[game console] Advice sought

[der_kluge]

So, my wife and I have decided that we're going to try to lose weight this year. At least a little. Only one problem - a 20 month old daughter. Well, we rent, so we have a decent fitness center, but we can't exactly leave her in the apartment while we go work out. I'm reluctant to join a health center, because I just don't know how consisten we'll be, and it's expensive.

So, for about the same money, I decided I was going to get "Dance Dance Revolution" for Playstation 2 and dance myself fit.

No kidding. I saw some kinds on the Today show who, together, had lost like 60 pounds just playing that game.

I had assumed that this was a PS2 game, but at the EB Games store today, I saw that GameCube made something very similar. And now looking on eBay, I see that the Xbox has one as well!

My initial desire was for the PS2, since it seems like it has far more games, and they are generally cheaper. I generally like Nintendo's brands like Metroid and Zelda, but the childlike nature of some of those games has turned me off from them. The Xbox has some pretty solid titles, but I've played Halo, and I just wasn't impressed.

Not trying to start a console war here (though those are always fun), but I'm looking for any advice anyone has.

 

[Darkness]

Moved to the Computer forum.

Also, you could do a search (or even start a thread) here. 'cause they have a lot of people who play DDR.

 

[Orius]

My personal pick would be the PS2, since it can be used as a DVD player and it's backwards-compatible with the original. So if you have old PS1 games, you can play them on that. Even if you don't, you can still buy preowned PS1 games on the cheap in some places which gives the system a larger library of games.

As much as I liked Nintendo back in the early days, they really haven't appealed to me as much recently. Like you said, there's way too much kiddie stuff on the system. It might make a good system for the whole family to use for gaming, but other than that, it's biggest appeal is their in house games with well known characters. Unlike theother 2 systems though, it can't be used as a DVD player.

As for XBox, I don't have any problem with Microsoft trying to compete in the market, but the system doesn't seem to have any game that appeal to me at all. So I personally wouldn't go with it. The only upside to the system that I can think of is that it can supposedly play normal DVDs like a PS2.

Of course, much of this is my opinion.

 

[Alzrius]

Personally, my advice is to sidestep the console versions of DDR altogether.

I found the console versions to ultimately be restrictive in the songs offered (they tended to have around one hundred per game, IIRC) and in the customizable options.

I recommend going to www.stepmania.com and downloading the latest version for your PC (make no mistake, Stepmania is DDR with the serial numbers scratched off). It offers a wide range of options for the songs, and has a large page of links to where you can download songs and files for. For the actual dance pads themselves, you can get USB-compatible pads at http://globalnsu.com/Cybergrove/Intro.htm (I recommend just pitching the game software that comes with the pads, as it's vastly inferior to Stepmania).

I can attest to this not being a bad-quality knock-off, as Stepmania is the version I use with my computer at home, with the pads linked to above (though I mounted them on particle boards and wrapped them in plastic to increase their durability).

The downside to what I've mentioned above is that it takes a bit more effort to set up. In addition to having to wait for the purchased pads to arrive (which is always a drag), you need to properly load the files, download the songs, etc. None of that is difficult in any way (I managed to do it, and I don't know anything about computer software), but it can be a bit frustrating compared to the plug-and-play of console systems. Given that I have almost two thousand songs for Stepmania now, however (many of which are things that will never appear on console versions, such as video game themes, anime themes, etc), I feel it's by far the better choice.

 

[der_kluge]

Personally, my advice is to sidestep the console versions of DDR altogether.

I saw that there was a PC version of that pad available. And that would probably be my own choice as well, since it would have a significantly smaller start-up cost. The problem is there isn't any room in the apartment for that since the computer is in our bedroom. So, the console version is really the only choice I have.

 

[Planesdragon]

You & the Mrs. should probably look for exclusive titles for each console that you would buy and want to play. If you can't find any, go with the Gamecube -- the least expensive of the three, because they don't have to pay any dollars at all for DVD licensing. (And, if my geographically wonky memory is actually right for once and you are on the east side of the Atlantic, you might be able to get a Cube for very cheap.)

FWIW, I have a 'cube and might get a used X-box tomorrow. Don't listen to the Nintendo-haters in the crowd: had I a 20-month old kid, Nintendo's selection of kid-friendly titles and easy to grep controller would be my first choice. Not to mention that a GBA adapter gives the 'cube a larger library than the PS2, including all of those classic NES games they're re-releasing now.

 

[Zulithe]

I agree on the stepmania idea. I have a friend that built a new box devoted to that task. It makes for a fun hobby, not only dancing to it, but seeking out all the songs on the net, etc. You can customize it for yourself more.

As for me... while the idea of the game interests me and seems like a very good idea (combines both videogames and exercise, perfect!) I have yet to play any of its incarnations.

 

[drnuncheon]

The wife and I are doing this as well - the platform wasn't a choice for us, though, since we already have a PS2. So far the variety of the songs hasn't been a big deal as I can;t get too far past the easy ones anyway.

Workout mode, which they have on DDRMax at least, has easier steps than game mode, doesn't stop after 3 songs, and tracks (well, estimates) the calories you burn. I don't know if Stepmania has this or not, but it's pretty nice - you can set a goal for time exercised or calories burned.

J

 

[Desdichado]

My next door neighbor does with with his Xbox. I believe that you can download additional songs via Xbox-live, although I wouldn't swear to it. drnuncheon hit the nail on the head for how good DDR is for working out. Personally I'd rather just do my treadmill (we've had two steppers and a treadmill for $0 -- all it takes is knowing people and expressing interest in picking up their used stuff when they don't want it anymore) and listen to my own music or watch movies while working out, but hey, whatever it takes.

In terms of which console to pick up other than for DDR, that really depends on what kinds of games you like. I'm still stuck between PS2 and Xbox myself, but mostly I lean towards Xbox. It has some really cool exclusive titles, and most of the non-exclusives that I would want are also available for the Xbox. One of its major weaknesses, though (at least to me), is the old-fashioned 2-D fighters, but my PS1 and Dreamcast keep me going with all kinds of Street Fighter and King of Fighters titles.

 

[Welverin]

Xbox One of its major weaknesses, though (at least to me), is the old-fashioned 2-D fighters, but my PS1 and Dreamcast keep me going with all kinds of Street Fighter and King of Fighters titles.

Um, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload (Isuka would appear to be on the way), SF2 Anniversary Edition, SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Capcom Fighting Evolutin (not so grand from the reviews I've seen).

The real problem isn't the lack on the Xbox, but a general lack in the industry, sprite based games in general just aren't popular and 3-d based fighters took over years ago. The PS2 doesn't have many itself and the Xbox versions often have something they usually don't, online play.

I generally like Nintendo's brands like Metroid and Zelda, but the childlike nature of some of those games has turned me off from them.

Bah, don't be like that. Heck, Wind Waker alone is worth owning the Cube.