OT - Console Game Systems

[Shard O'Glase]

. Also, in terms of multiplatform games, inevitably, the most work goes into the PS2 version {and not just because of the PS2 famed difficult architecture}. Games ported to the Cube and Xbox often look a little better than their PS2 counterparts {when they should look markedly better}, but play worse, being quick and dirty ports. The most effort goes to the biggest market. Plus, with so many games being released, their price point drops fairly quickly. A lot of good PS2 games can be had for $20 and under.

I haven't found this to be true, and most reviews i've read haven't either. I know Robotech was slightly better on the PS2, but other than that I've found that the X-Box game seem to either have better graphics and same playability, or better graphics the same playability and some extras.

I don't own the cube so I wont speak for its ports, though I have played Super Monkey Ball and I'm considering getting the cube just for that.

Edit(some x-box games are poor PC ports I understand(thanks previous poster for reminding me), but since my PC is an archaic piece o doodoo I really don't care)

 

[Ristamar]

I haven't found this to be true, and most reviews i've read haven't either. I know Robotech was slightly better on the PS2, but other than that....

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is another case. The XBOX and GCN versions suck, while the PS2 version is fairly good. The Tony Hawk series always seem to be ever so slightly better on the PS2, as well. Damn lazy developers.

 

[Wolfen Priest]

If I can save some money, I will get a Cube mostly for Eternal Darkness. A Lovecraftish game is too good to pass

As a GameCube owner of several months now (I bought it when it First Debuted) I can second this.

Eternal Darkness is the Absolute Best Video Game I Have Ever Played. Period. It's sooooo cool, especially if you are into D&D (I think). It will scare the pants off you (especially if you play it late at night with all the lights off and pumping it through a stereo -- I PROMISE you will be scared), but thats a Good Thing!

Super Mario Sunshine is also an excellent game, it will bring an air of childhood memories forth. The whole game feels magical and great. Another great GC-only game is Beach Spikers by Sega (a volleyball title). Chicks will like to play this game, and guys will like it even more! Hot chicks playing volleyball, you can make your own team... it's uniquely addictive.

I think the GameCube has slightly better graphics than a PS2 (which I also just bought last night for Final Fantasy X, but have seen/played many games on it since its inception). Plus, the GameCube is only $150 now, the cheapest system.

However, many (great) games for the PS2 are dirt cheap, I just bought Virtua Fighter 4 today on my lunchbreak for 20 bones!

I can't comment on the XBox, because I don't own/want one, and have never even seen one. Reading game reviews, it sounds A LOT like the only really good game for it is Halo, although there is another off-road game for it that sounds really good.

In short, I would get a GameCube for Eternal Dark and other GC-exclusive games like Metroid Prime, but PS2 (while costing $50 more) probably is a better buy overall since some great games like VF4 are (apparently?) only $20. If possible, get them both. I'd skip the X-Box.

 

[Mallus]

I haven't found this to be true, and most reviews i've read haven't either. I know Robotech was slightly better on the PS2, but other than that I've found that the X-Box game seem to either have better graphics and same playability, or better graphics the same playability and some extras.

Really? I should have said my opinion was based on Cube ports. Somehow Gauntlet looks better on the PS2, which points to the level of effort put into the GC port.

That's good to hear. I've been kicking the idea of getting an XBox around, with the new bundle and all. Its the only console I don't have easy access to. What do like on the XBox??

Though I think I'd still feel vaguely ripped off if Xbox titles weren't dramatically better than the PS2 versions. Being a proud Dreamcast owner, I have some familiarity with good hardware going to waste because your system doesn't have a big enough user base. Soul Calibur is still one of the best looking {and playing} games out there. Namco put a lot of effort into its development and holds up to this day.

And its totally worth the price of Game Cube to play Super Monkey Ball...

 

[Ristamar]

As a GameCube owner of several months now (I bought it when it First Debuted) I can second this.

Eternal Darkness is the Absolute Best Video Game I Have Ever Played. Period. It's sooooo cool, especially if you are into D&D (I think). It will scare the pants off you (especially if you play it late at night with all the lights off and pumping it through a stereo -- I PROMISE you will be scared), but thats a Good Thing!

Super Mario Sunshine is also an excellent game, it will bring an air of childhood memories forth. The whole game feels magical and great. Another great GC-only game is Beach Spikers by Sega (a volleyball title). Chicks will like to play this game, and guys will like it even more! Hot chicks playing volleyball, you can make your own team... it's uniquely addictive.

I commend you, sir, on your excellent taste in games. It should be noted that Beach Spikers' subtitle is 'Virtua Beach Volleyball' following in the footsteps of the amazing 'Virtua Tennis' on the now defunct Dreamcast.

 

[Mallus]

I think the GameCube has slightly better graphics than a PS2.

However, many (great) games for the PS2 are dirt cheap, I just bought Virtua Fighter 4 today on my lunchbreak for 20 bones!

1) Actually, I think the GameCube has substantially better looking graphics than a PS2. More polished looking. Better texturing, anti-aliasing, and effects.

2) Virtua Fighter 4 for $20??! Damn you.

 

[Dinkeldog]

I'll probably end up with a game cube soon, as the Mario franchise is too much for me to pass up. As well as anything that might ever have Kong in its name.

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

 

[Wolfen Priest]

2) Virtua Fighter 4 for $20??! Damn you.

Heh. I think the cashier (think of the squeaky-voiced guy from the Simpsons and you'll have a relatively accurate image) was new. There was a copy of another PS2 game that he had scanned for some reason, and it looked like someone either returned it, or decided not to buy it for some reason.

He was looking hesitantly at some other more experienced cashier, but she was ignoring him, gabbing with a friend. The total charge came to $21 something, and the receipt for my purchase was about 10 inches long! So I'm guessing he probably screwed something up, but like I'm gonna say anything! I took the game and quickly exited the store! heheh. I don't owe Best Buy a damn thing!

 

[Baron Von StarBlade]

I suppose I'll chime in since I own all three game systems. Ristamar gave an excellent overview of the three systems, but I really thing the emphsis needs to be put upon the game library. Currently PS2 dominates the market in this category. It literally has hundreds of games that you can buy. The current trend is for most games to be ported to all three systems when they are released. Therefore moving forward you'll be able to get all the major games on all 3 platforms. Of course this means you want a console that will have alot of exclusive titles. This is where the Gamecube shines. It has lots of games that will only show up on it, which in my eyes scores major points.
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.
All that being said, if I had to pick a single console I'd probably go with a PS2, the graphics on it aren't as dated as people lead you to believe, and it has a library that no one else can come close too. If you can afford 2, then get a GC second, then only if you have no life (like me) should you pick up all three.


Just my $0.02

 

[Torque]

To me, it basically depends on whether you're going to be playing mainly single-player or multi-player. If you play alone, PS2 probably has the best variety of games, but for multiplayer, it's Gamecube all the way. Xbox is seriously lacking in worthwhile games, and since its hardware is so close to a PC's, most good games will appear on PC as well.