4149

It seems like a silly note, but this is actually a pretty big sales coup for MS this holiday season: http://news.xbox.com/2013/09/xbox-one-toys-r-us-holiday

Exciting news today from our partners at Toys “R” Us – Xbox One is honored as the exclusive video game console on the Toys “R” Us 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List and one of the Fabulous 15 Hot Toys for Holiday 2013. The Toys “R” Us Holiday Hot Toy List provides parents and gift-givers insight into the toys sure to appear on children’s wish lists as the holiday shopping season gets underway.

4150

That’s assuming that they won’t be supply-constrained through the holidays. I don’t expect to see units on the shelves waiting for the impulse buyer ready to throw half a grand at something, with what I’m hearing about the late start they had with production units. Whatever the status is, you can expert MS to deny anything but a rosy scenario.

4151

I never heard of it before, is the Toys R Us “hot list” a big deal?

4152

For a brand new console, top 15 isn’t exactly impressive. If you’re not top 1, you’re doing badly.

4153

Yes. It’s a pretty big deal. Obviously, it’s not a guarantee of success (the Wii U was on the list last year) but lots of people use the Toys “R” Us holiday catalog to determine the presents they need to buy. It’s a good marketing platform because news media will use the Hot List over and over during their stories about crazy shopping crowds, Black Friday sales, and “What hot?” features.

4154

if you’re not a gamer, then no. I suspect for cross platform titles the differences (between PS4 and XBone) will be small

Which was exactly the point I was making with Battlefield 3 (and 4). Current PS3/Xbox360 versions have minimal differences, mostly around slightly lower PS3 framerates and lower resolution PS3 textures.

4155

The Wii U was on that same Toys R Us list last year.

So…yeah.

4156

Remember when the “hot toy” lists used to be compiled after the toys had come out to sensational sales?

4157

It’s a faster paced world. No one has time to wait for the facts.

4158

Or remember when “toys” didn’t cost $500. I don’t know who is buying these for their kids but I wish they were my parents, or maybe not.

4159

The Wii U actually sold pretty well last year. It all went downhill this year though.

4160

It seems like Microsoft are just crowing that the PS4 isn’t on the list.

4161

Ding ding ding! Of course, if the PS4 were on the list and the Xbox One weren’t, we’d probably see the reverse. I do think this is a coup for Microsoft, but not one that is necessarily deserved.

4162

I think the reason its on the list is probably for Kinect. And deservedly so, I suppose. It’s something unique and when you’re buying something for kids you probably like the idea of something that has them up out of their seats jumping around and stuff. Does it matter? Well to be honest I have no idea but I’m certain that I don’t give a damn.

4163

Just to demonstrate how different many consumers are from the average poster here: we have some friends in town with two kids, probably 6 and 8 years old. They have a Wii, and they and the kids love it, they play the sports game, Mario Kart, etc.

So about a year ago, after seeing the advertising on the Kinect, they bought a 360 with Kinect.

Here it is a year later, and they recently told me they never use the 360. They said “Oh, we just like the Wii a lot better, we like the games on it better.”

LOL!

4164

I have to say the only Kinect games I think are worthwhile are the fitness games. Granted I haven’t played many but both Kinect Sports games are not engaging. My son likes them from time to time. Dance Central is OK even though I don’t dance.

4165

Glad they are showing that Dead Rising 3 is actually dead rising game

4166

MS says that Xbox One wasn’t designed to work vertically and doing so will be “at your own risk”.

4167

The HDMI-in could be put to good use at last. (zing)

4168

facepalm

Well, that kinda decides several people I know for the PS4 then, because of their available space.