Time For a New Toy?

So, Harmonix's brand-new music game Rock Band comes out this Tuesday... for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3, that is. The PS2 version is due next month. And up until recently, I was pretty sure I was going to wait that month and then start rocking out. But then a few things happened.

First was Guitar Hero III. I noted in reviewing it that I thought the new developers had messed up a number of things with the game. I said less about the graphics, other than to mention the butt-ugly lead singer and the way the PS2 version looked like an after-thought. Since then, I've been able to see what the game looks like on one of the "next generation" consoles, and what can I say... it looks a lot better. Way faster load times too.

Second, I learned that the PS2 version of Rock Band really is an after-thought. Its development was outsourced to another company. And while this particular article I linked to says that the translation "looks great and plays as well as the in-house developed Harmonix next-gen versions," I'm not quite willing to believe that. And I guess I shouldn't be surprised at any of this; the PS2 version was only even announced in the U.S. a few months ago.

Third, there's the downloadable content. The PS3 and XBox 360 versions are going to be adding new songs all the time through their online connectivity -- whole albums, even. And it's not like I have to have every song ever programmed for the game, but I'd certainly feel like I was missing out not to have, for example, the Police three-pack of Roxanne, Synchronicity II, and Can't Stand Losing You. And missing out on more all the time.

Fourth, if I'm going to buy the game with its pricey peripherals (the drums and the mic), what happens down the road when, inevitably, some sequel isn't available on PS2? Am I to spend that money to buy the accoutrements all over again?

So... it all seems to add up to this: I'm suddenly thinking pretty seriously about buying an XBox 360 or a Playstation 3. There's just one problem with that: up until now, I haven't wanted either of them.

I never owned an XBox, and never for a moment considered getting an XBox 360. In the nearly two years it's been around, I've never regretted not having one. It seems to my like anything worth having on that console is available for some other console. The only high profile exclusives seem to be First Person Shooters of one variety or another, which I completely despise.

On the other hand, I've loved having my Playstation 2. But I was not an "early adopter" of the system. It had already gone through two price drops before I finally picked mine up. I've always sort of assumed that I'd get a PS3 someday, but I've had one eye on the games available for it, and have yet to see anything to sell me. I've figured that, like with the PS2, I'd probably wait out a few price drops before there was a critical mass of games to get me involved.

But just one game? I've been in this position before, debating whether to upgrade my PC for Civilization IV. And while I didn't quite end up upgrading just for that game, I did soon end up upgrading. (And of course, I bought the game.)

Then I think about my Wii. I've had it since March, and I have to admit that it has been virtually a one-game console. I've picked up a few things here and there, but the only game I seem to ever play on it is the one that it comes with -- Wii Sports. But you know what? I don't regret that purchase, either. I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of that game, and I'm sure that eventually, more games will come. (Super Mario Galaxy is on my Christmas list.)

So, despite the somewhat scary price tag on the PS3, it seems I have plenty of precedent that type of purchase. I guess maybe I'm just looking for a nudge from somebody.

Can anyone out there think of any non-shooters that might convince me I've been wrong about XBox 360?

Does anyone out there own a PS3 and been happy with the purchase?

Any other thoughts?