OT - Console Game Systems

[Darkness]

Regardless, this belongs somewhere else, so off we go...

You meant to move it to Software - and not to Story Hour, no?

I'll move it to Software, then...

 

[Ristamar]

Another thing you might want to consider is what type of TV you'll be playing on, the XBox is really designed for HDTV's where as the PS2 and GC have only a few games that offer HD support.

Surprisingly, a lot of the more notable titles on the GC support progressive scan (480p).

Here's a (most likely) incomplete list. A (w) indicates widescreen support:
- Most EA Sports Titles (Madden, NHL, FIFA, Nascar, etc.) (w)
- Aggressive Inline
- Phantasy Star Online
- Eternal Darkness (w)
- Super Smash Brothers Melee (w)? (not sure about the widescreen support)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (w)
- Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee
- Beach Spikers
- Pikmin
- Star Wars: Rogue Leader (w)
- Sega Soccer Slam
- Super Monkey Ball 2
- Star Fox Adventures
- Wave Race: Blue Storm


I do agree, though, that the XBOX likely has the best HDTV support, from what I've heard.

 

[WizarDru]

I do agree, though, that the XBOX likely has the best HDTV support, from what I've heard.

Some of the Xbox titles will support up to 720p, which is patently insane, but there it is.

Ristamar's summary was pretty much spot on. PS2 not only has a large selection of titles, but the largest installed base in Japan, where XBOX has yet to land a significant dent.

However, the PS also had hundreds of games, and lets not forget that hundreds of those games were TERRIBLE. Sony's signal-to-noise ratio was and continues to be terrible, in this regard. For every MGS2 and Devil May Cry, you'll find five Summoners, Monsters, Incs and Shadowman 2s. Some of those games are so cheap for a reason. Nintendo, on the other hand, produces fewer games, but on the whole they are usually of a higher caliber. Sure, Mario Sunshine is just more Mario with better graphics....but since when is that a BAD thing?

Despite some folks anti-MS sentiment, one Xbox strength is that Microsoft is actively acquiring developers to grow their software community. Rare, Bungie and Sega are both forces to be contended with. The Xbox being similar to a PC seems an odd thing to consider a negative, frankly. Consoles and PCs are more alike than different, and arcade machines these days even more so. I would consider this a strength, since it means more plug-in developers for Microsoft, but with a guarantee of assumed hardware.

Ultimately, the deciding factor should be what type of game you enjoy, and where you can find it. Sony has the largest installed base, and that translates into many games coming their first. Currently, more innovative titles seem to appear on Sony. Sony also gets more RPGs by far. Nintendo consistently produces more family-friendly titles (note I didn't say 'kids games'...just games that I can play with my kids in the same room). Xbox is still finding it's feet, although games like Splinter Cell and Starcraft:Ghost certainly look very nice.

Ultimately, there is no wrong answer. As long as you have fun, you've won...and all three offer that in some capacity.

 

[Ristamar]

However, the PS also had hundreds of games, and lets not forget that hundreds of those games were TERRIBLE. Sony's signal-to-noise ratio was and continues to be terrible, in this regard.

Indeed. The amount of garbage that reaches shelves for the PS2 is amazing. Yet, oddly enough, it often sells (on any system), a fact which continues to baffle me. Even mediocre titles in highly competitive genres do decent sales (NFL Fever on the XBOX, for example).

Nintendo consistently produces more family-friendly titles (note I didn't say 'kids games'...).

Agreed, though some people will never see through that unwarranted stigma, it seems. Heck, even my mother gives me strange looks from time to time when she sees me playing Animal Crossing.