Consoles are a lot like cars in the way they are marketed and perceived by the consumer. The three current generation consoles can be equated to types of cars based off of the previous statement. The PlayStation2 is like a sports car, the Xbox is like an SUV, and the Gamecube is like a minivan.

Particular factors relate the PlayStation2 to a sports car. Both machines are flashy in the sense that they are visually stunning and streamlined machines. The original PS2 was sleek and looked good anywhere in the living room, and the Slimline PS2 is even sleeker. They are marketed as the ultimate game machine, just like sports cars are marketed as the ultimate driving machines. Many people want one because of this, and the numbers show this. PS2s have sold well over 100 million units worldwide. This has pushed the machine into the upper echelon of consoles. Like sports cars, PS2s are on many people’s wish lists. The person that wants a PS2 is someone who wants something sleek and flashy just like a sports car.

Unlike the sleek PS2, the Microsoft Xbox is much like an SUV. Both machines are big and boxy due to the massive amounts of power contained in each. The result of this is both machines are like workhorses and can be used for many applications requiring something that can handle the heavy workload. The Xbox appeals to gamers that are looking for powerful hardware capable of performing the most rigorous tasks.

Lastly, there is the Gamecube. The main reason why it is like a minivan is because of its family-oriented nature. Minivans are used to haul around children to soccer practice and do many other family-oriented activities. The Gamecube is a family-oriented console because it is made by Nintendo, who thrives off of strong moral and family values. Many people see the Gamecube as an inferior console, and in the automotive world, minivans are also often seen as inferior. A minivan lacks the power of an SUV and the speed and sleekness of a sports car, which are qualities the Gamecube is lacking when compared to the other two consoles. The Gamecube grabs the attention of the family-oriented gamer looking for a great value.

The marketing schemes of these companies cause people to associate themselves with their consoles. These associations can make the owners feel superior or insecure depending on their peers’ outlooks on the machines.

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