Does Microsoft still charge a yearly fee for online usage? I had the original Xbox ages ago and it did. Sony doesn't charge anything. Rumor has it that either a year or 2 from now both will be unveiling their new consoles. It should be interesting how they compare to what we have now. I'm like a switch hitter when it comes to consoles.... First Atari. Then Nintendo. Then Sega. Then Playstation (1), Then Xbox, Then Playstation 3. I don't play that much anymore, but I can't seem to escape the video game scene. I'm still a beast at Duck Hunt. LOL. Whenever a new console comes out I make up a reason why it is needed. "Playstation 3 can play BluRays so might as well get that because its a BluRay player and a game console." LOL. I hope the new consoles don't push 3D, because I don't think I want a 3D TV. Just not that in to it.