[elwood731]

MS apparently pulled Perfect Dark Zero from their E3 lineup after the reaction it received from the MTV preview. The game certainly did not look "next-gen" in the previews. This likely means MS will go back to Rare and ask them to bump the graphics some more. Rare is certainly capable of this still, as one only needs to look at Conker for one of the best looking XBOX titles ever.

Still, this is a black eye to MS and means Perfect Dark Zero, their AAA launch title, might not make launch (big surprise from Rare, huh?). In face, many have been underwhelmed by the XBOX 360 so far. One report says this is because the current alpha systems are only running at 1/3 power. This may very well be true, but still quite the mistake on MS' part.

If Sony or Nintendo had come out with sub-par looking next-gen games, at least they could argue they have a year to polish them still. MS, on the other hand, is expecting customers to buy their system this fall, and their games are looking underwhelming next to the PS3 titles we've seen. Nintendo is wisely holding their cards close to their chest, possibly hoping they can have some more time before having to show any titles.

MS threw the gauntlet down with a very well designed system with plenty of cool online features. However, Sony picked that gauntlet up and slapped them in the face with it. MS had better get their act together on their titles, because as of now they've lost a great deal of my interest. I am leaning heavy toward the PS3 (even though I preferred the XBOX over PS2).

Maybe the rest of the week and E3 will provide some motivation to continue to care about the XBOX 360, but right now it already looks like the second place system...at best.