In this week’s episode, our panel takes a trip through memory lane and discusses the evolution of the gaming consoles. Our panelists this week include Evan Minto form Anigamers.com, Patz from thegamingdungeon.com and Chuck Gaffney from Anime.fm and Chucksanimeshrine.com.

A3K PANEL

Episode Title: “The History of Gaming”
Episode Count: 07
Run Time: 01:00:00
Host(s): Sean Russell
Guest(s): Evan Minto, Patz, Chuck Gaffney
Download: Click Here

Panelist:

Sean Russell (Host)
Evan Minto (Anigamers.com)
Patz (thegamingdungeon.com)
Chuck Gaffney (anime.fm and chucksanimeshrine.com)

Runtime: 1:00:00

Introduction: (0:00 – 2:40)
Before we look into the future, we are going to dip into the past. Starting with the 8-bit consoles, competition has been intense between rival gaming companies. We wil discuss some of the high and low points of various consoles, leading to the our current generation.

This is the second appearance for Evan Minto and the first for Patz and Chuck. I know Patz and Chuck from Twitter. Most of the guest on the program come from Twitter. If you enjoy our program and run a website or podcast, feel free to email me.srussell@anime3000.com.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Console_Wars

Topic #1: 8-Bit Era (2:40 – 8:55)
Units Sold: Nintendo Entertainment System (61.9 Million) versus Sega Master System (13 Million)
Sega’s Master System: Shinobi, Phantasy Star, Golden Axe, Gauntlet, Hang On, Out Run, Alex Kid
NES: Double Dribble, Gurrilla War, Contra, Double Dragon
Comments: NES launched more franchises and was more well known. We had a hard time thinking of games for the Master System.

Topic #2: 16-Bit Era (8:55 – 16:05)
Units Sold: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (49.10 Million) versus Sega Genesis (29 Million) versus TurboGrafx 16 (10 Million)
Super Nintendo: Street Figher II, The Star Wars Games, Blast Processing, Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger
Sega Genesis: Mortal Kombat, Sonic the Hedgehog
Turbo Graphix 16: Bomberman 93
Comments: Gave birth to the console wars. Sega started with their Genesis Does campagin. The majority of the panel prefered the SNES because of the games.

Topic #3: 32/64-Bit Era (16:05 – 24:50)
Units Sold: Playstation (102.49 Million) versus Nintendo 64 (32.93 Million) versus Sega Saturn (9.5 Million)
Playstation: Company potentially spawned after a failed business deal with Nintendo.
Nintendo 64: The majority of the panel had an attachment to this console. Star Wars Racer, Zelda Ocarina of Time, Mario Cart 64, Golden Eye, Super Mario 64. Formatting problems with the Nintendo 64.
Sega Saturn: Odd man out in this conversation. Patz really enjoys the Sega Saturn and still plays it to this day. Great for fighting games. Panzer Dragoon. Surprise launch date for the console (Saturnday). At E3, they told consumers that the game was available on the day of the event. Playstation essentially undercut the price of the Saturn, cutting into its market share.

Link: Prototype of Nintendo’s Sony machine.
http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/original-nintendo-sony-playstation-prototype-found/

Anigamers Promo: (24:50 – 25:40)
If you want the real deal in Anime/Gaming podcast, check out the Ani Gamers. We just focus on gaming one or two episodes a season. They do it on a more consistent basis.

Fightbait Anime Podcast Promo (25:40 – 26:40)
I think this is one of my favorite promos for any podcast… period.

Topic #4: 6th Generation (26:40 – 42:00)

Units Sold: Playstation 2 (140 Million) versus XBOX (24 Million) versus Nintendo Gamecube (21.74 Million) versus Sega Dreamcast (10.6 Million)
Dreamcast: Shenume, pure gamers machine, Jet Grind Radio, Soul Calibur, Phantasy Star Online
Playstation 2: Best selling console of all time. Sold as a consumer electronic and not a toy. Still mass marketed.
XBOX: Newcomer with a lot to prove.
Nintendo Gamecube: Out of touch with the technological side of their system. Mario, Smash Brothers Meele and Wind Waker
Comments: I give you a classic analogy that goes nowhere. We also talk about the handheld industry in this conversation.

Topic #5: 7th Generation (42:00 – 55:05)
Units Sold: Nintendo Wii (50.39 Million) versus XBOX 360 (28 Million) versus Playstation 3 (21.3 Million)
Nintendo Wii: Expensive board game for the entire family. Nintendo fanboys kill third-party development for the console.
XBOX 360: The leader in online gameplay. Nothing stands out in terms of exclusives for this system.
Playstation 3: Ready to strike and become number two or one with the increased popularity of hi defintiion televisions.

Closing: (55:05 – 1:00:00)
You can follow Evan Minto on his website, anigamers.com where they continue to bring you news, features and podcasts on anime, manga and video games.

Make sure you check out Patz on thegamingdungeon.com where they not only produce reviews and features on the latest in gaming and anime, but also delivery two podcasts on a weekly and biweekly basis.

Make sure you purchase your figures from Chuck Gaffney’s Anime Shrine as well as follow the music on anime.fm.

Music Credits:

Introduction Music: FFVII Prelude Music
16 Bit Music: Street Fighter II Player Select Music
32/64 Bit: Nintendo 64 Christmas Commercial
Commercial Break: Anigamers & Fightbait Anime Podcast
Seventh Generation: Halo Theme Music
Closing Music: Super Nintendo by Mr. Russell