Many people do not know why Square switched to the Playstation format from Nintendo. Here I will attempt to show why they did so. However, I will also mention some reasons why Square should stay with Nintendo. Hopefully, this will give you (if you don't already know this) a better understanding of why Square moved (and maybe why they shouldn't have).

Note: If the reasons are unbalanced, it does NOT mean I like (or suggest) one system over the other.

Also, in case you're wondering, this was orginally going to be an editorial, until I saw that there isn't as much opinion as fact.

For Nintendo 64 (N64):

• It almost seemed as if Nintendo and Square had some big friendship before this breakup. Square helping make Super Mario RPG is an example of this. Another example is that Nintendo sold (and is still selling) players' guides for Square's Nintendo games.
• N64 has no noticable loading time.
• N64 games can typically be saved directly on the cartriage instead of having to save on a memory card.
• Nintendo will be making the 64 Disk Drive (64DD) which will be an attachment to the Nintendo which can hold more memory than the N64 alone, and it will have other capabilites such as read-write. (Note: It seems that they are not going to release this in America, but things may change.)
• N64 gives the player 360 degree control without having to buy a "special" new controller and have it only work on certain games (like PSX).
• N64 has a (sold separately) Rumble Pak that can be attached to the controller, which makes it feel like you are "in the game" by vibrating the Pak when you get hit, fire a missle, etc. (for some people it doesn't make them feel that way).
• You (or me at least) get the sense that it is more 3-D than the PSX (with the exception of side-scrolling games).
• The controller can be held in three positions for different styles of gameplay.
• N64 games come on only one cartrage instead of PSX games, which are come on 1-5 CDs. (5 CDs?! Yes, on Riven.) Having this many CDs can make it difficult to remember what CD you are on.

• PSX can hold a lot more information than the N64. It can even hold more than the 64DD.
• PSX uses a memory card so if you rent the game you do not have to rent the same copy each time.
• PSX games are usually cheaper than N64 games.
• PSX has been on the market longer, and thus can be considered more popular (whether or not it is, I don't know).
• The 64DD (mentioned in "For Nintendo") will be about $200 U.S.! (That is, if it is released in America.)
• PSX can play audio CDs.
• Some games made for the PSX or Sega Saturn (who actually visits this section and plays that?) cannot be converted into N64 format.
• Sony has attracted many game companies (Square, Capcom, etc.) to their PSX system.
• PSX can use CG sequences (which are graphics that are much smoother, and cooler, but you cannot directly control what happens in them).
• Their new controller (which must be bought if you got an old controller with your system) has basically two Rumble Paks in them (Dual Shock) and two analog controllers. The Dual Shock controller uses no batteries (unlike the Rumble Pak) and does not weigh the controller down. (Of course, the con is that it was not always the standard.)