Even Jak is embarrassing if a friend came over and caught me playing. And I don’t care how hardcore Conker is, he is still embarrassing. Even when you go to games such as Final fantasy and the like, you always have some weird toon that looks like a baby’s toy.

But needless to say, I still love console gaming, and with everything good, you have to accept the bad.