PixlBit

It depends, too, on the criteria with which you base your analysis. Judging between two systems is much easier when, say, only hardware specs are examined. That tends to be more black and white. But once you begin comparing each console's respective software libraries, it gets more tricky. Some view the Genesis as superior to the SNES just because it had more sports games. And while I respect their opinion, I regard their use of such limited criteria faulty.

What concerns me primarily, however, is simply when facts are ignored, period, or at least diminished in importance. For example, if you like the 360 more than the PS3, more power to you. But that doesn't change the fact that the PS3 is home to more worthwhile exclusives/IPs. (Not counting Xbox Live Arcade's offerings, of course.) But naysayers love to downplay these truths.

In the end, it doesn't matter which console is better so long as it suits your individual needs. But just because you're more loyal to that one system or company doesn't suddenly make them, or you, infallible. But to most fanboys, Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft can do no wrong.

I really think the problem is that people simply care too much--perhaps the SNES really was the better system, but does it really matter? Does this fact, or opinion, change our lives in any significant way?

But facts are facts. It might be okay to, say, prefer the ill-fated Atari Jaguar over the PSone--that's an opinion or personal preference. But to actually declare with any real credibility that the console was superior to its Sony counterpart is really pushing the limits of logic. Sony's system had better hardware, superior software...but you get the idea.

Well, I'll try to answer these as succinctly as I can:

-For your first point, people do cite, all the time, these "studies" that show men and women playing nearly equally. A skewed fact, of course, that I dismiss, at least for the more action-oriented, violent genres men seem to prefer. For example, you know why Pac-Man was so popular with both sexes? Because Toru Iwatani intentionally made the game non-violent just so women would play. And as for male gamers harassing women, that's unfortunate if true, but it wasn't an issue discussed in the blog.

-Don't see where you're going on the next point. Is five years not enough to show that the industry has changed to accomodate women more? And I can go back further if I must, naming everyone from Terra and Tifa to Jade and Krystal and so on. Truth is, the industry has reached out to female audiences about as much as can be expected considering current gamer demographics.

-Your third point is also disingenuous. Video games are art. Why should developers compromise their vision by forcing a female lead into their game? For example, I like to write, and I tend to write books about male protagonists. Why? Because I understand them best. So if a group of feminists suddenly began berating me because I didn't have enough female leads in my story, I would greatly resent that, and rightfully. Developers have no obligation to cater to a certain crowd if they don't want to.

-"Tropes are evil" is a convenient bullet point mixed with a little facetiousness, but it's true enough. Any time a woman is portayed as "weak"--in other words, when she needs to be rescued or aided by a man--there are always those who wail against it. It's the same with the Princess movies Disney releases: there are always feminists screaming about the antiquated way women in those films are portrayed. Forget, of course, that those films teach compassion, selflessness, and virtue--because the female leads aren't brash, outspoken and/or tough, they're suddenly bad role models instead. And it's the same with games. Poor Princess Peach has been criticized so many times, it's really unbelievable. And silly.

Anyway, as I already said, the industry is not perfect, and more work can be done to bring women into the pastime. But yes, we do need to be realistic. I don't foresee there ever being a time when women are playing God of War or Call of Duty in equal numbers with the guys. And it's not just because we mean old men push them away. It's because, on the whole, women don't embrace violence like men do. And you know what? That's a good thing.

I try to be fair-minded, but it does get old having the feminist "guilt trip" constantly placed on us and our hobby. If more women played the games guys generally like, I really think the problems would fix themselves. But certain genres simply appeal more to male sensibilities, and are thus created in a way certain women might not as easily relate to.

Your points concering Samus and Aya are excellent. True enough, the moment those characters showed an ounce of vulnerability--some would say depth or humanity--certain gamers went crazy. It's especially odd in Samus' case, as she really had no personality to begin with before Other M.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

Thanks for the support. These are always touchy subjects, but I felt compelled to speak out.

Looks like Amazon will have more Luigi's on the 25th.  So hopefully the drought is over.

The difference with the WiiU is that there are plenty of those machines--everywhere.  I'm not a fan of the system myself, but I will inevitably buy one once the price drops to a more reasonable level.  If nothing else, I'm sure the next 3-D Mario game will be awesome (loved 3-D Land for 3DS).

Yeah, things are finally improving, but for those who had to wait months for Fire Emblem, it's small comfort.

I heard rumors that Animal Crossing might also end up in short supply, so buy quickly, my friend!