Tweet
It was always going to be Sony and Microsoft's year. When the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launched in November, it wasn't just the climax of a publicity roadshow that stretched back to February - a roadshow that was at times messy and scandalous, as well as entertaining and exhilarating. It goes back to a time when all we had were codenames like Orbis and Durango, accompanied by whispered speculation. It stretches back even before then, too.So 2013 was the year the next generation finally arrived, exasperating and exciting in equal measure with typically limp launch line-ups but a promise of what's to come. Except, pedants like myself pointed out, 2013 wasn't when the next generation started: that happened, quietly and somewhat underwhelmingly, late last year with the launch of the Wii U.
It's underpowered and unloved, with sales that are nothing short of disastrous, but look beyond the figures and it's clear Nintendo had a sensational 2013 - and in terms of quality of software, arguably one of its finest yet. The 3DS had 12 months that will surely pass into legend, kickstarted by Monster Hunter and Fire Emblem before being rounded off by Pokemon, Bravely Default and a Zelda that's one of the breeziest in an age.
Read more…
More...