Microsoft's new Xbox video game console excited hard-core gamers and Nintendo's GameCube got wild applause at the electronic entertainment industry's showcase summit last week, but analysts say Sony's PlayStation is still the system to beat.
Although serious gamers at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, lauded Microsoft Corp.'s machine for its technological superiority, Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s 7974 GameCube had the most positive surprises, analysts said.
Both are set for a U.S. launch in early November, more than a year after Sony Corp introduced its PlayStation 2, which has three million game players in U.S. homes and aims for 10 million by year's end.
"We believe Nintendo had the most impressive showing at E3, UBS Warburg analyst Takiko Mori said in a conference call, citing Nintendo's original games and stronger-than-expected support from outside game makers.
Gamers waited in long lines to be among the first to play the three new Nintendo titles for the GameCube.
Nintendo had been more secretive about its console, so news that its system would use CDs rather than its N64 predecessor's cumbersome cartridges was well received. Its new Luigi's Mansion title caters to fans of its famous cartoon characters, Mori said, while the CDs and lower licensing fees will attract stronger third party support than past consoles.
Indeed, all eyes were on the new games rolled out for the three 128-bit processor consoles, which allowed games to showcase more sophisticated 3-D graphics and shadowing.
Unlike a year ago, when Sony showed only a few of the higher quality games for the PlayStation 2, third party developers showcased a flood of much-awaited titles, and the PlayStation 2 had the most extensive line-up of games.