[game console] Advice sought

[Arnwyn]

My initial desire was for the PS2, since it seems like it has far more games, and they are generally cheaper.

If variety is important to you, then the PS2 is definitely the way to go. Further, if you like console RPGs, then the PS2 is the clear winner. (And, IMNSHO, the Dual Shock is by far the superior controller of the bunch.)

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.

And rightfully so. (Though it has improved moderately with a few non-kiddie games in recent times - Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos are 2 decent RPGs, for example. I'd add Resident Evil 4 to the list, but that's coming out for the PS2 and thus you'll be able to avoid playing that game with the wretched wretched wretched Gamecube controller.)

The Xbox has some pretty solid titles, but I've played Halo, and I just wasn't impressed.

Hmmm... with that said, I'm not sure if the Xbox would be a better choice than the PS2, then - depending on your personal game preferences, of course.

(Note that I own all 3, so I'm not [entirely] talking out of my ass, here.)

My advice in choosing a console (if you can only choose one) are twofold:
1) As Planesdragon said above, look for exclusive titles that you'd like. The console with the highest number wins!
2) Look carefully at the available controllers. Since they're pretty much your sole interface with most games (DDR and a few weird games notwithstanding), it is in your best interest to find the one that you like the best.

These are what I always use to evaluate what my favorite console is (since I buy them all) or which console to purchase first. Currently it's the PS2 by a long shot, since I enjoy RPGs and find the Dual Shock controller smacks everything else for the other systems (though the smaller Xbox controller - not the original cheesburger - is decent).

 

[mojo1701]

Although I don't think that any of the consoles are inherently superior to one another (unless your hands are really small or really big), your hands can adjust to a controller.

I myself own a Cube. Windwaker (and since I preordered it, Ocarina of Time + MasterQuest) and Metroid Prime (and a new Zelda game in the works as well as StarFox) is worth it.

Most games come out for all 3 platforms, and what doesn't come out for Cube, I find that comes out for PC (not always, but quite a few). And Cube has a lot of fun party games (something I find that the PS2 and the X-Box [but not to the degree as PS2] lack), although its online lacks, so it's even.

Bottom line: Gamecube: Good. Others: Good as well, but I endorse the Cube specifically because of the GBA<-->Cube connectivity (e.g. Four Swords Adventures. VERY FUN).

 

[Welverin]

My advice in choosing a console (if you can only choose one) are twofold:
1) As Planesdragon said above, look for exclusive titles that you'd like. The console with the highest number wins!

Exclusives are the most important thing, but you also need to keep in mind that the 'Cube (and even the 'Box) sometimes get left out on multi platform games.

Also the Xbox general has the best version of multi-platform games.

2) Look carefully at the available controllers. Since they're pretty much your sole interface with most games (DDR and a few weird games notwithstanding), it is in your best interest to find the one that you like the best.

Well there are adaptors that will let you use a PS2 controller on the other systems, so you can get around that. Of course there are a billion third party controllers to try out as well

 

[Captain Tagon]

Personally I think the small X-Box controllers are light years ahead of anything else on the market. In fact, the PS2 stock controllers are my least fav of the three, I even like the Dreamcast monsters better.

 

[drothgery]

I don't know why any adult with normal-sized hands would have any problems with the original Xbox controller, which is my favorite of the 4 (Xbox original, Xbox controller S, GameCube, PS2) by far. The others are somewhat less comfortable for long duration-gaming.

 

[Arnwyn]

Says you.

 

[mojo1701]

Says you.

Bingo.

 

[reveal]

I recommend the Xbox. I have one and love it for 2 reasons: Halo and KOTOR.

Seriously though, if you're looking for exercise programs, I bought one for my wife called Yourself! Fitness. She's likes it a lot.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/yourselffitness/default.htm

 

[shadowlight]

My next door neighbor does with with his Xbox.

Hey, that's me!

I'd definitely recommend the XBox because it has "Workout Mode" which the PS2 version does not have. You can enter your weight and then enter how many calories you want to burn and then it will keep track from song to song until you've hit your goal. It also stores your daily results on the hard drive so when you go in the next day (and weigh a few pounds less ) you can see a graph of your weight and your burned calories over time. It's pretty darn cool.

I absolutely hate aerobic exercise, except for DDR, which I love. I usually do 200 calories in a session (which usually takes 15-30 minutes depending on how crazy I'm being) while my wife usually goes for 400-500 calories. It's a lot of fun.

I've had it for a little over a year now, and I've lost 30 lbs in 2004 and another 30 lbs in 2003. Now, I'm also dieting, but DDR is my main sorce of aerobic exercise.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[shadowlight]

The only upside to the system {XBox} that I can think of is that it can supposedly play normal DVDs like a PS2.

The XBox sure does play DVDs. My DVD player is dying and I've been using the XBox exclusively as my DVD player for the last month or so and it works great!

The other main techincal reasons I like my XBox is that is has high def output (gotta love that 480p Dance Dance Revolution on a 72" screen! ... and Fable and Halo(s) for that matter) and it has 5.1 sound.

The 5.1 sound is great with DDR by the way.