Video game rentals follow the available technology, so we always like to stay ahead of the curve. To provide the cheapest 360 and PS3 games it’s essential that we know what’s coming next.

2010 marks five years since the release of the Xbox360, a period of time that would usually herald the arrival of a new batch of console hardware. But with Microsoft’s autumn release of Natal, the controller-less motion control system, and Sony’s insistence on a 10-year console lifecycle, when will we see the Xbox 720 or PS4?

The truth is that I doubt we’ll see any evidence of a new PlayStation or Xbox for at least a couple of years. With the global recession having bitten companies hard and Sony’s tough start with the PS3, the prospect of more expensive Research and Development into new hardware is unlikely.

The real area that might see development is the Nintendo Wii and the handheld market. An HD version of the Wii has been rumoured to be in development for over a year and any categorical denials from Nintendo have been hard to pin down.

I’m personally not all that hot for a HD Wii. Nintendo has already shown that it doesn’t put graphics first and wants instead to concentrate on making games more accessible for a wider audience with its motion controls. This has worked so well that for Nintendo the visuals really are a secondary consideration – and game play has benefitted. Furthermore they have been able to offer cheap Wii games because their development costs are less.

Where I think we’ll see a new console (and possibly this year) is with the DS or PSP. Nintendo recently unveiled a batch of new games that are all coming out between now and the autumn. Analysts have speculated that they’re clearing their schedule to release a new piece of hardware in the autumn and possibly unveil a new Zelda for the Wii too.

Development kits have already been confirmed to be at certain development studios and I’d put money on there being a DS 2 come the autumn. With this in mind I also believe that Sony is gearing up to do the same. Their recent foray into the download-only PSP Go has been pretty unsuccessful and the PSP is crying out for a new and more meaningful iteration for years.

So while I don’t think the next generation of home consoles will be announced for a couple of years, I can see the handheld market getting a shake up pretty soon. After all, it’s been 6 years since the PSP and DS first were released – time surely for a brand new version?

If it’s disappointing that there’s no new home console - let’s enjoy that while it lasts! Shiny new hardware is very nice but I’ll quite happily spend that money on renting cheap 360 or PS3 games for a few more years rather than hurting my bank balance with a raft of new consoles.

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Topics: PS3, PSP, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PS2 |

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