This is why Gaming Steve is one of my favorites because his show balances 360 talk with gaming news, SporeTalk, Reviews, contests and other cool stuff. Other Casts devote episode after episode to 360. If you're not even remotely interested in buying the 360 it's nauseous. And it's not because I don't want a 360, but I'd shoot myself if I spent more than $500 bucks on a freaking video game system.
What surprises me is how thick-headed Microsoft is. Imagine when parents this holiday season walk into Best Buy, KB Toys, or EB and get ready to buy the 360 for little Jonny. They have the non-core system, with extra wireless controllers, recharger pack for said controllers, HD hookups, XBOX live package, and 2-3 games at the counter. The cashier rings up everything with tax for a grand total of $650 bucks. I think most will have a heart-attack! They'll think "Wait a second! We don't have a computer yet" or "you know that PS2 is only $100 bucks and games are $20". And that's what most will do. They'll either buy a computer or PS2. Another issue is Microsoft has pretty much lost the bulk of the southeast region due to hurricane damage. Buying a new gaming console is the last thing on their minds. And of course the rest of us have to deal is $3 gas.
All I'm saying is with my budget a $99 PS2 and a couple budget games for under $150 bucks is doable. The XBOX 360, hell no. I'm not going to buy into Microsoft's 360 degrees of hype.