Just like with cars, I think its stupid to not like something just because you aren't used to it or it's a little "different". The cost of video games have been naturally inflating past each generation, I mean remember when PS2 was like $250? It's the same situation, especially for such an immersive industry. Like with cars, and most other money-making industries, you try to nail a wide range of targets with your product, what with the HDTV compatibility, the HD, and the two packages and what not, and though it is expensive now, I suppose the next next generation of gaming systems will be even more expensive.
And about the videogame bashing, I truly think it's just as silly as bashing anything else, nevermind cars --- don't hate something you don't understand or haven't tried. Many people hate the Xbox controller because its not what they're used to. If not, whatever, they have converters to let you use PS2 controllers if its that big of an issue. You just have to be open-mided, that's all.
Each system has its peaks and downfalls, and yes, quality is an issue, and everyone is naturally allowed to their preference --- My PS2 crashed perhaps twice when I owned it. My Xbox, yes a few times more, but of course, I understand its more than just because the comapnies have different methods of industry.
I do like the PC market, I do find it rather steady and flexible, and FPS games are at home; but each platform has its apparent perks, as I've said.
I just think everybody should use rationality when it comes to videogames or anything else for that matter -- meaning, don't hate it if you don't like it, you can't judge something without proper arbitration. I think every videogame system has crashed at least once before, and I thought everyone would already know that there's an obscene amount of hype before or during the inception of a new videogame system or product -- its basically a vulnerable time to sucker punch a company while consumers are skeptical and still learning.
My bad for the essay, but I grew up with videogames and was about to make a career out of them, so I really wanted to get my thoughts on this thread.