I was reading this post over at Kotaku, about a new game for Xbox Live (one I have never heard of but that sounds cool) and I started thinking about how important all the extras are. Consoles like Xbox 360 and Wii are obviously a step forward in gaming technology, but so much of the attention has been given to the add-ons. Features like virtual console and XBL have become a reason to buy the systems and distrations like wireless controllers, SD cards, and hard drives have gotten a lot more attention than the lack of good games for any of the three new systems. I think a back-to-basics approach is what the gaming industry needs. Work with developers and get the best games possible out there. Once this is done give us backward compatibility and cheap prices on the old stuff (otherwise I can just get the original from Ebay)! Hard drives and wireless controllers and the ability to surf the internet are all great, but they are not reasons to buy a console. Lots of real gamers are being turned-off right now while potential gamers can't even find (or can't afford) a console. The gaming industry as a whole is in a very sorry state right now, with the Wii and the DS being the only positive signs. Sooner or later the companies are going to have to get their acts together, but sitting here watching it all happen is excruciating.