If the words of Dave Perry are to be believed, the overwhelming success of Nintendo's Wii is more comparable to a fleeting love affair than a long-lasting relationship.  He is of the opinion that eye candy is the big draw for the vast majority of gamers.  According to Perry, once one of the competing consoles has a killer app like Halo, "they'll drop their Wii controllers" and the party will be over.

Such a trend can already be observed in the handheld market.  In terms of worldwide sales, the outstanding visuals of the PSP have been a recipe for success.  The technically inferior DS has struggled to capture even a small fraction of the user base.

Hold on a sec.  I think Perry's absurdity caused my neurotransmitters to act up.

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For those of you still waiting with bated breath for a Nintendo Wii to call your own, I have bad news.  The hardware shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.  According to Nintendo bigwig George Harrison, there is a distinct possibility that finding a Wii during the 2007 holiday season might be as difficult as it was last year.

Using his powers of convoluted corporate jargon, Harrison named a couple reasons for his company's inability to meet consumer demand.  His most amusing excuse was that they were "trying to figure out what's the reasonable monthly level."

Here's a hint, Mr. Harrison:  it's probably a spot higher than the meager quantity you've been shipping. 

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Less than a week ago, Sony announced a $100 price cut for the 60GB version of the PlayStation 3, bringing the asking price down to $499.  An 80GB model is also in the works, and it will retail for $599.

Do you like magic tricks, kiddos?  I certainly hope so, because Sony just made the 60GB model disappear.  Once supply runs out, the days of the $499 PS3 will have come to an end.  Then there will be only one model for sale, and it will cost… that's right:  $599.

Essentially, Sony played the public relations machine like a champ.  They generated a huge buzz about a "price drop" just before E3, talked about how wonderful they were for doing so at their presser, and then quietly released the rest of the story once the smell of virgins cleared Barker Hangar.  

Of course, the news isn't all bad.  That $599 now buys you an extra 20GB and a copy of MotorStorm.  But the sad reality is that the previously stated price drop is nothing more than a clearance sale.

Now you see it, now you don't.  How's that for a trick?

Think fast:  What was the highlight of E3 2007?

Time's up.

The correct answer is that the entire event sucked dirty balls.  I've been looking for something (anything!) E3-related to write about, but I keep drawing a blank.  Every announcement was either something we all saw coming ten miles away (PSP redesign, yet another 360 SKU), or something so fucking asinine that words fail me (PSP redesign, Scene It?).

Here's a quick re-hash for those who just absolutely need it:

Nintendo

You still can't buy a Wii unless you're willing to turn tricks behind your local Circle K.  The DS is still a phenomenon.  And I think Reggie said there was a slim possibility that they might be making some sequels and spin-off games for a few of their popular franchises.  Sounds like a lovely change of direction.

Microsoft

Yep, there's another version of Xbox 360 to consider.  Halo 3 is in development.  The rumors were true, it seems.  They're looking to strengthen online gaming or something.  I didn't catch it all.  At this point I was looking for free Scandinavian foot fetish clips in another window.

Sony

In an effort to breathe new life into the PSP and gobble up some handheld market share, Sony unveils a redesign that… looks exactly like the original.  Brilliant.  There was also something about Metal Gear Solid 4, which knocked me right the hell out of my chair.  Don't read this if you hate spoilers:  Snake is a lot older this time.  

Big Finish

And now, I humbly submit to you my personal favorite moment from E3 2007:  Tecmo's refusal to so much as appear.  Apparently, their VP had some unambiguous words about the new format and the people running the joint.  That made me smile more than any game I saw covered.  (Okay, with the exception of Super Mario Galaxy.  The immature bastard child in me really, really wants to be Bumblebee Mario…)

That's my take on E3 2007.  Drink it up.

PS - I know this is juvenile, but did anyone else giggle when they read "Wii Zapper?"  It made me think of an old girlfriend… and why I'm no longer allowed within 500 feet of her.

Today, Sony Computer Entertainment America confirmed some rumors which had many gamers playacting as industry analysts for the past week.  The biggest bombshell was a price drop for the 60GB version of the PlayStation 3.  Effective immediately, the beleaguered console now sells for $499 in the US, placing the asking price just a stone's throw from that of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite package.

SCEA's second revelation was the August release of a beefier edition of the PS3.  This premium model will come with an 80 GB hard drive, a packed-in copy of MotorStorm, and a $599 price tag.  The potential consumer is now left with two choices:  enjoy a discount on the standard model, or shell out last week's price for expanded memory and a premier racing title.

Will these sweeping measures help the gaming media's favorite new pariah regain market share and respectability?  It's impossible to tell with any certainty at this time; however, it is safe to say that gamers waiting to take the next-gen plunge have some much tastier options than they did a week ago.